Betsy + Tyler
Wedding Party
Lori Kuipers
Matron of Honor
Sister Lori is my oldest sister and she is one of the best. We are 5 years apart so we didn't get to spend that much time together in our school day years but we are just as close as ever. I love the relationship that we have. I love that Lori is super intentional. She makes those around her feel welcome and always tries to get to know what is going on in their lives. I admire her for her strength, for being one of the best Moms to my nieces and nephew, for supporting me in all my adventures over the years, and most of all for her unwavering faith. She also happens to be a killer interior designer and I can only hope that she helps me with my house some day. :) I am blessed to have her as my sister.
Travis Mikulenas
Best Man
Brother Travis has been a big influence on who I am today. He blazed the trail as he is the oldest sibling and bent the rules growing up to create an easy life for me. Treating me as a moving target at a young age, (he is 5 years older than me) made me not afraid to get hit by a ball or puck. He is someone I look up to in many ways and helped shape me into the man I am today. He is an amazing father to my twin nephews, Leighton and Nolan. For being the busiest man I know, he always makes time for his family and I am truly impressed on how he does it all.
Jill Zaagman
Matron of Honor
Sister Jill is my second oldest sister and also one of the best. Only being 3 years apart, we got to experience a little bit more of our younger years together which was a blast. I always loved having an older sibling in high school and college with me because she included me. I was her sister but also a friend. We have been told on multiple occasions how alike we both are, I take that as a compliment because she is so fun to be around. Jill has one of the biggest hearts. I know that I can call her anytime and she will listen and be empathetic. She also ties with my sister Lori as one of the best Moms to my other nieces and nephew. Her desire to live out her faith and teach her kids the same is something I admire about her. I really lucked out in the sister department.
Mark Satkoski
Best Man
Brother In-Law I could not ask for a better fit to our family than Mark. I really enjoy every time we get together. He is a a big hitter on the golf course, a great addition to the family, and an amazing husband and father of Maisie and Sammy. I look up to Mark in many ways and one of them is literally. I can always count on him for great advice, an unbiased point of view, a good beer and a laugh. But most of all, he has been a key component of my faith journey and I am so grateful to him for that.
Audra Holst
Bridesmaid
Friend Audra and I met our freshman year of college. We became instant friends and have been besties ever since. We have been through a lot of life's craziness together and I am grateful to have her in my life. She is one of the most fun, wild, adventurous people I know and I can't get enough of her spirit. Audra is one of those friends that I can tell anything to without fear of judgment. Her ability to see other peoples perspectives and speak truth into the lives of those around her is a gift. She strives to help those less fortunate than herself and I'm honored to call her friend. *Audra and Tim also let Tyler crash their wedding last year which was really the beginning of it all for us- Thanks Auds and Timbo*
Cody Deutsch
Groomsman
Friend I knew of Cody through elementary school but since he was a class above me, we didn’t really start crossing paths until middle school sports. A friendship like none other was built on laughs mostly at my expense. He quickly became another part of the family as he asked me to join him in a move to Grand Rapids back in 06 and he told my father, “it’s going to be okay”. And for some reason my father trusted him. Because he needed a roommate, I’m still in Grand Rapids today.
Kaitlin Lyons
Bridesmaid
Friend ** In Loving Memory ** It is with deep sorrow that I share that my oldest and dearest friend Kaitlin fought a courageous battle with cancer and was taken to her eternal home in early March. I knew Kait my entire life. We experienced every stage of life together: play group, awkward middle school years, our first boyfriends, college, and our first "real" jobs. I got to watch Kaitlin get married and become a Mom to two of the sweetest kiddos. Kaitlin was and still is one of my heroes. And even though she won't physically be able to stand up for me on our wedding day, I know she will be there in spirit. She would have been the first on the dance floor busting out her crazy moves, ready to party all night long. She was so excited for Tyler and I and I will carry that with me forever.
Tyler Voorus
Groomsman
Friend Man oh man. You name it, Tyler and I have probably done it together. I believe we were 6 when I offered Tyler some Big Red (he says it’s because I told him he had bad breath, but I don’t believe him) and the rest is history. We played sports, raced dirt bikes and quads on back country roads on the 6 miles between our houses, and lived at each other’s houses during the summers. We avoided (and got caught) in a lot of trouble together. With his good looks and my ability to make people laugh, we got away with a lot. Too many stories to tell and all of them are full of laughs. At least we think so.
Libby Davis
Bridesmaid
Friend Libby aka "Libstick" has also been a friend of mine since elementary school. We too have experienced a lot of life's highs and lows together. I take full credit for her meeting her husband Joe way back in the day on New Years Eve (You know why Lib, and you're welcome- haha). It has been so fun to watch them build their lives together, which now includes two cute kiddos. Libby is one of those friends that I know will always be in my life no matter how many states away we are from each other. She has the sweetest heart, is loyal, caring, and someone I can count on. And she makes the BEST desserts you will ever have! :) I am thankful for her continued friendship over the years and feel blessed to have her in my life!
