Wedding Party
Nicole Arkens
Bride
For those who don't know, Nicole's favorite song has been "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" since junior high. She has always said it was her song; she never let it be "our songs" with past boyfriends because she feared if they broke up her song would be ruined. The day she knew that she was marrying Kevin was when he argued with her that "Can't Help Falling In Love" was their song now because he didn't plan on them breaking up. Something in Nicole's heart told her this man was who she was saving that song for and this was the man who she was waiting for.
Kevin Boyle
Groom
While less emotional with his story, Kevin knew that he was planning on spending the rest of his life with Nicole when faced with what he was going to do after graduating from LSSU. While he wasn't sure of what job or where he would live, he was sure that he wanted to make their relationship work. He asked Nicole to go outside with him and they stood under a porch in the rain. Kevin asked the question of how they could stay together, and three years later he asked another question on one knee. ♥
Madison Hornik
Maid of Honor
Madison is Nicole’s little sister, but she refers to the newlyweds as “my brother Kevin and his fiancée.” Don’t let her fool you, she and Nicole are best friends, even if Nicole is more affectionate than her. The sisters are always the first to get annoyed with each other, but also the first to defend the other. The pair have grown much closer as best friends now that they don’t have to share a bathroom anymore. They could write vows to each other: sticking together through the good times and the bad, through sickness and in health. Many toys thrown at Nicole’s head, spa days, pretending to fall asleep in the top bunk every night, FaceTime calls, and the daily things of sisters create a built-in-best-friend. There was no doubt that Nicole wanted the same person she had turned to all through their years growing up and wedding planning to be the person right by her side on the big day.
Jared Johnson-Helman
Best Man
Jared's family has been friends with Kevin's family for years before the pair went to LSSU together. When Jared's mom told him to be nice to Jim Proctor's grandson, no one could expect just how close the pair would get. From family acquaintances to fraternity brothers to best friends, there was no question of who would be Kevin's Best Man after their years of adventures together and remaining close after college. There were a few jokes about whose side Jared was going to be on: Kevin's Best Man or Nicole's Maid of Honor. But while Nicole has her sister as her Maid of Honor; Kevin has his brother as Best Man. Here's a huge thank you for all the memories made, the support on the big day, and the future excitement to be had.
Grace Boyle
Bridesmaid
Grace is Kevin’s little sister, and Nicole could not be more excited to be getting a sister-in-law that she has so much fun with. Their friendship started with boat rides around the lake, to karaoke at college bars, to living together for multiple years at Jim Proctor’s, to making future plans for to be cool aunts to each other’s kids. Nicole is so happy to be marrying Kevin, and she’s so excited that doing so will ensure that she has a future lifelong friend and sister in Grace.
Tyler Bolm
Groomsman
Tyler met the couple in 2019 when he began to come around and go camping with Jared. Kevin and Nicole both quickly considered him their friend rather than just Jared’s. Kevin has spent many, many hours with Tyler camping, fishing, cutting down trees, exploring and driving around, listening to live music, and visiting at each other’s houses. Whether it’s cooking a pizza over a fire or making plans to go check out Stonington, time with Tyler is always well-spent and guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.
Vicky Chase
Bridesmaid
Vicky and Nicole met at a Christmas party in Manistique in 2020. Amongst many adults trying to pose for a group picture, they found each other with a shout to “SORORITY SQUAT!” A quick laugh, but they went to their separate tables. Luck would have it that the two were paired together to be game partners. A few cheese balls thrown by Vicky to Nicole’s shaving cream covered head later, friendship was decided on. People always say that your personality changes depending on who you’re with, and when Nicole is with Vicky she feels relaxed to be her weirdest self that makes her feel like she’s at home.
Austin Chaskey
Groomsman
While Austin started LSSU during Kevin’s last year, the boys were able to have fun and get to know each other as fraternity brothers. Austin made it a priority to hang out with Kevin and their group of friends after they left the Soo. The couple are so thankful that out of the many people in and out of their group during college, Austin has been one of the ones that stayed. He’s dependable and would be the first to try to help someone out in need. Keep his good heart in mind as you witness Austin have a riot during the reception… he’s quite fun when he stops at Kevin and Nicole’s house to drink at “Boyle’s Bar.”
Ana Cookenmaster
Bridesmaid
Ana went to school at LSSU with the bride and groom. Brought together as sorority sisters, Nicole and Ana's 8-year friendship led to them being roommates for two years. Kevin lived with Ana for one of those years. While their friendship took Nicole by surprise, it's endearing that Ana and Kevin started picking up on each others' habits and sounding like each other. Since leaving LSSU, Ana has been a constant best friend to Nicole. Nicole stood as a bridesmaid in Ana's wedding on 5.21.22, and Nicole is so thankful that Ana is standing by her side for her wedding.
Zak Johnson
Groomsman
While no one can say for certain who the funniest Johnson is in the wedding party, Kevin was certain that Zak was one of the first who came to mind when asked who his best friends were. Guests may not get to hear about exactly what shenanigans the pair got up to, but they always had a great time laughing about it afterwards. They met during Kevin’s time at LSSU, but their friendship has stayed strong since then despite Zak relocating. While Nicole and Kevin are always happy when he makes the trip to come back to Michigan for camping or Watcher’s Weekend, they are so thankful that he agreed to make the trip from Texas to stand by Kevin on their wedding day.
Taylor Nielson
Bridesmaid
8 years ago, Taylor and Nicole became friends and sorority sisters. Their college years were full of sleepovers, makeovers, selfies of the pair before going out, and coffee dates. They call each other "wifey" and always joked if they were both single by 40 they'd just get married themselves. The pair were always there for each other, and Nicole knew immediately that out of the dozens of best friends that she’s had in her life, Taylor was one she wanted to have stand by her side and be in all the pictures for years to come. Nicole just won’t listen to Taylor when she tells her to skip steps while dying Taylor’s hair before these pictures… While the plan changed to marry Kevin, Taylor will always be Nicole's "wifey" and is so thankful that their friendship has lasted through the test of time and life's many changes.
Tristan Tackman
Groomsman
Tristan became fraternity brothers with Kevin and friends with Nicole 8 years ago at LSSU. Through the years, distance has not kept them apart. From Kevin driving down for Tristan’s wedding on 10.21.22 or NYE to Tristan driving up for Watcher’s Weekends and trout camps, their friendship proves that if people are important to you, you will be able to make it work. Regardless of how long it has been since the last time they saw each other, Kevin, Nicole, and Tristan are always able to jump right back to where they left off. The couple is so excited to make more memories with Tristan during the engagement and on their wedding day.
Evelyn Bacsik
Flower Girl
Kevin and Nicole both have adorable nieces (Stella & Ophelia), but they both agreed that when they pictured their big day it included having Evelyn try to walk down that aisle. Both are prepared for any reaction (refusing, crying, being adorable, or the couple’s hope: tripping and dumping petals everywhere). Evelyn is Nicole’s cousin and they have spent hours talking and laughing together at their houses and on FaceTime calls with Madison or Evelyn’s parents. This little girl is sure to steal all the guests’ hearts with her big personality, clumsiness, and funny one-liners.