THE CREW
Paige Fitzpatrick
Maid of Honor
Paige was the first friend I made in the mainland. Although I was a Freshman, Moody Bible Institute paired me up with Paige, who was a Junior at that time, to room together in H425. The day she moved in, she just came back from working at an orphanage in Africa with long braids in her hair. We immediately bonded over rap music, pranks, bagels, coffee, thrifting, and RANTS. Fun Facts: She makes soaps. She makes clothes. She makes the most out of life. She is a DIY queen, and just a straight up KWEEEN.
Jacob Burkart
Best Man
We have known each other since 1st grade Sunday school. I can't imagine my growing up years without Jacob. We both worked at a summer camp in 2016 and dyed our hair blonde. I think he still dyes his hair blonde. Through all of it we've always stayed in touch with each other's lives. Blonde hair, don't care, he's my best friend. Fun fact: He has a chest cavity large enough to pour milk and cereal into and eat from it. I've seen it.
Jessica Festus
Bridesmaid
Jessica is the sister from anotha mister. She and I became better friends after becoming family when my older brother married her older sister. Fun Fact: She gives animals, specifically bugs, personalities by speaking for them.
Ethan Hinkel
Groomsman
My brother and one of my best friends. When I attended Moody he was just a suburb away at a different college. Over the past 3 years we've shared many adventures together around Chicago and Wheaton, attended each other's choir performances, and enjoyed a tall one together after I graduated. Fun Fact: He studies philosophy, theology, and a minor in music. He plays the ivory keys better than anyone I know.
Mackenzie Austin
Bridesmaid
Although Mackenzie and I are cousins, we grew up as sisters. We were born on the same year. She grew up in Japan/Luxembourg her family would always come to Hawaii for summers and winters. Fun Fact: She often stares off into spacd while eating.
Matthew Hinkel
Groomsman
He might be younger than me, but I physically have look up to him since he's taller than me. I love anytime I get to be around Matthew, watching movies or playing Mario Kart. We both love to listen to music and talk about our favorite movie and tv shows. Fun fact: One time he posted to Reddit, got thousands of up-votes and made the popular page
Rylie Sumimoto
Bridesmaid
I first wanted to be Rylie’s friend in 8th grade. She had a feather extension in her hair. I thought she was the coolest. She still is. Rylie and I became friends in high-school. I gave her mom the wrong impression of me when I first carpooled home with them. I started punching her whenever I saw a yellow-car. (sorry aunty Chris) Her mom still loves me though. Fun Fact: Our mom’s both got pregnant again when we were in high-school.
Dylan Rudolph
Groomsman
Dylan and I lived together in Chicago at Moody Bible Institute for 2 and a half years as roommates. We traveled the world with our men's choir and shared many trips across the US in a traveling choir bus. We've made so many memories over the two and half years as roommates. Dylan is my homie from Day 1. Fun Fact: Couple of summers ago, Dylan and I worked for a traveling burrito stand in Iowa for a week.
Deanna Wong
Bridesmaid
Dee and I were a handful of Wongs in our high school, but we turned out to be very Right for one another. Dee and I had many mutual friends, but we didn’t become friends till after taking a trip to England with our high school junior and senior class. We went from mutual friends, to carpool buddies, to best friends. Car rides with Deanna have been some of my favorite memories. Carpool karaoke brought us to some incredibly intentional and meaningful talks. Dee is someone who reminds me to always have fun in life. Fun Fact: Deanna sings like an angel, and speaks like a Filipino.
Sam Burckhard
Groomsman
Sam has always been someone in my life that has stuck. One time Sam made the trip to Chicago with our other friends to hang with Dyl and I for the weekend. It was awesome. He has a quick wit and can easily roast you but will hug you if it was too far. Fun fact: One time Sam collided with a tree sticking out of the water with his face riding a jet-ski; had a wood chunk lodged into his face for a couple of years before it was finally removed.
Sarah Yoo
Bridesmaid
I met Sarah in AP U.S History senior year of high-school. Our teacher asked students to move seats and sit next to someone they didn’t know. Sarah and I ended up sitting next to each other in class, I asked her to come to church with me, we started a band with our friends Deanna and Rylie, and the rest is history. Fun Fact: She won’t let there be leftovers on the table.
Jonathan Raub
Groomsman
JR quickly became one of my best friends back in 2018 at Moody. He is the kind of guy who is always there for others. J and I have had enjoyed long talks about life while walking around Chicago at night. He owns a Saab and loves taking people on late night foodie runs and cruises around Chi. Fun Fact: He used to DJ professionally and he can ball.
Caroline Kirkland
Bridesmaid
Caroline came into our RA’s room with a plate full of fresh baked cookies, wearing ankle white socks, leggings, and a sweatshirt. We became best friends right there. We joked about how we as West Coast girls had to try and assimilate to winter in Chicago. I spent multiple night in her dorm room, and she ended up being my roommate in Hawai'i. She strives to love and be a great friend to everyone, I couldn’t be anymore blessed. Fun Fact: She will give up her dougnuts for you, even if you are a stranger waiting for the blue line train.
Josh VanLith
Groomsman
Josh can be competitive and enthusiastic over rec games at church camp. We've been friends since we're little and have participated in tons of youth group activities, camps, and missions trips throughout the years. Josh will be joining the ranks of "the marrieds" soon after us as he is also currently engaged to be married! Fun fact: Josh used to own a lawn mowing company with Sam Burckhard. They were moguls in Minot, our hometown, sniping every overgrown lawn opportunity in town.
Abby Mathai
Bridesmaid
She a ride or die type of friend. Literally and figuratively. Abby and I met at a summer camp in 2018. Not to be dramatic, but it was the worst thing I have ever done in my entire life. Abby is the type of woman that would skin her knees mid-summer, but continue to go on hikes and canoe trips for kids. The type of woman you'd want to be stuck on an over-night camping trip, and it start storming. Abby is the type of friend who would pray and hold your hand through both literal and figurative storms. Abby is the type of woman who makes fun of you when your crush (whom you deny is a crutch) sends hand-written letters each week to ya. She is the type of woman that would fly out to Chicago just to hear my full name pronounced incorrectly. Fun Fact: She only speaks in facts.
Evan Fitzpatrick
Groomsman
I've gotten to know Evan through playing games together, hanging out with our gals, and enjoying great food eateries around Chicago. He's also the senior bachelor party planning expert and plays a crucial role in the wedding party. Fun Fact: Last summer we seared steaks together on top the 53rd floor of a downtown Chicago high rise, right across from the John Hancock building. 'Twas magnificent.
Logan Meyer
Groomsman
I quickly got to know Logan after we spent a couple days together in his home on the Big Island this past summer,. He was Raelene’s friend before mine, but I feel like we've known each other a long time already. He is a helper and a friend to many. Logan enjoys being there for his friends and loves spending time together. Fun Fact: His favorite color is brown but he would be the green power ranger given the opportunity.
GafaoleUfi
Bridesmaid
I knew Ufi as a super happy Samoan student asked to do the hardest job in ministry, welcome team. Ufi makes every task she is asked to do something of beautiful service to the Lord. And when given the opportunity to share her personal goalss, passions, and desires, the world is her oyster. And let me tell you, she is the true Samoan pearl. Fun Fact: Ufi can run faster than me.