Second Wedding Reception

Our Wedding

Rachel and Sam met at Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. in Colorado Springs in August of 2022. Their dogs Willa (left) and Kate (right) met soon after and started becoming best friends. They all moved in together to a home in Pueblo, CO in April of 2023. For the past few years, Rachel and Sam started making memories camping, hiking, snowboarding, and traveling. June of 2025 while on a trip in Glacier National Park in Montana, Sam proposed and Rachel said "yes, of course".

Our story

Our Story

Photos

Sam and Daniel met in Madison as roommates. They bonded over music, basketball, and dogs. Although, their dogs took time to be friends it didn't take Sam and Daniel long to form a lifelong friendship.

Daniel Atallah

Joel and Sam met at Wartburg while running Cross Country and Track. They've grown their friendship while both living in Colorado. They enjoy snowboarding, going to rodeos, hiking, and camping together.

Joel Toppin

Sam and Everett met while crossing a street in Colorado Springs. Everett had on a Wisconsin shirt, Sam asked if he was from Wisconsin and Everett replied "yes". They became close friends based of both being from Wisconsin. 

Everett Ellingson

Sam and Andrew are cousins. They have bonded over working out, snowboarding, and sports. Although Andrew can beat Sam down the mountain he still lets him tag along on their annual ski trip. 

Andrew Brooks

Sam and Luke met while working at the Oakcrest together in Madison. They only worked one day a week together, but they looked forward to goofing off when the restaurant was slow. Their friendship continued to grow despite both leaving Madison.

Luke Lippitt

Rachel and Smriti met the week before college (UMass Amherst) started during BIOS- an intensive biology orientation program. Their friendship started right away trying to navigate through 4 years of pre-med requisites at a large university. Even though the last 7 years have been long distance, Smriti, Anna, and Rachel still make plans to see each other a few times per year.

Smriti Karwa

Rachel and Anna met during the first semester of college (UMass Amherst) while in the intro Animal Science class. They share their love of animals and Anna is still trying to convince Rachel to move to Vermont to be her personal veterinarian. Even though the last 7 years have been long distance, Smriti, Anna, and Rachel still make plans to see each other a few times per year. 

Anna Alfonso

Rachel and Amelia met during Belted Galloway Cattle Management class at college (UMass Amherst). They both became TA's for Belties teaching younger students about husbandry and vet care. Amelia also had the desire to become a veterinarian and went to Tufts Vet School.  She currently is a small animal veterinarian in Massachusetts. 

Dr. Amelia Ho

Rachel and Vanessa met during veterinary school at Iowa State University. They bonded being one of the few students from the Northeast and sat next to each other in classes all 4 years. They still to this day get to reminisce over the stressful and challenging times in vet school. Vanessa returned to her home in Pittsburgh, PA and is currently a small animal veterinarian. 

Dr. Vanessa Bouch

Rachel D and Rachel S met when Rachel D visited Mesa Veterinary Clinic during an externship for 4th year of vet school. Rachel S is a registered veterinary technician. Rachel D finished vet school and decided to return to Mesa Veterinary Clinic as an associate vet. Rachel S was immediately so welcoming showing Rachel D around Pueblo and a friend to be there during difficult shifts. 

Rachel Sammon

Wedding Party

<a href="https://www.jackpotjunction.com/stay/hotel" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel - Hotel</a>

9/5/26

Italy Wedding

We recommend flying into Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). It is about 40 minutes from the hotel.From Malpensa take the Malpensa Express to Saronno and then the regional train to Como Lago, then take the C110 bus and get off at the last stop in Laglio. Relais Villa Vittoria has an infinity pool, bicycles to explore the gardens, kayaks on the private dock, cooking lessons, boat tours, and art lessons. Please contact the hotel if you are interested in any of these activities. Lake Como has a lot to offer from boat tours, hiking, water sports, and relaxing on the beach around the lake. Lake Como is around 40 minutes from Milan. Milan is known for its fashion district (Quadrilatero della Moda), but has a lot of other places to visit:- Duomo di Milano: Milan cathedral- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: shopping mall- Castello Sforzesco: castle with museums/art collections- Teatro alla Scala: famous opera house- Santa Maria delle Grazie: home to "The Last Supper"- Arco della Pace: arch of peace

Relais Villa Vittoria - Antica Dimora - Lake Como

Italy

Italy Q + A

Italy Things to do!

Relais Villa Vittoria has an infinity pool, bicycles to explore the gardens, kayaks on the private dock, cooking lessons, boat tours, and art lessons. Please contact the hotel if you are interested in any of these activities.

Lake Como has a lot to offer from boat tours, hiking, water sports, and relaxing on the beach around the lake. Lake Como is around 40 minutes from Milan.

Milan is known for its fashion district (Quadrilatero della Moda), but has a lot of other places to visit: - Duomo di Milano: Milan cathedral- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: shopping mall- Castello Sforzesco: castle with museums/art collections- Teatro alla Scala: famous opera house- Santa Maria delle Grazie: home to "The Last Supper"- Arco della Pace: arch of peace

Rachel & Sam

Rachel & Sam

Photos