Wedding Party
Calvin Pless
Best Man
Calvin and Ben have been best friends since about first grade, bonding over years of baseball and growing up side by side. They also played one season of soccer together, an experience Calvin has been trying to erase from memory ever since. From little league through high school, they were rarely far apart, with their final game together marking the end of a chapter that defined so much of their childhood. Through every phase of life, they’ve stuck by each other, proving that no matter how much time or distance comes between them, they’ll always be lifelong friends. Ben wouldn’t be who he is today without Calvin, and he’s beyond grateful to have him standing next to him… just like he always has.
Garcia Marquez
Best Man
Garcia and Ben have known each other since Ben was in eighth grade, and the bond formed quickly. Alongside Calvin, the three became inseparable, basically a package deal from the start. From baseball advice and pointers to countless hours of NBA 2K, Ben always knew he could count on Garcia, whether it was for a clutch play, solid advice, or just someone to hang out with. Over the years, the friendship only grew stronger. Through every phase of life, Garcia has been a constant, someone Ben could always rely on. He’s incredibly grateful for the loyalty, the memories, and the brotherhood they’ve built, and couldn’t imagine this day without Garcia by his side.
Ben Kleiman
Best Man
Ben and Ben may have known each other for a shorter time, but their friendship formed pretty quickly. When Ben Laffoon hired Ben Kleiman as his intern for the 2024 season, neither of them realized how confusing life was about to become for everyone around them. Between long nights at the ballpark, constant projects, and hearing “Ben!” shouted across the room with absolutely no clue which one was being addressed, the two became close friends fast. When Ben Kleiman decided to head to San Diego to continue school and chase bigger opportunities, Ben Laffoon was… supportive. Mostly. Publicly, at least. Deep down, he was slightly offended someone would willingly leave 110-degree summers and the Arizona Diamondbacks behind. Even with the move, their friendship never changed. What started as a professional relationship quickly turned into a genuine friendship built on trust, long hours, plenty of laughs, and probably way too many conversations about work. Ben is incredibly grateful for the friendship they’ve built and is proud to have Ben standing by his side today, although there’s still a decent chance someone in the crowd will hear “Ben” and neither of them will know who’s being called.
Vinny Deangelis
Best Man
Vinny and Ben have known each other for about a year and a half, after Ben hired Vinny as his intern for the 2025 season. What started as a professional relationship didn’t stay that way for long. From long nights at the ballpark to fun projects and plenty of problem solving along the way, they spent a lot of time working side by side. As time went on and they began working more directly together, their relationship really took off. With more responsibility and more day-to-day collaboration, their bond grew quickly, both professionally and personally. In a short amount of time, Vinny has become someone Ben trusts deeply and is proud to call a friend. Having him standing by his side today means a lot and is a pretty good reminder that sometimes the best friendships come from the most unexpected places.
Erica Shubin
Matron of Honor/Mother of the Bride
As Olivia’s Mom, she has been there for it all. From childhood moments to major life milestones. Over time, their relationship has grown into not only mother and daughter, but a close friendship. Olivia looks up to her mom in every way. She has taught her what it means to love well, the importance of connection, and how to keep Jesus at the center of life. Through every season, she has been a steady source of strength, wisdom, and unconditional love. Whether it’s multiple phone calls a day, encouragement, advice, or simply just being there, she has always been someone Olivia can fully count on. As Olivia entered her early 20s, their bond deepened even more. Her mom became her main point of contact, not just as a parent, but as her best friend. Olivia calls her every day, whether it’s for life advice, to talk through work, or just to check in and talk about anything. Together, they’ve shared countless late night FaceTime calls that turn into long conversations, slow morning coffee dates, and many trips back and forth between Colorado and Arizona. Through distance and change, their relationship has remained constant. Having her as one of her Matrons of Honor feels only natural. She has played such an irreplaceable role in Olivia’s life, and it wouldn’t feel right to take this step without her by her side. In a full-circle moment, Olivia will be wearing her mom’s wedding dress, making her presence on this day even more meaningful.
Nichol Gerber
Matron of Honor
Olivia has known Nichol her entire life. As her older sister, she has seen it all. Olivia has always looked up to Nichol, through her resilient strength, her relationship with the Lord, and her motherly instinct. Olivia would always joke that Nichol was like her second mom. From childhood memories to the many seasons in between, they're relationship has grown into an unbreakable bond. She’s been a role model, a source of wisdom, and someone who has helped shape who Olivia is today. The two shared a room for most of their childhood, which definitely came with its challenges, after all, putting an 11-year-old and a 16-year-old together is bound to create a little chaos. But looking back, they wouldn’t change a thing. As they’ve grown older, their bond has only deepened. Even while living in different states for a time, they made it a priority to visit each other often. During that season, Nichol got married and had Olivia stand by her side as her maid of honor, a moment Olivia will always cherish. In 2022, they both ended up in Arizona, bringing them closer once again. Since then, Olivia has spent countless nights at Nichol’s, enjoyed many coffee dates, and has had the joy of being there to welcome her niece and nephews into the world. Nichol has played such an important role in Olivia’s life, and it wouldn’t feel right to take this step without her by her side on such a special day.
