Ayrika & Derek
Wedding Party
Makenna Kohls
Maid of Honor
Cousin of Bride Makenna is my youngest cousin on my Mom's side, and we grew up almost like sisters. I remember being young and begging our moms to let Makenna stay the night instead of going home. Having no sisters or younger siblings, she was the best I was going to get! They would most likely say yes, and we would continue playing barbies, hair salon, and daycare. Then it would get to bed time and she would cry for her mom, like most 3-5 year-olds do. Then I would instantly regret wanting her to stay! We never did learn. I still like to pick on her like she is a little sister. From putting balloons on her car for her birthday to having her be in my wedding, I can't wait to see what her life has in store for her.
Tiffany Geib
Bridesmaid
Cousin of Bride She might not like this, but Tiff was always the 'mom' whenever we played at her house. I remember times during the summer when we would stay at their house and Tiff was always the responsible one.... or so I thought. She used to be a lifeguard at the Belle Plaine pool (along with Steph) and I remember this one time when, during lifeguard break, Tiff and I went head-first down the pool slide. What rule breakers! When you're like 8 years old, it seems like the most fun thing ever. I love her children to death, and I can't wait to have my own to play with all of their other cousins!
Stephanie Noble
Bridesmaid
Cousin of Bride A cousin, a friend, a fellow teacher. I remember when I was in middle school and I needed to job shadow someone. It didn't even occur to me that my fit would be teaching, until I watched and helped Steph in her classroom that day. The memories that I have with her are so wide and deep. I love spending time with her and her children, and I am so excited for the new baby girl (Due December 2020)!
Megan Zitzmann
Bridesmaid
Sister-in-law of Bride When I first met Megan, it was when we were visiting my brother up in Grand Rapids at college. Nobody even knew he had a girlfriend, or even that he paid any attention to girls. But up the stairs walks Megan and the rest is history. Now they share a home 5 minutes away from me. Which is perfect, because I can visit my adorable little nephew whenever I want! (Whether they like it or not!)
Jessica Boonstra
Bridesmaid
Sister of Groom I have known Jess now for over five years! Wow, time flies! Not only did I meet Derek at Zorbaz, but my first time meeting Jess was there too. I remember, I was running Hammerschlaugen on a Saturday night and around the corner I see a girl just staring at me. Of course, being a Saturday night, I didn't think much of it. Then she comes up to me and says.... "So you're dating my brother!" We both laughed and I admitted to it. Since then we have had an ever-growing relationship and I cannot wait to spend more time with her while we both plan for our weddings and eventually have some kids!
Krista Swenson
Bridesmaid
Friend of Bride Not only did I just meet Krista during my first year of teaching, I know that I made a lifetime friend. This woman has been an inspiration to me both as a teacher and a mother. Any questions I have, whether it is, "Where did I put my coffee mug?", "What did you write for this (insert special ed term here)?", or "What is it like having three kids?" She always smiles and gives me an answer, no matter how ridiculous a question. I am blessed to be sharing a classroom with such an amazing teacher.
Ashlin Heng
Junior Bridesmaid
Friend of Bride Ashlin was one of Ayrika's clients when she worked for a company in Moorhead called CCRI. Ayrika worked with Ashlin for a little 2 1/2 years. Ashlin made an incredible impact on Ayrika, and has helped her learn more about people and look for the deeper meaning of people and their individual personalities. Everybody that Ashlin meets becomes a friend just because that is who she is. She lights up so many people's lives, and is truly a blessing to have in Ayrika's life.
Tyson Gislason
Best Man
I debated making Tyson "Pappa" Gis my best man because I wasn't sure I wanted to look short all day, but here he is. We were friends, dorm roommates, and we shared a house for a year as well. We toured Kennedy Space Center in Florida together and still nerd out before every rocket launch. He can beat me in every video game, but I have the trump card how? I saved this man's life. It was a radical day of shredding waves on our boogie boards, when a big wave took his board to sea and crashed him into the bottom of the ocean, luckily I saw Tyson head barely floating above water. I rushed over and got him on my board and we spent the next 30 minutes fighting the tide to get back to shore. Tyson and I have always had each others back and I don't think I could ask for a better best man.
