Wedding Party
Karina
Maid of Honor
Karina (otherwise known as KK) is the older sis of the bride and boy, she's seen it all. From diapers to dances to dating, she's been a built-in friend from day one. Now a doctor in Pittsburgh, she's a little farther away but still makes time to visit her sis and soon-to-be brother-in-law, though we all know she's really only here for the dog.
Alexa
Bridesmaid
Alexa and Nicole met their first week of freshman year at Notre Dame (get ready for this trend) and immediately hit it off. Alexa's California (now Midwest) Nice instantly won Nicole over and their friendship bloomed. Alexa was instrumental in assisting Kyle with the proposal, and she, her husband Kent, and daughter Ainsley continue to be a fixture in the bride and groom's lives.
Lia
Bridesmaid
Otherwise known as The Original Roomie, Lia and Nicole were, well, roommates at Notre Dame, and quickly became fast friends. A Jersey native, Lia is known for her quick walkin', vast love of travel, and laughing so hard while telling a story, you can't even tell what she's saying. If you're nice, she might teach you her signature move on the dance floor.
Vanessa
Bridesmaid
Vanessa is an Assistant Headmaster at a middle and high school in Texas. She and the bride have been friends since waiting in the football ticket line freshman year at Notre Dame. She remembers the early texts about Kyle: there were twenties costumes involved. Nicole and Kyle share a kindheartedness that makes them wonderful friends and empathetic listeners. She can’t wait to celebrate Nicole and Kyle with everyone in October!
Susan
Bridesmaid
Susan is an award-winning journalist and photographer (who isn't?) living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband and two cats. She met Nicole when they were freshmen at Notre Dame and instantly loved her sense of humor and vastly superior style. She met Kyle many years later and knew he was a real one because he appreciated "Barbie Girl" and Aqua's album "Aquarium." She aspires to be half as cool as they are.
Grace
Junior Bridesmaid
Grace is the niece of the bride. With a keen fashion sense and a mastery of all the latest social media trends, she keeps Nicole young. She's a good girl, loves her mama, loves Jesus, and America too, even if she's a little young to get the reference.
Sean
Best Man
Sean and Kyle met in high school at the O’ Brien County fair dance and would later on, with two other friends, form the greatest band Primghar, Iowa has ever seen, Verity. Feel free to check them out on all the latest socials (MySpace, Vine, CDs). Even after the band dramatically broke up, Sean and Kyle continue to be the closest of friends. Sean, his wife Caitlin, and their two sons, live in Evanston, IL.
Reese
Groomsman
Reese holds the honor of being Kyle’s oldest friend having met in 3rd grade. Over the years, they’ve logged countless hours together at concerts, sleepovers, and in each other’s cars, usually with questionable music choices. Reese also wears the badge of being Kyle’s most travelled friend having lived in Portland, OR for the last decade with stints in Australia and South Korea as well. Bonus award: oldest photo (2008).
Ryan
Groomsman
Ryan and Kyle met at Simpson College and were in the same pledge class in Sigma Alpha Epsilon (get ready for THIS trend). During their Junior year, Ryan took over as the “Yell Like Hell” stomp coordinator where Kyle and Ryan’s friendship truly blossomed. It was like Pitch Perfect where Ryan was Anna Kendrick and Kyle was Brittany Snow. Except, less singing and more stomping. Ryan and his wife, Kristen, live in Urbandale, IA with their two pups, Mika and Moxey.
Tyler
Groomsman
Utzka (who is Tyler?) and Kyle met at Simpson College and were in the same pledge class in Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Throughout their time at Simpson, they would sneak off to Funaro’s Deli if Sally the Cook’s lunch menu was not up to snuff, which unfortunately was often. Utzka has always been the life of the party, so get ready to get “slizzard” with him on the big day. Utzka and his wife, Beret, live in the Minneapolis area with their dog, Porter.
Mike
Groomsman
Mike and Kyle met at Simpson College and were in the same pledge class together in Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Mike was way cooler than Kyle having first been on the football team and then on the soccer team. However, during their sophomore year, they discovered that Mountain Dew, vodka, and horror movies are a great combo and have been close friends ever since. Mike and his wife, Kristina, live in Coralville, IA with their four children.
Troy
Groomsman
While Troy is technically Kyle’s Uncle, they grew up together more as brothers being only 10 years apart. Troy is the culprit (to Nicole’s chagrin) for many of Kyle’s interests, including ‘90s music, horror movies, comic books, and the Miami Dolphins. Regardless of the year or their age, those shared passions remain a constant, with weekly catch-ups still going strong. Troy lives in Sioux Falls, SD with his wife, Danielle, their two daughters, dog, and cat.
Derrick
Usher
Derrick–AKA Drog–and Kyle met at Simpson College and, surprisingly, were NOT in the same pledge class. Even so, it didn’t take long for the two Sigma Alpha Epsilon brothers to become close friends. Drog holds the title of having the best abs, arms and derriere of the wedding party, but it’s his big heart that truly stands out. While an Iowa native, Drog now lives in the St. Louis area.
Christian
Usher
Christian– AKA Slim–and Kyle met at Simpson College and while not in the same pledge class, they were initiated the same time into Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Slim and Kyle quickly bonded over their love of movies and became close friends throughout their time at Simpson. Even though they live hundreds of miles away, they still enjoy watching movies together along with fellow usher, Drog. Slim and his wife, Megan, live with their two sons in Indianapolis, IN.
Tony
Usher
Tony is the nephew of the bride. An accomplished and dedicated hockey player, Nicole remembers playing knee hockey with him when he was little and taking some wicked slap shots as goalie. She also remembers his adorable bowl cut, but the hockey hair suits him, too.
Kalani
Officiant
Kalani and Kyle were first coworkers and friends at Northwestern University when Kyle and Nicole started dating. Nicole instantly felt Kalani’s warm and inviting energy and since then, Kalani has been a staple in the couple’s lives. After playing an instrumental role in the proposal, the couple knew she would be the perfect person to marry them. Originally hailing from Texas, Kalani has lived in Chicago for many years and is a keen runner, dedicated book clubber, and all around solid gal.