ANDREA & ROSS
JUNE 17, 2017
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
OUR STORY
It was a Saturday night in May 2014. Chastity wanted to have a few friends meet up at Timothy O’Toole’s in Gurnee. At the time, Chastity and a bunch of her friends, including Ross and Andrea, were scattered around the Chicago and Milwaukee area. It just happened to work out that Ross made the drive down to catch up.
For a few months, Chastity had continually talked that “you really should meet my friend Andrea” to Ross. He did not put much stock in it because he already knew Andrea lived nearly an hour south of Chicago in Bourbonnais. As he walked in, Chastity informed him that she had someone she wanted him to meet. Within a few minutes, a really cute girl walked in directly to their table. This girl had a smile on her face that was bright as could be. Before he could even gather his thoughts, Chastity was introducing this gorgeous girl to him as her friend Andrea. For the better part of a couple hours, Andrea and Ross made conversation with each other on their own. They quickly realized that they grew up minutes away from each other and had lots of common ground. They enjoyed the evening, but did not want to get their hopes up.
Over the next couple of months, Andrea and Ross had a few opportunities to continue to get to know each other within a group. They went to Summerfest together, Bears Training Camp, and a Luke Brian concert at Soldier Field. Before Ross left Bourbonnais, they hugged and he asked if they could meet up sometime soon for an exclusive date together. Andrea agreed, and on August 27, 2014 they met in Schaumburg for their first date at The Cheesecake Factory.
The dates continued, and it quickly became a weekly 280 mile journey. Their most memorable adventures together include multiple dates in Chicago and Milwaukee, Blackhawks-Red Wings game in Detroit, and visiting friends in Colorado and Massachusetts.
In May 2015, Andrea got a new job with Aurora Health Care and moved to Grafton, WI, cutting the weekly 280-mile journey down to a 40 minute drive. In November 2015, while Andrea was planning an out-of-town concert trip for Ross’s birthday, little did she know, Ross was planning to propose that day. After that Darius Rucker concert in Green Bay, Ross got down on one knee and proposed. Andrea was surprised, shocked and excited. Of course she said yes!
In May 2016, Ross and Andrea decided to completely cut any distance between them and bought their first house together in Port Washington. Thankfully, those weekly road trips are no longer necessary, but their love for each other continues to grow.
Andrea used to pass a white house that stood on the corner of Route 45 and Millburn Road while growing up. Little did she know, her future husband was living there.
OUR BIG DAY
We have reserved two room blocks.
200 W Grange Ave, Milwaukee
Reservations may be made by the attendees directly with the Hotel room reservation department by calling 414-744-3600 (Select Option 0 for in-house Group Reservations) or by calling Hyatt Central Reservations at 888-492-8847. Please request the group rate of $149.00 per night for the Rupniewski-Brooks Wedding Block when calling the hotel direct or the Central reservations center. Reservations may also be made on-line by using the personal booking link. Simply select your arrival/departure dates and click on the check availability button. http://www.milwaukeeairport.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html?corp_id=g-rubr
Best Western Plus Milwaukee Airport
5105 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee
Call 414-769-2100 x 0 for the front desk or Michelle directly at 414-831-3655 and ask to make a reservation for the Andrea Rupniewski / Ross Brooks Room Block at $120.00 per night. Please place your reservation before May 16, 2017 in order to get this reduced group rate. All rooms not reserved in the block will be dropped and released back to the hotel on this date. A major credit card will be needed to guarantee your reservations against no-show or late cancellation. You will be able to cancel your reservation without penalty if you call before 3:00 PM, the day prior to your scheduled arrival date. Make sure you get your cancellation confirmation number.
RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BEFORE MAY 16, 2017 FOR BOTH HOTELS.
ENTOURAGE
BEST MAN Matt Swingler
In August of 2000, Matt was the first person to introduce himself to Ross prior to the start of freshman year at Warren Township High School. They have been good friends ever since. They played in marching band together and even helped organize a brass quintet. After high school, they have remained close. Matt always helps with various car projects. They often unintentionally alienate others from their conversations when they get into "car talk."
GROOMSMEN Geoff Woodcox
Ross met Geoff in August 2004 at Northern Michigan University. Geoff lived across the hall from Ross, and they were also in marching band together. They quickly realized they had a lot in common. By junior year, they lived in the same house off-campus and shared many memorable college experiences. Today, Geoff lives in North Dakota, but still comes through Wisconsin from time to time. Whenever he does, they both indulge in their most common interest: cheese.
