Madison + Nicholas
Wedding Party
Karson Velasquez
Matron of Honor
Karson and Maddy met their freshman year at CU, and have been inseparable ever since! They always joke that they will steal each other from their significant others, but they love each other so much that it may actually happen someday. They love doing anything and everything together, but especially enjoy going to concerts, making music, dessert dates, and obsessing over their cats together. Karson and Maddy can't wait to grow old together and watch their kids become the best of friends, just like them.
Joshua Faulkenberry
Best Man
Josh and Nick have known each other, well, forever. From nap time in pre-school to riding home-built death trap zip lines as teenagers, these two have been through it all. Together they played sports, endured breakups, built a car, went on family vacations... the list is truly endless. These days they enjoy double dates with their better halves; sharing a mutual love of concerts, camping, and boating to name a few. More like brothers than friends, these guys will be getting into trouble for decades to come.
Lindsey Swenson
Maid of Honor
From the moment Lindsey and Maddy met their Freshman year at CU, they've been quite the dynamic duo. From volleyball tournaments, dealing with stupid boys, supporting one another while chasing their dreams, drinking too much wine, and basically living together, there are very few things that they have not been through together. They especially love baked beans and quoting Old Gregg, and their weirdness has made them the best of friends for life!
Chris Whipple
Groomsman
Chris and Nick met their freshman year of college, but it wasn't until their sophomore year when they spent well over 24 hours together in a car that they became the best of friends. During that fateful spring break trip to Lake Havasu, many things went "south", including an 8 hour stop in the armpit of Colorado to get a sketchy clutch replacement (just ask Chris, it's all Adam's fault), but Nick for one wouldn't change it for the world. Most of Nick's best memories from CU involve "Whipp", and he looks forward to all the great times they have yet to experience. Don't get them started on the summer of '17.
Dani Faulkenberry
Bridesmaid
Dani and Maddy's hubbies are best friends, so naturally, they became best friends too! They love sharing prosecco and rosé, quoting Vines, and dancing at Red Rocks together. Dani and Maddy are also both Virgo's and Enneagram Type 2s, and their birthdays are only three days apart! Joint birthday parties for life! Did we mention that Dani is the best photographer around?!?! These two are built-in besties for life!
Adam Manilla
Groomsman
Adam and Nick met in a chemistry lab during their first week at CU. During partner assignments that day, the two could seemingly recognize in each other's eyes that pairing up with one another would lead to at least a 1/4th GPA decline over their college careers, while promising the most fun-filled, ridiculous antics the next four years had to offer. The decision was easy.
Lexi Tonascia
Bridesmaid
Lexi and Maddy caused quite a stir in their sorority, Alpha Chi Omega when they refused to consider anyone else to be their Big/Little after only meeting each other ONCE! Little did they know they would both end up being engaged and getting their Doodles at the same time! Countless trips to Wahoo's Tacos, the Buff pool, and Lexi's apartment for movies and couch snuggles have caused these two to be best friends for life!
Nick Riffel
Groomsman
Nick and Nick - let's call them Riffel and Nick - also met in college. But, fun fact, Riffel was the very first person Nick met at CU during freshman orientation. During that time, Nick mistakenly assumed that Riffel was this intimidatingly cool guy that he probably wouldn't become friends with. Later on they started hanging out through mutual friends... and it turned out that Riffel was an even bigger dork than VanderKolk was! All jokes aside, Nick is incredibly thankful to call Riffel his friend as he is one of the most hilarious, kind and down to earth people that Nick knows. "Yip Yip!"
Alyssa Purslow
Bridesmaid
It's hard for Maddy to imagine her life without Alyssa in it! After meeting in the 3rd grade, Alyssa and Maddy have been the best of friends ever since. Their sixteen years of friendship have included countless sleepovers, Sonic runs, Red Rocks concerts, and questionable fashion choices. We can't forget the matching blue braces! They couldn't have survived elementary, middle, and high school, without one another.
Josh Adams
Groomsman
Josh and Nick's friendship goes all the way back to their days at Arvada West where they reigned as the most popular varsity hot-shots of their day (okay not at all on that last part, but they were friends). As luck would have it they both attended CU and struck up a close friendship later their freshman year. Nick grew a profound respect for Josh as they grew closer, recognizing the impact Josh's maturity and growing faith was having on him. Nick wants to be just like Josh when he grows up and enjoys their time spent together now more than ever.
Laney Hershiser
Bridesmaid
Whether they're at a family dinner or sending each other funny Tik Toks, Laney and Maddy are usually always laughing together! Even though they're almost four years apart, people constantly mistake these two sisters for twins. Laney's hilarious sense of humor and big heart is something that Maddy has always admired about her, and she can't imagine getting married without her little sister by her side!
Harrison Thrasher
Groomsman
Harrison Thrasher; the Durango man, myth and legend. Thrasher and Nick met their sophomore year of college during one of Thrasher's numerous visits to the superior University of Colorado campus in Boulder. Always the life of the party, Nick cherishes his time with Harrison - a friendship highlighted with wild memories from college parties, Hollywood, Lake Powell, Southeast Asia and more. Mutual hobbies they've enjoyed together include skiing, mountain biking, and long walks on the beach.
Kaitlin VanderKolk
Bridesmaid
When Maddy first met Kaitlin, she was beyond excited. She could not have asked for a more amazing sister-in-law! Not only is Kaitlin in her first year of residency to become a doctor, she also has the voice and piano playing skills of an angel. Kaitlin and Maddy love singing together, especially with Maria (Nick's mom) and Clarence (Nick's grandpa). Kaitlin is the older sister that Maddy has always wanted!
Jonathan Mastrella
Groomsman
Nick and Jonathan met their sophomore year in college and hung out often through mutual friends. Anyone who knows Jonathan knows that he's a tough cookie to crack, a hard onion to peel, a... you get the idea. Nick hadn't any prior experience dealing with a member of the "Bills Mafia", but soon realized that Jonathan was simply a very real person that would not call you a friend unless you earned it. As they went through college together and shared endless good times, they became close friends. Nick loves spending time with Jonathan; be it a Rockies game, a ski trip (he snowboards but it's okay because he can keep up), or car camping the night before hiking a 14'er - it's always a good time.
Lizzy Potter
Bridesmaid
Once Maddy saw Lizzy's insane volleyball skills, it was love at first sight. Her violin skills were the cherry on top! These two love skiing, listening to bluegrass music and chatting for hours over some iced chai lattes. Distance means nothing for these two best friends, as they pick up right where they left off every time they see each other!
Magnolia and Abby VanderKolk
Doodles of Honor
How could we forget Magnolia and Abby, the family Goldendoodles? Although these two can't be present at the wedding, they will be there in spirit! Nick and Maddy can't imagine their lives without their favorite girls. These two are the definition of best friends. On any given day, you can find them chasing tennis balls, chewing on sticks, and wrestling non-stop. We love our Doodles of Honor!