Kristen & Roel
Wedding Party
Katherine Kirk
Maid of Honor
Katie is genuinely one of the best people I've ever known. She and I met when she was in high school and I was in college at PBA. She modeled and planned with me for many years and today helps me plan my biggest events yet! A chance meeting in CityPlace lead to a lifelong friendship.
Stijn Vanmuysen
Best Man
Pronounced "Stan" - Roel's big brother often mistaken as his twin. The two of them light up rooms wherever they go. Tall, fun, sarcastic and brothers by blood, best friends by choice. They work together, plan together, dream together, and although Stijn lives in Belgium they couldn't be any closer.
Christine Dersch
Bridesmaid
Chrissy and Kristen have been friends since the teenage years. Separated by 1,000 miles never hindered their friendship and visits back and forth were always fun to look forward to! She has been a significant support through the years and Kristen couldn't imagine this big day without her.
Brian Frerichs
Groomsman
Brother of the Bride, best friend, confidant, creative support, adventurer, travel buddy. Growing up traveling in a GMC Suburban & Terry camper gave them endless amounts of bonding time together. At the same time they grew, they inspired each other to reach their dreams. Kristen and Roel are both honored to call him family.
Estephanie Soto
Bridesmaid
Steph was my nurse. She came to my house and pricked my arm for my life insurance policy. It's been love ever since! She and I couldn't be more opposite. She's a tiny little Columbian nurse with 4 kids, but her love for her friends and family is unfathomable. My pitbull, my confidant, my best friend, I am honored to have her in my life.
Shane Braley
Groomsman
Shane is one of Roel's best friends who has become more like a brother than anything else. They have had years of life experience together on their bikes and off. Training together, working together, traveling together, and overall doing life together - Roel couldn't imagine getting married without him by his side.
Mary Kate Frerichs
Bridesmaid
Mary Kate was my first cousin ever to be a girl! I remember thinking as a little girl that we would be friends for life. As a Frerichs, we all inherited some of our grandmothers artistic abilities. Her talent, kind heart, and ambitious spirit allows for her to soar in New York City and constantly inspires me. I'm honored to have her in my wedding!
Kyle Midthassel
Groomsman
Kyle is my first cousin from my moms side of the family. He was actually Kristen's friend before her own brother! Kyle and Kristen are the first two grandchildren in the entire family. Being in the middle of Brian and Kristen's age, Kyle was the perfect juggler of both art and army adventures.
Colleen Frerichs
Bridesmaid
Colleen is my youngest girl cousin on my dads side of the family. I have spent my life growing up with her at so many different family parties. She is sweet, fun, and oh so creative. No matter what we did as kids, we had a blast! I can't wait to have my grown up little cousin by my side when I marry Roel.
Tyler Midthassel
Groomsman
Kristen's adventurous über Norwegian cousin from her mothers side of the family. Tyler is full of life, creative, well-traveled, and oh so loving. He has been a huge part of Kristen's life growing up and couldn't imagine her wedding without him in it.
Kyler Williams
Bridesmaid
Kyler, the other half, to one of two sets of twins in my bridal party is from Kristen's moms side of the family. Every year the holidays are her favorite time of year, mostly because Kristen knows she gets to see Kyler and Corby. Sleepovers, crafts, and family time as kids were the best. She honestly couldn't imagine doing life without them by her side.
Kristof Rijmenants
Groomsman
Kristof is basically Roel's first memory. Ever. Between sharing toy cars, defending each other against robbers and bullies, and taking full on adventures as teenagers - today they have had a lifetime of friendship. Although having your best friend as a groomsmen in Belgium isn't traditional, the American culture says these people are forever by your side no matter the time or distance apart.
Corby Williams
Bridesmaid
Corby, one of the two sets of twins in the bridal party, is by far one of Kristen's favorite people to do the holidays with. Kristen's little cousins on her moms side have become more than just family - they're friends forever. Corby and Kyler were the first ones to be asked to join their sides at this crazy Vanmuysen wedding.
