Kiersten & Blake
Wedding Party
Celeste Anderson
Maid of Honor
Celeste and I met in Florence when we were randomly assigned as roommates during our study abroad semester, and became instant travel buddies and forever friends. While we initially bonded over a shared love of espresso and travel, it didn't take long to realize that God had brought us together for a reason. Both abroad and back home, she has been a constant source of unwavering Christ centered friendship and love, and now I don't know what I'd do without her!
Todd VanKerkhoff
Best Man
As my oldest brother, Todd was, and still is, one of my strongest guideposts. I have looked up to him as an example in many areas of life, but, now I am a groom, I now look to him to what it means to be a Christ-centered man who strives to love stronger and deeper in ways which I am just beginning to undertake. As my Best Man, he represents the love which us brothers have for one another and the commitment we make to keep each other accountable to having Christ at the center of all we do.
Molly Harvey
Bridesmaid
My lovely sister to be and fellow furniture enthusiast! Molly and her husband Casey have been so much fun to get to know and are such a good example for me and Blake for what a Christian marriage should look like. Molly invited me in since day one, and has made me feel like a sister even during our engagement, and I've appreciated that more than she probably knows!
Caleb VanKerkhoff
Groomsman
He is the youngest of the brothers and has always been one of my best friends - despite some sibling rivalry growing up! Caleb has shown me how wonderful of a blessing it is to be an older brother. The ways he has grown humbles me everyday as I continue to strive to be an older brother who can be there for him in the same ways my older brother was there for me.
Julia VanKerkhoff
Bridesmaid
Another sister to be and the mother of the cutest little girl, Ellie! Julia is an all-around super star and it is such a joy getting to watch Jules and Todd raise Ellie! One thing that I have always wanted to be in life is an aunt, and the first time they referred to me as Auntie Kiersten (or Auntie Kay because what little kid can say Kiersten), it melted my heart! Can't wait to see this sweet family grow through the years.
Casey Harvey
Groomsman
I am grateful Casey came in my life as my brother-in-law. In addition to being one cool cat, he and my sister have shown Kiersten and I what it means to put each other first in a marriage which seeks to honor God, family, and one another. Casey has seen me grow through high school, college, and engagement, and I cannot imagine being here today without him, and my other brothers, standing alongside me.
Alicia Vitel
Bridesmaid
Alicia and I were randomly placed as roommates our freshman year at Judson, and we continued to live together throughout our whole time there! During that first year we were often mistaken as either best friends from high school that came to Judson together or sisters - it certainly felt like it to us! Alicia has been a rock for me over the past 5 years. Through hard classes, movie marathons, sushi runs, and countless life events, we've cried and laughed together through it all, and I never would have gotten through college without her friendship!
Joe Kuiper
Groomsman
Joe is a solid man of God whom I have the blessing to call one of my best friends. We became fast friends when I was in high school. Since then, we have come to share a common set of quirks of World War Two Reenacting, random history facts which only come in handy at trivia nights, and a fine appreciation for micro-brew craft beers. Over all that, Joe is a friend who has kept me honest and has been there for me in times when I have needed a friend in ways similar to when David needed Jonathan.
Elise Elliott
Bridesmaid
Elise played a part in almost every aspect of my college life. From late nights working in the studio (and fry or donut runs after midnight), to our missions trip to Peru, to meeting up in Florence during my semester there, she's been with me through it all. We've gotten lost together more times than I'd like to admit, but we always got through the detours together, and ended up laughing so hard we cried. She is a passionate adventurer and steadfast follower of Christ and I'm blessed to have her in my life.
Scott Moore
Groomsman
A true gentleman and a true goofball, Scott was an unexpected roommate my junior year of college, but is was not long before we became friends. From late night burrito runs to long days spent studying, Scott has been one of my friends who has known me best and I am honored to have him with standing up with me today.
Jayme Coulter
Bridesmaid
Jayme has been my partner in crime from day one. She is one of the strongest and most resilient women I know, and also an amazing artist! I'd often find myself working down in her studio just so I could watch her techniques as she painted. She knew how to calm me down when I was stressed, but also knew when I needed to get off campus and have a fun girls night! Jayme shows fierce loyalty and compassion and I've loved seeing that kindness extend to Blake and to us as a couple over the last year.
Matt Wilhite
Groomsman
The second unexpected roommate from my junior year, Matt was part of a core group of three in our apartment - Matt, Scott, and me. Matt is best described as a rock of friend who is consistently there for you. He was involved in some deep conversations and some shenanigans in our apartment.
Melanie Long
Bridesmaid
After serving in Peru together we became roommates as well! Melanie kept me grounded when everything felt crazy, but also always encouraged every opportunity to go for my dreams and see where it was that God was leading me. Mel and Jared have become our favorite game night buddies, and Blake and I love any excuse to go hang out with them and their two cats!
Jared Long
Groomsman
Jared and I became friends through his wife, Melanie, and Kiersten! With a common love of good games, both known and up-and-coming, we have shared laughs over game nights with the girls. Kiersten and I cannot wait to share life with Melanie and Jared, and look to them for advice, as we begin our lives together.
Elianna, Ava, & Anna
Junior Bridesmaids
I've had the amazing opportunity to watch these three girls grow up and I'm honored to have them standing with me! Elianna Brucato and her family have been close family friends since I was Elianna's age, and it's an absolute joy to witness her growing into such a faithful and beautiful young lady. Ava Thomas is the daughter of my cousins Annie and JT, who asked me to be the miniature bride in their wedding! She is fun-loving and a total sweetheart to be around! Anna Treier and her parents are also long-time family friends of ours, and her mom Amy was also Blake's professor! The Treiers have always welcomed us into their home and our Chile's dinners over the years have always been some of my favorite times.
Gabriel Brucato
Junior Groomsman
Gabe is the brother to Kiersten's Junior Bridesmaid Elianna, and our two Vow Bearers, and is the son of our dear friends Mark and Ruthi Brucato. Kiersten has had the opportunity to watch him grow up into a wonderful young man, and I've loved getting to know this whole family. They are an absolute joy to be around, and I'm honored to be standing with Gabe.
Callie, Ellie, & Winnie
Flower Girl & Wedding Belles
Callie Courey is our sweet Flower Girl, and a little princess! She loves to play and have fun, and twirl in her dress. Ellie VanKerkhoff and Winnie Tubergen are our little Wedding Belles. This is a role that I played in my cousin Rachel's wedding years ago, and it was so fun I had to add them into our wedding as well. Ellie is my soon-to-be niece, daughter of Julia and Todd VanKerkhoff, and Winnie is the daughter of my cousins Carleigh and Aaron Tubergen.
Michael Yaphet & Emmanuele
Vow Bearers
Michael Yaphet (Yaphie) and Emmanuele are the youngest of the Brucato kids and they've been so much fun to play with whenever we visit! They love to read and play games with their older siblings, and are always up for gelato runs.