Monique Hazemi
Matron of Honor
Sister of the Bride. From playing Blockbuster video to dressing up our American girl dolls, Monique and I have been close since we were little. We both went on to become Biology majors and we have traveled the entire globe together. My favorite memory of Monique is our many European escapades from pulling me off tables dancing in German beer halls to practicing our brouge in Scotland. We have been all over the world together and love exploring!
Ariana Hazemi
Bridesmaid
Sister of the Bride. My little sister, now all grown up and attending University of Colorado-Boulder. I think she moved to be closer to me, but it is probably my black lab, Moose. Very active and adventurous, I don't think no is in her vocabulary when it comes to facing a challenge. My favorite memory of Ariana is when we were jet lagged in Barcelona and she ran from bench to bench of the town we were exploring for some "quick" naps.
Ashley Kipping
Bridesmaid
Best friend! We met at Colorado State University when we were in Organic Chemistry. Being the responsible student I am, I asked her to take notes for me as I skipped class to go to the X Games in Aspen, CO. We were inseparable through puppies and babies, Ashley has always been by my side. My favorite memory of Ashley is drinking our way thru Napa and biking across the San Francisco bridge.
Kelsey Cable
Bridesmaid
Best Friend! Kelsey and I met through her older sister Kayla. She is my hiking partner and partner in wine drinking. We adore Spanish telenovelas and travel together often! My favorite memory of Kelsey is sitting in a straw hut bar in Costa Rica watching the rain pour down and sipping our sangrias while trying to learn the salsa.
Kayla Adams
Bridesmaid
Best Friend. My beautiful friend, Kayla, we met in Biochemistry through Ashley. We have camped from New Mexico to Montana together. My favorite memory of Kayla is sitting in campfire circle just outside of Glacier National Park. Christopher was serenading the crowd with his beautiful guitar and Kayla is slapping her wine bag as she passed it along to share with everyone.
Haley Lange
Bridesmaid
Friends since we were 18. I met Haley day one of college at Colorado State University. She lived right across the hall from my dorm. Haley has been a constant in my life, and our friendship has been to the moon and back. My favorite memory of Haley would have to be when we went line dancing at Sundance in Fort Collins, CO. Being the college freshman I was, I decided I was done dancing and wanted to go home. With no ride home, I decided I would run the 4.5 miles home. Thank goodness, Haley picked me up later as I sadly was not going to make it. Mountain blocks hit differently than city blocks.
Rachel Dupuis
Bridesmaid
Best Friend! Rachel and I met through my old roommate Leah. We were both from Chicago at Colorado State University and bonded from the start. This lady introduced me to the Rio in Fort Collins, CO where their margaritas are so potent that you can only order 3. Well Rachel and I have had well over our 3 many times there together. We have lived together, hiked together, and hit up sports bars together. My favorite memory of Rachel is our may trips to Estes Park to hike and explore the beautiful trails of Colorado.
Ali Reynolds
Bridesmaid
Sweet Ali, friend first and now cousin through marriage. She is the sweetest person you will ever meet. We have had lunch dates in San Francisco and this lady has taken on the Colorado mountains skiing with me as her guide. I don't know what she was thinking! Looking forward to more family trips with her. My favorite memory of Ali is when I went with Christopher to a wedding in Santa Cruz, CA and they had a bachelor night. I called Ali and said save me from the boys night! We met at her favorite Italian restaurant in downtown San Francisco, CA and she treated me to the best Italian dinner ever. We met each other once before this, and she just went above and beyond in kindness to me. I treasure our beautiful friendship and so happy to almost call her family!
Melissa Segura
Bridesmaid
Oldest and dearest friend. We met our freshman year of high school at St. Ignatius College Prep and rode the same train to school. She let me sleep till the end of the line and woke me up at our stop. We did years of choir and classes together. Eventually, I convinced her to follow me out to Colorado in 2015. It wasn't her favorite year of her life as I dragged her up mountain trails and to ski towns, but she was always willing to go on new adventures with me. My favorite memory of Melissa is when Christopher, Melissa, and I in high school saw the movie "I Am Legend", a movie with Will Smith, a German Shepard, and zombies. Christopher drove the same vehicle as the one in the movie and offered to check the back of the SUV for zombies. Well he opened the door and threw himself into the back of the SUV as if the zombies were dragging him in. And Natalie pushed Melissa in front of her and sacrificed her to zombies and ran the other direction. Melissa will never let Natalie let it down. Also, word to the wise I will still sacrifice anyone to a zombie to save myself.
Nicole VanEekeren
Junior Bridesmaid
My future niece, I have waited since your birth to say that! When Christopher and I were high school sweethearts, I would baby sit Ben and was able to see Miss Nicole when she was born. She has grown into the fiercest ballerina and cares for all human beings. It has been such a joy seeing you grow up. My favorite memory of Nicole is racing down the slopes of Beaver Creek to get warm cookies and hot cocoa with her. Also, when we would ice skate for hours and make up silly dances.
