Wedding Party
Kayla Hendrick
Maid of Honor
Seeing she is my sister, I've known her her entire life. Growing up with a 5 year age gap we were always bashing heads. They do say that siblings clash less when they get older that is the case with us. Despite every disagreement we've always had each others backs. I know she is one call away, and she knows I'm the same way. I'm always there when she needs me and that bond has translated to my nephew Waylon and niece River. We may not have a lot in common but we are bonded together in what matters most. I could not imagine today without her by my side.
Grant Tinker
Best Man
Grant is the youngest of my three brothers and certainly isn't shy...or quiet. Grant and his wife have two dogs Mindy (Australian Shepherd) and Hazel (Golden Retriever) who take up most of their time, and they couldn't be happier. In Grant's free time, he enjoys traveling; have already been to Greece, Italy and more recently Alaska. Grant thoroughly enjoys discussions of ideology and politics (much to my chagrin) and knows just enough about sports to be dangerous (or hold a conversation). Having recently gotten married himself and getting to listen to my Best Man's Speech, he is looking forward to Liz and my wedding and getting to speak so highly of the both of us. He hopes to see you there.
Jess Vanvalkenburg
Bridesmaid
Before me, she was Jess, then I came along and she became Aunt Jess. We weren’t super close in age, but growing up we were close enough and spent enough time together it often was like we were sisters. She likes to tell me I was like the little sister she didn’t ask for but loved just the same. We share a love for a good thriller/mystery book, all things Harry Potter and a good scare on a haunted trail. She tells me things that I know are right but I don’t always want to hear. She is never afraid to ask me the hard questions that make me think, always wanting me to find the solution that makes me truly happy. I know her door is always open, that she is likely to feed me dinner and if I ever need anything she is a quick text away. It's no mystery why I'm honored to have her by my side today.
Chris Tinker
Groomsman
My brother Chris has known me my entire life. From changing my butt, watching me eat the sidewalk after riding my bike, seeing my body go through dad's kitchen wall, fighting, ordering chicken par-min-gah, wrestling to now getting married. You know...typical brother stuff...He gave me the two of the three greatest women in my life, my nieces. He is the only other person I know, whose head won't fit through the doorway like mine.
Khrysha Bednar
Bridesmaid
Growing up as cousins and birthday buddies. Khrysha and I were never not laughing when we were together. I only had to wait exactly two years for a forever friend. She's always willing to remind me of moments when we were younger from feeding her frozen pretzels to the late nights watching movies on my DVD player. It's only fitting that she'll be joining me as a bridesmaid.
Matt Carter
Groomsman
Matt and I's story began in a Residential Assistant interview at St. John Fisher, and it felt as if fate had brought us together because Matt and I immediately connected. From that point forward, our relationship has grown from colleagues, to becoming the best of friends. Through chatting about sports (real and fantasy) and celebrating each other's life accomplishments, out friendship has developed into something special. I am happy to have by my side to help us celebrate our special day.
Alex Willmes
Bridesmaid
This is Alex, we've known each other for a few years now and we had the pleasure of meeting through the groom who happened to be one of her best friends at Fisher. It was only fitting that we'd be good friends as we built a bond over our love of horror. Jake has the credit for bringing us together because we're a match made in heaven. What an honor it is to have this lovely lady by my side on my big day!
Chris Bonomo
Groomsman
Bones and I have a lot of memories for only knowing each other since college. (His name isn't actually Bones but that's not important). We first met when he was slumming it in the kitchen at the college dining hall. He took my order a dozen times and the bum STILL didn't recognize me when we became RAs together. Unbelievable! But since then we've become simpatico. Whether it was understanding each others frustration about the Yankees or sharing details about upstate/downstate difference of Italian families. Bones and I are the type of friends who always have something to talk about. He's a swell guy even though my dog JoJo has never taken a liking to him. He has also seen how well Liz has impacted my life. I can tell how excited he is to celebrate the wedding with the Tinker and Hendrick clans. Hoping for many more good times with this jabroni.
