Rehearsal Dinner

Oakwood Resort Lake Wawasee

Wedding Day

Ceremony on the Grand Lawn

Reception at the Hilltop

Summer

Our Wedding

Our story began in a way neither of us expected—with a missed flight and a cringy Hinge message. In the fall of 2022, Lauren was studying abroad in Barcelona, nearing the end of her semester and preparing to move to Fort Wayne. One day, while scrolling through Hinge, she matched with Jake. His message was… let’s just say, not something she would normally respond to. But fate had other plans. Lauren had accidentally set her alarm for PM instead of AM and missed her flight to Copenhagen. Most of her friends were off on their weekend trip, and with time to spare, she figured—why not? She messaged Jake back. That message led to daily conversations, and soon, regular FaceTime calls. Despite the distance, something just clicked. Jake made quite an impression early on. On Thanksgiving, Lauren sent a kind “Hope you’re having a great day!” message, to which Jake replied, “It’s not a good day.” He was alone in a hunting blind, in a less-than-festive mood, trying to get a shot at a deer. Lauren was a little taken aback—who was this guy spending Thanksgiving in the woods all grumpy? But it turned out his family had the flu that year, so the traditional celebration was postponed. It was quirky—but it was Jake. When Lauren returned home that December, they had their first date at the Fantasy of Lights. It was cold, a little magical, and the beginning of something real. From there, everything fell into place. Jake would pick Lauren up in the winter because she wasn’t yet confident driving in the snow, and soon, they met each other’s families. It all just felt right. Around two years, on Black Friday of 2024, Jake brought things full circle and proposed at the place where their story truly began—Fantasy of Lights. Now, we can’t wait to begin this next chapter together. Thank you for being part of our journey—we’re so excited to celebrate with you!

Happy Thanksgiving 

Our Story

Photos

Carmen is Lauren’s one and only girl cousin on her mom’s side, and their bond runs deep. From summers at Lake Gage to swapping clothes (some of which Lauren may have accidentally stained), they’ve shared laughter, squabbles, and countless memories. Through it all, Carmen has always been like a sister—and Lauren couldn’t imagine this day without her by her side.

Carmen Friend

Nash is Jake’s older brother and has been a constant presence in his life since day one—literally. His first word when Jake was born was “baby,” and he’s been looking out for him ever since. Whether it was keeping him company during childhood misadventures or offering steady support through life’s bigger moments, Nash has always been more than just a brother—he’s one of Jake’s closest friends. Jake is proud to have him standing by his side on one of the most important days of his life.

Nash Zelt

Lauren and Izzy met just three years ago on what can only be described as the best blind date ever—a concert that kicked off an unforgettable friendship. Since then, they’ve made countless memories, from Lauren visiting Izzy at Purdue to closing down bars with late-night karaoke. Their bond is unbreakable, the stories are endless…

Isabella Guadnola

Jake and Mark have been friends since high school, but their friendship truly took off during a cross country meet when they shared a hotel room—and that’s when the chaos began. They went on to be college roommates for two years, bonding over everything from late-night antics to their weekly tradition of watching the garbage truck empty the dumpster at 3 a.m. Whether it was closing down the Neon Cactus or finding new ways to make each other laugh, Mark has been there through it all. Jake feels lucky to have him standing by his side on the big day.

Marc Gibble

Julie was the first of Jake’s friends to meet Lauren—and it happened on Lauren and Jake’s second date, of all places: Target. From that unexpected introduction, a friendship quickly grew. Julie has been a fun, supportive presence from the very beginning, and Lauren is so excited to have her standing by her side.

Julie Seaman

Jake and Ethan first became friends in high school during a marketing class, where they were (rightfully) considered the intellectuals of the room. They also ran cross country together for three years and always shared a strong bond. Even though Ethan was a year ahead, the two reconnected in college and picked up right where they left off. From watching endless basketball games to their annual spring break trips, Ethan has been a great friend through it all. Jake is glad to have him standing by his side on the big day.

Ethan McWilliams

Maria works with Jake, but over time, she and Lauren have become friends. Lauren often joins them for lunch during the week, and the two quickly bonded—especially over their shared love of dogs. Maria never misses a chance to ask about Lauren’s family dog, Rocky

Maria Mann

Jake and Eric became friends in high school through cross country. One of Jake’s earliest memories of Eric is seeing him fall during a meet—they weren’t close yet, but that moment stuck with him. Over time, their friendship grew, especially once Eric started driving Jake and his brother Nash home from practices. In college, Eric, Ethan, Anthony, and Jake shared countless inside jokes and created a lot of unforgettable memories. Jake’s honored to have him standing by his side.

Eric Breneman

Jake met Anthony during freshman year of college, and they quickly became great friends—initially bonding over intense games of parking garage football. Jake knew Anthony was a true friend when he let him sleep in his bed and took the couch himself… all because Jake was convinced his apartment was haunted. Anthony has always been someone Jake can count on, and he’s pumped to have him standing with him on the big day.

Anthony Allen

Meet Mary Jane—Lauren’s cousin and the tiniest burst of energy with a big love for dance, all things pink, and her big brother. She’s a total spitfire with a flair for fun and just the right amount of sass. As flower girl, she’s ready to sprinkle petals and personality all the way down the aisle!

Mary Jane Holmes

Thomas is the coolest little guy around—and if you’ve seen his style, you already know. He’s not just Jake’s cousin but also his godson, which makes his role as ring bearer extra special. From Florida adventures holding alligators to fun outings with Lauren and Jake, Thomas brings the perfect mix of bravery, charm, and swagger to the big day.

Thomas Mahin

Thomas is Lauren’s younger brother, but from day one, he’s always been her protector. They’ve been close since the day he was born, and their bond has only grown stronger over the years. Whether it was looking out for her or just being her constant support, Thomas has always been her rock—and now he’s proudly standing by her side on one of the biggest days of her life.

Thomas Holmes

Jack is Lauren’s cousin and a true lake boy at heart. He’s all about boating adventures, good vibes, and avoiding fancy clothes whenever possible—so keep an eye on him! With his laid-back spirit and big heart, Jack brings fun and family pride to the bridal party.

Jack Holmes

Dave is Jake’s fun-loving uncle and a longtime partner-in-crime for adventures. From deep sea fishing and beachside beers at the Soggy Peso in Mexico to rowdy football Sundays, these two have shared plenty of laughs and unforgettable trips. As an usher, Dave brings the perfect mix of humor, heart, and just enough party spirit to keep things interesting.

Dave Boyer

Henry is Jake’s little cousin and proudly takes the title of “mini me.” Whether they’re out fishing, roughhousing like brothers, or just goofing around, Henry looks up to Jake in every way. As a junior usher, he brings big energy in a small package—and he’s thrilled to stand by Jake on his big day.

Henry Mahin

Wedding Party

Q + A

Experience the magic of our wedding venue by staying at the hotel that we will be celebrating our special day. Enjoy the convenience of being just steps away from the festivities, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the celebration without the hassle of travel.

Oakwood Resort

For those looking for a more budget-friendly stay, we recommend a cozy hotel just a few minutes drive from our wedding venue. This charming option combines comfort and affordability, ensuring that you can enjoy the celebration without breaking the bank. With convenient access to the venue and local attractions, you will have everything that you need for a fun and memorable weekend.

Lauren & Jake

Lauren & Jake

L&J

Wedding Day

4:30 PM–5:00 PM

Ceremony on the Grand Lawn

5:00 PM–10:00 PM

Reception at the Hilltop