Jared & Rachel
Wedding Party
Megan Hineman
Matron of Honor
Best friends since Chi Alpha college Bible study in 2007. Best friends of 13 amazing years! They have traveled all over America together and had lived together for 4 amazing years. Rachel was a bridesmaid in Megan & Joel's 2014 wedding. We share many interests, most importantly Holy Spirit, books, board games, Saint Arbuck's drinks, human behavioral psychology, and Harry Potter. We've had a party busted by the cops together, camped in the Redwoods together, spent MANY a beautiful lake day together ... though swinging in lakeside hammocks, while it's lightly raining and reading books may be my favorite past time with you Megs. You are my soul sister and I love you.
Eric Gafkjen
Best Man
One of Jared's elder brothers, since 1984. Bio time, growing up Eric was always a huge pain in my butt... We are too much alike and I remember fighting with him until i got to college. Once I grew up a bit (and he mellowed out from old age) we started to bond. Times change, people change, life tosses us around, but when things get rough the bond brothers share becomes more and more important, and I am honored to say my brother is my best friend.
Shannon Gabrielson
Matron of Honor
Rachel's baby sister since 1988. Rachel was a bridesmaid in Shannon & Tom's 2015 wedding. Shannon & Rachel share a love for books, Harry Potter, and the kitchen {Shannon cooking / Rachel baking... the perfect duo!}, and camping... especially at the North Shore of Minnesota. Shannon has a heart of fierce justice and I've been immensely proud to be her sister ever since she pinned a bully up against some lockers in high school, protecting a fellow student who had learning disabilities. Shan, I love you & I'm so glad we are family and friends forever.
Lance Rotering
Best Man
Best friends since childhood! I met Lance at a Y2K gathering, it sounds weird now but everyone was waiting for the world to end. Rather than being scared I remember making a lifelong friend that night. Rachel asked me to describe my best friend to her and I just laughed. How do you describe someone like Lance in words! He is a character, funny, smart, and just as weird as me. 20 years of best bros and I am psyched for another 20 years of trying to figure out just what is wrong with the two of us. {Rachel just shouted “nothing!” at me.}
Amy Hausauer
Bridesmaid
Rachel's best friend of 22 years!!! Amy and Rachel met in Junior High School and danced at competing dance studios {Butterfield's and Dance Shoppe}, although Amy has always been a far superior dancer than Rachel. They car pooled in high school together for 2 years in her trusty Honda (that only retired to a new owner in 2019!!!), went to the same church youth group, had classes together for eight-ish years, spanning junior high, senior high, and college. College roommates for 4 years. Rachel was a bridesmaid in Trevor & Amy's 2008 wedding. Amers, I love you. You are sweetest, kindest, and an incredibly intentional friend that I've never deserved. You are my #1 inspiration for being the best mom on the planet. You are an incredible gift from God. I love you.
Joel Hineman
Groomsman
Joel and Rachel have been friends ever since Megan and he started dating "for real" ... aka after "the lost years" in their relationship saga. Rachel would do almost anything for Joel, since he is a top notch man of God and the best kind of friend. Joel is commonly known as the "A Team" in Rachel's life. Rachel was a bridesmaid in Megan & Joel's 2014 wedding. Joel, I love you and am so grateful for our friendship.
Brooke Feickert
Bridesmaid
Rachel's best friend and roommate of over 7 years! Rachel was a bridesmaid in Michael & Brooke's 2018 wedding. Despite being completely different in almost EVERY way, we've been the example of true christian friendship. Of course we didn't have an easy start. {Brooke originally HATED Rachel. Ask Brooke about it, it's funny} BUT God can do anything & He is our source of love. Despite all our different ways of doing life, I am SO OVERWHELMINGLY GLAD that I moved into your "special" 711 University apartment. I knew we wouldn't be roommates forever, and I wanted to savor every moment we DID have. I believe we did that. We traveled. We relaxed. We prepared each other for our future marriages. Brookie, I love you... forever.
Tom Gabrielson
Groomsman
Rachel's wonderful brother-in-law. Rachel was a bridesmaid in Shannon & Tom's 2015 wedding. Tom, I love you. I could not imagine a better man for my sister. I LOVE that you are such a crazy Liverpool Football fan, and a fellow book nerd. Thank you for being you!
Ginny Jeche
Bridesmaid
Jared's elder sister since 1984. I used to call my sister mommy in public, she didn't like that, but she has been more than a sister to me. She is my friend, confidant, role model, and the person I call when I need help being a dad! Ginny has the personality of springtime, new life, growth, and just enough of a pain to keep anyone in line! Ginny I am SO EXCITED to raise our kids together and grow amazingly fun & adventurous family memories together. And escaping for sister coffee dates every now and then too!
