Wedding Party

Kelly Deininger

Bride

Michael Bernstein

Groom

Alexandra Gerdisch

Matron of Honor

Alex and Kelly met in 2009 at high school volleyball camp before starting freshman year and became best friends. The two also spent college together at Loyola University Chicago and were roommates.

Austin Hornbrook

Best Man

Austin and Mike met sophomore year at Penn State in ROTC and were later roommates during Undergraduate Pilot Training in Mississippi. They are currently assigned to the same squadron, flying together in San Antonio.

Oliver

Security

Oliver met Kelly in 2019 during his incarceration at the Pima Animal Care Center, Tucson Arizona. He was released on good behavior and he moved in with Kelly. EDIT: Due to the terms of his parole, Oliver will be unable to make a public appearance.

Houston

Ring Bearer

Houston and Mike met at the Columbus Lowndes Humane Society in Mississippi. The two have been roommates for the last 8 years.

Taylor Goodson

Bridesmaid

Kelly and Taylor met in middle school and played volleyball together. Fun fact: Taylor’s husband grew up across the street from Kelly!

Ryan Kroekel

Groomsman

Ryan lost to Mike in a game of pick-up basketball during their freshman year at Penn State. The two later became friends and were roommates through college.

Ashley Larson

Bridesmaid

Kelly and Ashley met in middle school and later lived down the street from each other.

Alexander Boules

Groomsman

Alex and Mike met in Tucson AZ. The two deployed together, and were then both assigned to Osan AB in South Korea.

Annie Dvorak

Bridesmaid

Kelly and Annie played club volleyball together and were always caught goofing around together — now lifelong friends.

Rich Kruppenbach

Groomsman

Rich was introduced to Mike by Ryan Kroekel and two became inseparable roommates through college.

Madison Haller

Bridesmaid

Kelly and Madi met in middle school and got each other through Spanish class. They continued to be close friends over the years despite living states apart.

Taylor Hiester

Groomsman

Taylor and Mike met in ROTC at Penn State, and were then stationed together in Mississippi.