Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

The Kudika Home

Cocktail Hour and Reception

Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church

Our Wedding

Ohio's welcome sign says Find it Here, and certainly Matt and Kira found it in Ohio. A random weekend in the early Fall of 2019, Kira journeyed her way from Tuscaloosa, Alabama to visit friends and family for a game weekend against Michigan State. Concurrently, Matt traveled from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to visit Parrella at OSU. Unknowingly, they started their game day socializing with their friends to ultimately meet up together and kick it off immediately. They spent the rest of the day together even though Parrella pushed Matt to ditch Kira. Kira and Matt exchanged numbers not knowing that they would ever have a chance to see each other again. Matt being as crazy as he is decided to buy a flight for a Game day in the Denny-Bryant Stadium three weeks after the MSU game. The weekend was incredible and they both knew they had to see each other again. Since Matt and Kira both had time off during Thanksgiving they met up again in Columbus. This time it was different, Matt was introduced to the Zeyen family and the 50 family members that come with. Now things were for real, like officially dating real.   From that Thanksgiving forward, Matt and Kira have grown so much as individuals and as a couple that they have become more and more reliant on each other. By the grace of God, Matt just happened to be in Tuscaloosa for Spring Break when Covid-19 made school virtual and he was able to stay much longer. This is when the adventures started happening. Before Covid shutdown Florida, Matt, Kira, and friends were able to go venture around Miami. From there, we've been able to go camping all over the country including Tennessee, the Yoop, and Ohio. Matt and his insane amount of patience was able to teach Kira how to snowboard. However, it took Kira's perseverance and courage to go to Colorado in the Rockies, and crash hundreds of times before she began to start enjoying the sport. Matt and Kira have a soft spot for the National Parks, and have it as a goal to see them all.   After many adventures and time spent together, Matt has always known that Kira was the one. It was just a matter of when. Matt knew he was going to be in Ohio in early March for Kira's Birthday, and wanted to make that trip special. Planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park in West Virginia to propose. The weekend was planned with cool spots to camp, hike , eat, and see, but the real sight was the third hike in the National Park where Matt dropped down on a knee and tied his shoes. Just kidding, he proposed. THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED!

Our Story

The Graduate is located directly on High St, in the center of the Short North Arts District near Downtown Columbus. It is approximately 15 minutes from the reception venue. The Short North is Columbus' main nightlife area, with the top restaurants, bars and art galleries. The last day to book through our group is 7/10/21.

Graduate Columbus

Four Points by Sheraton is located approximately 12 minutes from the reception venue, and 15 from the ceremony venue. Polaris is one of Columbus' largest shopping areas, with many family activities such as TopGolf.The last day to book through our group is 7/10/21.

Four Points by Sheraton Columbus - Polaris

Alum Creek is the closest campground to the reception, approximately 23 minutes away. There are several full hookup campsites with access to the lake.

Alum Creek State Park Campground

Travel

OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO GO

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Topgolf

North Market Downtown

Pins Mechanical Co

OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT

Northstar Cafe

The Brown Bag Delicatessen

Condado Tacos

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

Dewey's Pizza

Things to Do

Claire and Kira became friends in Calculus during junior year at Watterson. They planned a road trip to Cincinnati and have been planning trips together ever since.  The two are "codependent, but in, like, a totally healthy way". 

Claire Kudika

Oliver has been by Matt’s side since day one. Growing up together on the same street allowed them to hang out almost everyday. They’ve seen the timeline of each other’s hairstyle from bowl cuts and buzz cuts to the Biebs. The amount of memories Matt and Oliver share is enough to fill a couple books. 

Oliver Rochester

Zoe is Kira's younger sister. After getting through the dramatic middle school years, the pair are now besties. Working at the same pizza shop and having the same family means they never run out of gossip to talk about.

Zoe Zeyen

Phil is 6/7 in the Zambon family and has spent the most time with Matt. They grew up riding dirt bikes together, and Matt joined him at MTU.  Matt and Phil are always able to have a good time together even though Phil kicked the crap out of him growing up. 

Phil Zambon

Kayleigh is Kira's older sister (ok, maybe she's actually her cousin, but that's not how they grew up).  Kayleigh has been Kira's number one fan throughout her life, and Kira has never stopped looking up to Kayleigh. As children, they laughed so hard they peed. As adults, they do the same thing. 

