Alayna & Christian
Wedding Party
Alayna Lotto
Bride
Christian's description of Alayna: One of the first things that attracted me to Alayna was that on our first date she told me she had been subjecting herself to a week long challenge of having to untie her shoes every time before taking them off. From then on it was evident to me that I had found a woman who sought to change and grow in the little and in the big and is someone who I wanted to partner with in that. Alayna is someone with deep convictions and passions that drive her life. If Alayna were to get a tattoo it would be of a chili pepper because the word "spice" perfectly describes what she adds to life. Ask anybody that knows Alayna and they'll tell you she is a great conversationalist, listener, and asks amazing questions, but her heart and mind also loves to be unearthed as well. Turn the tables on her by asking the questions and you'll undoubtedly be blessed with a nugget of wisdom somewhere along the way. Alayna also has a genuine love for people. She is everyone's biggest cheerleader and an optimist at heart. She always expects the best in every life situation. She once told me "I approach life like drinking a cup of coffee. Sometimes I get a bad cup, but I stir the coffee after every sip hoping the next sip will be better." The joy that Alayna chooses to live life with is a joy not of this world. I can't wait to have the privilege of partnering with Alayna in adventure and to excavate all of who she is at heart, for the whole world to see.
Christian Sorensen
Groom
Alayna's description of Christian: One of the first things that attracted me to Christian was his effortless confidence followed by his clarity of his priorities. From our first date on it was clear that being a disciple of Jesus and pursuing a growth mindset to become love was a top priorty in Christian's life. That was important because that is a goal we share in common and push each other in how to excel in choosing to be loving, gentle, kind, self-controlled, compassionate, joyful, etc - ask us about any one of those words and we can tell you about a multitude of conversations we've had about what it means to become any one of those things. Christian is a deeply creative individual and we quickly bonded over a dream we both have of writing & producing music. Christian is always pursuing excellence and applying discipline to becoming excellent at whatever he does which I highly respect, rather that be the gym, his work, his relationships, or his mental health. I love that Christian is so in touch with being childlike which has drawn the same out in me. He loves talking to strangers and sprinkling a little parody into the days of others. Lastly, Christian is extremely tender-hearted and has deeply resisted becoming numb despite the challenges that would make it easy to grow emotionally closed off. I love learning about him everyday and for all the history we will continue to build together!
Nora Fiorita
Maid of Honor
Nora was Alayna's roommate for 2 years in college. Despite having been long distance friends ever since graduation, Alayna and Nora's deep connection & loyalty in friendship has never diminished. Nora and Alayna's friendship could be summarized as the Bible verse "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" via endless kitchen dance parties plus, life debriefs (more like counseling), and spending Sunday nights praying together on Nora's bedroom floor
Gavin Sorensen
Best Man
Gavin is Christian's younger brother, former roommate, and rival. From playing tackle basketball in the basement to sweating out tennis matches everyday in the summertime, Gavin and Christian bonded through their love of competition, laughter, and brotherly love.
Serena Sorensen
Matron of Honor
Serena is one of Christian's 2 younger sisters but also befriended Alayna during her college years at UW-Madison. Serena and Alayna bonded over many of outdoor adventures, coffee dates, and study sessions... followed by becoming even closer post-college despite long-distance friendship via regular phone calls & text updates of asking the hard questions and supporting each other through life transition... or maybe just discussing their newest & greatest health food find. Serena had mentioned to both Christian and Alayna that they'd be compatible over a year prior to meeting in person. Let's just say she was right.
Joe Hauser
Best Man
Joe is Christian's longest standing friend. As a classmate, teammate, roommate, coaching partner, and brother Joe has been with Christian for it all. Joe and Christian's friendship can best be described as a high-yield savings account that accrues more and more interest whilst discussing their favorite shared memories with each other around a campfire.
Paige Olson
Bridesmaid
Paige & Alayna quickly bonded in college as "fast friends" after discovering that they had a lot to relate on, namely chili peppers. Paige drove Alayna and 4 friends to church every single Sunday in college and shared Alayna's twin XL bed almost every Saturday night. Paige is now Alayna's current roommate but they have decided they are better off sleeping in separate beds. Both enjoy being curious and sharing introspective thoughts + highly intellectual conversations about any topic under the sun... but not without a fair share of joking + silliness to balance.
Sabastian Moore
Groomsman
Sabastian is Christian's best friend from college. They met in college studying Statistics at UMN. Sabastian and Christian's relationship can best be described as living out their major in real life as they have grown to embrace a high variance lifestyle when they are together.
Emily Pate
Bridesmaid
Emily is one of Alayna's friends from childhood where they met riding horses. Emily, Lana, and Alayna formed a trio called "SALE" that consisted of Saturdays at the barn spent in lessons, chores, and shooting photos for our horse instagrams (pre-influencer era). Emily and Alayna share lots in common as being each other's right hand personal stylist and 2nd designer opinion - Emily went to school for architecture and Alayna for interior architecture so they always have plenty to nerd out about!
Ben Barksdale
Groomsman
Ben ('Benny') Barksdale is Christian's cousin. As they both navigated adolescence into adulthood, Ben and Christian's relationship can best be described as iron sharpening iron as they have constantly drew from each other in their passion for 'the grind.'
Lana Trautman
Bridesmaid
Lana became friends with Alayna in childhood through horseback riding lessons and part of the SALE trio with Alayna and Emily. In high school, both Lana and Alayna changed barns and trained at the same stable in Tennessee and attended the same horse shows where the continued to grow their friendship through the life experiences that only travel and a little competition can bring. Lana and Alayna inspire each other through deep conversations where no topic is off limit and enjoy one another's support + laughter through the journey of life.
Cole Theobald
Groomsman
Cole is Christian's roommate from college. Through all the rambunctiousness living in a house with 14 guys, Cole and Christian bonded through their disappointment in Minnesota sports, mutual agreements to guard each other lackadaisically in pick-up basketball, and late night mindfulness sessions.
Kayla Sorensen
Bridesmaid
Kayla is Christian's youngest sister — she and Alayna met in the airport on their way out to celebrate Serena's bachelorette party in Colorado. Little did they know they were on a fast track to becoming sisters! Kayla and Alayna's bubbly personalities and shared interests of thrifting, fashion, & cooking made it easy to become friends. Conveniently Kayla lives in the twin cities where her, Alayna, Christian, and Gavin also all live and hang out together over all types of games & meals + the occasional cabin trip.
Andrew Van Dellen
Groomsman
Andrew is Christian's cousin. Growing up as the 'cool, older cousin' Christian always looked up to Andrew. As they got older their love of mediocre golf, sports betting, and the Bill Simmon's podcast, along with life in general have been a few of the things that have grown them closer as Christian entered into adulthood.