Ian Martin
Groomsman
Friend I met Ian at the gym about 7 years ago. A common friend introduced us and I have regretted it ever since (haha). I had mentioned to him I played a little softball and that gave him the idea to invite me to join his team. We had a practice to get to know each other. I had never quit a team in my life but that was about to be the first one. I’m glad my dad talked me out of it because Ian and I have an amazing friendship. Constantly competing in literally anything, anywhere. People who met us early on in our friendship asked if we grew up together, but really we had only known each other a year or two. They say it's impossible to make “old new friends”, but it honestly feels like I have known him my whole life.
Annie Brouwer
Bridesmaid
Friend Annie and my friendship may have only begun a few years ago, (thanks Audra!), but I feel like we have been in each others lives way longer. When we decided to move to Denver together, I wasn't really sure how it was going to go. We didn't know each other that well and moving to a new city where neither of us knew any one was a little overwhelming. But, the 5 years that we were in Colorado together (3.5 of them as roomies), have been some of the best times in my life. Annie became my family away from family, my sista from a different mista. Her zest for life and love of new experiences are things I appreciate about her. I can't imagine having moved to Colorado without her. Some of the biggest moments of our lives happened there together, and I will cherish that forever!
Nick Brzeski
Groomsman
Friend Nick “Ski” Brzeski, THE chili master. I met Ski through Sean. They played rugby together at GVSU. Ski invited us over for a chili day and to watch the Packers. I love one of those things and it’s not the Packers. That chili was the best chili I have ever had and I stand by that. We quickly became friends and even started a “Wing Wednesday Crew” that met up for.... well, wings and drinks every week. That became a tradition for about 3 and half years. Kayaking, bonfires, a little golf, some good ol’ chili days, a few fancy cocktails and our brotherhood just keeps growing.
MaryGrace Brown
Bridesmaid
Friend MG and I met through mutual friends and spent the last year and a half as roomies in one of our favorite hoods of Denver. I think that we would both say that God put us in each others lives exactly when we needed it. Not only did we share in many Colorado adventures, but we were each others "Quaran-TEAM" (Plus Tyler for a month, #Roomies4Life haha). Home workouts and a lot of park days together got us through the initial shut down. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I love MG for her heart towards others, her wisdom and ability to speak truth into my life, and her deep rooted faith. I have learned more from her than she probably knows. Even though our friendship is "newer" in terms of years, I feel like she is someone who knows and understands me. I am beyond grateful for her.
Sean Schemmel
Groomsman
Friend Big Sean. I knew of Sean through elementary school but we didn’t start our journey until middle school city league baseball on a team his Dad coached. A few more years of baseball and football, and Sean shifted from a wimpy redhead to a scary man, I quickly knew I needed to be his buddy and not his bully. Sean moved up to GR in 2008 and we quickly rekindled our childhood friendship. Being roommates a few times and also a Wing Wednesday original member, kept the laughs and stories coming. Sean is the first one to point out an awkward moment and probably the loudest to laugh at it, but I love that about him. This man is scary powerful (benches 425lbs) but gives great hugs. Don’t believe me!?!? Just go give him one.
Claire Haines
Bridesmaid
Claire and I became friends a little bit later in life, post college after be both entered the "real world". I knew right after meeting Claire that she and I would be good friends. She has such a contagious, fun, and energetic energy that I love to be around. Claire is someone that admire for her strong and steadfast faith, as well. She is a person I feel like I can turn to for honest and real conversation and I appreciate her wisdom. She is one of the best and you'll be sure to find her busting out some great dance moves on the dance floor at the wedding!
Katie Nguyen Huber
Bridesmaid
Katie is another friend that goes way back. We met in sixth grade when all the elementary schools in our town combined to form one really big sixth grade class, but our friendship really formed in high school. Katie is that friend that is up for doing anything. She has an adventurous spirit and one that makes you want to be around her all the time. Her joy and laughter are infectious. She has a heart for others and I love that about her. Her and I have said many times that even though our lives are in different cities and we don't get to see each other often, whenever we do it feels like we have not missed a beat. Friendships like that are special and last a lifetime and for that I am grateful.
Mackenzie Satkoski
Groomswoman
Sister Best. Sister. Ever. Growing up Mackenzie and I of course had our differences, but it just made our sibling bond that much stronger as we have grown older. Mack has been my biggest cheerleader celebrating my accomplishments with phone calls, cards and sometimes even balloons and I can count on her to be there for my ups and downs. She has talked me through standard adult tasks, and has guided me the right way multiple times including to Betsy. If it wasn't for Mack and Jill nudging Betsy and I together, we wouldn't be here. She keeps me level headed and is always a voice of reason when I need one. She is an amazing sister/mother/aunt our family could ask for. I owe Mack so much for all she has done for me, and she asks for nothing in return. Like I said, I have the best sister ever.
Mike Phillips
Groomsman
Brother Mike is my (Betsy's) little brother. But I feel in a lot of ways I look up to him as someone older and wiser than me. He is the youngest of us three girls and we tease him all the time saying he was lucky to grow up with three older sisters, but really I think it is the other way around. Mike and I also got to experience some of our schooling together and I loved having him around and sharing experiences with him as we grew up. Mike is strong, faith-driven, steadfast, and one of the most caring guys I know. He loves to help others and that is reflective in not only what he does for work, but also with his friends and family. I feel extremely proud of who he is and I am blessed to be his sister.