Claudia & Michael
Wedding Party
Julia Zerdin
Maid of Honor
I have known Claudia since I was only a few hours old! I am so lucky to call her my oldest friend and my big sister. Some of our favorite things to do growing up included playing polly pockets and my littlest petshop, making up dances to the Sound of Music and performing them at family parties, waking up early to play Zoo Tycoon and Webkinz on weekends, sleepovers and lots of volleyball. I am so honored to be Claudia's Maid of Honor (pun intended) and to watch her marry her best friend.
Daniel Hoekstra
Best Man
I have known Michael my entire life and we have been best friends for as long as I can remember. From sports, to board games, and even just watching TV, we have always done everything together. People have always asked if we were twins, but I never saw it (since I’m the better looking one). Michael has always been a great example of perseverance, kindness, and ambition for me to look up to. I could not be more honored to stand by his side on one of the biggest days of his life.
Anna Dispensa
Bridesmaid
I met Claudia in 2015 through our sorority at Augustana College. From college to post grad roommates, Claudia has somehow managed to put up with me over all these years. Whether we're spending our nights finding $4.51 happy hour deals (R.I.P. ZED451) or eating cookie dough and watching 90 day fiancee, many of our favorite memories involve Claudia. I couldn't imagine the last 7 years without her and am elated to stand by her on her big day!
Benjamin Ryan
Groomsman
I first met Michael during his recruiting trip to Augustana. During the 3 years we had at Augustana together, we became great friends through spending countless hours together on the basketball court, playing Euchre and golf, and the occasional shot of Sambuca. Since graduation, we have stayed in close contact and our friendship has only grown. I am so honored to be a part of Michael and Claudia's special day!
Claire Herdegen
Bridesmaid
Claudia and I met at Augustana through our sorority. We were some of the only musical girls in Delta Chi and I am a firm believer it bonded us for life. We attended each others orchestra and choir concerts, had many La Ranch dates, commiserated over accounting classes, and had countless slumber parties at our senior year house. We have come such a long way since then. Were onto city dates, girls trips (to other states instead of the library), screaming with excitement about or successes and laughing at our adulting failures. Through it all, she's been the best support system I could've ever asked for. It will be an absolute honor to stand by her side as she marries the man of her dreams, but please make sure Michael knows - I'll always be the OG corporate Christmas party date ;)
Brandon Motzel
Groomsman
I met Mike on his basketball recruiting trip to Augustana when I (along with Ben Ryan) was lucky enough to host him for his visit. The mandatory movies, NBA Street, and Halo on Mike’s visit were the start of a fantastic friendship. We spent 3 years at Augustana playing lots of basketball, playing lots of Euchre, and having a couple (lots) of beers and shots of Sambuca. I have always admired Mike’s passion and dedication for the things he loves, and I see that in how he cares about Claudia. I am truly honored to have the privilege of standing next to Mike as he marries Claudia and we all get to celebrate their amazing love and the beginning of the rest of their lives together!
Claire Martin
Bridesmaid
I met Claudia back in 2014 on our first day of volleyball practice at Augustana our Freshman year. We were quick friends who bonded throughout our years navigating college and post-grad life. Together we've played countless games of volleyball, rushed the same sorority, carpooled home during school breaks, and shared many meals and drinks together. Through all the ups and downs of life, Claudia has remained a true and consistent friend. Claudia and Mike are so deserving of each other and I cannot wait until we all get to celebrate them next May!
Jared Marcotte
Groomsman
I’ve known Michael since our elementary school days, and our families have been good friends since long before we were around. Sports seemed to be the common ground that our friendship was built on. As many of you already know, Michael is the ultimate competitor when it comes to sports. Whether it was basketball, baseball, or nerf gun wars in the basement, we were always pushing each other to be the best we could be. I’ve always admired Michael’s perseverance and work ethic. He always puts 100% into everything he does, and I have no doubt that he’ll do the same with his relationship with Claudia. I’m extremely honored to be able to stand by his side as they start on this incredible new chapter of their lives.
Emily Westermeyer
Bridesmaid
I first met Claudia when we were sophomores at Augustana. We both played volleyball and I joined the same sorority as her later in the year. Our friendship really bloomed senior year when we had multiple business and finance classes together and lived down the road from each other. We enjoyed many walks to class, study sessions, and free Linkedin photo shoots at 2 am together. I am so blessed to have stayed close to Claudia after college and to have such an amazing friend. I can't wait to support her on her wedding day. Let's get this girl married!
Joseph Kellen
Groomsman
I met Michael his junior year at Augie when I came in as a Freshman. Besides playing basketball with Michael, we became close friends as we defeated Brandon and Ben night after night in euchre while enjoying the champagne of beers. It was not until Michael cried on my shoulder as I cheered on Villanova in their national championship victory over UNC that I knew we would be friends for life. Through traveling to Spain and Italy, many rounds of golf, and a few old fashioned's, I have come to know Michael as a reliable friend with a huge heart for the loved ones in his life, and he will be a fantastic husband! I just hope he remembers the wedding!
Kara Glavan
Bridesmaid
Claudia and I have York High School volleyball to thank for our amazing friendship. We became close when we were on the same club volleyball team my Junior year. It was our long romantic car rides together where I learned of Claudia’s hidden talent, rapping to “Rap God” by Eminem flawlessly. Countless memories have been made in the past 9 years from visits to Augustana and SLU, many trips to the Starbucks in downtown Elmhurst, and most recently our kayak flipping over in the middle of Lake Powell in Arizona. I am so happy for Claudia and Michael and I am honored to stand with them this upcoming May!
Sean Hurley
Groomsman
Michael has been my brother from another mother since we met at Bishop McNamara's Fall Preview back in 2009. Through the years we've been locker buddies, classmates, teammates, Christmas Carolers, Spanish partners, bunkmates (hello, Bahamas) among so many other things. Any trip out to Augustana was always something to look forward to, and Michael always made sure we did something special. One of my favorite things about the big guy is that it doesn't matter if you're in a town of 800 or 8 million, Michael will find somebody he knows within 5 minutes. Michael and Claudia, I love you both; here's to decades of wealth and health!