Cal Anderson
Groomsman
Friend of Groom I met Cal early on at NDSU, you can look at Trevor's bio for more info on that. Early on into our friendship me and Cal started doing everything together. From the dorms, to living together for two years in our first college house, to letting me stay with him for a large portion of my internship in the cities. It wasn't just living together though we were always doing stuff together. Hanging out this much together usually you'd get sick of each other. Now I can't speak for Cal but to me it never got old, he was always down to just hang out and we usually wanted to do the same things, it was easy to just have a good time any time and that's the result I'm looking for on my wedding day.
Bobby Ulman
Groomsman
Friend of Groom Bob "OG" Ulman and I have dang near done it all together and I don't think anything can get this man down. When I say we've done it all I mean it: a week on a yacht in the Bahamas, white water rafting in the Rockies, San Fran, Hollywood, Vegas, Orlando, handfuls of theme parks, fine dinning at the St. Paul grill. It will take Ayrika awhile to surpass how many times I've slept in the same room as this man. He was the goalie I wanted in the net and the man I want with me on my wedding day.
JaCoby Hawkenson
Groomsman
We've been friends since middle school. We've done a lot together from hitting the links, swimming with stingrays, parasailing, to snorkeling in some of the best locations on the planet. That doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the things we've done together. JaCoby made the trip to Fargo/Moorhead area for the college years. I am the guy Haley (JaCoby's Wife) would call and say "where is JaCoby?" which if I didn't know I'd be glad to find him because that's where the party was! JaCoby always made it a night to remember from almost breaking his foot kicking a tree, falling asleep in a bush where no one could find him, to making people hit their own friends over the head with a glass bottle to defend him because "he was just being Jacoby". He'll sure help make it a night to remember
Ben Tamm
Groomsman
Brother-in-law of Groom Ben Tamm, my soon to be brother. Ben is my sister Jessica's fiancé, and boy she got a good one. I remember after the first time I met Ben I said to my mom on the way home, "wow he is way better than her other boyfriends." Ben has fit right in with the clan from the start. From brushing off NL-S/Albany rivalry comments flawlessly, to hitting the links with our fam, and even taking some of the ladies woodworking crafts off my Grandpa's plate. Ben is a great addition to our family!
Trevor Honzay
Groomsman
Friend of Groom BOLD just makes them different. How Tyson and I met Trevor and Cal is a match made in heaven: Tyson and Trevor knew each other, I don't know how they are both tall so lets go with that. Imagine four studs in the weight room far away from all of the people who actually lift. We begin talking about video games and never return to the weight room again. Outside the weight room Trevor goes just as hard. I lived with this guy for two years and barely got to hang out with him. He worked multiple jobs, switched majors, and still graduated in 4 years. To this day Trevor set the pinnacle of grinding in my mind. He is my free financial consultant when I need someone to bounce things off of and I am comfortable with that because I know he isn't afraid to call me out when I'm wrong.
Chase Zitzmann
Ring Bearer
Nephew of Bride This little boy is the light of his auntie's life! Derek and Ayrika don't plan on having kids for a few more years, so CJ gets all of the attention until then! Ayrika will do anything for this little guy, and he has stole her heart forever.
Kaydence Mason
Flower Girl
Cousin of Bride This little lady has recently been welcomed into the family, and it is like she was supposed to be here the entire time! She is exactly like all of her older cousins, with her sass and attitude! She is the only one that is allowed to look prettier than the bride on the wedding day!
Brady Zitzmann
Usher
Brother of Bride
Sean Kohls
Usher
Cousin of Bride
Madison Schmidt
Personal Attendant
Friend of Bride Maddy and Ayrika met through friends and dance competitions. They were supposed to be rivals in the dance community, but they couldn't help but become friends! From state dance competitions, living together in college, breakups, new family members, and so on, these two have faced many challenges. There is nobody else that is better at sitting on a bed and chatting about random things than these two.
Amy Schroeder
Personal Attendant
Friend of Bride Amy and Ayrika go way back.... all the way to Kindergarten. Growing up in a small town, you pretty much stay with the same people throughout elementary, middle, and high school. These two have been on many adventures together. From the Nelson Farm, pool parties, getting stuck in 'space cars', and state dance competitions, these two have been through it all! The conversations seemed to never end once these two started talking. There is nobody else who Ayrika thought would be better to boss around on her wedding day! ;)