GROOMSMEN Brook Snyder
Since 2011, Brook and Ross have worked together at U-Haul doing storage auctions. Brook comes to Wisconsin for work and to visit often. They like to try various new foods and restaurants together, as well as attend a baseball or hockey game. Brook was a huge help when Ross and Andrea bought their new house in Port Washington.
GROOMSMEN Jason Kuechenmeister
Jason and Ross met at U-Haul back in 2009. Soon after, Ross introduced him to his future wife. Even though Jason left U-Haul a while back, he and Ross have remained close. They even helped each other when it came time for engagement ring purchases and proposals.
GROOMSMEN Alex Reising
Ross and Alex met in 2014 when he first started dating Andrea. His wife, Chastity, is one of Andrea’s bridesmaids and is responsible for Ross and Andrea meeting. The two couples frequently double-date which has allowed Ross and Alex to become close friends.
MAID OF HONOR Jenna Sniegowski
Andrea and Jenna met during their junior year at University of Illinois. They were both part of the football student section, and before a pep rally, Andrea tried to kick Jenna out of the stadium before realizing that she was supposed to be there as well. Ever since, they have always went to Illini sporting events together, even traveling to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. They had a couple of classes together as well. They continue to go to Illini games whenever they can and support each other in their careers.
BRIDESMAID Katherine Reynolds
Katherine was Andrea’s first friend at University of Illinois. Andrea's high school classmate lived on the same floor as Katherine and introduced them to each other before an Illini Pride event. They bonded over multiple Illini sports games, tv shows/movies in the dorms, and many late night outings. By junior year, they were roommates in their first apartment and continued to be great friends through graduation and the many years after.
BRIDESMAID Chrystle Mercer
Chrystle was Andrea’s roommate in Oregon during pharmacy school. She was in the physical therapy program and the landlord gave Andrea her contact info. After a few emails back and forth, they decided to be roommates. For 2 ½ years, they went through the ups and downs of grad school together and explored Portland and the Pacific Northwest. Today, Chrystle lives in beautiful Colorado and Andrea likes to visit whenever she can.
BRIDESMAID Angela Hall
Angie lived on the same floor as Andrea during her freshman year at University of Illinois and they met during an RA meeting. One Friday night, Andrea was looking for something to do and remembered that Angie was on the same floor so she knocked on her door. Angie introduced Andrea to all the fun spots at University of Illinois, including their favorite hangout, Brothers Bar and Grill. After college, Andrea was a part of Angie’s wedding in August 2013, which has been an inspiration for her wedding.
BRIDESMAID Chastity Reising
Chastity is Andrea’s childhood friend and is the one that introduced her to Ross! She went to grade school with Andrea and high school with Ross. Even if Andrea and Chastity would drift apart for months at a time, when they did catch up, it was as if no time had passed. They would meet up at each other’s colleges and take road trips to Florida together. After they finished their grad school programs, they remained close and Chastity kept Andrea company in Bourbonnais before introducing her to her future husband.
USHER Lindsay Kuechenmeister
Lindsay is undoubtedly the sister that Ross never had. They met back in 2004 when Ross started at Northern Michigan University. After they graduated together in 2008, Lindsay ended up moving back home where her small petting zoo quickly wore out its welcome. Soon after, Lindsay and Ross became roommates for a long time. Ever since then, Lindsay has been like a sibling. They have both helped each other through many important, and sometimes difficult, life events.
USHER Kolbe Kasper
Kolbe is another one of Andrea’s great friends from University of Illinois. He is always laughing and smiling and is responsible for teaching Andrea the words to all of the Illini fight songs. They continue to hang out in the Schaumburg/Chicago area with Chastity and he has become close friends with Ross as well.
Flower Girl Greta Layton
Greta is 6, and the daughter of Ross's cousin Ehren Layton. She is also the granddaughter of Ross's godparents Pam and Rhys Layton. Gretta is currently in kindergarten and loves dogs.
Ring Bearer Judd Layton
Judd is 7, and the youngest son of Ross's cousin Ehren Layton. He is the grandson of Ross's godparents Pam and Rhys Layton. Judd enjoys watching hockey and football as well as playing football and soccer with his older brothers. He is currently in 1st grade and likes to read.
Musical Guest Grace Layton
Grace is 13, and the daughter of Ross's cousin Boyd along and his wife Catherine. Grace loves basketball and volleyball. She also takes great interest in science while keeping up with her piano playing. She is a granddaughter of Ross's god parents Pam and Rhys Layton.
REGISTRY