Bianca Olsen
Bridesmaid
Bianca is Kristen's cousin from her mother's father's side of the family - a descendant from the island in Norway where Roel proposed to Kristen. Bianca is one of the sweetest most selfless girls in the world. Kristen has watched her grow into a phenomenal person and couldn't be prouder to be related to this beautiful Olsen girl.
David Rijmenants
Groomsman
David is, as we say in the US, a jack of all trades. A childhood friend to Roel, the guy who could DJ a party, build custom cars, create furniture, effortlessly travel the world, maintain a zoo or lift you up when you need it most. For Roel, David was always the little brother to his friend Kristof, but today having known him since he was 2 years old, and seeing the man he has become makes Roel beyond proud to have him stand beside him on his wedding day.
Heidi Jacobs-Bylois
Bridesmaid
Heidi is Roel's cousin on his mothers side. Roel says, "Cousin Heidi or do we say sister Heidi?" As the only girl in the family you can only imagine how much the other 3 guys love her. Heidi is so easy going and is so strong, so ambitious, and so loving for those who need her. Her two amazing sons have the best mom in the world!
Bert Jacobs
Groomsman
Bert is Roel's cousin on his mothers side. From birth these two have been building and destroying projects together. Whether they were building things from legos, wood, or wires for car stereo systems they enjoyed it together and often got in trouble together. Having him and Roel together in Florida will be an adventure in itself!
Jennifer Bate
Bridesmaid
Jennifer is my cousin from my moms side of the family. She and I have been friends since we were little. Traveling to see her as a kid is still one of my favorite memories. She has become a beautiful, brilliant, and philanthropic woman. I am beyond proud that she will be by my side on my wedding day - and better yet, moving to the east coast of Florida where we get to spend more time together as adults!
Ryan Winston
Groomsman
Ryan is one of both Kristen & Roel's closest local friends. Ryan is engaged to Katie, Kristen's Maid of Honor. The 4 of them have gotten closer as they age, and can't wait to spend a lifetime together as friends. Ryan and Roel share a love for history, astronomy, and science in general. The girls love having guys who get along as well as they do!
Addison Liney
Bridesmaid
Addison is one of the two sets of twins in the wedding party and Kristen's cousin on her mothers side of the family. This young lady is so sweet, strong, and loved by everyone. Growing up with these girls was always fun for Kristen. Shopping & Starbucks became one of the traditions along with buying matching outfits for the twins (which they may have outgrown by now)!
Kristoffer Haugland
Groomsman
Kristen's cousin from Oslo, Norway on her Grandmothers side of the family. Kristoffer was visiting Florida when Kristen & Roel became friends and helped coordinate with Roel on the journey in Norway to ask Kristen to marry him. He is a true Norwegian Viking and Roel couldn't be happier for their friendship and now family bond.
Makena Liney
Bridesmaid
Makena is one of the two sets of twins in the bridal party. Sister to Addison and Kristen's one and only God Daughter makes this duo pretty special. Since she was born, Makena has always had a special place in Kristen's heart. Alyce has become a large part of who Kristen is and sharing that middle name with Makena is just another thing she loves about her!
Cassi Claire
Photographer
Cassi and Kristen met in high school. They spent years together in both New Jersey and Florida. Together they traveled, cooked, worked, created, and dreamed. Today both girls own businesses and couldn't be happier to support each other and spend this wedding day together. Kristen was a part of Cassi's wedding years ago, and couldn't be happier having her photograph the most important day of her life!
Kevin Braley
Officiant
As a father figure, teacher, and friend Kevin has been a part of Roel's life for nearly a decade. The Braley family was a significant part of Roel's transition to America when he moved from Belgium. They hosted him, fed him, housed him, and provided more for him than he could ever return. Having Kevin lead this wedding ceremony means so much to both Roel and Kristen.