Sam Bartolone
Bridesmaid
Though not an original member of the RA group in college, Sam was quickly adopted by Tink (Jake) and the rest of his friends. It was through this group that I would meet Sam and bond over being the newest additions. Our friendship blossomed during a camping trip in the Adirondacks when we decided to stay back at the cabin and chat while the RA group went out on the town. It was no surprise that we would become friends, as we are what Sam calls “sister signs.” Sam is incredibly honored to be celebrating with Jake and I on our special day!
Dan Singer
Groomsman
Dan is one of my best buddies and was my roommate for two years at St. John Fisher. It is crazy to think we have known each other for almost 10 years now. We both are sports fanatics and have had wild sports takes...some we agreed on and some we disagreed on...lol. We have had many crazy and spontaneous college adventures which gave us lifetime memories.
Cat Vongprachanh
Bridesmaid
While she and Jake were bonded by the traumas of being RAs at St. John Fisher. Cat and I have forever been bonded by our love of Marvel, Harry Potter and a great slasher film. Through numerous games of Among Us to freaking over who gets the next rose on the most dramatic season of the Bachelor, she is someone who I am happy to have as a bridesmaid.
Chaz Rorick
Groomsman
Chaz holds the title of my brother de facto, an honor he holds with pride. I was introduced to Chaz through Caterina and the rest of my Fisher family and now we enjoy discussions of fantasy football and pop culture. Chaz is a map guru and love anything geography and he is the happy parent to two cats with his fiancée Caterina. From the proposal to the ceremony Chaz has cherished being a part of Liz and I's celebration as a groomsman and is excited to be par of the wedding with you all.
Hailey Tinker
Flower Girl
Jake's Niece: Hailey is my oldest niece. We go way back...8 years to be exact. She has been wrapped around my fingers since the day she was born. She is my Disney loving, storytelling, always singing, always talking, pokemon collecting, Wii playing guru. She laughs, she cries, she talks, and she cheats when we play games together. Ironically somehow the rules always changed in the middle of the game, but only when she was losing. But this never stopped me from winning! I consider it to be her #UncleJakeGameTax. I am honored to have Hailey as a flower girl in our wedding.
Harper Tinker
Flower Girl
Jake's Niece: Harper is my youngest niece. I have known her for the entire 3 years of her life. She is one with fire, and her red hair helps others understand this. She keeps the world on their toes and will move mountains one day with her fierceness...She keeps me physically fit as I lift her as my set of 35lb weights and have now become her personalized jungle gym. She will be the first to tell you to "SHHHHHHH UNCLE JAKE IS SLEEPING..." even when I am wide awake.
Anara Vanvalkenburg
Flower Girl
Liz's Cousin: I have known this little nugget her entire life. She's my fellow little Slytherin who stole my attention from the very beginning much to her doggie sister's displeasure. She's the reason why I can quote almost every Disney princess movie by heart. She's always on a mission and always keeps me on my toes. She's the first to be more excited to see our dog Judge by yelling "Dooog!" and the first one to tell me "Ok Bye!" when she's done talking to me. I am honored to have her as one of my flower girls.
Waylon Rice
Ring Bearer
Liz's Nephew: Getting to watch this little man grow from the first day he was brought home, to his first smile, to his first words to walking and then becoming his own little person. He's had me wrapped around his fingers since the day he was born. He's my always smiling boy that has always made me smile even on days I didn't feel like it. Waylon is always the first one to make me smile. He's the little guy that made me Aunt E and I wouldn't trade him for the world.
Chad Vanvalkenburg
Officiant
Liz's Uncle: I've known Chad since I was a little girl. Through a trip to Myrtle Beach Aquarium when I was a kid to him being there for my 21st birthday. I was there when he finally broke down and told my Aunt Jess that she could have a 2nd puppy. That was fun. Now I'm there to watch their daughter, my cousin, grow up. I think he often wonders how he ended up with not only one Aunt Jess but someone a lot like her in his life...that being me of course! My intro to you is simple, he was there yesterday, he is here today and he will be here tomorrow. I hope everyone here today has people that are always there.