Nika & ZackNika & Zack
Wedding PartyWedding Party
Nika BergdahlNika Bergdahl
Bride
Nika believes in soul-deep friendships, chosen family, and love that’s built slowly and intentionally. Her life has been shaped by years of service to her family and closest friends, bonds forged in unlikely places, and a deep appreciation for strength, loyalty, and laughter. Equal parts grounded and whimsical, she loves fiercely, finds magic in small moments, and always leaves room for a little everyday enchantment. This celebration, and this life she and Zack are building, is a reflection of that love.
Zack MerolaZack Merola
Groom
Zack is a steady quiet in a world of loud noises. Thoughtful and deeply grounded, he leads with calm, holds family close, and loves in ways that are gentle, enduring, and unmistakably sincere. Level-headed and loyal, he brings peace to every room he enters and meaning to the moments that matter most. He is the type of man you always want around because of his calm and loving nature, but is always the one to laugh first at a good joke, support the people he loves without hesitation, and be there first at a moment's notice. His love shows up not loudly, but consistently in the quiet certainty of always being there. If you don't believe him, believe his majestic mustache.
Elizabeth RamirezElizabeth Ramirez
Maid of Honor
Elizabeth has been by Nika's side for sixteen years, through airports and army buses, basic training mornings and long nights that tested every ounce of strength they had. From flying to basic training together, to getting their butts kicked in the same platoon, to sharing rooms, ranks, and even duty stations across the world, Elizabeth has always been the steady constant. Strong, level-headed, and loving in the truest sense, she is the kind of friend who stands firm when things get hard and loves deeply when things get good. Liz standing beside Nika as her Maid of Honor feels less like a role and more like a continuation of their friendship's story.
Greg MerolaGreg Merola
Best Man
As Zack’s younger brother, lifelong sidekick, and equal nuisance, Greg has been by his side since birth. As his longest-standing friend, Greg is always ready with a joke and a reminder not to take life too seriously. The life of the party and a natural connector, he has a way of lighting up every room he walks into. Beneath the humor is a deep, unwavering love for his brother, and through every chapter, the two of them have always shown up for each other through thick and thin. There’s no one more fitting to stand beside Zack as his Best Man.
Victoria "VV" BergdahlVictoria "VV" Bergdahl
Bridesmaid
Victoria is Nika's little sister and has always been her big sister’s little sidekick. Whether that meant tagging along, stealing clothes, or being just close enough to know all the best secrets, today, Vicci stands beside her not just as a bridesmaid, but as the little sister who grew up laughing, loving, and cheering her on. With her bright smile, big eyes, and even bigger heart, Victoria proves that being the “little” sister just means having extra love to give.
Justin KerinsJustin Kerins
Groomsman
As his longest-standing Army friendship, Justin and Zack have shared a bond for more than ten years, one that’s survived distance, deployments, and a whole lot of change. From maintaining a long-distance friendship to deploying to Iraq together, their bond has been built on shared humor, trust, and mutual respect. They once served side by side as MPs back when they were both baby specialists in the Army, and have now grown into the men they are today. Their journeys have come a long way, but their friendship remains as steady as ever.
Kristi BergdahlKristi Bergdahl
Bridesmaid
Kristi has been by Nika's side since the very beginning, only a month apart in age and somehow inseparable ever since. A project manager by trade and a free spirit at heart, she is fiercely loyal, wildly capable, and loves in her own perfectly genuine way. Together, they’ve spent a lifetime laughing too hard, getting into unforgettable adventures, and proving that age does absolutely nothing to dull their goofiness. From homemade dance routines and ridiculous videos to songs that annoy their family to no end (but still get sung anyway), Kristi isn’t just a cousin, she’s a built-in best friend, forever.
Aaron KormosAaron Kormos
Groomsman
Aaron has been by Zack’s side since flight school when they started off as brand new pilots growing out their mustaches five years ago. Always quick with a joke and endlessly loyal, he’s the kind of friend who makes every adventure better. From the woods of Alabama, to the plains of Texas, to the rivers of Latvia, they’ve covered a lot of ground together, even surviving a night in a 6×6 box (which we still don’t talk about). A recent convert to golf, Aaron now proudly holds the title of Zack’s long distance golf partner. From flight school chaos to shared miles across the globe, Aaron has been there for it all, and the wedding day is no exception.
Emily "Eugene" TwomblyEmily "Eugene" Twombly
Bridesmaid
Emily Twombly, known to most as Emily, but forever “Eugene” to the bride, has been by Nika's side for thirteen years and counting. What began as a soldier and her leader quickly became a friendship built on trust, laughter, and an unbreakable bond. From “Eugene” to “Harold,” their nicknames tell a story of inside jokes, shared seasons, and a love that only grows stronger with time. Today, she stands here not just as a bridesmaid, but as chosen family- proof that some of the most meaningful relationships are the ones we never planned, but could never imagine life without. Once again, as soldier and leader, Harold is asking for her Eugene at her side as one of her bridesmaids.
Jerritt HerringJerritt Herring
Groomsman
Best known as Zack’s “work husband,” Jerritt is a steady presence and a trusted partner both on and off the golf course. The wise man of the group, he’s the one who brings perspective, calm, and the occasional perfectly timed piece of advice. A devoted family man and a friend through and through, Jerritt shows up consistently when it matters most. His deadpan humor, delivered so subtly it’s almost missed, is a favorite among those lucky enough to know him. His steady presence, sharp wit, and unwavering loyalty make him exactly the kind of person you want in your corner. On the course, in life, and on the day of the wedding.
Ericka BernardoEricka Bernardo
Bridesmaid
Ericka came into Nika's life seven years ago through her wife, Elizabeth, and quickly proved she was here to stay. Together, they worked side by side as Drill Sergeants, mastering the fine art of terrifying trainees while building a bond rooted in respect, laughter, and shared fire. Just as fierce as the bride herself, Ericka loves boldly and without hesitation, showing up fully, protecting her people, and loving deeply. Today, she stands not only as a bridesmaid but as family. Chosen, trusted, and loved with the same intensity she gives. She is the kind of person who doesn’t just stand beside you; she stands for you, always, and for the wedding day, like so many others with her, it will be brighter and braver with Ericka in it.
Derrick KirkerDerrick Kirker
Groomsman
The better half of the legendary “tripod” (Zack, Jerritt, and Derrick), Derrick is very much part of the package deal—if you get one of them, you get all three. Through multiple deployments and five years of working together, Derrick has been a steadfast and loyal friend. A devoted husband, proud dog-family man (including the unforgettable platoon dog, Rome, adopted from Romania), and committed member of the tripod, he may share Zack with Jerritt, but his friendship is just as strong on its own. He’s not just part of the tripod; he’s a constant, grounding force in Zack’s life, and today is simply another moment in a long history of standing together.
DaiseyDaisey
The Star of the Show
Meet Daisey, the real star of the entire wedding, and who we do it all for. The other people depicted are mostly unimportant side characters in comparison. You know it, we know it, she knows it.