Lost River Cave

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Cole and Avery first crossed paths back in 2018 when Avery peeped her head into a facetime call between Cole and his childhood best friend Taylor Nay, while she was attending Cumberland University with Avery in Ave’s home state, Tennessee. Cole was immediately smitten, and affectionately referred to Avery as The Tennessee Rocket for the next several years. They occasionally slid into each other’s DMs from time to time whilst Avery was teaching in Dubai and Cole was managing a gold mine&nbsp;in the equally picturesque town of Sudbury, Ontario.&nbsp;However, their paths would not cross in person until December of 2021 when Avery flew up to Edmonton to visit Taylor and some of the other Cumberland girlies. Taylor, as you will see is a pivotal character in their story, so much so they should probably name their first child after her.&nbsp;On this trip Taylor and her friends and family&nbsp;introduced Avery to much of Canada’s beauty and unknowingly her future husband. One such landmark was Jasper, where Avery spent most of a snowboarding trip falling down the mountain and Cole, who had so generously volunteered to drive the girls on their trip, spent the majority of the day picking her back up out of the snow. Later that night after several games of Canadian Quarter Hockey, Taylor accidentally flipped the deadbolt of their shared room and fell into the sleep of the dead, effectively locking Avery, Liv, and Dayle out in subzero temperatures. Cole was kind enough to offer them the second bed in his room for the night where they stayed up the majority of the evening swapping stories. Several nights later at an Eggnog Soiree of sorts Tay and Avery were attending, Tay left a little early and Cole again, so kindly, volunteered to drive Avery home later on. Now this party was peak Covid and later became known as the Covid Super Spreader. Tay along with half the attenders caught it, and due to&nbsp;the chaos in the covid tested flights and border security it was decided Avery might have to find another place to stay so she could return to the US after New Year’s in time for work. Who should volunteer their house as her new quarantine crash pad? You guessed it, Cole and his wonderful father Dave. During this stay the pair, who were now very much enamored with one another, had about 50 first dates in a week. Cole took a few vacation days and dazzled Avery with all of his hometown's most impressive landmarks like the West Edmonton Mall, Joey’s, White Av, the Talus Dome. And as everyone was home for the holidays, within a week of meeting Cole, Avery had met most all of his family, extended family, and friends.As Avery neared the end of her trip Cole took her to one last Edmonton bash for New Years. At midnight Avery was in need of a New Years kiss, and unsurprisingly Cole volunteered. Now Avery, along with the rest of the Green’s does love a Volunteer- go Vols baby! It was at this time that she realized she really did love this one in particular and true to her nature of saying exactly what pops into her head unfiltered she unceremoniously blurted out “I think I love you Cole”. Cole did not miss a beat as he had also realized he was falling in love with her and told her so, and not one to be upstaged he then added “I’m working a FiFo job right now I could just come live with you every two weeks in the US, and if it works out we will find someplace for both of us to live”. That is exactly what they did, after 12 days of knowing each other they moved in together, every second week for almost a year Cole flew from Ontario to live with Avery in Colorado or she flew to him in Toronto.In the two weeks Cole was gone each month they would have a facetime dates every night, send cartoons they had drawn back and forth of their adventures that month together, or snippets of songs Cole had learned to play for Avery, or Cole would teach Avery about chemical engineering while she googled many of the words he said. When Cole would come visit they would take road trips out west or down south, or Cole would work out of Avery’s Art classroom while delighting her students with videos of giant blasts at the mines he was working on.&nbsp;Avery then got a job back home in Nashville teaching at her old college so the two packed up her air-conditionless car and road tripped home on i-40 through the dead summer heat. In Tennessee, as he does everywhere, Cole instantly charmed all of Avery’s friends and family and got&nbsp;quickly onboard with most all things southern: food, music, and football to name a few. However they hated&nbsp;having to drop Cole at the airport every other week and both still wanted a few more Visa’s in their passport. Neither thrived in the other’s home climate, Cole having adapted to conditions fit for a polar bear and Avery preferring the climate of a lizard terrarium. They had several countries on the list but it turns out the best place to “meet in the middle" was at the other side of the world. Cole’s dream job came through in a little town called Newcastle in New South&nbsp;Wales, Australia.&nbsp;So in November of 2022 they set off on their next adventure down under.Avery will tell you that before Cole she was always afraid of the idea of “settling down”, but Cole did not settle anything about her life, only reinvigorated it and became her forever adventure partner and best friend. Within the first year of meeting the two had visited 5 countries, 9 states, two provinces and 3 continents with no signs of slowing down.Though this story was quite lengthy, it’s only because they are both extremely long-winded. The story of how they got together is actually quite short as there was never a “talking phase” from the day they met they only had eyes for each other. From the first day to present they have not gone a day without catching up with one another, even 4 years later Cole still calls Avery on his 10 minute walk home from work. They have apparently not run out of things to talk about yet, which wouldn't surprise most of you that know them. Though there are many factors of happenstance that brought them together be that quarantines, strong Canadian lager, or the running theory of conspiratory match-making by Taylor Nay, sometimes when you meet your person jumping headlong into things pays off in the most beautiful of ways.&nbsp;In December of 2024 the pair took a trip home to see their families and on a layover in LA, at the top of Griffiths Observatory Cole decided he wanted a wife, this time Avery was the one to volunteer, quite enthusiastically I might add.

