Tyler & Elliot
Wedding Party
Emily Vankat
Best Woman
When I was given the opportunity to move to Nebraska for work, my boss said, "I have the perfect person for you to live with! You guys are soulmates!" And that we were. Emily and I immediately bonded over our love for the Kardashians, dance floors and getting the perfect Instagram picture. I knew she would be in my life forever when the first night I moved in, she felt comfortable using the restroom with the door open. Emily currently lives in Omaha with her husband, Brad, and their adorable Corgi, Olive. If she didn't have the duty of being my Best Woman, you could find her behind the camera, capturing all of the special moments as a wedding photographer or designing cute ass products for her brand, @emilyjessenphoto.co (shameless plug - go buy something). She's the Kris Jenner to my Kim Kardashian and I am so lucky to have her by my side on my big day! "You're doing amazing sweetie!!!"
Eric Egr
Best Man
Random fact- Eric and I were both born on January 18th. No, I'm not a twin, I'm just the best birthday present Eric has ever received! I was born on his 3rd birthday and since that day I have looked up to him as my older brother and role model. I can always count on him to be there for me no matter what, no questions asked, and especially to not tell mom and dad. He may not realize it, but I learned a lot of valuable lessons from him over the years including how to get away with things by simply watching and learning from his mistakes. Eric currently lives in York, NE with his wife Bre where he owns and operates York Sprinklers. He is a Dad of two, and I can only hope to be half the dad he is to Nixon & Andersyn. If you see him the night of the wedding and there is not a drink in his hand, do me a favor and get him one; I need him on the same level as I was at his wedding (that means he needs to be singing with a mic in his hand by the end of the night).
Logan Durant
Groomswoman
I first laid eyes on Logan in the 6th grade. Rocking our middle school uniforms (burgundy polo, khaki pants and probably Birkenstock clogs or Sperry's), it was love at first sight. We have shared countless memories together over the past 17 years - all in which we recapped the next day in her kitchen with her mom and sister. Logan lives in Kannapolis, NC with her husband Chris and beautiful, blonde Lab, Jace. She is an Occupational Therapist and dance teacher at Center Stage Dance Studio, the studio we danced at together back in the day. She also creates the cutest tees, stationary and wall art at her company, @designsbydurant. Damn, she's busy. If you're looking for Logan, look towards the dance floor. She will be preforming some sort of choreography and shaking that thang at any given moment. Logan has been my rock my entire life and loved me unconditionally. She constantly amazes me with how unselfish, strong, and loyal she is. My only wish for everyone in life is that they find their Logan.
Bre Egr
Groomswoman
If you would have asked me when I was younger, I would have died for sister. Someone to play Fisher Price dolls and watch Disney movies with (I in fact did not have a sister and for some reason, Eric wasn't in to these things so I had to do these on my own). I finally got one when Eric married Bre. She was the perfect fit for our family since day one. The greatest gifts Bre ever gave me were my nephew, Nixon and niece, Andersyn. She is the most incredible mother while also balancing her career. She currently works for her family's real estate business in York. She most recently helped Tyler and I purchase our first home together. We can't thank you enough! Thank you for being the sister I always wanted, and don't forget to find a babysitter for the night of the wedding. Mama's letting loose!
Renee Sorensen
Groomswoman
I've always wanted an older sister. Someone I could get into trouble with but always watches after me and has my back - that's Renee. I met Renee when I first moved to Nebraska. She had been working at Buckle for years and my first goal as a Midwest transplant was to win her over. I knew I made it when she invited me out for her birthday after only a few short weeks of meeting me. The rest is history. Renee and I were roommates for three years and constantly fought about the temperature of the air conditioning. I, being a normal human being, wanted it to be set on 67. Renee, being the ice princess that she is, insisted on keeping it at 72-75. Throughout the years, we were never able to come to an agreement, but considering that was the biggest thing we argued about, we came out on top. Renee currently lives in Lincoln and works at 10/11 News. Every Monday, we order pizza, drink wine and watch The Bachelor. We talk the entire time, commentating on every fight, kiss and ugly cry (Elliot hates that). If you're looking for the party, follow Renee. She will be there dancing as hard as she can, holding a glass of prosecco.
Nicole Stohlmann
Groomswoman
Nicole's grandma and my grandma are sisters. That makes us related somehow, but it's easiest to just say we are cousins. Nicole and I started hanging out when we were old enough to drive to and from our small little Nebraska towns. There wasn't a whole lot to do growing up, so you could typically find us driving up and down the dirt roads of Saunders County (no Busch Lights were involved, I promise). We became roommates when I bought my first house in Wahoo. That's when she unwillingly became my personal therapist, eyebrow artist and wardrobe stylist (thankfully I met Tyler - no offense Nicole). Nicole currently lives in Ashland, Nebraska and often finds the time to make her way to Lincoln to visit her favorite cousin and catch up over dinner and drinks.
