Wedding Party
Kailey Kerkman
Maid of Honor
Lauren’s friend since high school. Kailey has gone to many family only trips and is just as adventurous as the Bears. Kailey introduced music/musicals, Harry Potter& Star Wars, and the pros of cats to Lauren. She also took on rock climbing, hiking, and euchre from Lauren. Kailey and Lauren may not be sisters by blood but they have a sister bond. Kailey is Lauren’s go to for anything creative and future planning. Lauren always calls Kailey on her walks or runs and they often talk for hours during the week.
Tommy Tran
Best Man
Lucas and Tommy became fast friend in 9th grade, really getting to know each other while playing video games most days in high school. Their friendship continued to strengthen through college and the pandemic when they lived in the same house. Tommy has always been Lucas's go-to duo partner when playing video games, leading to many nights playing games past 2am. Lucas and Tommy attend trivia regularly with a few close friends. They continue to bond over golf, volleyball and shared tv shows.
Erika Wright
Maid of Honor
Erika started working with Ryan in college and during 2020 - Lauren and Erika became partners in crime. Erika braved the BWCA with the Bears and now goes on many backpacking and camping trips with Lauren. You won’t find a shortage of laughs between these two. Erika has also been Lauren’s go to when she needs an older sister’s support.
August Nelson
Best Man
August and Lucas just celebrated 20 years of friendship! August and Lucas do pretty much everything together, be it golfing, volleyball, or watching reels together over FaceTime. Lucas and August have pushed each other to grow and try new things, always being in each others corner in the process. August has fit in effortlessly with Lucas and Laurens growing relationship, becoming fast friends with Lauren in the process. August will often will come over just to hang on a whim, and you never know who's side he'll take on a debate.
Lindsey Niznik
Bridesmaid
Lucas’s oldest sister and biggest supporter of the couple. Lindsey has always been such a warm and supporting sister, one always willing to go out of her way to help. Lucas has always looked up to Lindsey's loyalty and devotion to family. She has been a instrumental in their wedding planning. Lindsey and Lauren have quickly become sisters, bonding over books, the outdoors, and coffee!
Ryan Bear
Groomsman
Lauren’s oldest brother and role model. Lauren and Ryan both love driving around listening to music and finding places to explore. Ryan was the peace-keeper growing up for Tyler and Lauren. He is quick to forgive and never shies away from a group-hug. Ryan has been a constant in Lauren and Lucas’s life. Ryan has been a loud supporter and loves to FaceTime with the couple. Lucas and Ryan share a love for hanging out on the boat, reading and talking.
Jordan Sheehan
Bridesmaid
Lucas’s sister and designated doctor of the family. Luke visited Jordan in Seattle, where they went hiking up in the mountains. Since then, Luke hasnt been able to shake his love for the outdoors. Jordan and Lucas share a particular sense of humor, often full of inside jokes, nonverbal glances, and references to their favorite bits. Jordan and Luke bond over their love of science, movies, and picking on their significant others.
Tyler Bear
Groomsman
Laurens brother and adventure partner. Tyler and Lauren grew up camping, fishing, backpacking, and rock climbing together. Tyler has always been Lauren’s “yes” person and before Luke, if she ever wanted to go backpacking, Tyler was the first one she called. Tyler and Lauren now try to do a trip to visit each other at least once a year with their spouses. They also share the same humor; eagerly picking on their spouses and each other. Lucas and Tyler share many interests, from cats, engineering, camping, and hunting.
Megan Vogeler-Lappan
Bridesmaid
Megan and Lauren met in high school in their sophomore english class. They stayed friends throughout college going on dinner dates and rock climbing with on another. Megan lived with Lauren and Anna (another bridesmaid) senior year college. Lauren was in Megan and ryan’s wedding. Megan and Ryan went to Scotland and participated in Lauren and Lucas’s engagement! Megan has wisdom beyond her years and always has space and patience for others.
Nicholas Bangar
Groomsman
Nicholas and Lucas met in Jr. High and their friendship continued to grow through the years. Nicholas has always had the better sense of fashion, and has thankfully helped Lucas hone his over the years. Nicholas and Luke share a love for travel and adventure. They have traveled to Chicago, New York, London, and Paris. Nicholas has always been a deep, loyal friend, accepting of Lucas and all his quirks.
Anna Watson
Bridesmaid
Anna and Lauren met in college as freshman year suite mates and were inseparable. They spent the next three years supporting each other and being constants in each other's lives. They roomed together again, senior year with Megan (another bridesmaid) and spent many hours having coffee on the porch, watching movies, and going on walks. Now, when they visit each other, they always make it a point to do a tradition they had in the past while making new memories to hold on to for the future.
Joey Welp
Groomsman
Joey and Lucas also just celebrated 20 years of friendship. During the Pandemic, Joey and Luke shared a house in Dinkytown where they spent many hours chatting by the bonfire, leaving work early for a noon tee-time, playing videogames together from across the hall. They continue to hang regularly playing volleyball, golfing, and enjoying a nice cookout in Joey's backyard.
Jaclyn Simons
Bridesmaid
Jaclyn was Lauren’s first friend in the Twin Cities. Jaclyn and Lauren made memories going camping, rock climbing, to the Twins games, and to the best brewery, Pryes. They are the same person but different font making them good travel buddies. Jaclyn and Lauren have gone on many trips to different cabins over the weekend. They also have adventured in the Smokey Mountains, Boundary Waters (for 3 hours), and to the most notable, Iceland. Jaclyn and Lauren have stayed friends through differing schedules and always make sure they see each other at least once a month.
Tommy Hua
Groomsman
Tommy and Lucas met in college through a mutual friend and their friendship quickly grew. After college, Tommy had moved out to Hawaii and then Los Angeles for new adventures. Though the geographic distance can be tough, Tommy and Lucas have continued to stay in touch with regular FaceTimes and by visiting one another. Tommy has always been a reliable and timeless friend to hangout with, with the two always picking up where they left of and never having a moment of dullness. Tommy and Lucas share a love of movies, books, hiking, and general shenanigans.