How they met, short story long

Our Story

Photos

Karlie and Avery met first week of college, both art majors from the neighboring towns they were paired up for a school project and after knowing each other for a handful of days decided to take a road trip to interview southern artist for their report. Both showed up with a pack of twizzlers and hit the road, and since then they've logged more travel hours together than a long haul trucker. Along the way discovering their love for art, big earrings, the county fair, jennies ice cream and everything in between. No matter where they live Karlie is Avery's first call for anything and everything. They got an A+ on that project, and even though Avery's never been allowed to pick the airbnb since that trip she gained a best friend and a sister for life.
Karlie is the kindest and most wonderful soul I could ever ask to stand next to me as my maid of honor, and I am so beyond grateful to the late Ted Rose and a love of art for bringing us together.

Karlie Cuhna

Avery met Justine in Colorado whilst Avery was on one of worst dates she can remember. Justine, a perfect beautiful stranger playing volleyball on the opposing court took notice and came in like a white-knight and rescued Avery from  what was surely to be a miserable rest of the night. From that moment on they were inseparable. Ave should probably thank that man, because though it wasn't him, that date did lead to her finding a soul-mate of sorts in Justine- the girlie who's sunny spirit and sense of adventure made Colorado finally feel like home. 

Justine Bicego

In the same class she met Karlie, David sat on the other side of Avery. Through their years at uni David has been Avery's muse, model, friendly rival that pushed her in her art, prank war extraordinaire, and most importantly a brother.  There is no-one whose closet she'd rather swap with and few artists she admires more. Both left Tennessee a while after college to pursue their dreams but no matter where they lived they have always come to visit and support each other in their new found homes, and looked incredibly stylish whilst doing so. 

David Huffman

Though she likely needs no introduction if you've read the "our story" portion of the website Taylor is the main person responsible for this wedding taking place. Avery's friend from college and Cole's childhood friend, there was great debate in the Green-Zacharko household as to who would get Taylor in their wedding party, Avery is proud to say she won. Through their journeys in life Taylor has been a constant and unwavering support to both of them,  no matter what time of day or night with the time change Tay has picked up any call, and was one of Avery's biggest supporters when she moved abroad. Then she topped even that by introducing Avery to her actual HUSBAND. 

Taylor Nay

Also a bride-to-be this year, Jenna has been a spotlight character in most of Avery's favorite college memories, so many in fact that Avery can't exactly remember specifically when they met. That is likely because whatever the adventure, Jenna is down! Not only down, she will have your back in any situation. Her support, love, dance moves, and willingness to drive 45 minutes for any sweet-treat-craving have made her one of Avery's favorite people from the get-go. Couldn't be happier to change our last names  this summer together!