Maggie Harms
Groomswoman
Although I've technically known Maggie ever since I moved to Nebraska, we only recently connected at Emily's bachelorette party a couple of years ago in Scottsdale (IYKYK). Maggie strolled up to the AIRBNB carrying nothing but a single back pack...on a four day trip...I was confused. "What could she have packed in that tiny ass bag?" "Doesn't she know we are here to serve looks??" That night, I was proved wrong. Maggie strutted out looking like the goddess that she is, I was too stunned to speak. We hit it off over shots of tequila and that night Maggie taught me two very important lessons: 1. You're never too old to find a best friend and 2. Don't judge a person by their luggage. Maggie lives in Lincoln with her husband, Scott, pup, Enzo and kitty, Lui. She is a muy caliente middle school Spanish teacher. Although I have only know her for a short amount of time, she is someone who I immediately connected with and has been a huge part of my life ever since. I'd like to publicly apologize to Maggie for only providing cheap tequila the night of the wedding. I can't promise you she still won't force you to take a shot together if you make eye contact with her, I warned you here first, folks.
Laura Barry
Groomswoman
Although Laura and I only grew up a mile away from each other we didn't really become such great friends until after college. We both were living back with our parents for the summer, and needed a reason to get out of the house. We decided to become regulars at the local hometown pub in Weston once or twice a week (maybe more). We bonded over Bloody Mary's, pretzel nuggets, and talking about our dreams and aspirations in life. I couldn't be more proud of Laura for pursuing her dreams and kicking ass in the United States Air Force. She is currently based out of Tucson, Arizona where she lives with her boyfriend Ryan. Even though the two of us live so far apart we have never lost touch, and I always look forward to her trips back to Nebraska! I will always be thankful for our friendship and lucky to always have her as a friend and in my corner.
Breanna Buchanan
Honor Attendant
If it wasn't for Breanna, I would have never moved to Nebraska, never met Elliot, never be planning this wedding. Back in 2017, Bre came to cover the Buckle location I worked at in Concord, NC while my manager was on maternity leave. Between her spitfire personality and the fact that she did not have any bling on her jeans, it was love at first sight (sorry Elliot). We immediately hit it off and spent the next few weeks living our best lives while also crushing business. Bre's time was up and she headed back to Nebraska. I spent the next two years working my way up in my career in hopes to one day get to work in Nebraska under Bre. On my 24th birthday, my wish came true! I was given the opportunity to come to Lincoln to work along side Bre and I couldn't be happier! Plot twist: They week I moved here, Bre moved to Oregon to be with her now husband, Jesh (I wasn't happy, but he is incredible so I guess its okay). Although she abandoned me, I owe her so much for leading me to the place where I found some of my best friends, amazing life and the man I was meant to marry. I still see Bre often when she comes back home to visit. We always make a point to get together and have too much fun like we did when we first met.
Kelsey Pankoke
Honor Attendant
I am very grateful and proud to say that Kelsey has been one of my longest friends. We went through elementary, middle, and high school together and have remained best friends ever since. Kelsey has always given me the best advice in life. Although I tend not to listen to her initially, in the long run I always end up having to admit that I should have. We share a lot of "firsts" together. When we started college, I was technically Kelsey's first patient in nursing school when she removed stitches from my hand. For me, Kelsey was the first person to know the real me. She never blinked an eye and always loved me unconditionally. Kelsey lives in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska with her husband, Mitch, son, Evan and newborn baby boy, Callum. She has taught me so much more about myself over the years than I could ever imagine, and I truly don't know where I would be without her.
Katie Ellard
Honor Attendant
On any given Thursday night, you can find me, Katie and Elliot on a patio drinking, eating tacos and talking (complaining) about our weeks. Katie and I met while working at Buckle. She was uber competitive from the start and always gave me a run for my money on the sales floor. We immediately hit it off and Katie has been taking Elliot and I to bars and parties that we are too old to be at ever since. Katie lives in Lincoln with her two crazy ass dogs, Luna and Nova. She works at Allstate and will probably try to get you to sign up for an insurance policy with her the night of the wedding. Katie is a ride or die type of friend. She is always there for us to offer a shoulder to cry on or a drink to chug. Shout out to Katie for keeping Elliot and I young. If it wasn't for her, this wedding would probably end at 9PM.