9-4-2021
Wedding Party
Hank Gierke
Best Man
Hank is Max's favorite brother. He has a fantastic sense of humor and can make anyone smile. Hank has always been the life of the party and has a natural charm that makes you want to cheer him on. He will be attending UW- Eau Claire starting the Fall of 2021. Growing up they spent tons of time together wrestling, and they were able to bond over their mutual involvement in the sport, including Max being able to help coach Hank throughout his career. Max is six years older than him and has been blessed to watch Hank grow into a smart, efficient, and determined young leader.
Jennifer Demetriades
Matron of Honor
Jen is the lone older sister to Jill and the most loyal, servant-hearted friend she could ask for. Jen is adventurous, a curious learner, a wicked good mom to 3 boys, and a faithful follower of Christ. Jen has a wealth of knowledge on life which she shares with Jill, giving her sisterly advice from 10 years beyond. The last five years have been sweet for Jen and Jill, as they have grew from the 10 year age difference as sisters to friends.
Matt Lagus
Groomsman
Max and Matt have been best friends since Pre-School at Sunny Hill in Stillwater, MN. Matt is one of the most thoughtful, capable, and trustworthy men Max has ever met. Their friendship took off after the New York City Mission Trip, and they bonded over a mutual desire of knowing God deeper and reshaping their lives around the freedom found in Christ. Matt loves camping, reminiscing, and spreading joy wherever he goes.
Karilyn Johnson
Bridesmaid
Karilyn and Jill have shared a special bond as cousins that bordered a line with sisterhood. Both Karilyn and Jill have shared countless memories that they hope they NEVER forget. Fun, laughter, and good music are never hard to find with Karilyn around. From a young age of 7 years old, Karilyn has held the other half of Jill's heart (via gold locket necklace but also metaphorically) though she claims she is ready to hand it over to Max ;)
Jackson Arland
Groomsman
Jackson and Max met in Kansas City, on a mission trip in 7th Grade. They immediately found that they could goof off and have a ton of fun together. Jackson is a passionate learner, insightful, and has a charming personality. After the New York City Mission trip they bonded and cultivated a deep friendship. Max and Jackson were lucky enough to go on 6 mission trips together and have created cherished memories every step of the way.
Kayla Pruitt
Bridesmaid
Kayla Pruitt has not just been an amazing cousin to Jill growing up but a kindred spirit from a very young age. She's driven, selfless, creative, caring, and always has enough time to listen to what is on your heart. Kayla has felt like a stand-in older sister for Jill at the times when Jen was away for school/work. Both Kayla and Jill share a love for Downton Abbey and thoughtful questions.
Sam Johnson
Groomsman
And Sam has also been Max's friend since 10th grade. They met through youth group and became close friends quickly after spending time together at bonfires, camping trips, and ultimate frisbee games. After Jill and Max started dating they became even closer, Sam's loyalty has been a huge blessing to Max and joining the family brings even more excitement for the future.
Grace Gierke
Bridesmaid
Grace is Max's favorite sister. Grace is one of the hardest workers around. She goes to school at UMary in Bismarck, ND. She will graduate ahead of time with a GPA higher than Max's. Grace also told Max from the beginning that he should be dating Jill. When Max finally took her advice he knew she had been right all along. Grace is one of the most sweet, ambitious, and honest people. Her heart is to seek truth, learn, and love beautifully.
TJ Arland
Groomsman
Max and TJ met on the Kansas City mission trip in 7th grade and they immediately became friends. When TJ and Max are together there are usually a lot of laughs to follow. They have gone on mission trips, camping trips, and competed in countless games of ultimate frisbee, spikeball, and beanbags. TJ's friendship is dependable and Max is so grateful for the journey that it's been to grow up alongside TJ. Be sure to ask TJ about his favorite food: "Mongolian Beef".
