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Loretto Events, LLC

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Our Wedding

Everyone has a unique story of how they met and fell in love. Grace and Eli's story is no different, maybe even more than anybody else. Snapchat brought them together, of all places! Grace found Eli randomly on the University of Kansas class of 2027 Snapchat group. She added him, talked nonstop about him to friends, and Instagram stalk his account even before meeting him in person. Eli was curious about Grace when she took an interest in his golf rounds and faith background. Eli also took it upon himself to comment on how pretty Grace looked after going to the Taylor Swift concert, further sparking the relationship.During the Kansas Traditions Night, Grace first saw Eli and he agreed to walk her back to her dorm after she made every effort to start up a conversation. A week and a few homework dates later Grace and Eli started dating.Throughout their freshman year, Eli and Grace had many peaks and valleys but stayed true to each other in the thick and thin. In the early stages of their relationship, they each brought many things to the relationship. Grace briefed Eli on all things Taylor Swift, while he introduced her to golf and his favorite movies. They spent their time going to Kansas football and basketball games together, working on homework for real this time, and committing time to share their first 18 years of themselves.Grace and Eli had many sad goodbyes but, also Titanic-like reunions at the train stations during breaks. These memories, though they were hard, are some of their fondest memories of freshman year. The hardest goodbye was after the second semester when Grace and Eli had to be separated for the whole summer. While the time apart was difficult and frustrating, Eli had something secret planned that changed the relationship forever: ring shopping.When the couple moved back to Lawrence in August, Eli and his other friends started planning the proposal. On September 14th, 2024 at Clinton Lake in Lawrence, Grace said yes to the million-dollar question! Now, Grace and Eli are nonstop wedding planning but are still committed to their classes and things that brought them together in the first place! Thank you for reading more about us. We would love to share more about our story anytime! If you have any questions, feel free to ask us either on the big day or the next time we see you! We love you guys. Rock Chalk Jayhawk -- Grace and Eli

The Story of Us

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Will is Eli's roommate and best friend. They met through KU Christian Challenge and grew close their freshman year. Both born and raised in the Lou', Eli and Will bonded over Cardinals baseball, Blues hockey, and Kansas athletics. Will is Eli's roommate, and they enjoy playing PS5, basketball, and golf together. He is a Mechanical Engineering major at KU and is dating Sabrina Meinershagen (Grace's Maid of Honor). He will be the Best Man and will have plenty of good stories to tell on the big day. 

Will Knehans

Grace and Sabrina met through KU Christian Challenge and grew very close during their sophomore year. Sabrina is from Muskogee, Oklahoma, and is double majoring in Political Science and International Studies.  Grace and Sabrina enjoy shopping together, late-night Sonic runs, and listening to Gracie Abrams. Sabrina has been influential in helping Grace grow spiritually and emotionally recently, and one of their fondest memories is when Sabrina was there for Eli and Grace's engagement. She is dating Will Knehans (Eli's Best Man) and will be the Maid of Honor on the big day. 

Sabrina Meinershagen 

Graham is Eli's high school best friend and teammate. They were co-captains together of the Dunlap golf team and he is the other half of the "Irish Duo."  Graham currently attends THE Ohio State University and is a Biology major. He is an avid sports lover, especially the bears, cubs, and blackhawks. In addition to golf, Graham is an excellent tennis player and fisherman. Eli and Graham have attended many sporting events together and have many memories on the golf team in high school. They met their freshman year at Dunlap High School and remained great friends through high school and beyond. 

Graham O'Leary

McKenzi was one of Grace's church youth leaders when she was in high school. They grew close in sharing their testimonies and discovering they had a lot in common with each other, despite McKenzi being six years older than Grace. She is married to Trentell Gordon, who is officiating the ceremony. Grace and McKenzi both enjoy artsy projects as well as serving the Lord and sharing funny stories. McKenzi has also been influential in Grace's growth both spiritually and emotionally. She is like an older sister to Grace.

McKenzi Gordon

Isaac is Eli's brother, and they have many memories of growing up together. He currently attends Dunlap High School, plays on the golf team, and is a part of the drumline for the marching band. He wants to be an engineer one day with aspirations to attend the Air Force Academy. Isaac is a solid golfer as well but also enjoys playing basketball and working out. He is very active in the church youth group, and he has gone on a few mission trips with the church. In addition to being a groomsman, he will also be a ring-bearer on the big day. 

Isaac Fitzgerald

Gracie is Grace's best high school friend - and they didn't even attend the same high school, let alone live in the same state! Grace and Gracie met on Pinterest (crazy, right?) and share a love of writing music, Taylor Swift, and Diet Coke. Gracie thinks of Grace as an older sister, and one of their favorite memories was seeing Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour in May 2023 together. Gracie is from southern Maryland and attends Belmont University in Nashville. She is hoping to become a music producer one day!

Gracie Cullison

Easton is one of Eli's cousins, and they have been very close since they were little. Easton is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps and was a homeschool graduate. Easton is a huge Michigan Wolverines and New England Patriots fan. Growing up, Easton and Eli enjoyed playing PS2, Legos, and Lord of the Rings cards. One of their best memories together is going to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Easton currently enjoys going to the gym, watching football, and playing video games. 

Easton Morris

Hillary has known Grace since she was in 5th grade and first started attending Horizons in Lincoln! She was Grace's youth leader throughout middle school and a little bit in high school. Hillary and Grace enjoy "clowning" for Taylor Swift theories, serving the youth of Horizons, and attending concerts and movies together! One of their favorite memories together was seeing Olivia Rodrigo's GUTS Tour in March 2024. Hillary has a nickname with the youth at Horizons: Hoob. She has two cats and is never afraid to tell you about her opinion on something!

Hillary Berger

Jacob Gerig has been one of Eli's closest friends since elementary school. He is currently a sophomore at Cedarville University and is studying Finance with an Analytics and Bible minor. Jacob is one of the founding members of the Cheese Dog's Wiffle Ball (IYKYK). Eli and Jacob met at Bethany Baptist Church in Peoria, and they played travel baseball together. Some of Eli's favorite memories with Jacob are watching March Madness, going to Youth Group, and playing baseball. Jacob enjoys watching sports and playing video games in his free time. Jacob has also had the opportunity to go on a few mission trips as well. 

Jacob Gerig

Kay is Grace's roommate at KU. She is a pharmacy major earning her bachelor's and master's degree in 6 years! She is from the St. Louis area as well! Kay loves Pitbull, Halloween, and a good romance or thriller novel. She and Grace like cooking together, drinking coffee, and giving each other advice. Kay and Grace are both introverts and would rather spend a day in their pajamas watching TV than go out. Kay plans on working with cancer patients once she's done with school!

Kaleigh Pekarik

Wedding Party

FAQs

UPDATE: If you are having trouble finding reasonably priced accommodations in the Kansas City area, we suggest searching in St. Joseph, MO or Leavenworth, KS! We are thrilled to celebrate our wedding with you on June 20, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri! Please note that the FIFA World Cup will be taking place at Arrowhead Stadium that same weekend. Due to this, we have not reserved a block of rooms, so we highly recommend booking your travel and accommodations as early as possible. For your convenience, we have included a few options for hotels in Liberty, MO, and Overland Park, KS. Extended Stay America Suites Kansas City - Overland Park - Metcalf Avenue: Call 1-913-396-8285 for reservations.Hampton Inn &amp; Suites Overland Park South: Call 1-913-681-6600 for reservations.Best Western Premier Liberty Inn &amp; Suites: Call 1-816-857-7777 for reservations.Holiday Inn Express Kansas City Liberty Missouri By IHG: Call 1-816-754-6468 for reservations. We look forward to celebrating with you and appreciate your efforts to join us during this exciting time in Kansas City!

Grace & Eli

Grace & Eli

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