Wedding Party

Arei Mychel Stokes

Maid of Honor

When Arei and Sofie met 8 years ago, they dubbed themselves with another friend as the #TripleThreat. If that weirdness doesn't bond you, I don't know what will. Bonding over good beer and 90's shows like Charmed and Friends it was impossible not to be close. Arei and Sofie's friendship has proven distance makes the heart grow fonder and it doesn't matter how much time passes between hang outs, they always pick up where they left off. Arei has a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Fitness and is currently an Admissions Councelor for University of Jamestown.

Jamar Deray Roberson

Best Man

Best friend of the groom, the summer before Zach's sophmore year of high school Jamar and him got pulled aside during basketball and were told, "You're both scrawny, you should go lift" and the rest is history. Whether it be gaming or geeking out binging anime shows, wherever Zach and his family goes, Jamar goes too. Distance apart doesn't affect these two's bond, they have the kind of friendship where you can just pick up where you left off. Brothers since circa 2010, Jamar attended St Cloud University and currently works in sales.

Shantel Patricia Bahl

Maid of Honor

Zachary's little sister by two years, Sof and Shan bonded over their competitiveness during card games, making fun of Zach, and their shared dislike for the whole 'having to get ready' process when going out. She is a lover of warm fuzzy blankets, socks of the same variety, her nephew, and binging a good Netflix show with a hot male lead. She holds a Bachelors in Sociology and currently works at Integrity as a Medical Scheduling Specialist.

Nicholas Michael Cooper

Groomsman

High school best friend of the groom, he and Zach met in ninth grade and bonded over their mutual love of baseball. Zach's fondest old memory is when they would bring a bucket of baseballs up to one of the short fenced fields and try to hit homeruns, which usually just ended up with them spending more time shagging all the scattered baseballs than actually hitting them. He is a Minnesota sports enthusiast, who seems to always get let down. He attended the University of Minnesota and currently works at Ryan Companies as a Senior Project Engineer.

Morgan Shambria Haner

Bridesmaid

Five years apart, Morgan is the sister that ended Sofie's being an only child (thank god). Morgs is an avid softball fanatic, always staying active, and enjoys spending time with her boyfriend of three and a half years, Ben. Whether it be over their amateur song writing or their mutual obsession with ranch, they are sisters through and through. Morgan is currently studying to be an accountant at Northeast Community College.

Michael Thomas Jaeger

Groomsman

Friend of the bride, Mike and Sofie were introduced two and a half years ago through Nathan when they had planned to meet Nathan and 'a friend' for drinks. Sof and Arei were having beers when said friend came up and hit on them and that was their initial introduction. Nathan came up laughing and said "This is what happens when I leave him alone to go to the bathroom!" Mike became a very close friend of the Bride and essential part of the group. When Sofie started dating Zach, Mike and him hit it off and bonded even more as loving bros when they took a trip with Shantie and Sof to Milwaukee for 2019 Fourth of July.

Isabella Clair Haner

Bridesmaid

Seven years apart, Belle was the sister they all thought was going to be a boy. Now if that was Mom & Dad's wishes being put onto them, or they just wanted a brother, no one can recall. When she came though, they were very glad to have another sister and although she was a girl, Belle has always very much been a tomboy. Belle is an avid athlete who plays softball, basketball, volleyball, as well as runs track!

Nathan Michael Burmeister

Groomsman

Another best friend of the bride, Sofie and Nathan met three and a half years ago at Sneaky Pete's when Sofie was in town for a 'Panic at the Disco' concert. It was the oddest way to meet a friend for life and to this day they still can't believe that's how they met. Shortly after meeting, Sofie moved to Minneapolis and they became very close friends. Bonding over taste testing craft beers, teaching Sofie how to brew her own beer, and lots of game nights, we couldn't imagine our lives without Nathan in it. Nathan was previously a landlord in North Minneapolis, but now day trades as well as raising eight puppies now that he's a dog grandpa.

Dakota Lee Haner

Bridesmaid

Sister of the bride and 10 years her junior, Dakota is also an avid softball player and

Elijah Benjamin Wood

Groomsman

Childhood friend of the groom, their friendship was built on their families annual one week vacation in the summer to Little Boy Resort. Bonding over midnight eggs, lots of sing-a-long campfires, card games, and other camping fun shenanigans. He is a very talented musician and singer, actor, Pokémon enthusiast, and loves anything from the renaissance era. Eli just obtained his masters in Social Work and currently works as a social worker.