Zahra Shubin
Maid of Honor
From the very beginning, Olivia had always dreamed of having a younger sister, and she couldn’t have been more excited when Zahra came home in 2011. As long as she can remember, Zahra has been such a special part of her life. From the start, Olivia loved taking care of Zahra, playing with her, dressing her up, and fully embracing her role as a big sister. Over the years, that relationship grew into so much more. Through every stage of life, they’ve grown closer and closer, building a bond rooted in love, laughter, and always being there for one another. When Olivia moved to Arizona, it was one of the first times they had really been apart. Despite the distance, they stayed close through calls, visits, and constant check-ins, proving that their bond could never be broken. That distance only made their relationship stronger and more intentional. Zahra has grown into such a beautiful young woman, truly stunning, with a gentle spirit and a simple, kind heart. She’s soft-spoken and thoughtful, and has become someone Olivia can now go to for advice as she steps into adulthood, which makes their relationship even more special. Now, in a full-circle moment, Zahra will be moving to Arizona this August for college, bringing them close to each other once again. Having Zahra standing by her side on her special day means the world to Olivia, and she couldn’t imagine this day without her little sister right there beside her.
Ashlee Berghoff
Bridesmaid
Olivia met Ashlee the first week her family moved to Colorado. At their very first Sunday at church, Ashlee and her husband sat in the row in front of them, quickly striking up a friendship with Olivia’s parents and becoming their first close connection in Colorado. At the time, Ashlee was pregnant with Averee and needed a sitter once she arrived in April. Of course, Olivia volunteered. That one simple babysitting session turned into a part-time role for Olivia. She would spend her mornings and afternoons in the Berghoff home, caring for sweet Averee and, soon after, Alexee. In between babysitting, a beautiful friendship began to grow between Ashlee and Olivia. Olivia would often turn to Ashlee during seasons of growth, sharing life’s challenges and seeking advice. Over time, Ashlee became like a big sister and a steady source of wisdom and encouragement in Olivia’s life. In 2022, there was a bittersweet transition when Olivia moved to Arizona to attend college. However, their relationship didn’t end there. Olivia continued to travel back to Colorado often, and the connection with the Berghoffs remained strong, growing into something that felt more like family than friendship. Ashlee means the world to Olivia and has played such an important role in shaping her life, offering love, guidance, and unwavering support through every season, and Olivia couldn’t imagine this day without her standing by her side.
Eloise Gerber
Flower Girl
Eloise may be little, but she has already become such a huge part of Ben and Olivia’s lives. Ever since Ben met her, she’s carried herself like a tiny diva, somehow managing to combine beauty, personality, and attitude all in one very small human. She also holds a pretty special title in Ben’s life, being the very first baby he had ever held, which was probably much more nerve-racking for him than it was for her. Watching Eloise grow over the course of Ben and Olivia’s relationship has been so special for both of them. From little visits and laughs to all the milestones along the way, she’s brought so much joy into their lives already. Having Eloise as one of their flower girls makes this day even more meaningful, and Ben and Olivia couldn’t imagine celebrating without their little diva by their side.
Averee & Alexee Berghoff
Flower Girls
Averee and Alexee have been a huge part of Olivia’s life for years, ever since she first met their family through church. What started as babysitting quickly turned into something so much more, as Olivia became incredibly close not only with the girls, but with their mom, Ashlee, as well. Over the years, Olivia has watched Averee and Alexee grow up right before her eyes, she even had the privilege of experiencing Averee’s first steps. Together, they’ve created countless memories filled with laughter, sleepovers, jokes, and bits of crazy along the way. Olivia’s bond with the girls is something incredibly special, built on years of love, trust, and always showing up for one another through every season of life. Having Averee and Alexee as their flower girls means so much to Ben and Olivia.
Archer Gerber
Ring Bearer
Archer has been a huge part of Olivia’s life since the day he was born, and over the last year, he and Ben have become pretty inseparable too. At just three years old, Archer somehow manages to keep everyone entertained at all times, usually without even trying. Whether it’s chasing him around the house, throwing him onto the couch on repeat, trying to turn him into the next great baseball player, or listening to him belt out songs from Frozen, Moana, Phil Wickham, and Ben Rector like he’s performing in a sold-out concert, Ben and Olivia always have the best time with him. Archer has a personality bigger than he is, endless energy, and a special talent for making every room louder the second he walks into it. But no matter how chaotic things get, he always keeps everyone laughing. Having Archer as their ring bearer makes this day even more special, and Ben and Olivia couldn’t imagine anyone better for the job… although there’s still a very real chance he steals the show.
JT & Luke Atkinson
Ring Bearers
JT and Luke have always held a special place in Olivia’s heart as her cousins. Growing up in Oregon while Olivia lived in Colorado meant that time together was always something special, and visits with the boys and their dad, James, quickly became some of her favorite memories. Whether it was trips to Oregon or JT and Luke coming to visit Colorado, every time they were together was filled with laughter, adventures, and the kind of chaos that naturally comes with cousins. Over the years, Olivia has built such a special bond with both JT and Luke, and having them as Ben and Olivia’s ring bearers means so much, and they couldn’t imagine celebrating this day without them there.
Jonathan Gerber
Officiant
The man, the myth, the multitasker. Jonathan is not only responsible for bringing three incredible little humans into our lives, but he’s now taking on his most important role yet: making this whole thing official. As Olivia’s brother-in-law (which we figured was long enough to trust him with something as minor as our marriage), we couldn’t imagine anyone better to stand up there with us on such an important day.
