Wedding Party

Ella Maki Donkoh

The Very Best Pup

Ella joined the Maki-Donkoh family on December 26, 2023. She is the very best pup. No We can't imagine life without her. She enjoys freeze dried chicken. She is not very good at fetch. Today she claims Ella as her government name. Her previous aliases include: Ella Fitzgerald, Young Ellingford, Elsa, Ellie, Duke Ellington, Baby, Babe, Sweet Girl, Bub, Bubba, Bubbies, Love Bug, Street Dog, and TrazBaby.

Colleen Sarah Maki

Gendy Nutch Bride

As some of you may know, I was late in life diagnosed with dyslexia. That does not stop me from kicking ass at Scrabble. My Grandmother Mary and I used to play and that is how I learned to read. You can find me thrifting and buying way too many art supplies. I am also known to pick up the very best pup EllaDog and carry her around like a little babe. She is 48 pounds. #dogzaza

Nicholas Donkoh Jr.

Groom

It is me. All I have to do is stay Black, pay taxes, and die. Did you know I don't have a legal middle name? You can ask me about it and I tell you a story. I enjoy running and hope to run a full marathon one day. My only wish is that my favorite Serbian Son, Nikola Jokic makes an appearance at our special day. #gonuggets

Lucy Maki

Flower Child

Lucy is Colleen and Nick's niece! She loves reading, crafts, and gymnastics. Lucy likes to eat Ruffles potato chips.

Laja Maki

Flower Child

Laja is Colleen and Nick's niece. She loves Booba, milk, M&Ms, and solitude!

Emmanuel Cortes

Best Man

From Emma, "for me Colleen's friendship has represented the opportunity to see the world from a different point of view. Me being from Mexico, them being from Minnesota. Me being used to eat all types of meat, them being a veggie; me being all "anti-religion" them being so into it. And for that reason, for being so different I'll always be thankful. They opened my eyes to a lot of possibilities. Since I met them in 2012, I knew our personalities and character were different but not total opposites, that's why somehow it just felt right to talk and spend time with them. I valued every chance I had to learn about them, and the way Colleen transmited their knowledge, concerns, passions, hobbies, perspectives and above all, their kindness. The whole package just attracted me so much that I'm here after 13 years, being their best man. I am very happy. Our lives and projects keep crossing paths and that's what gives me the certainty that no matter what happens to them, their marriage, our families and friends, no matter where we are or how often or rarely we talk, there will always be a corner in our hearts for our friendship, our secrets, our long political discussions and our heated conversations about faith (lol), or the jokes only we understand. I love you friend and will always be proud and present for your achievements, your falls and your dreams being fulfilled. Congratulations."

Sydney Ewing

VIP

Sydney is kind and bubbly. She is thoughtful, justice minded, welcoming, bright and fierce. Colleen is so glad to know Sydney and call her a friend.

Ashley Sherf

VIP

Vince Szilagyi

Groomsperson

Nick and Vince met in college as history majors at DU. Vince bought Nick lunch once when he forgot his wallet and they have been friends ever since. Vince is one of the most intelligent and straightforward people that Nick knows. They talk politics and basketball. #germanfriend

Matt Gill

Groomsperson

Nick and Matt met in college at DU as International Studies majors. They grew up in the same neighborhood at different times in their childhood. They worked as RA's together in JMac. Matt is a teacher in South Korea and has lived in Russia and Ukraine. Matt is a thoughtful and funny soul.

Mary Maki

Colleen's Grandmother

Mary Maki died in 2014. I wish she could have met Nick. They would have shared a love of reading and watching Jeopardy. We miss her so much.

Pat Wehage

Colleen's Mom's Mom

Pat Wehage is Colleen's mom, Becky's mother. She lives in St. Louis Park, MN. She generously give Colleen a ring she received from Arnie, her very best boyfriend.

Becky Maki

Colleen's Mother

Becky is kind and reserved. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren - Lucy, Laja, and Ella. She likes to swim, dance, and have fun. She loves Nick like a son. Becky gave birth in 1990 to Colleen Maki just 10 minutes before midnight because the doctor said she couldn't do it. Boy, did she prove him wrong. Mike went home to get some rest - Becky bled out and almost died. Just like Dolly says, you gotta "stand by your man" men you gotta stand my your woman because the streets are rough out here.

Mike Maki

Colleen's Father

Mike is obsessed with John Prine and traveling. He is headed to Finland and Alaska next. He likes to golf and frisbee golf with his son Luke.

Luke Maki

Colleen's Brother

Frisbee Golf - Course Recommendations??

Veronica Owusu

Nick's Mama

Veronica is very sweet and diligent. She is the hardest working person that Nick knows. Veronica loves to go on walks and have long conversations with her children. She is from Ghana and loves to cook jollof and ground nut stew. She loves Nick like a son-because he is one.

Nicholas Donkoh Sr.

Nick's Dad

Nick loves sports and is a huge fan of watching football. When Nick Jr. was six, Nick took him to see the parade for the NBA champion Chicago Bulls where Michael Jordan addressed the crowd. He follows the news and is often watching CNN. He is from Ghana. He is a determined man.

Jasmine Donkoh

Nick's Sister

Jasmine is Nick's sister and his oldest friend. She is a biology professor and is great at baking. She was born on a Wednesday - that means her Ghanaian name is Akua. She is always up for running half-marathons with Nick even when she is not ready. Jasmine likes to play games, be outside in nature, and she volunteers with young children helping with literacy.

Tash Donkoh

Nick's Sibling

Tash is Nick's sibling and one of the most thoughtful people he knows. Tash is Nick's polar opposite; while Nick is more introverted, Tasha is a natural extrovert. Tash is creative and incredibly funny. When they were kids, Tash went through a K-Pop phase that Nick did not understand. To this day, Tash is a huge fan of K-Pop and Nick can only name two artists.

Carol Haller

Officiant

Carol Haller will officiate at the wedding of Colleen and Nick. Carol met Colleen two years ago and began playing cribbage with them on Friday mornings. At one of those games, Colleen had a perfect hand, a rarity in cribbage. Through Colleen, Carol met Nick who graciously house sat one weekend when Colleen had offered and then remembered they had to leave town. While at Carol’s house, Nick began searching for a rental in the neighborhood and they ended up becoming Carol’s neighbors. That led to many shared meals, help with emergencies and more cribbage. Oh, and Carol can officiate because she is a judge.