Cecilia & Samart
Wedding Party
Jon & Lisa Wehde
Parents of the Bride
Jon and Lisa Wehde have been married for 29 years. They first met at a teachers' conference here in Anchorage and the rest is history. They have been working as educators in Alaska for 30+ years and have been enjoying retirement for the last 5. Lisa is often found tending the polling booths during election times, and you can find Jon riding his antique tractor in parades. Cecilia is their second child; her siblings include an older brother, Brendan, and a younger sister, Dawn.
Steve & Katie Turner
Parents of the Groom
Steve and Katie have been together for an amazing 34 years. They met over business; he was an appraiser and she was a mortgage loan processor; who knew love would be on the table that day? Steve and Katie are both enjoying their retirement. You can often find Katie at work in her garden and Steve in a book learning something new. Samart is their youngest child. He has an older sister, Becky.
Erin Irwin
Maid of Honor
Erin is Ceci's longest friend and has pretty much sister status. They first met at Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Due to life's many adventures, Ceci lived with Erin and her family in Kodiak where they both graduated from Kodiak High School in 2013. Since then they've always made sure to take time to visit each other no matter the distance or life events. Speaking of life events, Erin is now the loving wife of Sam and mother of two amazing little boys that Ceci plans to spoil rotten.
Jeremy Polak
Best Man
Jeremy and Samart have been champions in competitive gymnastics and partners in crime since they were kids. Their friendship continued through high school and they have remained friends to adulthood. While in college their lives drifted apart, but when Samart returned to Anchorage they reunited as coworkers and once again became partners in crime. Jeremy is currently living in South Carolina and is planning his own wedding for next year!
KC Hostetler
Bridesmaid
KC is Samart and Cecilia's closest mutual friend. KC has known Samart for about 6+ years and Ceci claimed her as her own shortly after they were introduced. KC has been a major supporter of their relationship and has been a part of many of those special moments that led to this marriage. KC kicks butt at her job at Alaska Airlines and was recognized as a top 40 under 40 in Alaska 2021!
Becky Kendall
Groomswoman
Becky has been Samart's older sister for 31 years, ever since he was adopted at the age of five into the Turner family. Becky is Becky. She is Samart's constant, his peacekeeper, his support, his guardian. Even if he wouldn't admit it at times growing up (or any time), he wouldn't be the man he is today without her. She is one of the founders and members of Momentum Dance Collective and is busy raising her son Walker with her husband Dave. Cecilia can't wait to add them to her family.
Bernadette Osborne
Bridesmaid
Bernadette (aka Bernie, aka The Bernster) is Ceci's second longest friend. She is another friend Ceci collected during her adventures at Sitka Fine Arts Camp. Bernie and Ceci's friendship blossomed when they both attended North Dakota State University together. Their shared bond over nerdy things has fueled their relationship to this day. Bernie is doing amazing things in Juneau and working on her first novel!
Elliot Marlow
Groomsman
Samart has known Elliot since his years on the competitive gymnastics team. He was part of the older gymnasts group on their competitive team and was a prominent mentor and friend to Samart during those years. Their friendship continued on into adulthood as business collaborators i.e. Samart often seeking out Elliot's electric company for projects at his cargo facility. Elliot continued to be involved with the Anchorage Gymnastics Association and recently took over the ownership of the facility.
Jolaine Polak
Bridesmaid
Jolaine is Ceci's first work friend at College Village Animal Clinic. They clicked very well over all things nerdy, D&D, and animals. She and Ceci have gone on many adventure together including Ceci's first 3 day hike in Alaska. Jolaine and her brother Jeremy are the catalysts to Samart and Ceci's meeting (See the How We Met section). Jolaine is currently selling her soul in veterinary school (and killing it!) and is finishing up with her 4th year.
Nathan Tryon
Groomsman
Nathan and Samart crossed path at the Anchorage Wesleyan Church more than a decade ago. Their friendship grew out of similar interests; you could often find them playing video games or spending time out at the shooting range. Their friendship has stayed strong even long distance as Nathan is currently working as a machinist in Wyoming.
Athena Perez
Flower Girl
Athena is the adorable daughter of Ceci's Best College Friend Mara and her amazing wife Julia. Mara and Ceci first bonded over Firefly (Nerdy things is a trend in all of Ceci's friendships), and Mara decided to keep this one around. Mara has been Ceci's best friend through many things and is always a phone call away when she needs her most. Mara and Julia were blessed with Athena last year, and Ceci got her first niece, who she plans on spoiling rotten as well. Athena is just learning to walk and is great at tormenting her cat siblings.
Charolette Dowd
Flower Girl
Charolette is who Ceci wants to be when she grows up. Charolette is the daughter of Carley and Jon. Carley is Ceci's coworker and partner in crime at work. Charolette favorite colors are teal and pink, her favorite dinosaur is the Brachiosaurus, and she also is an avid believer in Bigfoot. She is the coolest person Ceci knows.
Walker Kendall
Ring Bearer
Walker is Samart's one, only, and coolest nephew. This distinguished young man is a jack of all trades, finding excitement in trying new things, going on new adventures, and testing the limits of his parents. Walker's current interests include (but are not limited to) Minecraft, baseball, karate, learning survival skills, and trying to beat his Uncle Samart at Mario kart.
Dave Kendall
Officiant
When Becky married Dave, Samart gained an older brother. However, their brotherly bond had already been built long before that, back in their younger years, when Dave always took the time for his girlfriend's little brother. Dave has always been a mentor, a friend, and a guiding hand that helped Samart navigate much of life and adulthood. When Cecilia asked Samart if he had anyone he would like to officiate, his first instinct was to say Dave.