Good Company

Rehearsal Dinner

Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Dinner + Reception

Our Wedding

Our Story

Our story begins in the 7th grade. We grew up together, often hanging out outside of school. It wasn't until our sophomore year of high school that Thomas finally worked up the courage to ask McKenna on a date to a hockey game. Unfortunately, because McKenna and Thomas had been good friends prior, McKenna didn't realize it was an actual date. Thomas wasn't discouraged though. He made it a point to ask her out in the most obvious, public way possible (to avoid any rejection in the moment). After asking McKenna to be his girlfriend, Thomas avoided her for the whole day so she couldn't have a chance to back out of the relationship! Thankfully, McKenna was elated to be in a relationship with Thomas. Since that time, we have graduated high school and college, started our first jobs, and continued to grow with one another. We can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together.

Our wedding venue! To book under our wedding block, please call the Red Lion and mention the Meza-Phillipsen wedding.

Located directly across the street from our wedding venue.

CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel & Spa, BW Premier Collection

Located 1.9 miles from the wedding venue.

Courtyard by Marriott Appleton Riverfront

The Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley offers a shuttle to guests traveling from the Appleton International Airport and staying at the Red Lion.

Appleton International Airport

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Hotels & Transportation

We chose our wedding venue to be located in the heart of downtown Appleton, so our guests could enjoy the city we love so much.

Appleton Downtown, Inc.

Copper Rock is McKenna's favorite coffee shop in Appleton! She recommends the vanilla chai tea latte with oat milk (if you're looking for extra caffeine, this tastes great with a few shots of espresso as well). Thomas recommends the gourmet hot chocolate.

Copper Rock Coffee Company

Thomas and McKenna enjoy collecting video games together, and can be found at Press Start looking for a rare find on the weekends.

Press Start Games

Things to Do

Hi everyone! My name is Sierra and I met McKenna my freshman year of college at Ripon. McKenna was an essential part of my college experience and I have seen her and Tom grow in so many ways over the years. It is impossible to miss the love that these two have for each other when you are with them, and I am so thrilled to be a part of their special day!

Sierra

I am Thomas's brother and met McKenna in high school after they began dating. She's made Thomas a better person, and I'm glad she's part of our family. I hope they have a great wedding and a happy marriage!

Ryan

Hi everyone! I am Megan Prorok, and I met the lovely couple through dating the brother of the bride. I do not have one favorite memory of the couple, although I have never seen a couple work so collaboratively and in sync with each other as these two do. I am so blessed to be apart of their special day and am most excited to tear up the dance floor with all of you at the wedding!

Megan

I am McKenna's brother and played soccer with Thomas in high school. I was able to get to really know who Tom is before he started dating McKenna. I liked Tom from the start. When he starting dating McKenna, he felt part of the family right away. I’m looking forward to McKenna and Thomas growing together and adding on to their very successful and admirable lives. They both set such great examples within their industries and are the truly hardest workers I know. 

Micah

Hi everyone, I am one of McKenna’s cousins (although she has been more of a big sister to me over the course of my life). She definitely has always (at least tried) to keep me in check, and still does. I do not see her as often as I did when we were younger as she became my parents' default babysitter, but I do have countless memories with her. I actually remember when she first told me she started dating Tom. I remember how excited she was and how I pictured Tom the cat from Tom and Jerry as her boyfriend until I met him. And here we are years later preparing for their wedding and the rest of their lives together. 

Aurora

Thomas and I met in college and McKenna followed soon. Both proved to be loyal, generous, and kind companions I would come to consider family in the following years. Life unfurled for us as it did for many with strife and trepidations followed by accomplishments and confidence. Through it all, we stood side-by-side to support one another; it is my honor to stand with our family as they make their vows to one another.

Alex

Hey there! I'm Meghan Sopa, one of McKenna's cousins. McKenna being the oldest grandchild, we've always looked up to her and I can proudly say that she hasn't ever let us down. She has always been like a big sister to me and I'm nothing but grateful for that. McKenna is such a strong, confident, inspiring person. When the two of them started dating, as a family we were able to share memories, laughs, and whatever jokes we came up with yet another special person. Tom has been nothing but a light in our family, there's never a time where I see him not smiling. Together they're unstoppable and I cannot wait to see what they accomplish individually and together. To McKenna and Tom: Thank you for letting me be apart of what's going to be a memorable day for forever. I cannot wait to spend this special day with all of you!

Meghan

I met Thomas in the summer of 2014, at Badgers Boys State. We were all in the same county and city, and spent much of that week together. When we found out we were going to Ripon for school, we asked to be roommates. McKenna became essentially another roommate, and our group (along with Robert and Alex) did pretty much everything together. I am ecstatic to witness the happy couple finally tie the knot, and cannot wait to see so many friends gathered together again.

Eric

Hey guys, I’m Shania Sopa, one of McKenna’s cousins. 
McKenna and Tom have been together ever since I can remember! I seriously can’t imagine life without having Tom in it! He brings laughter  and love into our crazy family! As for McKenna, she’s always been my oldest cousin, making her one of my role models. She is always there for me and I can’t wait to make more memories throughout our lives! Together they balance each other out and complement each other perfectly. Both of them are very driven, strong people who know what they want and go for it. I am so grateful to be apart of their very special day and can’t wait for all the laughs and memories we will create during the wedding!

Shania

I first met Tom and another groomsman, Eric, at Badger Boys State in high school. The three of us all attended Ripon College and Tom introduced me to McKenna at summer orientation prior to our first semester of college. Tom, Eric, Alex, another groomsman, and I roomed together at Ripon freshman year and the four of us and McKenna all quickly became a close-knit group and share so many memories. Tom and McKenna were constantly there throughout my college years and continue to provide support today. Tom and McKenna are always honest, trusting, compassionate, and show empathy and devotion to one another. They truly epitomize a healthy, happy relationship in my mind. I look forward to celebrating McKenna and Tom’s union and can’t wait to get together to rehash old memories and make many more.

Robert

Wedding Party

Engagement Photos

Registry

Where is the wedding?Our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception will all take place at the Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley. When you enter the venue, there will be signs to direct you back to the ceremony. Who can I bring?Due to our limited venue space, only the name(s) explicitly listed on your invitation are able to be accommodated. Thank you for understanding! Where should I park?There are several parking ramps in downtown Appleton! The parking ramp located next to our venue is named the Red Ramp. I have a food allergy/sensitivity. How should I communicate this?When you RSVP, there will be a space for you to communicate this to Thomas and McKenna. We will be offering a vegetarian/dairy-free dinner option.

Do you have a recipe you'd like to share with Thomas and McKenna? If so, please email the recipe to mezamckenna15@gmail.com. We can't wait to add your kitchen creations to our own cookbook.