Amy & Rich
Our Wedding Party
Sefra Maples
Bridesmaid
We've known each other since 8th grade when Sefra moved to Durango. I kept all her letters from high school, plus some incriminating photos that may or may not show up in the ceremony slideshow. Sefra grew up in small mountain town Colorado (Ridgeway), and eventually landed not far down the road in Telluride with her self-made interior design business that takes her to places like New York and Hawaii and San Francisco. When she is not making sweet mountain homes magical and cozy, she's training for the ski season. Locals know Sefra for her fun golden red curls, sweet basset hound Ruby, and unique name. Forget her blazing cool outfit on the slopes-- it's her heater-filled ski boots that will totally charm you, (besides her smile and gregarious personality). http://www.seframaplesdesign.com
Ryan Matteson
Best Man
I first met Ryan rock climbing at one of the local crags on Bishop Peak on New Years Day, 2008. It was an instantaneous friendship, one that solidified and grew quickly. Over the years, we've spent many days climbing and exploring the vertical realm, hiking the backcountry of Sierra Nevada, motorcycling the twisty roads of California, and scuba diving in the Pacific. But Ryan is far more than an adventure buddy. He is a true friend. He always offers an ear when you need one, can help you solve or fix seemingly nearly anything, and is always up for good conversation over a pint at one of our local breweries. I'm honored to have him as my best man.
Penney Stahl
Bridesmaid
Penney was an insta-friend when we met teaching snowboarding at our local mountain, Purgatory in 2009. She was the only one that would go off sweet jumps with me. She also signed up to be my adventure partner for a 12 hour-adventure race. Now she's a champion boarder-cross badass, and has raised three kids to be just as badass. I'd go with her on any adventure. Especially by horseback, for she's also a horse whisperer, which helps when she works as a wilderness and equine therapist. When she's not working as an LPC, she's inspiring loads of females to shred down the mountain on their snowboard—with grace and poise. Redheads do have the most fun, and Penney will show you, not tell you. Guiding rafts down rivers is also her favorite. Really, there's nothing she can't do.
Pancho Gomez
Groomsman
My friendship with Pancho has had an unusual trajectory: from my student, to a mentee, to a dear friend. I met him in a course I teach at Cal Poly. Not only was there a kinship based on a shared interest in various philosophical topics, but as climbers, we couldn't help but talk about our love of the vertical realm. He took a few more courses from me where I watched him grow intellectually. But I noticed that I was learning a great deal from him too. He challenged me and kept me thinking on my toes (especially about the problems of free will)! We kept in touch over the years and eventually decided to meet weekly for coffee and continued chats about philosophy and life. Years later, we still meet regularly. He is wise beyond his years, and has a stoke for life that's second to none.
Kristin Carlton
Bridesmaid
I first met Kristin at a costume party where she was part of a Saturday Night Live skit with her boyfriend- my close friend Nathan (Rich's groomsman) who I had lived with in the Virgin Islands. They became the King and Queen (of Mardi Gras in SLO), and are as close to royalty as I know. Kristin can create anything, has a great eye for design, and gives wholeheartedly to others less fortunate by volunteering on Habitat for Humanity trips nearly every year. She's more daring than I (can you say bungee jumper?), so don't let her classy outfit fool you; if you are a garden rodent, stay away. Aside from her work in the wine industry helping businesses navigate the compliance and licensing laws, she's also a Master Canner and Food Preserver. So listen to her if she says not to eat that food.
Nathan Carlson
Bridesman
Amy met Nathan when picking him up hitchhiking in the Caribbean in 1993. They both attended the university there and eventually became housemates. Now Nathan has a nice car, and is in charge of creating fine items that make people feel wonderful—wine! And he's a legendary winemaker, grabbing 94 points on the 2016 Wine Enthusiasts's List–making one one of 100 finest wines around the globe. He also excels at baking bread, making cheese and smooth absinthe, raising chickens, and growing some of the largest, juiciest vegetables in the county (with help from his amazing partner of 16 years, Kristin—Amy's bridesmaid.) He is the guy you want to find during an apocalypse to survive (and eat well!). He lives by this saying: ‘Even the smallest act of creation is sacred.’
Karen Carpenter Klinger
Officiant
From an elite athlete who medaled in the Pan American Games in Cuba, to a successful head crew coach whose rowing career at Smith College spanned over two decades, to a devoted family woman, Karen is a powerful inspiration. Her selfless and boundless heart, keen intellect, and vibrant personality make you want to pull up a chair and know more. Amy spent her younger years skiing the slopes with Karen and her beloved brother Art, and running around her family's property—the same property we are getting married, and the same spot where Karen tied the knot in 1996. Karen is also the cool cousin who invited Amy to crash her honeymoon sailing in the Caribbean--after they had navigated a hurricane. We are honored to have her leading the charge for our event, and co-officiating our wedding.
Clint Slaughter
Officiant
Clint is a true renaissance man, a scholar, and a gentleman. He's passionate, well-informed, engaged, and downright handy about anything. He will climb a 14,000 foot mountain without complaint and a pack twice the weight most people carry, (plus he can move a Tempurpedic mattress by himself like none other!). Coupled with his love for his family, his passion for emergency medicine, his enjoyment of life, being creative, geeking out on all things Star Wars (and now Hamilton), and his sense of humor...he is a man to know.You will find him and his family camping in the van with all the gadgets. And disco ball. We are honored to have him as a friend and co-officiating our wedding.
Pfeiffer Francis
Flower Child
Pfeiffer is the daughter of two Durangoan friends—Clint and Emily—who live near us in SLO. She is an experienced flower girl, extremely expressive, and the ideal mermaid princess. She will have the cutest dress at the party, and she will charm the socks off you! Just don't ask her about spiders eating bugs. Depending on what persona she's emulating, she may grant you a wish or two. You will find her boogying to the music, because as you can see from the photo, she's a dancer.
Orion and Locke Slaughter
Ring Bearer
Aka Bilbo and Frodo Baggins...these two charming boys and ring-bearing hobbits are the sons of Laura and our officiant, Clint. They are sweet, loving, damn smart, and with a magic trick or two up their sleeve. Like their parents, they feel the Force and love the outdoors. Light up a disco ball and they'll start singing all the words to Hamilton! They are also good at giving really sweet hugs.