Jenna Boyd

Much like Justine, Olivia met Avery while on a date with a boy they both knew and in similar fashion ended up finding a life long love with Avery instead. If you looked up the definition for a girls-girl Liv would be the headlining picture. She is the most supportive, there-for-you friend you could ask for, absolute ray of sunshine. It's a rare thing to meet such a beautiful best friend this much later in life but Avery could not have lucked out any harder in crossing paths with Liv. 

Olivia Gillam

Anna and Avery met on a party boat in the middle of Sydney harbor. Both imports to Australia, Anna from Russia and Avery from the US they forged a fast alliance much stronger than the "Grand Alliance" between their two countries- as this one was never to be broken. Through her kindness and humor Anna quickly became family to Avery and Cole,  her friendship has been one of the greatest gifts in their move to Aus. 

Anna Kleshcheva

Avery and Em met briefly in the back of an uber on the way to a party in Edmonton (the aforementioned super-spreader eggnog soiree to be exact). Then in a universally wonderful coincidence ended up both living in Aus at the same time. Both imports making their home in Newcastle Emily basically skipped the friendship faze and jumped straight to family.  Her life in Newcastle is so intertwined with ours it wouldn't feel like home without her. Emily's humor, impressions,  sense of adventure, and incredible dance moves  make her a light in any room she enters. She has been the incredible and meticulous planner of most of the greatest Australian adventures we have been on, so excited for her to stand next to both of us on this next adventure as well. 

Emily Stenerson

Stef has lived in three countries with Cole and Avery in the past 5 years. None of them were planned but hot darn they were a good time. Stef and Cole first met and became friends in Grade 9, went to high school together, and though he wasn't on the lease he basically lived at the Cole and his friend's house, the Garneau Manor. After narrowly missing Avery and Cole when Stef moved to Colorado, Stef came to visit Nashville and got to witness one of the greatest sporting events in history, the Tennessee Volunteers beating Alabama for the first time in 15 years. Avery and Cole applied for jobs all around the world and had just lined up jobs in Australia when Stef called to say "guess what I'm moving to Australia for a year". After completing the full lap of Australia for 4.5 months in a rooftop tent, half with his now fiance Emily, Stef & Em got a place in Newy 5 minutes from Avery, Cole and the beach, and have lived "la dolce vita" in Australia with them for 2.5 years now and counting. 

Stefano Hoflin

Jake is Cole's oldest friend. They met in Grade 1, with Jake and his twin sister Taylor having the same birthday as Cole and many triple birthday parties over the years, and he's been fortunate enough to have the legendary Nays feel like a second family to him his whole life. They formed two thirds of the Berlin Wall on defense of one of the best soccer teams in the province and played basketball, volleyball and rugby together. They went to high school, did a ski season in Japan and a month in Thailand together, went to university together, and together with Brad founded the Garneau Manor for 3.5 great years of wholesome responsible early nights that never once pissed off the neighbors. They've had a million and one trips together, a few of which they're lucky they survived, and Cole's fortunate to have enjoyed a quarter of century of both high and low brow humor with the son of a gun. 

Jake Nay

Cole and Graeme have been friends since at least Grade 4 and were good catholic boys all growing up except for when Graeme doubled the speed limit underage in his parents car in Cole's first joy ride. Graeme and Cole played basketball and volleyball growing up and struck fear into the hearts of their opponents in grid iron and rugby in high school. After high school Graeme did a ski season in Japan with Cole where he got Cole safely to the van they were sleeping after Cole fell face first down a flight of stairs at Sapporo Big Air. Graeme moved to Calgary for a while where the boys would enjoy relaxing weekend trips rolling Jeff in the entrance carpet after the bar. Jokes aside Graeme's probably been one of the better influence friends Cole's had around, if anyone needs a sober ride home from the wedding please ask him. 