Jim Jeche
Groomsman
The favorite son of Ernie & Jan since he married their daughter, back in ????. He is an avid outdoorsman and a wonderful father to their two teenagers {Nathan & Luella}. He has a sense if humor that's as dry as a desert, but beyond funny that always bring a chuckle that warms the heart.
Chantell Quernemoen
Bridesmaid
January 2011, when Rachel moved back to North Dakota from California, Chantell decided she would be best friends with Rachel, before they had even met. She walked up to Rachel and said "we are going to be friends"... to which Rachel laughed and replied "okay!" AND true to that they have been! They've hiked mountain peaks & camped in the backcountry {no roads or toilets}, and lived together for 4 years. Rachel was a bridesmaid in Brett & Chantell's 2016 wedding. Chan you are H I L A R I O U S and I love you. I love the family that you & Brett have created with Jones.
Brett Quernemoen
Groomsman
Brett and Rachel have been friends ever since Ashley Ham set him & Chantell up on a blind date back in 2015. Yep, Ashley Ham is apparently very good at match-making spouses!!! Brett and Rachel have been on many adventures together: from skiing in the gorgeous Montana mountains to Rachel rescuing him from two flat tires in the middle of the night. Rachel was a bridesmaid in Brett & Chantell's 2016 wedding. Brett you are an amazing man of the Lord and I am so grateful for our friendship, I love you.
Samantha Nies
Bridesmaid
Samantha and Rachel have been best friend since fall of 2008, when Sam moved to NDSU and joined Chi Alpha. Although they knew each other while Sam was still in high school. They were never roommates but they were next door neighbors for a while! Rachel was a bridesmaid in Adam & Samantha's 2010 wedding. Samantha, you are kind, hilarious, cute (sorry), and just the greatest friend. I've truly been blessed with you in my life. You're a GEM and I love you. I am crazy excited to be a BOY MOM with you! I started the day with 0 boys and will end the day with 2!!! We are going to have so much fun in the cities this summer!
Kelly Gafkjen
Groomsman
Jared's elder brother since 1984. Kelly has a heart bigger than anyone I have ever met. I can't think of anyone else like him. He would give his last breath to help a stranger and that level of compassion is what this world needs.
Megan Semler
Bridesmaid
Megan and Rachel have been best friends since college Bible study in 2007, when Rachel apparently prayed for Megan to receive the Holy Spirit at a Chi Alpha altar call one evening. Rachel has no memory of this, which is classic Rachel. Not only have they traveled overseas together, they were also roommates of roughly 5ish years - in both Fargo, ND and Redding, California. Megan you are the biggest incognito trickster and sweetheart. I have never met a more intentional friend than you are. I love you.
Matt Semler
Groomsman
Rachel and Matt have been friends since he and Megan started dating in 2017. Matt has made Rachel dinner many times for "dinner & games" evenings the 3 of them would spend together. The 3 of them have also gone on many long walks together. Matt I could not imagine a better husband for my precious Megan. Thank you for being such a great person and friend, I love you. {Ask him about his 3 PhD's... he's a smartie!}
Ashley Ham
Bridesmaid
Jared's niece AND Rachel's best friend. THE ONE WHO GETS A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THEIR RELATIONSHIP!!! Rachel & Ashley have had an unconventional evolution in their relationship, you can read all about it on the home page. Rachel was a bridesmaid in her & Ryan's 2013 wedding, and roommates for 2 years... and now FAMILY. Ash you are simply amazing and I am constantly astounded by the gifts and talents our God has given you. You are not only HANDS DOWN one of the best worship leaders I have ever heard of, but you are also the definition of creative and inventive. I love you more than I have ever been able to communicate.
Ryan Ham
Groomsman
Ryan and Rachel have been "acquaintance friends" ever since being youth leaders together at First Assembly in Fargo back in 2008. Rachel had been secretly protecting Ryan from 'too young high school Ashley' for a few years, since Ryan couldn't date students. {It was hard work, trust me.} But Rachel gladly supported Ashley openly chasing Ryan once she graduated high school, and was a bridesmaid in their 2013 wedding, roommates for 2 years... and now FAMILY.
Sara Wegner
Bridesmaid
Rachel's sister-in-law since Rachel was a bridesmaid in her and Matt's 2017 wedding. Rachel wasn't sure of this "quiet blonde model" when they first met... but quickly learned that Sara was an intelligent, kind, and a brilliantly backboned woman. Sara is one of the greatest mothers to their 2 beautiful children {one of our ring bearers... Levi}. Sara I am so lucky to have you as a sister-in-law... and Matt is ridiculously blessed to have you as his spouse. I love you family.
