Prairie Street Brewing Co.

Rehearsal Dinner

The Standard

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Austin and Sammy Jo met through one of Austin's college roommates. To say he was smitten with her at first sight is an understatement. Her cowboy boots and Arnold Schwarzenegger T-shirt caught his eye, but he knew he needed to wait for the *right* moment to make a move. Unfortunately he thought that moment was when his roommate moved out, via a Facebook message. Her response: "You know I'm never going to sleep with you, right?"...Fast forward a few years and Austin found himself working in the Chicago area, where he remembered Sammy Jo lived. A quick "hey, what is there to do around here" message slowly turned into weekly dinner dates, appearances at her CrossFit gym, seeing Christmas lights and eventually her visiting him in Texas.At that point she was completely charmed, and frankly crazy for this intelligent, handsome goofball from Wisconsin. After only a couple months of dating, they moved in together and the rest is history.

Once Upon A Time... 

Our Story

Photos <3

SJ met Dana freshman year of college. After spending the night at a Halloween party, they bonded in pain during their 8 AM class and formed an instant friendship. With the same double-major (with almost all the same classes), and many shared interests they became fast friends and eventually roommates. Dana is still the first person SJ contacts for any style advice (or advice in general) and Dana never disappoints. These 2 have a history packed with countless laughs, stories and, occasional regrettable moments (which they will bring to their graves). SJ couldn't imagine doing this without Dana at her side.

Dana LeeAnn Hermann

SJo and KO Met During KO's first day at Carthage and the connection was INSTANT. From the first few words they knew their friendship was going to last a lifetime. Not only do both sets of parents consider each other the "other daughter" but their bond has always been sisterly and strong. They swam together (SJ as the designated 500 counter), danced together (as a nightmare pair), and spent most of their college free time with each other. There is never a shortage of fun, laughs and memories when they get together. KO will always be SJ's "Kristina my little Kristina!".

Kristina Olack 

Sarah Mae has been SJs ride or die since pre-school, and is coined as SJ's funniest friend, by her dad (and probably many others). While Sarah is truly one of the funniest people that SJ knows, she is also the definition of ride or die. These 2 have 30ish years of memories including playing on the same sports teams, going on family trips together, surviving a Hurricane, countless parties, big events and lots of Lundgren gatherings, card games and movie nights. The life of every party and a solid rock in their friendship, Sarah will always be family.  

Sarah Mae Lundgren

Erica and SJ have known of each other since high school, but they didn't become good friends until college. They lived across the hall from each other for 2 years and spent more time in the hallway laughing than they did in their respective rooms. Erica and SJ have many shared interests ranging from pole dancing to quoting obscure lines from TV shows and having deep conversations about life and their goals. Erica is a ray of sunshine who brightens every room she is in and SJ wouldn't want to walk down the aisle without her there.

Erica Pascual 

Kate & SJ met through the CrossFit gym that they both now work at,. Although the gym is where they spend a lot of their time, Kate is more than just SJ's training partner and gym Yoda (it's true, SJ would not be the coach she is today without Kate). Kate is that friend who will always be your sounding board and she knows exactly how to respond with what you need at the time. She is a ride-or-die that will get sweaty with you in a workout, belt out songs with you at a concert, dance the night away and laugh with you constantly, and will always be there when you need it. SJ is so excited and grateful to have Kate by her side!

Kate Goebel 

Diane and SJ met one summer lifeguarding for the same pool district. Although they had a lot of fun that summer- they didn't reconnect until after college, when they realized they have all the same interests. (Basically everything). From lifting and bodybuilding (hello Arnold Classic for 5+ straight years...) to pole dancing & Aerial arts, our taste in music and activities we became a bonded pair. With countless inside jokes and unforgettable adventures Diane has been there through so many big life changes and SJ couldn't imagine life without her.  

Diane Haro 

Sarah was Austin's pickleball instructor, who shamelessly recruited him to play on her sand-volleyball team. Little did she know that by adopting Austin, she also adopted his girlfriend (at the time). Sarah quickly introduced SJ to the volleyball girls, added her to the group chat and it was an unstoppable friendship from there. Sarah is the kind of friend who is always there for you with a hand-written note, a ride to the airport, a hug or a good time. She holds a special place in our hearts and will be the best HBIC!

Sarah Janczak

Madelyn Eby

Austin met Max freshman year at UW Madison. They became roommates for the duration of their undergraduate tenure and have stayed close friends despite Max having moved to Milwaukee, Charlotte, LA, and finally Chicago. Max is a senior merchant at Harbor Freight and lives in Chicago with his husband Adam and their dog Theo. There is never a dull moment when Max is around.

Maxwell Olsen

Despite growing up just a few miles from each other in rural Wisconsin, Austin and Lucas didn't meet until the summer of 2010 and became close during their college days. Snowboarding, SummerFest, football, and beer darts are just a few of the things they enjoy. Lucas is currently a landscape architect living in Charlotte, NC with his dog Winston. 

