Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day

St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids

Ceremony

Timberlake Lodge

Reception

Fall

Please RSVP by July 21st

Our Wedding

When I moved to Grand Rapids I was hired on as music director for the Grand Rapids Player's production of Anything Goes. Still in the middle of a move from North Dakota to Minnesota, I was unable to attend auditions. The day before the first rehearsal I got an email with the cast list and I saw someone named Rachel Coppock playing the part of Reno Sweeny (my favorite role in the show). As a person of my generation, I naturally went right to Facebook and looked her up. There I saw Rachel's elegant and beautiful black and white headshot from a production of Mamma Mia where she played Sophie. Obviously, the first thing that went through my mind was "Huh. She's WAY out of my league." The next day was the first rehearsal where we were put into the Ives Studio Theatre at the Reif Center. When I was attempting to move the grand piano by myself Rachel called over to me and asked if I needed help unprompted (because it was, you know, heavy). She helped me and we introduced ourselves. I was captivated by her beautiful brown eyes, smile, and killer handshake grip. Throughout the rehearsal process, coachings, and downtime, I learned how deeply caring, kind, intelligent, and talented Rachel was. Sharing a similar love for hiking and the outdoors, Rachel invited me out on a hiking excursion up Hwy 38 towards Bigfork. We spent that entire day talking, going through various trails, and skipping stones on Kremer Lake (the eventual site of our engagement). A few months later, at the closing of Anything Goes, I finally got the courage to ask her out. The rest, they say, is history.

Adam's Perspective

Rachel's Perspective

I want to start this by saying how I am not as much of a storyteller as Adam - nonetheless, here is my side: When I met Adam, I was starting my fifth year of teaching in Grand Rapids. I was not expecting to meet anyone and I certainly wasn't expecting to meet the man I would end up marrying. Adam burst into the scene very Adam-like, full of energy, compassion, and joy. Since day one of knowing Adam, he has never failed to put a smile on my face or make me laugh. When I first saw him, I knew he was going to be a part of my life in one way or another. We met, like Adam said, during our first rehearsal of Anything Goes. He was amazing (and still is amazing). I was blown away by him. As he was moving the piano, I knew I had to help him. I was itching at every opportunity to spend time with him, get to know him, and see where this would go. Whether it was eating food, watching movies, or hiking, Adam was the friend and partner I didn't know I needed. I am so thankful for this adventure with Adam. Through laughs, tears, highs, and lows, I know I can count on Adam to be there through it all. He is truly an incredible person.

Our Story

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Although Lexi is Rachel's cousin, she is essentially the sister Rachel never had. She's fun, competitive (winning mostly through fair tactics), and will probably call Rachel's dancing "embarrassing," 

Lexi Merkens

One of Adam's best friends since high school, Brady enjoys being better at video games than Adam and usually has better hair. 

Brady Ritland

No one knows more about Adam than Seth. And vice versa. It's what you would call Mutually Assured Destruction. 

Seth Brandl

Hannah was Rachel's college roommate twice at Concordia. She is driven, intelligent, and not afraid to be weird with her friends, especially through dance. She is truly a joy of a person.

Rachel & Adam

Rachel & Adam

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