Blake & Annika
Wedding Party
Sascha Stryker
Maid of Honor
Sascha is my very first baby sister and one of my dearest friends. We share a mutual love for all things Taylor Swift, Bachelor, Berry College and Instagram give aways. Not only is she a talented musician, great at captioning photos, and making me laugh; she is also wise, caring, bright, and bold. I love her dearly and can't imagine anyone else by my side!
Katrina Stryker
Bridesmaid
Katrina is my second baby sister and brings much spunk to my life. When we were children she repelled out of our two story window using a homemade rope of belts if that tells you anything about how she fears close to nothing. On top of being tan, blonde, and beautiful, she is great at taking pictures (master behind proposal pics), passionate about others, and feels deeper than anyone I know.
Kiersten Stryker
Bridesmaid
Kiersten, better known as my little bird is my third baby sister. She is the coolest middle schooler that has ever existed. I can always count on Kiersten to go on a run or paint with me. She faithfully heads up family game night and is the best at making popcorn for movie night. Her unofficial Stryker family superlative is "most likely to be famous". She has a heart of gold and she is one of my greatest gifts!
Julia Seales
Bridesmaid
Julia is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Since we were 14 we've been playing dutch blitz, having themed parties, eating chinese food and TPing boys houses that we either loved/hated (high school, am I right?). She has been a faithful friend through every season and loves me despite my many spelling and grammar flaws. Julia is a talented writer, musician, and artist living out in LA. Few people make me laugh harder than she does. She is strong, fiercely loyal, and forever the starfruit to my strawberry.
Presley Merida
Bridesmaid
Presley is one of my most genuine friends. In high school we spent most of our time running together and in college almost all my trips home included a Kentucky basektball game cheering on the Cats and filling each other in on the ups and downs of life. She loves baseball more than anyone I know and she is one of my favorite people to tan on the beach along side of. Presley's 26th birthday is on July 13th so be sure to wish her a happy birthday; she is a kind of friend that deserves much celebrating.
Abby Quinones
Bridesmaid
While I was running on the Berry cross country and track team in college, Abby was the student athletic trainer. Not only was she great at taking care of the athletes on the team but she is also one of the best listeners I know so she quickly became one of my closest friends. Abby is always for treat yo self, brunch, books, long phone chats, and being besties. Abby has played such a consistent and irreplaceable role in my life, I am thankful for years of friendship to come. *cue "I Will Be There" from the Free Willy soundtrack*
Chantal Guerrero
Bridesmaid
I met Chantal working at camp in the summer of 2013 and our friendship progressed summer after summer and in between during our time at Berry. Chantal is a talented dancer and musician, gifts the best gifts, and is thoughtful in every sense of the word. If we had a hashtag, it would be #thankschantal because she is the match maker behind Blake and my set up. Chantal knows and loves me deeply. I will be forever thankful for the way she has encouraged and celebrated my relationship with Blake in every season.
Katie Duncan
Bridesmaid
In the summer of 2013 Katie was my first ever "buddy" counselor at camp. We spent our summer co counseling sweet and wild 10 year old girls and she quickly became one of my most empathetic and steady friends. She is as southern belle as they come and has done her duty to teach me how to be a Georigan since I am a "Yankee" from Kentucky (still below the Mason Dixon line, but to be fair I don't drink sweet tea). Katie is a fabulous 1st grade teacher and I admire the way she serves her students. Katie is always on my side, and I will forever cherish our friendship.
Becca Casola
Bridesmaid
Becca is another sweet camp friend that I met in the summer of 2013. She is from the great city of West Monroe, Louisiana and has taught me some sayings that I still don't understand. She is probably my most Beyonce kind of friend. Becca is a wonderful nurse and is one of the most intentional people I have ever met. Her friendship has brought me both joy and peace over the years and reminds me of God's goodness.
Laura Galves-Bayless
Bridesmaid
Laura and I became friends in summer 2014 when we served as camp counselors together for high school girls. Laura always understands me; whether we are laughing about something ridiculous or in the middle of those more honest conversations. She is a big fan of chocolate chip cookies, coffee, and is the life of any party. Laura has the biggest heart for adventure, travel, and is so passionate about ministry. I admire her wisdom and the way she takes leaps of faith. Blake and I are so blessed to have her and her husband Ben close by in this season!
Rebecca Moore
Bridesmaid
Rebecca was my very first "post college" friend! We met at Bible study and became quick friends when we started running together. We do an annual friendship half marathon together and I am so grateful for the miles and memories we have shared! Rebecca loves dogs more than anyone I know and she is my favorite brunch date. She is the kind of person who would do anything for the people in her corner and I could not have survived these years in Atlanta with out her.