Aspyn Lorraine Haner

Bridesmaid

Sister of the bride and 11 (almost 12) years her junior, Appy is very much a softball fanatic like her sisters and

Justin Wang

Groomsman

College friend and previous roommate of the groom, they bonded over

Megan May Nowak

Bridesmaid

Best friend and previous roommate of the bride, Megan and Sofie bonded over their mutual disgust and dislike of their other previous roommates-but that's what happens when you find a place fast and find a place cheap! They truly got close while having drinking and cleaning nights and many laughs over lots of stupid things. A beautiful friendship has no doubt to form when each party thinks the other is hilarious, and that alone is enough to laugh at for these two. Megan is a very talented artist, she loves to draw and hike, she loves all things safari animal, and she enjoys dancing in her spare time. She holds a Bachelors degree in Architecture and currently lives in LA working at

Leighton Anthony Nichols

Groomsman

Brother of the bride, not by blood, but by bond. Over 8 years ago Sofie called out to Leighton while they were walking on campus to their dorms to help her with math (ironic considering she's asian) and one midnight stop to Walmart later they've been friends for life. Through the all-nighters in the dorms, tears, laughter, games, being roomies, babysitting his younger siblings; these two were thick as thieves. He's a hard core Red Hot Chili Peppers fan, a drummer, and in his spare time loves to finger paint. Leighton went to Minot State University with Arei and Sofie, and currently is a manager at Minot's favorite Ebeneezer's Irish Pub. He is also the father of the beautiful flower girl Aliyah Nichols.

Margaret Madeleine Mason

Bridesmaid

Friend of the couple, Zach and Sofie were blessed to meet this spitfire of a girl while working at the pharmacy together. Sof's best drinking buddy who is always down for their old person style game nights, she's become a staple part of their lives. She has introduced a lot of addicting board games into their lives, she enjoys a good beer/cocktail/wine once in awhile, and is an Illinois native. Maggie is wrapping up her degree in Pharmaceutical Medicine at the U of M this spring and will then be a full fledged pharmacist! Congrats Mags.

Jack Nelson Overstreet

Groomsman

Jenny Lynn Anderson

Bridesmaid

Friend of the couple, Jenny has known Zach and Sofie for three years through working at the pharmacy. We dubbed her the mama of the pharmacy, but through loads of laughs and surprisingly a lot of heart to hearts (WHILE WORKING EVEN!) Jenny and Sofie have become quite close. They both have A type personalities in the workplace and they each think they're pretty funny, it's nothing but laughs when they're both clocked in. Jenny loves to scrapbook, support her daughter Lexi in all her dance and cheer endeavors, and be in the bleachers cheering on her son Gavin during hockey. She is a family girl, but once in awhile she likes to come over for Sof's for some mama juice (wine) and just have some adult time.

Damon Allen Johnson

Groomsman

Older cousin of the groom on his mothers side, Damon

Gabrielle Kelley McMullen

Bridesmaid

Friend of the bride, whom she met through Mike and his flattering ways, these two have become quick friends. Gabbi and Sofie have been able to bond over wine, their mutual love of puppies, and

Joshua Inky Johnson

Groomsman

Older cousin of the groom on his mothers side, Josh

Emily Louise Mildrid Wentler

Bridesmaid

Older cousin of the groom also from his mothers side, they practically grew up together,

Soloman Lee Johnson

Groomsman

Younger cousin of the groom on his mothers side, if you see him wandering around thank him for keeping Rosie in line. Solomon is a dog lover, sneaker head, tech junkie, avid cross country runner and is currently pursuing a degree in at Concordia Univeristy in Moorhead, MN.

Aliyah Faye Nichols

Flower Girl

Unbiological niece of the bride, Leighton's oldest child. She loves to paint and color and is obsessed with cats, she always has to have a cat tail on! She is super shy until she gets to know you, then she does a 180 like her father.

Oakley Antonia Haner

Flower Girl

Youngest sister of the bride

Parker Olivia Haner

Flower Girl

Younger sister of the bride

Archard Zachary Bahl

Ring Bearer

First child of Zach and Sofie, named very carefully after his two grandfathers, Arden + Richard = Archard, and his daddy as well for his middle name. This little guy is just starting to get his own personality, he is on the move now that he's mastered crawling, he's very chewy and has been teething since he was three months old, and at two weeks old he already had his first surgery! Look out for him being pulled in a wagon by Parker.

Joseph Ray Halsey

Usher

Unbiological brother of the Bride

Bennett Dean Barstad

Usher

Unbiological brother of the bride

Makenna Nicole Halsey

Honor Attendant

Unbiological sister of the bride

Hunter & TJ Haner

Programs

Younger sister and brother of the bride

Alyson Leas

Officiant

Arden & Judith Haner

Parents of the Bride

Arden and Judy Haner took Sofie in during her junior year of high school, if ever she has a problem, grandma Judy has the answers. If she doesn't have the answers, Grandpa Arden will have a very honest, and not in the least bit sugar coated, answer. She looks more to them as parents more than anything, credits them for shaping the person she is today, and teaching her even after she was out of the house how to truly grow up.

Richard & Patricia Bahl

Parents of the Groom

Even from a young age Zach has always been close with his parents. His mother the calm ear to always listen and give advice, and his father always supportive and giving him a perfect example as to what kind of man he should be. His parents have instilled family values, being humble, and honesty in both him and Shantel. Watching his parents love while growing up he has seen their relationship as the model to strive for when looking for someone to marry.

Danielle Lynn Nichols

Honorary Mother

If it wasn't for mama Nichols I wouldn't have made it through a lot of low points in my life. You always take the high road and have shown me how to be the bigger person in almost every situation. Thank you for always having faith in me and being the family I never had. Thank you for cushioning my first time out in the real world, and thank you for the additional four siblings you gave me who brighten my life every day. You truly are a beautiful person, inside and out.