Our Wedding Party

  • Stephanie Hill

    MATRON OF HONOR
    32 years

    Steph and I met when we were just two years old, living one house apart in Park Ridge, IL. Our childhood was spent running barefoot on Lincoln Ave, playing with Barbies and Beanie Babies, taking dance classes, and filming embarrassing home videos—truly inseparable from day one. Her parents and older sister, Sam, became like family to me (Mr. Nelson even taught me how to ride a bike, a fact my dad will never let him forget!). Despite Steph being a grade below me, we stayed best friends through elementary, middle, and high school. When we went off to separate colleges—Steph in Iowa and me in Missouri—we visited each other every chance we got. Our post-grad years have been filled with countless memories in the city and girls’ trips. We’ve been by each other’s side through every life milestone for over 30 years, including the birth of her beautiful son, Wilson.

  • Taylor Lehr

    MATRON OF HONOR
    20 years

    In middle school, Tay joined the same dance class as Steph and me. At first, I was a bit jealous of Steph’s new “friend from school,” but Tay and I quickly hit it off. However, it wasn’t until we were on the Maine South Hawkettes dance team together that we truly became best friends. Little did we know that our high school shenanigans were just the beginning. I visited Tay frequently at the University of Illinois, even after I moved back home after college. When she graduated, we decided to go on a trip to Europe. After exploring Germany, France, and Amsterdam, we moved to the city and spent three years living together in Lakeview, Chicago. Tay and I have always had a sisterly bond—either bickering or laughing until we cry. It's been so special to experience life with her, especially seeing her become a mother to her sweet boy, Brooks.

  • Caitlin Merchant

    MATRON OF HONOR
    20 years

    Caitlin and I met in middle school through Tay and Steph. It turned out that Tay and Cait grew up as neighbors, just like Steph and I did. From the moment the four of us became friends, there was no turning back. We spent every waking moment together—if I wasn’t at my house, I was at Cait’s with the girls. Cait’s mom always made sure we got home safely after our Saturday night sleepovers in their basement. In college, Cait would visit from Indiana, and we made a point to reunite the “Fab 4” whenever possible. We spent our post-grad years exploring the city as Cait welcomed me into her circle of college friends. In 2022, Spencer and I were fortunate enough to travel to India for her wedding celebration! Cait has been my sounding board through all of life’s highs and lows, and I’m incredibly grateful to have her by my side as a best friend.

  • Amanda Nichols

    BRIDESMAID
    16 years

    Freshman year at Mizzou, I met Amanda in my dorm after we became Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority sisters. It wasn’t long before she became my “protective” friend…always reminding me I was way too good for any boy. Amanda makes me belly laugh more than anyone I’ve ever known and she has always felt like home to me. One year during winter break, she visited me in Chicago from Missouri. We went thrifting in the city and had a sleepover in my parent’s basement. That moment was the first time it felt like my two worlds collided. Her positivity and energy is contagious and quite frankly, she just makes everyone want to dance. I credit Amanda for the woman I am today, and I can’t wait for her to stand by my side as I marry the love of my life. Finally, someone she approves of!

  • Molly Smith

    BRIDESMAID
    16 years

    I can’t quite remember the exact moment I met Molly in college. She suddenly was just always there and I don’t know what life was like without her. Molly quickly became my rock—the woman I turned to during all of my highs and lows. We were inseparable and constantly laughing (her smile is dangerously contagious). We lived together for 3 of those 4 years, and I leaned on her throughout all of my life-defining college days. We were Kappa sisters, but it was so much more than that. It felt as if I had known her forever and we were meant to find each other in this stage of life. Molly’s resilience and the way she loves so deeply continues to blow me away. Most recently, in becoming a Mom to her sweet baby boy, Conrad. I’ve always looked up to her, and I am so grateful to have a friend like Molly to guide me in life. 

  • Hannah Bartfield Gottlieb

    BRIDESMAID
    16 years

    Hannah is the prettiest crier I’ve ever met. And when she cries, we all cry. Every time I see her, I am reminded why the bond between our college friends is so strong. Hannah is one of those people you meet in life and shortly after decide, “Yeah, she’s good. I’ll keep her forever.” She is glue. I don’t know how else to describe her. In college, I had the joy of rooming with her in our sorority house multiple times and my favorite memories of those years are with Hannah. She has always inspired me, challenged me, and made me late (to everything). Hannah’s presence truly lights up the room and sometimes, I feel like she’s a celebrity. I am so proud and inspired by the way she carries herself in life fearlessly. She has such a big heart and I can’t believe I get to call her my sister, best friend, and bridesmaid.

  • Brian Glowienke

    OFFICIANT & BEST MAN
    15 years

    UIC. Bonded over FM radio and Schlitz. Spencer titled Murphy's college papers. Murphy got Spencer his first crockpot. He is also our officiant.

  • Kevin Clark

    BEST MAN
    22 years

    Teammate. Clark took Spencer under his wing when he was the new kid in town. Bonded over trampolines and frisbees. Clark will always be the loudest person in the room. Spencer was his best man.

  • Cesar Guerrero

    BEST MAN
    20 years

    Teammate and Compadre. Cesar always has and will convince Spencer that everything will work out. Mr. Guerrero once paid Spencer $20 to eat a hot pepper. Spencer hasn't made a grown man laugh harder since.

  • Eric Ryczek

    BEST MAN
    28 years

    Teammate and Roommate. Spencer earned Eric's Lederhosen after countless Oktoberfests, and playing for the German soccer club. Spencer moved out of their apartment so Eric's now wife could move in.

  • Andrew Kearney

    BEST MAN
    34 years

    Moral and musical advisor. Andrew was told that no matter how annoying or antagonizing Spencer was, he was not allowed to hit him because of the damage he might cause. Andrew somehow still let Spencer tag along with his friends and shared video game time.