Willow on Grand

Wedding Day

Our Wedding

THE START

Our story is shaped by the Lord's faithfulness, both to each of us personally and to us as a whole. His goodness and grace has refined us individually and brought us together. It all offically began August 17, 2022 where we met at the first Chi Alpha Campus Ministry event of our freshman year of college, Pizza and Yard Games. From here, we both became super involved in the Chi Alpha community and our friendship began.

One of the few pictures we have from our pre-dating time. This was from the spring of our freshman year at ISU!

DATING

Tristen asked Helene on their first date on October 25, 2023 after a Chi Alpha Rally. She said yes, and on October 28th, they went to Lockwood Cafe in Ames for their first date. On November 12th they offically started dating after going to Home Sweet Cone in Waukee!

ENGAGED

On September 20th, 2024, Tristen brought Helene to their favorite picnic spot at Ada Hayden and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him.... and she said yes!

AND TO MANY MORE ADVENTURES

This is only the beginning of our love story. We are abundantly blessed and are so excited for the rest of our days together!

Our Story

Photos

Sam and Tristen met at a Chi Alpha event and after nerding out about a few different book series, they became quick friends. Tristen then spent the entire next week at Sam's house and they just became best friends. They spend much of their time talking about Star Wars, playing Clash of Clans, and staying up til 2 am having deep heart to hearts.

Samuel Nicholi Nelson

Kaitlyn (aka KPE) and Helene met working at Hidden Acres during the summer of 2020. They both moved to Ames in the fall of 2022, and from that point on became inseperable. They can be frequently spotted taking trips to Wheatsfield, Morningbell or drinking Maine Root Beer in their apartment.

Kaitlyn Patricia Ellis

Jackson always wanted a little brother and Tristen was the fulfillment of all his dreams. That's how mom tells it at least. Tristen looked up to Jackson growing up, gaining his love of Lego and Lord of the Rings from his big brother. As they got older, their brotherhood formed into a deep friendship. Tristen is still waiting for the day when he will finally beat Jackson in a wrestling match.

Jackson Paul Williams

Hannah and Helene became best friends at Hidden Acres in the summer of 2020 after they counseled a week together in Girls Cabin 8 and survived a mouse named Squeaky the Creepy. Hannah is Helene's go to advice column, weather woman, and private investigator. When they both lived in Ames they had frequent coffee study dates where they sometimes got actual studying done.

Hannah Grace Hentzel

Trenton and Tristen met in 2016 at the homeschool co-op that they were in and became best friends instantly (mostly because everyone else their age were girls). They spent a lot of their time together goofing around and their favorite game was switching up their names, trying to confuse people. Sometimes they confused themselves...

Trenton Presley Robbins

Lisi and Helene met their Junior year of high school when Helene transfered to DMC, and they honestly aren't sure when they became best friends, they just were one day. They are currently long distance besties (over 10 hours!), but whenever they see eachother face-to-face they love to spend their time running errands together, typically ending up at Target...

Lisi Claire Main

Tristen and Kedell became friends through Star Realms, a game that they played many times a week and often late into the night. Kedell was also one of Tristen's small group leaders his freshman year and Kedell was very influential in Tristen's walk with Christ.

Kedell Darion Samuel Guevara

Elle and Helene's orgin story goes way back to the day Elle was born. Since Helene didn't have a sister, Elle was less of a cousin and more of a little sister, and as they have gotten older, a friend. Their childhood days were filled with playing American Girl Dolls at Opa and Oma's house.

Elle Herminia Schipper

Pam and Helene met September 7th, 2003, the day Helene was born. Aunt Pam has always been a second mom, cheerleader and friend to Helene. She supports Helene's crazy ideas, like offering to buy her a pet bunny in middle school (Helene's mom said no, sadly).

Pamela Sue Schipper

Wedding Party

Q + A

If you would like assistance finding a hotel or transportation to attend our special day, please reach out and we would love to help you!

Travel

Ames

Our favorite coffee shop in Ames!

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

Where we had our first date! Order an iced coconut milk vanilla latte and a hot chai to recreate our first date. Their crepes are also amazing.

Lockwood Cafe

Our favorite date spot, the best food in Ames. Don't forget to get a slice of cake before you leave.

Provisions Lot F

Walk around and try to figure out the spot where Tristen proposed. A high five will be awarded to whoever wins.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park

Des Moines

Where we became official! They have the best dairy-free ice cream ever created.

Tristen & Helene

Tristen & Helene

Travel