Blissful Barn

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Time

Reception

Our Wedding

Mark 10:9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Growing up you always hear "when you know, you'll know". As kids we never understood that feeling... until we did. Riley and Kaitlyn matched on a dating app of all things. After a few failed dates with previous matches, we matched on May 20th, 2024. Riley sent the first message, and we instantly hit it off. Eventually Kaitlyn gave him her phone number and they started to text often. At the time, Riley was working 7 days a week, 12-hour days, so we had to settle with text/phone calls until early August before we were able to actually meet in person. Because we spent nearly 6 weeks texting and calling, by the time we did meet in person, it felt like we had known each other our whole lives. August 10th, 2024, we had our first date. We went to see Deadpool &amp; Wolverine at Celebration Cinema in Benton Harbor and followed it up with dinner at one of our favorite places... Buffalo Wild Wings. We spent the majority of that day together and by the end of the day, Riley had said he had a blast and wanted to officially make me his girlfriend because he didn't want to see anyone else. Kaitlyn agreed! There was never any awkward "first date" moments. It had all felt so easy and simple, yet exciting and full of potential. March 1st, 2025, while on a vacation to visit Riley's best friend in Las Vegas/Arizona, Riley dropped down on one knee and asked Kaitlyn to marry him at the Grand Canyon National Park. To which Kaitlyn replied "Shut the front door! YES!" Now we are planning a wedding to celebrate our love and seal our future together. We wouldn't want to do it without the company of our family and friends, and we could not be more excited to share the day, memories, and love with everyone. Here's to forever!

The Story of Riley & Kaitlyn

Our Story

Photos

Megan is my older sister and the best friend that I could have ever imagined for myself. She knows how to have fun, yet she always keeps my head on my shoulders. Growing up, we didn't always see eye to eye (aka arch nemeses lol) but looking back on that now is so funny to me. Now she is my rock, my confidant, the best mom to my niece and nephew, and one of the most loving people I have ever met. As kids, mom would always tell us we would be each other's Maid of Honors, so we made a pact to not even ask each other to be in each other's weddings when we grew up and that time came. Well... that pact has now been broken for the second time. She is deserving of the title of Matron of Honor and best friend.

Megan Critzer

Branden has been lucky enough to know me his whole life seeing as he is my older brother. I am thankful that we have grown closer over the last few years. It only made sense for him to be my best man someday and I’m excited that that day has finally come. Although hopefully he shaves his mustache before the wedding. When I asked him to be my best man he said no and continued on like nothing happened. Which is the only answer I expected to get. 

Branden Cuma

I met Tay in 2014 when we were on the Lake Michigan College Volleyball team together. Every tall front row hitter needs her tiny back row player. Instantly me and Tay hit it off and I knew right away that she was going to be one of those friends that stuck around for the long haul. We moved to Kalamazoo around the same time and joined another club volleyball league together. No matter how busy life gets, I know she will always make time for me. Whether that be phone calls, FaceTime, or sitting on one of our couches drinking wine and talking about true crime documents that we have watched recently. I couldn't imagine not having her by my side on my wedding day! 

Taylor Weckel

Little momma. We have been friends since my Sophomore year and his Junior year of high school. We played baseball together and were next to each other on the field. Since day one there has been nothing but fun and laughter between us. He is also a fellow nerd. Jacob was there when I asked Kate to marry me, and he photographed the entire thing. He's always by my side in big moments of life so it would only be right if he stood up as one of my best men on the best day of my life.

Jacob Kurth

My sweet Kelly Belly! Me and Kelly met in 2016 when I moved to Kalamazoo and joined a club volleyball team with my roommate. Kelly had never played volleyball before and just did it for fun, so I taught her how to play while being on the court alongside her. She told me I would be a great coach some day and little did I know she was right! I have now been coaching volleyball for 7 years! She is one of the best people I have ever been lucky enough to call my friend. Kelly is always down for a night out on the town or a chill night at home and it's a no brainer that she was going to be a part of my wedding party!

Kelly Johnston

Kody and I also met through the Boilermaker Apprenticeship Program. Kody is very much a country boy which earned him the nickname of Big Country. One of my favorite memories with Kody was when we went and golfed on the Notre Dame home golf course. That was by far the nicest golf course I have ever stepped foot on. I love that he's always down for a round of golf with me. Kody also recently took me out to go pheasant hunting which was a cool experience. I know he will be a good time to have at the wedding. 

Kody Farrington

I have known Tay since middle school days when we played T-ball together. I didn't go to the same school as her, but we played every REC league sport together that we could in middle school. Eventually I ended up going to the same high school as her and our bond just grew from there. Tay was one of my "Fab Five" friend group in school. Every field and court, Tay was by my side, and even after practices and games we would be together. She is always down to take photos with me and see me any chance she gets. She's my travel buddy and giggle buddy and we have too many inside jokes to even count. Everyone probably thinks that we just escaped the psych ward together when we are out together because of how much and how hard we laugh. And we don't even care lol. I got to stand by her side at her wedding and now I can't wait for her to stand by mine!