Kate Lagus
Bridesmaid
Kate and Jill have been friends for 8 years (thank you Ohio mission trip 2014) , and Jill wouldn't be the same woman she is today without her. They share a remarkable amount of similarities in life experiences (they even got engaged on the same day), as God led each of them through countless of relatable life seasons. Kate is trustworthy, kind, faithful, and a prayer warrior. Must be why Kate was the first person Jill told that she wanted to marry Max way back in 2015 ;)
Steve Aiello
Usher
Steve was Max's teammate,Team Captain, and later coach on the Wheaton Wrestling team from 2015-2019. The grueling practices and numerous tournaments they competed in led to a deep bond of brotherhood. Steve is thoughtful, genuine, and extremely loyal. He has a heart to serve, coach, and cultivate men that desire to follow God. Steve also has a fantastic sense of humor and once arranged for their history professor to deliver a Big Mac to Max mid-history lecture.
Amy Reimer
Personal Attendant
Amy Reimer is the most athletic friend Jill's ever had. The girl runs marathons spontaneously and loves Jesus with her whole heart. Amy and Jill met at Bethel University and graduated as roommates with the same Athletic Training degree. Their friendship is marked by cravings for ice cream, trading massages, camping adventures, and enjoying pretty much all of the same TV shows. Amy is loyal, fun, and has the biggest servant heart.
Ethan Anderson
Usher
Ethan and Max met at HoneyRock, a summer camp before their freshman year of Wheaton. They lived on the same floor that year and were friends, but it wasn't until Ethan's family moved to Cottage Grove that they became best friends. They spent that summer together and had a blast. Ethan is truly responsible, humble, and full of goodness. He is a joy to be around and extremely dependable. For the summers that Ethan stayed in MN, Max's family liked him so much they wanted to adopt him.
Hannah Hensley
Personal Attendant
Han and Jill became quick friends freshman year at Bethel after they collided on G2$ during a fire drill. Hannah was friendly, Jill quoted the movie Hot Rod, and the rest is pretty much history. Hannah is a friend who hungers for God more than anything else in life, and radiates truth, grace, and joy. If you know Hannah Hens, then she's made you laugh with her wit and left you encouraged with some truth about who God says you are.
Evan Gorres
Usher
Evan and Max are cousins and born only a month apart. They were raised spending time at Grandma Genie and Grandpa Byron's house nearly every weekend and numerous sleepovers. One time they were fighting after a tackle football game, Grandpa Byron announced "You two are cousins! You have to get along!" Ever since that day they did. Evan is kind, smart, and quick to laugh and smile. Max and Evan have fun playing poker every Thanksgiving and bringing their younger brothers to small casinos. They also share a mutual love for Fogo de Chao, eating as much as humanly possible.
Abigail Klamm
Personal Attendant
Abby was Jill's closest thing to a sister at Bethel University. They lived together for almost their whole careers at BU, falling asleep next to each other almost every single night of every school year. Abby is one of the funniest people Jill's ever known, and has the most sincere empathetic heart at the same time. It is hard to find such a genuine friend who makes you feel so known and then makes you cry laugh in the next second.
Josh Weinzettel
Usher
Josh Weinzettel is Jill's second eldest brother. Josh is a great listener, intentional to ask what is new with you, and never fails to have good music playing in the house. He always knows how to get the party started. He is a rockstar father to Jill's god-daughter Kennedy and they are often found chuckling together with their matching squinty eye smiles.
Andreas and Elliot Demetriades
Ring Bearers
Andreas and Elliot are well-seasoned ring bearers who are the most active, fun, and sweet little nephews we've had the joy to play with. Andreas and Elliot admire Max for his HUGE strength chopping wood, moving big machines, and making splashes with cannon balls in the pool. Elliot never missed an opportunity during Max's deployment to ask Jill if they could facetime him together.
Mariah and Morgan Weinzettel
Flower Girls
Mariah and Morgan are joyful and smiley nieces both Max and Jill have loved playing with. Mariah and Max write love notes to Jill, and the girls are sure to remind mom and dad to pray for Max and Jill before bed. They really are a gift to Jill, and now Max too!
Kennedy Allen Weinzettel
Flower Girl
Kennedy is Jill's God-daughter/niece and is ALWAYS ready to chuckle and laugh with you whether you are a stranger or family member. There's no way she gets that from Josh or Erin ;)