Andy Kucich
Best Man
Brother of the Groom. John Andrew Kucich was known as Andy to those who knew him growing up. Andy is a light in the lives of those around him. He has always been a steadfast and stalwart supporter of Christopher in his goals and aspirations and has always put others and his family before him self. Andy recently completed his first marathon and married the woman of his dreams, Molly. Together with their pup Scooby, they live in Chicago. Ask Andy about Triple Divide Peak and visiting Montana.
Michael Flanagan
Groomsman
Friend of the Groom. Michael and Christopher have been friends since the 3rd grade, circa 1999. One of Christopher's oldest friends, Michael and Christopher have always shared a passion for gaming, hanging, and good times. Though time and distance always test the mettle of friendships, theirs' is ironclad. Michael now works for Bank of China and is recently engaged to the woman of his dreams, Becca. Michael and Christopher have always been there for each other, surviving the trials and tribulations of making it from childhood to adulthood. Ask Mike about P-nut and his 21st birthday.
Dale Guynes
Groomsman
Friend of the Groom. Dale and Christopher met in college at University of Montana in 2010. Both interested in punk rock, they met at shows of the local Missoula bands, Thug Nastys and WhiskyW****. Then at their last year of college they volunteered together with the Montana Conservation Corps and both got jobs the next year working in trail work in the wildernesses of Montana. They lived together/worked together/ and spent much of their free time exploring the wilds and listening to good tunes. Dale just recently completed his RN and is a nurse in Missoula Montana. Ask Dale about Havasupai and Little Bear.
Sean Reynolds
Groomsman
Cousin of the Groom. Sean Reynolds has always been like an older brother to Christopher. He introduced Christopher to music when he was younger like Linkin Park, and always was a friend to play and learn with. Sean recently got married to the love of his dreams, Ali, and they just had their first baby Avery together, for which Christopher has the honor of being the godfather. You should ask Sean about Christopher's first trip to North Dakota and about snowboarding in Colorado.
Kyle Krickovich
Groomsman
Friend of the Groom and Brother-in Law of the Bride. Kyle and Christopher met in the Hazemi household in 2016. After Natalie and Christopher started dating again, Kyle may have heard a story or two of Christopher from the past, but they became fast friends helping put up the Christmas tree, doing dishes into the night, and thoroughly enjoying the warmth and light of the Hazemi family gatherings. Kyle and Christopher enjoy hiking, as they try to get one good backpacking trip in a year if they can, as well as enjoying tasty brews together and listening to great music. Kyle married Monique, Natalie's sister, in 2021 and Christopher got the honor of standing up at their wedding. Ask Kyle about Hobbiton and Jerry.
Joey Hudek
Groomsman
Friend of the Groom. Joey and Christopher met while working for the Montana Conservation Corps in 2014. Both crew leaders of different crews, they learned and grew a ton through leadership development programs and working hard in the wilderness of Montana. Joey later joined Christopher and friends at Rise Now in Mexico building playgrounds out of recycled materials and playing music together in el grupo Plain Spainglish. Joey and Christopher enjoyed many long days working together in the hot sun, enjoying the wilds of the Mexican backcountry, and playing music together into the late hours. Ask Joey about Palenque and El Gringo Loco.
Will Merritt
Groomsman
Friend of the Groom. Will and Christopher met in their first season in Montana Conservation Corps in 2013. Both starting as crew members, they became friends over the season, working hard and enjoying brew and tunes on their times off. Will and Christopher later worked together with friends at Rise Now in Chiapas, Mexico, building playgrounds out of recycled tires and playing music in el grupo Plain Spainglish. They both bonded over love of John Prine and exploring the wilderwoods. Will and Christopher spent many nights jamming away and camping in the woods with big smiles, warm hearts, and rich laughter. Ask Will about San Cristobal and the Yellowstone Camping.
Charles Pickett
Groomsman
Friend of the Groom. Chad and Christopher met in the Montana Conservation Corps as crew leaders in 2014. They worked in the woods and became friends eventually going to Mexico together to work with Rise Now building playgrounds out of recycled tires. Chad and Christopher played lots of music together and formed a group, the Bitterroot Bandits, as well as played with Plain Spainglish. Chad still works for the Forest Service in the Bitterroot National Forest and still plays great tunes. Ask Chad about Parque Chad and the kingdom of the serpent temple.
Nick Ciffolillo
Groomsman
Friend of the Groom. Nick and Christopher met in 2020 while working as EMTs in the Emergency Department in Boulder. Both shared a love for music and the woods, after a few months they became friends. Nick has since taken Christopher under his wing and shown him the ways of hunting in Colorado, and exploring the wildernesses it has, along with working together in the ED through trial and tribulation. Ask Nick about trucker speed and the evil doppleganger of Matty Z.
Ben VanEekeren
Junior Groomsman
Nephew of the Groom. Ben is Christopher's oldest nephew from his older sister Jen. Christopher met Ben on the day he was born, a day he remembers vividly. Ben had a strong grip and they'd always buds. Ben and Christopher both share a love of gaming and every now and then Ben lets Uncle Christopher play games with him, meaning he helps Uncle Christopher win. Ben has a love of sports and music and is an older brother to his younger sister and two little brothers. Ask Ben about snowboarding in Colorado.
Miss Moose
Flower Girl
Miss Moose is Christopher and I's first fur baby. She is the center of our universe. We are so thrilled she can be a part of our special day.