Taylor Carlson

Ceaser and I also met in the Boilermaker Apprenticeship Program. Ceaser is one of the easiest people to talk to that I have ever met. I tend to be shy and Ceaser always went out of his way to talk to me in the beginning of classes. Whether it is a dumb nonsense conversation or a heart to heart, Ceaser is always there. He is one of the nicest guys I have ever met and also one of the hardest workers. He is always down for anything the boys want to do. Golfing, going to the gun range, going hunting, it doesn't matter. As long as we're doing something Ceaser is on board. I'm glad he is going to be standing next to me on my wedding day. 

Cesar Gonzalez

Michelle and I also met playing T-ball together in middle school. She was part of the "Fab Five". After high school we somehow managed to get even closer. Eventually we lived down the road from each other and got to see each other at least once a week. We both share the same obsession with thriller books and half of our conversations revolve around what we are both currently reading or reading the same books at the same time and discussing them together. Michelle moved to Tennessee so I don't get to see her once a week anymore, but we still talk every week and still visit each other when we can. I am so excited that she is willing to make the trip home to be a part of my special day and I can't thank her enough! 

Michelle Schroeder 

Colt and I became friends through our boilermaker apprenticeship program. We got along right away because we have the same sense of humor and like to talk crap to each other. Each class the crap talking just got progressively more aggressive the closer we got. Colt also took me to my first Indy 500 and it was one of the coolest things I have ever gotten to experience. He also took me hunting for the first time which was also cool to learn. I feel like I am always learning something new from Colt. He is one of my closest friends and I am grateful to have a friend like him not just on my wedding day, but every day. 

Colt Coblentz

Lexi and I met when I was 5 months old. Yeah, you heard that right. Lexi started going to my mom's daycare when she was just 3 months old. We were inseparable growing up and spent almost every weekend at each other's houses. I'm pretty sure our moms gave up on telling us no that we couldn't hang out together. We hung out so much that we would even go to each other's family events. She is truly the little (by 2 months) sister that I never had. Lexi was a part of the "Fab Five" of high school friends. She moved to Florida after graduation but that doesn't stop us from calling, texting, and flying to see each other. The distance won't stop her from being a part of my wedding day though! 

Lexi Martin

Lee and I met at work and I love every time we get put onto a job together. No matter what the job, Lee always makes it fun. There is never a dull moment and always endless laughter between the two of us when we are together. Another reason Lee is awesome is he is always down for a round of golf. While there may be no golfing on my wedding day, I do anticipate there being lots of laughter which he will add to as a Groomsman. 

Lee Gatesman

Brooke I have known since middle school playing t-ball on the fields behind the old high school. She was a part of my "Fab Five" friend group in high school. Brooke's house was always the house to be at for sleepovers for all of us girls. I cannot tell you how many memories were made on the floor or the bunk beds of Brooke's childhood bedroom. From prank calling people we went to school with, to talking about early boyfriend issues, to planning her wedding, we have been through many phases of life together.  I am so thankful for the many years of friendship that we have shared together and will continue to share. 

Brooke Achramowicz 

Dan is Kate's Brother-in-Law (and my soon to be brother-in-law). Dan is also a welder, so we hit it off when we met because of having that in common. Dan knows how to have a good time and how to make people laugh. We have already grown close over the last two years and I am looking forward to our friendship growing even more in the years to come. I am glad to be gaining him as another brother. 

Daniel Critzer

The sweetest soul to ever exist!! Ellie is my soon to be sister-in-law. I knew when I facetimed to tell you that I got engaged and you screamed a minimum of 12 times, that I had to ask you to be a part of our big day! I am so happy that my brother found you and you give him the love he deserves. I couldn't have asked for a better sister to be joining our family! 

Ellie Morse

Bobby is Kate's younger brother. He is one of the goofiest dudes that I have ever met. Always laughing, making friends, and dancing, which is fun to witness because he's so tall and lanky that everything he does just looks goofy. Even though I have only known Bobby for a little over two years, he is a great dude, and I am glad that I will be gaining him as another brother. 

Bobby Head

My sweet and sassy Lyla girl! Lyla is my niece and my little miss personality. Being an aunt is the best thing (besides Riley) to ever happen to me, and I can't wait to see her in her cute little dress! Regardless of if she throws the flower petals or not, there is no one else that I would want to be my little flower babe. I love you, Sissy Girl!

Lyla Critzer

My little buddy Luke! Luke is Kate's (and soon to be my) nephew. He is the sweetest and funniest kid that I have ever met. When I asked him if he wanted to wear a matching tux with me on our wedding day he said "Nah. I'll just wear my Bluey shirt. Thanks". Needless to say, we have a little bit of time to change his mind on the tux.  

Kaitlyn & Riley

Kaitlyn & Riley

K&R

Wedding Day

4:00 PM–4:30 PM

Ceremony

4:30 PM–5:15 PM

Cocktail Time

5:30 PM–11:00 PM

Reception