Matthew Wegner
Groomsman
Rachel's baby brother since 1987. Growing up together their relationship has evolved many times. To playing together, building forts first in the house... then graduating to more complex forts out of doors. Picking on Shannon who was the "lazy" sibling (it used to be true). To fighting and wrestling... and that time Rachel nearly cracked Matt's skull wide open on the stone fireplace. Good times, good times. Rachel was a bridesmaid in Matt & Sara's 2017 wedding. Matt I love you... but you're family and I obviously have to.
Levi Wegner
Ring Bearer
Levi is 4 years old and is a mini-me to his father Matthew. Levi is the son of Matthew & Sara Wegner. Everything about Levi can be summed up to JOYFUL energetic muffin of a boy! Levi is Rachel's adorable handful of a nephew. My favorite memory is of you chasing me around grandma & grandpa's house chomping your teeth like an alligator trying to eat me. It was all about the chase, not the bite... and that's why you're the best. Thank you Levi for being our "ring security" at our wedding! We love you.
Embrick Gafkjen
Ring Bearer
Embrick is 5 years old and is my first born son. He has an amazing and tender heart and an attitude to match! He has been such an amazing little man to watch and I am so blessed with a son like him. His smile makes my head buzz with pride and my heart feel full. Ask him about transformers or dinosaurs and you will never hear the end of it! {Jared} Embrick is incredibly intelligent. His curiosity sometimes gets him in trouble, because he isn't listening. He's usually trying to figure it out. That's why Jared and I buy him puzzle games years above the recommended age. He will make a brilliant engineer type later in life, most likely. He loves sweet snuggles, and has the most tender and gentle spirit. Thank you Embrick for being our "ring security" at our wedding! We love you. {Rachel}
Aven Gafkjen
Ring Bearer
Aven is 2.5 years old and is my second born son, and is my little gladiator, tough but kind beyond words. He knows just how to work his dad to get whatever he wants... little stinker is such a character! Good grief I love this kid, I hope he never grows out of wanting to snuggle his dad because when I'm 80 I still expect it before bedtime! {Jared} I AM WORKING ON THIS PART. Thank you Aven for being our "ring security" at our wedding! We love you. {Rachel}
Aubrey Gafkjen
Flower Girl
Jared's great niece... little miss Aubrey is a bundle of joy, laughter, and play! Aubrey is the daughter of Austin Gafkjen. She is always quick to include everyone in her fun and is extremely friendly. On the numerous occasions that Aubrey spends time with her Auntie Ashley and Uncle Ryan, she and Rachel have spent some fun times together! Including sewing adventures, outdoor dance parties and movies. Aubrey was crushed when Rachel moved down to Stewartville, despite the chance to be family now. She asked Rachel if after she married Jared, if she could then move back to Fargo. "We'll see" I said, "nothing is impossible". Thank you Aubrey for being our stunningly beautiful flower girl! We love you!!!
Shawna Aakre
Bride's Personal Attendant
Shawna and Rachel have been best friends since fall of 2008, when Shawna came to college at NDSU and attended Chi Alpha. Ever since they met Rachel would never be able to do anything as well, without Shawna there to help her. They've tackled MANY projects, mostly ministry related, together. Rachel typically got the spotlight for these things, but not a single moment went by where Shawna hadn't had a hand in the work. Shawna was always there for Rachel, never missing a single time Rachel moved apartments... even when Rachel moved back from California, Shawna was there helping her move across the country. Shawna you are my right hand, and I will always love you. You are truly one of the best friends a girl could have.
Hailey Whitman
Wedding Coordinator
Hailey is BRILLIANT and a very good friend of Rachel's. Hailey is a fellow LOTR & HP lover... and the pair of them typically include books in almost every occasion they hang out together. If you need clarification on anything related to your personality and behaviors, Hailey has professional expertise and would love to discuss either Myers-Briggs or the Enneagram with you! Hailey has even written a "coffee table book" about them called, "The Art in You & Me : The enneagram visualized"! Hailey is the woman in charge for our wedding, she has been given the signet ring. Hailey, you are crazy beautiful, woman of God, engaging, daring, intelligent, and a fiercely loyal friend. I love you Hails.
Todd Gafkjen
Officiant
Jared's elder brother since 1984. If you know Todd then you know he is one of those guys you just want to be when you grow up. I have always looked up to my oldest brother, and the older I get the more I have realized just how important it is to have people like him around you. Love you brother! {Jared} AND I have known Todd for over a decade and agree with Jared. He is very important to have around in your life. Especially if you want horrific prank calls done to you at work. Which of course I loved... later. HEY TODD!!! We are family now! You're so lucky. {Rachel}