Maria came into my life through my brother, Caleb, but it didn’t take long for her to feel like my sister. From day one, she’s been fun, loving, and full of joy — the kind of person who makes every moment better just by being there. She fits perfectly into our family and somehow manages to keep up with (and perfectly match) my brother, Caleb! She’s always happy, always laughing, and always ready to have a good time with us. She’s also been amazing to my future husband, Kerin, treating him like a brother and making him feel right at home — which just proves how big her heart really is. I couldn’t have asked for a better sister-in-law or friend, and I’m so happy to have Maria by my side as a bridesmaid.

Kristi and I have been side by side since birth — cousins by title, best friends by default. From cousin get-togethers and Halloween parties to growing up at the same time, we’ve shared it all (including giving our brothers a very hard time). We take after our dads — brothers who think alike — which explains our similar minds, stubborn personalities, and one-track way of tackling life. Kristi is a walking reminder of my childhood, and she’s been there through every stage of growing up and becoming who I am today. She’s also welcomed Kerin into the family with open arms, which means more to me than she knows. I couldn’t be happier to have her standing by my side as a bridesmaid — it just feels right.

Searra and I met through Kerin — thanks to his high school Pizza Ranch days with her and her husband, Hunter. While I haven’t known Searra as long as some of my other bridesmaids, it didn’t take long for her to win me over. She’s warm, fun, and the kind of person who’s amazing at listening and communicating — which I value so much in a friendship. She loves to have a good time, and over the years, she and Hunter have joined us for family get-togethers that made them feel like part of the crew right away. Our friendship grew naturally through Kerin and Hunter, and one of my favorite full-circle moments is that we actually attended Searra and Hunter’s wedding at this very venue. I loved it so much, I knew it was meant to be — and I’m so happy to have Searra standing by my side now.

Viola and I met in college through mutual friends, and what started as casual hangouts quickly turned into a deep appreciation for her incredible personality and strong values. The more I got to know her, the more I realized she would be a perfect match for my brother — so I did what any good sister would do and introduced them! The rest is history, and now I’m lucky enough to call her my sister-in-law, too. Viola is very easy to talk to and one of the best conversationalists I know. She has a genuine way of making people feel heard and cared for, and she’s always thoughtful about checking in. I was so honored to stand beside her as her maid of honor, and it means the world to have her by my side as mine.

I met Madelynn during my gap year between undergrad and grad school when we were both working as cardiac techs at the Sanford Cardiovascular Institute. One day she invited me to a pumpkin patch for a photo shoot, and somewhere between the pictures and hanging out, a friendship was formed. (Fun fact: she’s the talented photographer behind our engagement photos!) Madelynn is incredibly kind, genuine, and wonderfully extroverted — which is perfect for this self-proclaimed introvert. No matter how much time or distance comes between us, we always fall right back into conversation like no time has passed.

Mike is Kerin’s first and closest friend from his time in South Dakota. The two met in middle school at West Central and have been inseparable ever since. Growing up, they spent entire summers together getting into all kinds of fun—and sometimes questionable—adventures that made for lifelong memories. Even though they can go months without talking, the moment one of them needs the other, they’re there without hesitation. Mike and Kerin still enjoy spending time together on the golf course and often include Caleb and Carl in the mix. Like many of the guys, they also share a love for gaming, making it easy to stay connected no matter the distance.

Nick has been one of Kerin’s closest friends since high school, when they met at Pizza Ranch in Hartford—where Nick was actually Kerin’s very first manager. What started as a working relationship quickly turned into a lasting friendship, with Nick taking Kerin under his wing like an older brother. The two even lived together for several years when Kerin and I first started dating, Nick was part of that chapter too, and I'm grateful to now call him a friend as well.

Caleb is my older brother and has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of Kerin from the start. With his great sense of humor and easygoing personality, he’s always a joy to be around. It didn’t take long for Caleb and Kerin to bond over their shared interests—whether that’s gaming together or spending time shooting at the parent's place. From Fortnite to Battlefield (and everything in between-mostly shooting games), the two are almost always in touch. Caleb is also quick to jump in and defend Kerin whenever Rachel gives him a hard time—just as Rachel is happy to return the favor when Caleb gives Maria a hard time!

Hunter is a great friend of Kerin’s, and the two met while working together at Pizza Ranch—when Kerin was actually his manager. From the start, their friendship came easily, built on shared interests and an easygoing connection. Whether it’s anything Marvel or Harry Potter related, they’ve always had plenty to bond over. Even though they don’t get to see each other as often now, they can always pick up right where they left off. Lately, the four of us (Hunter, Searra, Kerin, and I) have enjoyed double dates and hangouts—from trips to Thunder Road and Wild Water West to get-togethers at their home—each one just as fun as the last.

Carl is my younger brother and has been a welcoming presence to Kerin since the very beginning. He met Kerin shortly after we started dating, and the two of them quickly bonded over shared interests—especially golfing and video games. Whether they’re out on the course or competing on a screen, Carl and Kerin always find a way to have a good time together.