Lucas Geiger

Shady went to high school with Sammy Jo and remains one of her closest friends (and now one of Austin's as well). Shady operated a part-time moving company from 2016-2022 (as in he helped Austin and SJ move many times). Austin and Shady enjoy lifting weights, hitting the gym, working out, game nights, and vacations to Galveston. Shady currently works as an attorney and lives in Palos Heights, IL.

Shady Bolis

Austin met Derek via his older brother (Alex) and they became close friends as Derek finished up his degree at UW Madison (we can't all graduate in only 5 years). Austin and Derek enjoy a great rivalry in nearly all activities, with Austin holding the edge in Super Smash Brothers and Derek claiming he is the superior skiier. After stints in Milwaukee, Nashville, and Milwaukee, Derek currently lives in Salt Lake City (failed the audition for Mormon Wives but decided to stay) where he works as therapist and is also a skiing instructor.  

Derek Birkett

Austin and Matt met at UW Madison Freshman year when they lived in Witte Hall. A Naperville native, Matt is a staunch supporter of the Bears, but he has a secret soft spot in his heart for Wisconsin. Matt and Austin stayed close after graduation and have enjoyed many activities from the green river on St. Patrick's day to vacations in Miami and LA. One day Matt will own a Lake House in Northern Wisconsin and Austin will be able to hang a Packers flag up whenever he isn't home. Matt is a senior consultant at Baker Tilly and currently lives in Chicago with his fiance Nicole.

Matthew Awad

Matt and Austin met through their college job at the coffee shop in Chadbourne Hall at UW Madison. After discovering they were both twins (and born only 6 days apart), Matt and Austin realized they had many other things in common and a friendship was fast formed leading to many a beer pong championship. Matt always brings the positive energy and can strike up a conversation with anyone. Matt is a sales executive at FIS and currently lives in Sun Prarie, WI with his girlfriend Anna.

Matt Cyran

James Eby

Web was a coach at the CrossFit gym where Sammy Jo took Austin to try to impress him with her fitness (evidently, it worked). Fast forward a few years and Web is now one of the owners of that same gym and the officiant of Sammy and Austin's wedding. Web is an outstanding coach and great friend who always has a good conversation ready to go (lets hope he remembers to tell everyone they can sit down at the ceremony). Web lives in Arlington Heights, IL with his wife Kristen and their kids James and Madie. 

Web Eby

Wedding Party

What Is Cocktail Wedding Attire?

Cocktail Dresses to Add to Your Cart ASAP

What Guys Need to Know About Dress Codes

Dress code is cocktail attire. Please prepare for an outdoor ceremony. Dress accordingly.

Dress Code

Shuttle service will be provided for the below hotels with schedule TBD - Schedule will be shared here and on check-inUber/Lyft is available if you miss the shuttles :)Parking is available in a nearby lot to the venue as well as throughout the city

Travel Details

Time to venue: 20 minutesApprox nightly rate: $120Courtesy Transit to venue: Yes Guests can book via the direct link below or by calling the front desk 815-397-6222&nbsp;or online using the group code MAH

Courtyard by Marriott Rockford

Time to venue: 5 mintesApprox nightly rate: $195Courtesy transit to venue: Yes The wedding party will be staying at this hotel and shuttle service will be provided (it will also be easy to Uber or even walk if desired) They are also able to make reservations over the phone by calling 815-668-7878 and&nbsp;mention the group&nbsp;Mahler-Mleziva Wedding Block or group code CES908.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront

Travel

Our twelve-acre landscape of streams, waterfalls, winding pathways, and koi-filled ponds has been rated one of North America’s highest quality Japanese gardens for more than a decade.

Anderson Japanese Gardens

Hard Rock Casino Rockford takes the stage as the city's newest attraction. Located immediately off the I-90 State Street exit in Rockford, the casino boasts more than 175,000 square feet of gaming, entertainment, and hospitality space. Hard Rock Casino Rockford features an array of interests for all guests, with nearly 1,300 slot machines, 50 live table games including a poker room, a state-of-the-art sportsbook, six unique restaurants, and a Rock Shop offering authentic Hard Rock merchandise and more.

Hard Rock Casino Rockford

The paved Rock River Recreation Trail winds throughout downtown Rockford and environs, following the east bank of the Rock River through Shorewood Park and Martin Memorial Park. Officially, the trail begins at Davis Park on the west bank of the river; you can cross the river just about anywhere but the trail segments on this side are short and disconnected. There are about 6 miles of paved trail, while another 10 miles (depending on where you begin) follow along roads. The best place to begin is at Whitman Street bridge. Head north along the east bank until the trail is interrupted at the neighborhood Illinois Street. To pick up the next trail segment, take Illinois then go left at Ransom Place, north (right) on Arlington, east (left) on Snow, and take an immediate right on Forest Grove, which dead-ends where the trail picks up.

Rock River Recreation Path

Skip the wait and buy your tickets online! Experience the museum’s collections and exhibits with ease—secure your general admission tickets today for a hassle-free visit.

Samantha & Austin

Samantha & Austin

Travel

Travel Details

Courtyard by Marriott Rockford

Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront