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September 5, 2021
Rapid City, South Dakota

Rachel & Michael

    Our Wedding
    Wedding Party

Wedding Party

Meet our family and friends who are walking us down the aisle.

Joelle Nyenhuis

Maid of Honor

Joelle is someone who loves people she's just met like they are an old friend. That's why we became such close friends so quickly! She speaks life into people through her familiarity with scripture and close relationship with Jesus. She's incredibly spontaneous and adventurous and pushes me to be the same. Just ask us about our weekend trip to Texas or our camping trip in Minnesota. Joelle is the most patient, kind, and down to earth person I know and regularly reminds me of the gospel. She'll make you feel loved, seen, heard, and accepted all at once and I'm so incredibly lucky to have her stand beside me on this special day.


Marcus Goodfellow

Best Man

Marcus was one of my first friends when I moved to Brookings and started at SDSU. We were co-workers at Whiskey Creek and later became roommates. Marcus has always been a dreamer; he's got a vision for doing fun, adventurous, and crazy stuff. This is probably why we became such good friends. I can think of countless memories while we lived together; whether it's throwing snowballs at people as they ran by our house, doing ridiculous pranks on our roommates, or having a boxing night in our backyard. Marcus has also been a guy that I know I can go back to whenever and we can pick up where we left off without any question.

Sarah Mayforth

Bridesmaid

My sister, roommate, chauffer, coworker, workout buddy and friend. Sarah goes to great lengths for her people and I've been fortunate to be one of them for her entire life. She is one of those people who will text you a BOOK of encouragement when you are feeling down or Venmo you enough for a coffee or mid day pick-me-up just to make you feel cared for. You'll never have to question whether she loves you or is thinking about you because she is so intentional about expressing it and reminding people of her care for them. She's the best kind of person to have on your side and I'm so blessed to have her in my corner.


John Begeman

Groomsman

John and I met at SDSU after both of us signed up for a mission trip to LA over spring break. We had a lot of conversations sitting in the back of our van while waiting in LA traffic. John has always been a visionary and a dreamer. John has challenged and inspired me in my own faith to continue to be bold in sharing the Gospel and my testimony. Not only that, but John has walked along my side while I've taken a variety of steps of faith; when I released my first album, when I wanted to travel to camps to share God's word, my music and other gifts, and then when I moved to Dallas after I graduated. John has been a huge blessing in my life and I'm thankful that we've had the opportunity to serve God together and hope we get more in the future.

Raeanna Mayforth

Bridesmaid

If you ever need someone to fight for you or tell you how it really is, Rae is your gal. She is bold beyond measure and speaks with sureness and sincerity. Rae is the best person to have in your corner if you want to be challenged. I credit her for much of my success in basketball and track because of the way she's pushed me from shooting hoops in the drive way and going on neighborhood runs to competing against each other in high school. She is dedicated and hard working and because of this, is one of the most successful people I know. She loves hard and deep and I'm so glad I get to do life with her.


Sam Peterson

Groomsman

Sam and Rachel are actually cousins and have had a really close relationship their whole lives. Sam and I haven't known each other for a super long time, but we were able to connect really well. Once Rachel and I started dating, our friendship started to become more serious and we later became co-workers and roommates. Sam and I can relate to each other really well and I really appreciate his wisdom and humility. Sam has done an amazing job of welcoming me into his home and with his family. Some of my favorite memories with Sam is playing pingpong until midnight, then playing a few games of cards, followed by a movie around 2AM. One added bonus to marrying Rachel is having Sam apart of our family.

Sally Peterson

Bridesmaid

Sally is my cousin and longest friend. The Lord blessed me by only making me live three weeks without this lifelong pal. Sally is the most kind, caring, and sweet person you'll meet. She is so incredibly intentional and makes an effort to keep up with her people regularly. The two of us have countless memories together ranging from time spent at our grandparents house to an insurmountable number of sporting events (aka mini family reunions). She gives the best hugs and sweetest bits of encouragement. Her friendship is invaluable and I couldn't imagine this day without her by my side.


Ethan Lief

Groomsman

Ethan and I also became friends at SDSU while on a mission trip in LA over spring break. We became closer after hanging out late at night and had really good conversations. We became roommates and would hangout all the time, whether it was working out, pranking friends, or serving together. Ethan and I have indirectly became world traveling buddies; we took three spring break trips together, one to LA, Puerto Rico, and then Banff, Canada. Ethan has really challenged me in a lot of ways, including my academics while at SDSU, in my personal walk with God, and as a brother in Christ. Ethan is the kind of guy that I know will show up for his people and will always be cheering you on, so I'm really lucky to have him on my side for mine and Rachel's wedding, but also for the rest of my life.

Tonia Montoya

Bridesmaid

Tonia is someone who loves so unconditionally and sincerely it challenges you to improve in the way you care for others. I've seen it in the way that she loves her family and friends and am fortunate to be brought in on it as her future sister-in-law. She is an incredible host and has a heart to make people feel at home when they are with her. She is extremely hard working and driven and is successful at whatever she puts her mind to. I am so grateful to be given this sister and hope that we continue to get closer as the years go on!


Eric Mayforth

Groomsman

Eric is Rachel's brother and has done an incredible job of protecting her as her bigger brother. I'm very thankful for his protective, caring, and welcoming character that has blessed Rachel and myself. Eric and I have had the opportunity to grow closer over the last few years and I look forward to the opportunity of become closer as brothers.

Molly Hanson

Bridesmaid

This friendship started when we were made co RAs in Grand Island Hall our junior year of college and has continued to grow as we've shared more and more life together. Molly and I have walked through boy struggles, school frustrations, financially hardships, and many other difficulties. But we've also walked through the joys of graduating, landing jobs, moving and making friends, and meeting our life partners. We've both laughed and cried until we're red in the face, made meals (both burnt and unburnt), drank too many cups of coffee, jammed in the car to a WIDE range of music, and have done life together for long enough to know that I never want to do it without her. She is an absolute treasure of a friend and I can't wait to add this day to our list of life moments we've shared together!


Alex Waldner

Groomsman

Alex has been like a brother to me pretty much since we met. We were roommates at "The Bakery" and have kept in close contact ever since. Alex is extremely generous with the things that God has blessed him with, whether thats offering me a ride to pick up my new car, inviting me to his house for the holidays, or filling up my car with gas. Alex has always been someone I could go to when I'm trying to make a difficult decision and is a great listener. We also get overly competitive together, which is probably the biggest fuel to our relationship. Alex, if you're reading this, lemme know when you want to lose at spike ball next. ;)

Brianna Renaas

Bridesmaid

Bri is one of the most consistent and steady friends I’ve ever had. She’s dependable and kind and is the best at taking care of people. We share our love for thrifting, hospitality, and simplicity and love to chat about missions and Jesus. This girl is quick to share the gospel and is one of the most welcoming people I know. It’s just so crazy easy to love her and be friends with her.


Jayden Waldner

Groomsman

Jayden has been an incredible friend of mine ever since we first met in college. Jayden frequently came over to mine and Alex's house in college. Jayden and I were eventually roommates later in college and would regularly spend time hanging out, lifting weights, playing video games, or having great conversations. Jayden has really inspired me in my own walk with God; he passionately follows God in an extremely humble way. Jayden has also welcomed me into his family like Alex and also has become like a brother to me. Jayden is a great teammate in any game, but also a great guy to have by my side throughout my life.

Ted Eining

Usher

Ted and I became friends during our sophomore year at SDSU through a Bible Study. We grew closer as time went on and eventually became roommates. Ted and I have walked through many seasons of life together and its been a huge blessing to see him and myself grow as men along the way. Ted has really inspired me in my own faith, to continue to passionately follow Christ. Ted has also just been a great friend to have around, whether thats to trash talk about football, play boardgames/ play ball, or just hangout. Ted is like a brother to me and we always have a good time when we hangout. I'm thankful that Ted will be standing by Rachel and I on our wedding day because I've seen him support our relationship since day one.


Matt Schmitt

Usher

Matt and I have been friends since my freshmen year at SDSU when we first met at Bible Study. Matt has always been a great listener as he's one of the first people that I shared any of my music with. Matt and I served with each other in LA and grew even closer together as he continued to challenge me in my faith. Matt and I have had multiple opportunities to be roommates which was always a good time. We would spend a lot of time playing video games together, or inviting friends over to procrastinate some homework. Matt is super intentional with everyone he meets and is a great listener and I'm blessed to have him standing by my side for our wedding and the rest of our lives.

For all the days along the way
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