Nicole Fredette
Bridesmaid
Nicole was my perfect, super cool, Pacific Islander roommate in college. We shared many worlds between running together for Berry and in the classroom as education majors but her title of "roommate" will forever be my favorite. Nicole teaches kindergarten at a Spanish/English speaking school in Miami and is the fittest person I know (like she is a sponsored athlete, people). She is a world traveler and makes the best mixed CDs. Her compassion for others is contagious and she lives her life serving others.
AG and Avi Kate Edwards
The kids
When I student taught at Berry in the fabulous Mrs. Niedrach's kindergarten class, AG was in my class! The time I spent in that class was such an important year in my life, so it is really special to incorporate AG and his sister in the wedding. The Edwards family loves all things Berry, WinShape Camps, Atlanta United and they place a high value on their faith and family -- all things Bake and I value and hope for our family one day. We love these sweet gingers and the important things in our life they both represent.
Kyle Brashear
Best Man
Kyle is my older brother and only sibling. He is a talented musician; my fellow Star Wars and Lord of the Rings nerd; knowledgeable on all things theology; a passionate backpacker; and keeps me up to date on the newest in music, movies, and art. He's intelligent, incredibly loyal, quick to laugh, and has been my biggest role model since I came into this world.
Pieter Stryker
Groomsman
Pieter is Annika's oldest brother and quite the avid gamer. He is finishing his degree in Applied Science in Information Management and Design and has lined up an internship working with students in digital design. He is full of interesting information, is very caring, and always has a unique perspective to share.
Stefan Stryker
Groomsman
Stefan is Annika's middle brother and my companion nerd of the family (though he has far surpassed me in that field). He is currently finishing up his Masters and will soon begin pursuing his PhD in medical physics at Duke. He enjoys spending time with his wife Anna, his various pets, running, and cooking. Stefan is always inclusive, ready for a lively conversation, and a great example of finding and cultivating a passion.
Shane Stryker
Groomsman
Shane is Annika's youngest brother and probably the coolest high schooler I know. He's a standout swimmer, a strong runner, a budding musician, and an all around interesting guy. I appreciate his humor, light hearted demeanor, and admire his fervency for his faith.
Ben Holt
Groomsman
Ben is one of my dearest high school friends. To say we had a bromance our senior year would be an understatement. We share a deep love for going into wild places (his favorite being the Smoky Mountains), and being on the trail with good friends. He has a strange obsession with salamanders, but that's balanced by his love for his family, soccer, spontaneous mischievous acts, and his faith.
Rob Mihelic
Groomsman
Rob is my oldest friend. We met in 2nd grade and have been friends ever since despite school changes, moves, and growing up. He is a deep thinker, a passionate follower of Christ, a dedicated researcher of chickens (okay, genetics), an amazing drummer, and a lover of road trips and the mountains. He always challenges and encourages me in my faith, has a hearty laugh, and the most interesting random facts.
Taylor Cofer
Groomsman
Taylor was one of my first friends when I moved to a new school for high school. The best way to describe Taylor is an adventurer. He is the friend I tell all my other friends about because of his ridiculous kayaking feats, incredible mountain bike skills, his van life, and unassuming humbleness about it all. He is incredibly intelligent, shares my love for cycling, always makes an effort to hang out, and truly lives life to the fullest.
Charlie Morgan
Groomsman
I first met Charlie when he decided to run cross country basically on a whim in high school. He is hysterical, has a warm southern drawl, and loves fishing more than anyone else I know. We've spent countless bitterly cold nights huddled up together in the mountains. I'm thankful for his inclusiveness, spontaneity, and example of a strong marriage between young people.
Jake Hartline
Groomsman
Jake is my fellow runner of the group. We've logged many miles together, and he was my inspiration for running at the collegiate level (though he was much more successful than me). Charlie and I helped introduce him to backpacking, and if it wasn't for his companionship, we might not have gotten through those bitterly cold nights. He's ridiculously smart, suave, athletic, and a loyal and consistent friend.
Adam Story
Groomsman
Adam is the archetypal surfer with sun bleached blonde hair and beautiful ocean blue eyes (I give him a hard time about it but it's also true). We became fast friends in college (and brief roommates). He is someone I can always share an intentional conversation with. He cares deeply about those around him, has a mutual love of cats, and is someone that can always make me laugh.
Josh Clayton
Groomsman
Josh is one of my favorite people to share a room with. He's also great to watch or play sports with, is infuriatingly talented at anything he tries, and the best hot yoga partner. His one downfall is being a Bama fan, but despite that he is easy to be around, an intentional friend, and someone that's a joy to walk through life with.