Holly & Jared
Wedding Party
Erin Cooperman
Officiant
Erin is one of Holly's beloved friends. They met through mutual friends in Bloomington, Indiana, around 2007. Erin still lives in Bloomington with her husband Jon and their two children. Holly actually officiated Erin and Jon's wedding, so Holly is very happy that Erin was willing to return the favor. Erin is faculty at Indiana University and teaches classes on Public Health and relevant legislation.
Jasmine Foreman
Maid of Honor
Jasmine and Holly met in 2015 through mutual friends. They became very close despite Holly living in Indianapolis and Jasmine living in Louisville, Kentucky! Jasmine is an IT professional and a student at Western Governor's University. Jasmine is also an avid traveler.
Amber Haley
Maid of Honor
Holly and Amber have been close friends since they were in their early twenties in the early 2000's. They both went to Virginia Commonwealth University for undergrad and Amber is now Dr. Amber Haley as an implementation scientist! Amber has lived all over the US and parts of Asia. She's now based out of DC.
Michele Yarbrough
Bridesmaid
Michele and Holly met in Bloomington in 2009 at Erin the officiant's birthday, and have been having fun ever since. Michele has worked as a Nurse Practitioner and now she's teaching nursing classes at Ivy Tech in Bloomington. Michele is a world traveler, formerly in the context of travel-nursing. Holly loves getting to tag along on Michele's travels, especially their trip to Quito, Ecuador for New Year's Eve 2020.
Juniper Samaniego-Gibson
Bridesmaid
Juniper and Holly are evergreen friends! They met in 2015 through many mutual friends and became housemates soon after when Juniper moved up to Indy from Bloomington. Holly treasured being one of Juniper's bridesmaids in 2022, and Juniper just had her youngest baby in August 2023. Juniper is a public high school teacher, a talented musician and singer, and an amazing mom to 3 with her husband Donovan. Juniper and Jared the groom were both teaching at the same high school for Jared's last years teaching high school!
Aubrey Niktas
Bridesmaid
None of us would be gathering for this wedding without Aubrey! Holly and Aubrey met in Bloomington in 2009 via Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and then they both lived in Indianapolis in 2011, becoming very close. Aubrey still practices BJJ in San Jose, California, where she works as a Pursuit Manager for an architecture and engineering firm.
Nikosha Orchard
Bridesmaid
Nikosha and her husband and kids had just moved away from Indianapolis when Holly moved to Indy, so this friendship almost didn't get a chance to take off! Luckily, Nikosha and family made the decision to move back to Indianapolis from Florida, and Holly became the lucky recipient of many concert tickets as Nikosha's official show buddy. Nikosha is the badass Director of Strategic Partnerships at cybersecurity firm ThriveDX.
Cary Davis
Bridesmaid
Cary and Holly have been close friends since high school theater in 1995. Cary is passionate about dog rescue, as well as being a talented pianist/organist and singer. Cary is based out of Richmond, Virginia again these days, by way of New Orleans for several years.
Cherise Alexander
Bridesmaid
Cherise and Holly became friends in Bloomington in 2007, with shared loves of riot grrrl, east coast punk bands, and intersectional feminism in general. Cherise returned to her native DC in 2011 but Holly and Cherise have only gotten closer since. Cherise and Holly have been frequent travel companions, especially to reunite Bloomington/Indiana University friends. Cherise is a talented musician and professional hairdresser. (Pictured L-R: Krista Grant, Cherise, and Holly -- showing off our coordinating fish on bicycle tattoos!)
Jordan Thomas
Best Ma'am
Jordan and Jared became friends through training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu together, but it was in 2020 that they became close friends. Both were arrested while protesting in Louisville for Breonna Taylor. Ever since, the two have been causing trouble and working to uplift their communities as activists and organizers. They have been there for one another through a number of major life events, and continue to find ways to get their families together for quality time. When Jordan is not spending time in the gym or with her friends and loved ones, she can likely be found acting as a taxi service for her three children who are all involved in sports activities.
Jamie Bradley
Groomswoman
Jamie is the owner of KruFit, where Jared teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is also the head muay thai coach and a former world champion. The two met when Jamie was looking to add a grappling program to the gym, and the rest is history. She has coached Jared through four fights and has provided him the opportunity to coach full-time, a long-time goal of his.
Lyle Loper
Groomsman
Lyle is the father of the groom. As such, Lyle has given Jared many valuable life lessons and skills that he doesn't use anymore; such as making his bed in the morning, or handwashing the dishes. Lyle has always had a keen understanding of justice and has put effort into making the world around him a more just and fair place. He helped organize and vote in the union at his factory and was a leader in Boy Scouts for several years.
Jeff Loper
Groomsman
Jeff is the younger brother of the groom. While growing up under the same roof, Jeff had a wonderful hobby in which he would pretend his older siblings had hurt him in order to get them in trouble. These days, he only fakes sibling injuries during board game nights, or when there is only one slice of pizza left. Jeff has a wonderful partner in his wife Kodi. The two recently moved back to Indiana to be closer to family and to make a career change.
Isaac Loper
Groomsman
Isaac is the son of the groom. At 14-years-old, Isaac is currently in his first year of high school and seems to have adjusted to his new surroundings well. He was/is on the swim team, golf team, and bowling team. And although he would prefer to hide away in his room, he seems to have fun whenever he is forced out of the house, even going so far as to participate in Jiu-Jitsu classes with his dad and sister.
Kayla Loper
Groomswoman
Kayla is the daughter of the groom, and the twin of Isaac. Also in her first year of high school, Kayla has excelled at cross country, swimming, track, and breaking hearts. She also enjoys coming to the gym to participate in Jiu-Jitsu classes with her dad and brother, where she also helps younger students learn and practice.
Acquin Lester
Flower Girl
Acquin is Holly's niece. Acquin is the daughter of Holly's middle brother Brock and his wife Tiffany Lester. Acquin is going to be wearing the same flower girl dress that Holly wore as a child! Acquin is named after her late paternal great-grandmother. Acquin loves joking around and being the center of attention, much like Grandma Acquin. There's a long tradition of Lester women being catbirds.