Hope & Blaze
Wedding Party
Brooke Paulson
Maid of Honor
Brooke is Hope's older sister. She lives in Brookings and owns her own dance studio- Madison Avenue Dance- located in Madison, Brookings, and Desmet. As an older sister to Hope, Brooke has always been there for advice and support. They were typically dressed in exactly the same outfit style, just different colors growing up. Not much has changed since. Brooke and Hope grew up with an automatic "best friend"....nothing is better than that!
Briana Paulson
Bridesmaid
Briana currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Working for a company called Houzz, Bri is definitely skilled at what she does with her outgoing, bubbly personality. Bri, Hope, and Brooke were very close growing up as cousins. They once created the BHB Club, and "transformed" Grandpa Leonard's old chicken coop into a clubhouse. Hope's memories as a child almost always include both Bri and Brooke--not as much cousins...more so as sisters.
Brooke Culver
Bridesmaid
Brooke Culver is Blaze's sister. (you can imagine how this can be slightly challenging with two 'Brooke's now).... Brooke has three children: Gracie, Chloe, Colt. She is married to Jeff Culver and lives in Huron, South Dakota where she is a purchaser at Dakota Provisions.
Carey Hoffman
Bridesmaid
Carey is Blaze’s older sister. She lives in Platte, South Dakota where she raises her family with her husband Bill Hoffman. Carey has four kids: Haley, Regan, Kolbi, and Macie. Carey wears many different hats between being a mother and helping with the businesses they have built. Carey and Brooke have always helped playing a motherly role in Blaze’s life and have always been very supportive.
Tom Paulson
Father of the Bride
Hope has lots of fond memories with her dad, Tom. Tom never blinked an eye at how much he invested in Johnny Cavelle Dance + Arrow Cheerleading. However, his investement did earn him one daughter who created a career out of dance and a few too many tubs of old dance costumes. Hope remembers her dad singing, "Brown Eyed Girl," to her, giving her "floats" before bed, and sharing their "I love you" secret handshake.
Chantel Paulson
Mother of the Bride
Chantel has held countless roles over the course of Hope and Brooke's lives. She has instilled the importance of hardwork and family into both of her daughters' lives--putting them first in every way. Hope remembers her mom baking cookies after school, sewing ribbons on ballet slippers, and emphasising how much she loved when Hope played her trumpet in the City Band each Wednesday night at Lake Kampeska. Some say Hope looks just like her mom...we will let you decide on that one!
Garrett
Junior Best Man
Garrett is Blaze's son, and lives in Arizona. He spends summers and holidays back home in South Dakota, where he loves on his favorite dog, Wiley. Garrett LOVES sports- Baseball being his favorite. As much as Blaze would love for him to be a Steelers fan, his favorite teams are the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cardinals.
Logan Korkow
Best Man
Logan Korkow is a longtime friend of Blaze and currently lives in Huron, South Dakota. He is a supervisor at Jack Links. Logan has been one of Blaze's best friends since their days of playing traveling basketball together. Since then, the two have been the closest things to brothers as possible. From teammates to roommates, Logan was like the brother Blaze never had.
Nathan Sondreal
Groomsman
Nathan is a long time friend of Blaze and currently lives in Huron, South Dakota. He works in the Continuous Improvement Department of Jack Links. Nathan, from childhood until the present, has been one of Blaze's best friends no matter how far apart their lives have taken them. Nathan is the best support system and Blaze will always cherish the legendary "Dexter Weekends" they had in Iowa.
Torre VandeBerg
Groomsman
Torre is a long time friend of Blaze and currently lives in Harrisburg, South Dakota. He works in Marketing at Sioux Falls Family Vision. Torre has always had the "I got your back" mentality when it comes to his friendship with Blaze. He has continually been the first person to be there in any situation, and his support has helped Blaze in so many ways. Torre and Blaze always took turns hosting the gatherings back in Huron every weekend, where poker and music were very common. Blaze says Torre cheated.
Jason Bell
Groomsman
Jason is technically Blaze's cousin, but they share a much deeper bond than that. Jason is married to Shalace and is a father to Haylah and Ackley- calling Mitchell, South Dakota their home. They have always been very close, and Blaze is Jason's son, Ackley's Godfather. Jason has served two tours overseas, and Blaze has always looked up to him since he was little.
Elliot Smith
Usher
Elliot has always been someone Blaze could talk to. Growing up, Blaze and Elliot had very similar interests, winning a state championship together, and years later coaching together. Elliot now resides in California working at Google. Blaze still thinks that he and Elliot will come up with the next big idea.
Justin Bell
Usher
Justin lives in Pierre, South Dakota, and is Blaze's cousin- his younger brother is Jason Bell. Justin is a lawyer with Brett Koenecke, Hope's uncle. Growing up, Justin positively impacted Blaze's life. He will always be known for the infamous "White Willy" car, and how a failed Dukes of Hazzard hood slide sent Blaze to the hospital to get stitches. You can ask Justin for full details at the wedding.
Tanner Paulson
Usher
Tanner currently lives in Fargo, North Dakota. He was always very patient being the "only boy" in the Paulson family for quite some time. He is the younger brother of Bri--and had to withstand the BHB club in full force. Tanner has a heart of gold, and Hope cannot remember him as anything less growing up as cousins. Celine is his girlfriend, pictured above, and we love her just as much as we all love Tanner.
Brett Koenecke
Usher
Brett is Hope's uncle-married to Lori Koenecke-Chantel's youngest sister. Brett has two daughters, Arden and Claire, and is a lawyer in Pierre, South Dakota. Ironically, Brett works with Justin Bell, Blaze's cousin. Brett most likely has the most embarrasing memories of Hope as a child. If you want to hear the story about Hope sticking gum to the back of Brett's shirt, (without him knowing), you will need to track him down at the wedding. In all seriousness, Uncle Brett has always been the great advice giver from career choice making to dog training--truly the best.
Wayne Hanson
Father of the Groom
Wayne is Blaze's father, and currently lives in Huron, South Dakota. Wayne has always had a very special relationship with his son, bonding on all things sports related. Blaze has viewed his Dad as his role model and best friend for life. Wayne has always been very close to everyone in Blaze's life, and never fails to have a fun time!
Renee Hanson
Mother of the Groom
Renee is Blaze’s mother. Renee and Blaze have always had a very close relationship and has been a huge support system in the lives of Blaze and Hope. Renee lives in Huron, South Dakota with her husband Wayne. Renee operates a daycare.