Maria & Brayton
Wedding Party
Madison Walden
Maid of Honor
Maddie is Maria's older sister. She is full of jokes and can always make everyone around her laugh. She is the life of any party she is at and will always be down to get a drink ... or two. Maddie and Maria shared a room growing up and would get in trouble for always giggling and staying up after they were told to go to bed. Now Maddie and Maria enjoy watching rom coms, golfing, and going to the plant shop to buy plants they know they will probably kill.
Walker Knudson
Best Man
Walker is Brayton's friend from college. Walker and Brayton met freshman year of college while living on the same floor, rooming together for another 4 years after that as the two shared the bond of an extra semester of college to finish up dual degrees together. Over the years Walker & Brayton have traveled abroad, visited national parks and spent time hanging out wherever Brayton has moved to!
Mallory Klenda
Bridesmaid
Mallory is Maria's older sister. Maria has always looked up to Mallory and has followed her footsteps in a lot of ways: soccer at Emporia State and majoring in Information Systems. Now Mallory wants Maria and Brayton to follow her and Jake to KC! Maria loves to go to sporting events with Mallory, talk about pop culture happenings, attend workout classes, or FaceTime to talk about funny things that Harry is doing.
Avi Manthe
Groomsman
Avi is Brayton's friend from college. Avi attended the Lutheran high school, and Brayton attended the Catholic high school as crosstown rivals. Avi was not the biggest fan of Brayton's competitive mentality in high school. Freshman year of college the two met in a different environment when they lived on the same floor. Avi and Brayton became good friends and ended up living together for the next 3 years. Avi and Brayton have traveled around the US together, including as far as Hawaii!
Megan Ezekannagha
Bridesmaid
Megan is Maria's older sister. Maria is always happy when Megan is around and loves when they get to see each other. Since they have not lived in the same city for 12 years, FaceTimes and phone calls are a weekly event. Megan has always been such a great role model to Maria. She was a badass Army officer and is now in law school at the University of Texas. Maria gets her love for casinos from Megan!
Andrew Ahola
Groomsman
Andrew is Brayton's high school friend. Brayton and Andrew met back in 5th grade when they joined the high school junior basketball program and have been friends ever since. Andrew is full of questions to ask and genuinely cares how his friends are doing. Since Brayton has moved away from home, Andrew has been his reminder of his roots, keeping him informed and humbling him when he needs it most.
Hallie Soroka
Bridesmaid
Hallie is Maria's cousin. Hallie and Maria never lived in the same state, so it was always such an exciting time when Hallie came to town. They would have sleepovers and fashion shows of all of Hallie's hand-me-downs. Hallie is the greatest and always sends Maria the best Instagram reels and memes! Fun Fact: The only reason Maria loves black olives so much is because Hallie always ate them at Grandma's house, so Maria made herself love them even she thought they were DISGUSTING as a kid!
Parker Ulness
Groomsman
Parker is Brayton's friend from college. The man who called when Brayton got engaged hoping he would at least make the top 14 for possible groomsmen. Well, here he is, he made it! Parker and Brayton met freshman year of college as they lived right next two each other in the dorms. The two grew up only 25 minutes apart from each other, but Brayton was most familiar with Parker's dad as "the ref" who refereed many of Brayton's middle school and high school basketball games, and that was the first impression he had when he met Parker. Parker & Brayton have done many long road trips together, and Parker continues to make the long trek to Wichita for periodic visits.
Ashton Palmore
Bridesmaid
Ashton is one of Maria's best friends. Ashton and Maria started playing soccer together when they were about 5 years old and have been buddies ever since. They went to college together and were roommates the whole time - who said living with your bestfriend was a bad idea! Through all the breakups, heartbreaks, and laughs, Ashton and Maria have always had each other. Brayton and Tyler (Ashton's husband) are going to get very frustrated with how much time Maria and Ashton spend together now that they will live a mile apart!
Matt Monahan
Groomsman
Matt is Brayton's friend from college. Matt and Brayton lived on the same floor freshman year. After freshman year, they lived together for only a year as Matt got so sick of sharing a room with Brayton, he transferred to Madison to finish college. The two stayed close and often visited each other. Matt takes sole pride in being the only friend to visit all 4 places (even during the covid period) Brayton lived in a 2-year span through his rotations.
Jacki Anderson
Bridesmaid
Jacki is one of Maria's best friends. Jacki and Maria met freshman year of college and played soccer together. It was clear they were going to be friends from the moment they met and got along perfectly. When Jacki and Maria are together, it is nonstop laughter. Jacki is always a good time and is down for ANYTHING at any moment. If Maria mentions a trip, concert, or any activity she want to do - Jacki will start making a plan to make it happen.
George Walden
Groomsman
George is Maria's brother. The youngest of the Walden siblings and the only boy. George is often found trying to crack a good joke or a cold one. Brayton was nervous about how George would accept him dating his sister, but George has been very welcoming to Brayton. Maria is always laughing with George.
Emjay Hilliker
Bridesmaid
Emjay is Brayton's little sister. Maria is so excited to have Emjay as a sister! Emjay is the sweetest and kindest girl. Growing up, Brayton always wanted a little sister and finally was blessed with one when he was 8 years old. Emjay has always wanted a sister and excited to be getting one!
Brother Joseph Cullen Hilliker
Server
Cullen is Brayton's younger brother. Only 18 months apart, the two spent a lot of time together as kids. At a young age, Cullen and Brayton participated in typical brotherly activities like wrestling in the house or tackle football in the yard. Over the years, the two found different callings but always respected and supported each other all their activities. With his calling to religious life, Brother Joseph has inspired his older brother to renew and strengthen his own faith.
Chiazo Ezekannagha
Usher
Chiazo is Maria's Brother-in-Law. Chiazo always makes Maria laugh but also drives her crazy with how sarcastic he is; she never knows when he's being serious.
Jake Klenda
Usher
Jake is Maria's brother-in-law. Jake is always a fun time and the best bowler Maria knows. Maria has been able to travel to Vegas and Costa Rica with Jake, and she can confirm - Vacation Jake is the best!
Adanne Ezekannagha
Flower Girl
Adanne is Maria's (and soon to be Brayton's) niece. She is full of energy and is always on the go! We expect her to be running down the aisle as the flower girl.
Ekene Ezekannagha
Flower Girl
Ekene is Maria's (and soon to be Brayton's) niece. She is sweet and has the cutest big eyes. Maria and Brayton are sad she lives in Austin because she is getting big SO FAST!
Harry Klenda
Ring Bearer
Harry is Maria's (and soon to be Brayton's) nephew. Harry is a wild little kid who loves all things sports. He will throw or kick any ball he can get his hands on. He is destined to be either a USA Soccer Player or Formula 1 racer, whichever one he decides he likes better. You will find Harry on the dance floor all night!