Kayleigh Heininger

If you’re ever low on passion, this is the man to come talk to for a refill. Matt and Parrella go back to playing high school football together playing the same positions. They clicked in high school and the flame is still alive today. Bring the cameras out when these two are together because it’s gonna be a movie.

Alex Parrella

Kristen and Kira became friends while crafting in 3D design. Both having an addiction to ice cream at the time, they hit it off quickly.  Along with Shannon and Claire, the four became inseparable throughout high school with no end in sight.

Kristen Shawgo

Lehomm and Matt met each other through Oliver and the ski hill. They grew close with each other in high school, and lived together for two consecutive summers in Marquette with Oliver too. They always have a lot to complain about their professors since they're both Mechanical Engineers. If you ever wanna see someone gulp down six raw eggs, or eat a container of Arugula,  Lehomm is the man to watch.

Lehomm Pickard

Shannon and Kira played basketball together freshman year of high school and became friends. Due to Shannon's penchant for math, Kira was able to survive AP Calculus. Shannon and Kira are always looking for the next crazy hike to talk Claire and Kristen into doing. 

Shannon Maloney

Matt met Kyle freshman year at their Fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, and became friends immediately.  Kyle and matt have done some crazy adventures together going out east biking and camping, and going out west to the Rockies to get some riding in. When Kira met Kyle they also hit it off, and we've made lots of memories together since Matt and Kyle are roommates. The three of them once took a canoe down some rapids. 

Kyle Kelly

Megan was Kira's freshman year roommate at the University of Alabama. Megan is early to rise, early to bed and Kira is absolutely not. Despite the opposite schedules, Kira was often able to convince Megan to get out of her comfort zone and hit the town on the weekend. Megan also pushed Kira, joining the sailing club and attending various on-campus events. As a pair, they were able to navigate college life successfully. 

Megan Pewitt

Shinners is a man that gets it done. Matt and Shinners were able to have a good time throughout high school and carried it on as roommates in college freshman year. There is nothing short for Matt and Shinners to talk about, and if there is, the table is gonna get moved out of the living room and its time to brawl.

Collin Shinners

Lauren and Kira lived together for three years in college. After meeting randomly from a facebook ad requesting roommates, they hit it off. There are 168 hours in a week,  Kira and Lauren spent about 164 of them together every single week of college. From parties, to taco bell runs, and spending countless hours on their couches, they were inseparable. 

Lauren Perry

Matt and "Fink" go back to they were little tykes. It was actually Matt that taught Fink all of his basketball skills when they played on the UPward basketball team. They grew up together, and became close in high school. It's never a dull time when Matt and Fink meet up, and they will always have each others backs.

Garrett Finkbeiner

Alex and Kira lived together their freshman year of college. Through all the ups and downs and wild adventures that living on your own for the first time brings, the two always had each other's backs. Alex and Kira always enjoyed dancing, good music, and late night snacks. Though they've both come a long way from freshman year, the duo know how to bring the party when together. 

Alex Sample

Travis is a big soft teddy bear. Always loyal to his friends and will do anything for them. Matt and Travis have known each other since middle school, and were co-captains of the football team Senior year. Travis and Matt have a bond that'll last till the grave. If you're ever looking for Travis just look for the nearest spitter.

Travis Christensen

Morgan and Kira lived together their freshman year of college.  Morgan and Kira are both fiercely loyal and always ready for a good time- two factors that have led to a forever friendship. They will both agree, the best memories from college are the ones they have together. 

Morgan Stinnett

If you ever want to get your spirits lifted Sam is the man. Matt and Sam go back to Crossroads Christian Academy in the Fourth Grade, and was nearly adopted by his family. They hungout at school then with each other after school. Either going longboarding, delivering papers, or just being hood rats. One time Sam got ran over by a car because of Matt and walked away with just some scratches. Protected by God or just because he's a dense rubber ball. Matt and Sam stayed good friends in high school playing football together, and are always looking forward to the next time their paths cross.

Sam Vallin

Mariah and Kira met in kindergarten. They have been friends ever since. Mariah is the only one of Kira's friends that saw her through her awkward middle school years- if you want pictures, feel free to ask her! The two relied on each other for everything growing up, and were raised not only by their own families but by each others'.

Kira & Matt

Kira & Matt

K&M

Wedding Day

Cocktail Hour and Reception

Ceremony