Graeme Williams

Brad and Cole met in Grade 9 and it took them three years to figure out Brad's mom's maiden name was Zacharko and they were 3rd cousins.  Brad, Cole and Jake decided to move out together and after receiving multiple "no way I'm renting to three 22 year old guys" they finally found their glass slipper response of "well the last guys completely lost control of the house and stopped paying rent", promised they would at least pay rent, and moved into the Garneau Manor for 3.5 years of fun together. Brad and Cole split the two rooms in the loft and enjoyed late night cousin catchups on the roof. Brad is likely the nicest of all Canadian groomsmen and should not be taken advantage of at the wedding.

Brad Rogers

Suppes and Cole met in junior high, and although Suppes was a godless public school kid they became fast friends and Suppes converted to the ABJ friend group. Suppes and Cole's friendship extended to new heights when their parents moved in next to each other in Clarkdale during university, where Cole slept over on Suppes' couch twice a week for a year and they enjoyed many weekend hangovers together. As the strongest of the groomsmen if anyone can beat Suppes in a lifting competition / feat of strength at the wedding Suppes will do a kegstand. 

Jacob Suppes

Landon and Cole met in Junior High and became good friends in High School playing basketball together and constructing a multitude of unengineered, uninsurable, major projects at his family ranch. Lat and Cole have travelled Dominican, Bali, Europe, BC, Ontario, and Quebec together. Lat is (currently) leading the travel leaderboard having just returned to Vancouver after 2 years in South America but Cole is attempting to catch him and is (currently) implementing a medium pressure campaign to get him and other groomsmen to move to Australia.  

Landon Lapensee

Lou has been one of Cole's best friends since Grade 10 where they enjoyed a strict amount of tomfoolery, cards, political debates and being too loud together in High School. Lou and Cole have travelled BC, Ontario, Thailand and Bali together and Lou was the first friend to surprise Cole with a visit to Australia. If anyone would like to debate the state of North American politics at the wedding, please bring it up with Lou. The guy has a heart of gold and would give ya the shirt off his back, so we're looking forward to some tarps off on the cave dance floor. 

Luke Gaida

As Cole's younger brother, Hudson and Cole have known each other the longest of all the Groomsmen, a year longer than Jake even. They were close growing up but became even closer for once he could competently drink beer, with our parents still trying to solve who booted for Hudson's 16th birthday. When they hadn't seen each other for a bit they frequently called a full day brothers hangout day, and still catchup for brotherly guidance almost every week, with the guy being the best brother a guy could ask for. 

Hudson Zacharko

Akemi and Mateo have been a part of Avery's life since they were born. She nannied them for so many years they and their parents became family. Akemi and Mateo are the only reason she would ever want kids as they are two of the best, coolest, incredible little humans to ever exist. Avery always knew they would be a part of her special day. Though she imagined they would be her flower girl and ring bearer however  she waited a little long to settle down and they grew up into the most wonderful young adults so they have graciously agreed to take part as a junior bridesmaid and an usher. She is so proud to have them by her side to celebrate! 

Akemi and Mateo Dorcey

Wedding Party

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1760621320896&amp;key=GRP&amp;dtt=true&amp;app=resvlink Fairfield has a discounted group rate for anyone purchasing under the "Green-Zacharko" wedding code. The hotel has just has just been renovated and will be completed in Jan 2026 Event Summary:Green-Zacharko WeddingStart Date:&nbsp;Friday, August 21, 2026End Date:&nbsp;Sunday, August 23, 2026Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:Fairfield by Marriott Inn &amp; Suites Bowling Green&nbsp;for&nbsp;134.00 USD&nbsp;-&nbsp;142.00 USD&nbsp;per night&nbsp;-&nbsp;Last Day to Book :&nbsp;Friday, July 24, 2026<a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1760621320896&amp;key=GRP&amp;dtt=true&amp;app=resvlink" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Book your group rate for Green-Zacharko Wedding</a>

Avery-Ana & Cole

Avery-Ana & Cole

Travel

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Bowling Green