Wedding Party
Maid of Honor: Kristen Pittenger, cousin of the bride
Kristen and Sara are only seven months apart in age, so they’ve pretty much been best friends since birth. Although the two spent their early years playing Barbies together and living in the greater Sioux Falls area, their parents’ job opportunities took them 20 hours apart. Still, Kristen and Sara’s friendship continued to grow, as the two became pen pals and played together at Grandma’s house every year on Christmas Day. As they grew up, Barbies and letters faded in favor of boys and phone calls, and as high school ended, Kristen and Sara became college roommates their freshman year at Augustana College in Sioux Falls. Kristen works in marketing at DataSync in Sioux Falls.
Bridesmaid: Jessica Maske, friend of the bride
Jessica and Sara were college roommates their sophomore year at Augustana College. The two bonded over their mutual love for “One Tree Hill,” imitating statues on the Sculpture Walk in downtown Sioux Falls, and many a late-night talk. Sara visted Jessica in Jessica’s hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, over the Fourth of July this past summer, and greatly enjoyed spending time exploring Lincoln and getting to know Jessica’s family. Jessica is currently attending Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of preparation to be a Lutheran pastor.
Bridesmaid: Serena Schweitzer, friend of the bride
Serena and Sara met in the sixth grade while they were both attending Brandon Valley Middle School. Serena and Sara have often remarked that it’s a miracle they are such great friends, as they are literally polar opposites (while Serena wore her hair in ponytails, played sports and listened to alternative music, Sara curled her hair, wore pink and listened to the Backstreet Boys). The two were nearly inseparable throughout high school as well, enjoying their time together in marching band and their nights playing board games. Serena recently graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, and is now working with children in Sioux Falls.
Bridesmaid: Larissa Gillis, sister of the groom
Larissa and Sara met when Jordan and Sara began dating. Larissa has always provided Sara with wonderful advice and feel-good belly laughs, and their friendship has grown deeper throughout Jordan and Sara’s relationship. Sara has never had a sister before, but is extremely excited to have one. Larissa is currently working at the Clubhouse Hotel & Suites, and on October 23, 2009, Larissa gave birth to a BEAUTIFUL baby girl named Harper Lynn. Auntie Sara and Uncle Jordan can’t wait to spoil little Harper!
Best Man: Austen Gillis, brother of the groom
Austen and Jordan are brothers who grew up often sharing their room together. Austen is nearly two years younger than Jordan. Jordan and Austen grew up sharing a lot of the same friends and sometimes the same interests. Growing up, Austen and Jordan spent nights watching cartoons on TV and having profound conversations about life. Austen and Jordan are still very close today. Austen is currently serving America with the SD National Guard in Kuwait; he will return from assignment in the spring of 2010.
Groomsman: Bradley Tyler, friend of the groom
Brad and Jordan met through mutual friends at the University of Sioux Falls. Brad was a freshman runner, and Jordan was a sophomore who lived with runners. Through similar interests in poker, sports, and most of all Halo, they became good friends. After that year, Jordan moved into a one bedroom apartment, and Bradley moved in with him at the beginning of the school year. During this time they hosted poker gatherings, ran a kickball team, play softball together, put in enough hours into Halo to graduate college 3 times, and had a lot of fun. Brad transfered schools the next year and moved on to South Dakota State University. Brad and Jordan’s friendship continued to grow through a blog they started, www.adventuresofbradandjordan.com, which depicted many of their shared adventures and was also used to host our many movie-making adventures.
Groomsman: Eric Depue, friend of the groom
Eric and Jordan met during their freshman year of college. Eric lived two rooms down from Jordan on their dorm floor. Jordan and Eric were an odd couple of sorts, as Eric stands a foot taller than Jordan. However, the two shared an interest in video games, and their friendship eventually took off. Eric also shared Jordan’s interest in poker and sports, and he played softball with Brad and Jordan last summer. Eric and Jordan often hang out while watching sports, and Eric also has helped Brad and Jordan film a few different movies. Eric and Jordan have a special relationship that is often based around goofy games that are attempts to make each other feel uncomfortable. Eric is currently working for the South Dakota Department of Social Services, and lives in Sioux Falls with his wife Jillian and his two dogs, Wilson and Stu.
Groomsman: Brian Eiesland, brother of the bride
Brian and Jordan met when Sara and Jordan began dating. Brian is four years younger than Sara, and he and Jordan share a love of video games and sports, which made them fast friends. Brian and Jordan often like to make jokes, and they especially enjoy teaming up to tease Sara. Brian is currently a freshman at South Dakota State University with plans to pursue engineering.
Usher: Curtis Jones, Jr., friend of the groom
Jordan has known Curtis since he was 17 years old, when they met while working together at Taco Bell. A friendship grew out of consistent competitions between the two, whether playing hundreds of games of Madden football on Xbox over the last decade, playing any pick-up sports that were available to play, or various weight-lifting competitions. Small games and bets have been frequent over the years. The last major bet required the loser to pick up the tab for a double date out to dinner, on which Sara ordered a full rack of ribs, only to each a very small portion of them before she was full. Good thing the dinner was on Curtis!
Usher: Dejan Gruijicic, friend of the groom
Dejan and Jordan’s brother Austen grew up as best friends, and because of that, Dejan and Jordan grew close as well. Between goofing around and having a good time, Dejan, Austen and Jordan shared a passion for paintball while growing up, which they usually played in Jordan and Austen’s backyard at the acreage. After Jordan went to college, Dejan was a frequent visitor to Jordan’s apartment and was also part of Jordan’s kickball teams. Dejan, who currently serves America as part of the Nevada National Guard, resides in Las Vegas, NV.
Usher: Jared Jacobsma, friend of the groom
Jared and Jordan met while working at Triple Plays Sports Cards in Sioux Falls. Jordan had already been working there for almost a year when Jared, at the time a frequent customer, was offered a part time job. After a while, Jared and Jordan became good friends and discovered a shared interest in football and in video games. Jared also played on Jordan’s kickball team. Jared lived with Jordan in Sioux Falls for a period of time until he met Amanda, who is now his wife. Jared and Amanda live with their cats in Minneapolis, MN.
Flower Girls: Emma and Hannah Miller, friends of the couple
Sara first met Emma and Hannah when she was a student at Augustana College. Emma and Hannah are the young daughters of Sara’s academic adviser (and overall life mentor). Both girls are spunky, adorable, curious and HILARIOUS little girls that provide Sara and Jordan with endless laughter. Sara and Jordan are SO excited to have Emma and Hannah be such a big part of their wedding day!
Flower Girl In Training: Harper Gillis, niece of the couple
Harper Lynn Gillis was born on October 23, 2009. She’s the first daughter of Jordan’s sister Larissa, and the first grandchild born into the Gillis family. Jordan and Sara are very excited to showcase their beautiful niece on their wedding day!
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