Donahue Wedding
Wedding Party
Kelsey Johnson
Maid of Honor
In a family of 10 kids, everyone has that one sibling you stick too closely for years, and Kelsey was that for me. I have some of the best childhood memories because of Kelsey. Laughter was a key part of our childhood survival. I got an old cassette tape recorder when I was in middle school, and Kelsey and I would record ourselves saying our names, then rewind it to hear our names backwards, then change the pitch to make us sound like monsters or chipmunks - either way I think I peed my pants more with Kelsey than anyone else in my life. One time I remember laughing so hard at playing Mad Libs (high five to those old enough to remember those) that I fell off the top bunk.
Stephen Kucala
Best Man
I met Steve around 10 years ago. I knew him as Silent, an online username. At the time we were both competitive gamers on PC. Since then we attended a couple of the same LAN competitions and then started playing on the same team. Once it was apparent we both were out growing competitive gaming we switched over to playing games casually together. We eventually bought Xbox's and I met Steve's group of friends through Xbox. Then in January of 2017 I attended a Man Weekend with the whole group on a lake for some Ice fishing and drinking. It was at that event that I decided to pack up and move to Minnesota and make his friend group my friend group as well.
Whitney Johnson
Bridesmaid
Even though she has lived in Alaska for several years, I’m so excited to have Whitney in my wedding party. She gifted me with my first nieces and nephews several years ago, and Whitney has always been one of those sisters who was herself and goofy around others and never apologized for it. Maybe that’s where I(Mallory) get it! One of the only three blonde sisters, I think I also followed after her foot steps in chopping all my hair off when I was young :p
Tom Kucala
Groomsman
Tom, Steve's younger brother, I met through playing Xbox with Stephen. As it worked out we both had a long period of time off work during the same few weeks so we played a lot of video games together. Then after moving to Minnesota Tom and I worked similar shifts both in fields of Law Enforcement. This meant more video games and hanging out on our days off, fishing or playing golf. I have known Tom a short amount of time but I consider him a close friend.
Abby Johnson
Bridesmaid
We shared a queen bed on a bunk bed with my older sister Kelsey most of our childhood, I would purposely move my feet super far apart so Abby would have no room at all to sleep. Anytime we fought at night, my dad would make us turn our backs to each other to resolve the issue. We have had our fair share of issues and arguments but we also have a lot of really good memories that included a lot of laughter. I am grateful that I have a sister that makes me feel comfortable enough with myself to be weird and not apologize for it. Most of my 6 sisters are that way so in that way I am very lucky. As we have grown older Abby and I have started to build a unique relationship and i'm excited for us to grow old and enjoy each others company as mature adults!
Chris Good
Groomsman
I have known Chris since grade school. We grew up together in Somerset, Kentucky. Years of playing video games together and basketball. Both grew up loving cars and eventually got into autocrossing together at a few events. (Autocrossing is closed course timed racing events). I lived in Indiana with Chris for a few months before moving to Minnesota.
Amber Guettler
Bridesmaid
Amber and I (Chaz) started working for Ramsey County 911 in the same training class. We have been close friends since starting working here. When I initially saw Mallory and knew I liked her I was trying to figure out a way to ask Mallory out on a date. I found some concert tickets to a popular country artist and had one of my other co-workers and Amber ask Mallory if she liked country (She did not). Amber did follow up by asking if Mallory was single and played it off so not to make it obvious that I was the one interested. Amber and I (Mallory) have become really close friends and have been on several double dates with Amber and her husband Tristen. Chaz considers Amber his work sister and Mallory consider Amber a lifetime friend!
Jeff faulkner
Groomsman
Jeff and I met working at Amazon in Customer Service. We started around the same time together and became work buds. Eventually it became a daily routine to play ping pong, billiards, or shuffleboard in the break room on every break and to go out to eat for lunch. This eventually turned into bowling weekly on our days off and eventually into some disc golf. Since then we have both left Amazon and I moved to Minnesota from Kentucky. However Jeff and I still talk often and always meet up when I visit Kentucky to play a few rounds of Disc golf and/or Settlers of Catan.
Lauren Watson
Bridesmaid
Lauren and I (Chaz) have not always been the closest of friends. Growing up as kids we did not get along very well (that's an understatement) and constantly fought with each other. That was until we both got older and realized how much of a blessing it is to have a sibling. After high school Lauren and I became good friends and talked regularly. Lauren has been someone I went to when I had no one else to talk to about whatever I was going through at the time. Lauren was one of the very first people that knew about Mallory and I talking, even before our first date.
Joshua Watson
Groomsman
Originally meeting Joshua I was very skeptical. I wasn't sure if anyone could live up to being worthy of dating or marrying my sister Lauren. However, after a spending time with Joshua I have learned that he is an awesome guy and a good companion for my sister. I consider Joshua a brother and a friend. Mallory really appreciates Joshua's love for Star Wars and heavy metal music!
Jacquie Bower
Bridesmaid
Jacqiue and I met because of Michael, and she has been a never ending laughter and comedy show since then. Weekly nail/spa days, annual holiday parties, camping trips, weekly dinner meals and even cat sitting for me when I’m out of town. She is one of the kindest most pleasant people I’ve ever met. Jokingly when she got engaged to Michael, I mentioned that i'd be happy to be her flower girl - little did I know she took me seriously and I was in their wedding as the flower girl. Jacquie never takes herself too seriously and is always up for a good time. I hope you all have the pleasure of getting to know her.
Michael Bower
Bridesman
Offically a bridesman - as Michael and I (Mallory) have known each other for over 6 years and introduced Chaz to him after we started dating. We joke about being friends through mutual hatred, but Michael used to be my direct supervisor at GameStop and we have always bonded over video games. Mike introduced me to so many new people who I've become friends with over the years, and eventually introduced me to his wife Jacqueline who is a close friend. I was even their flower girl in their wedding! When I introduced Chaz to Michael, the first thing he told him was something like, "If you hurt her I will kill you". Thankfully Michael was only kidding and both get along great. Mike introduced both Chaz and I to Dungeons and Dragons and have been close friends of ours since then.
Mikayla Johnson
Bridesmaid
One of the two that has always been labeled "the little girls", the 2nd to last of the 10 of us Johnson children. I appreciate how much time and energy Mikayla invests into her relationships with her siblings, especially as time goes on and some of us move further away or have other things come up that pull us away from each other. Mikayla has never been the type to hold grudges or harbor negative feelings, and I love that part about her because I know I can depend on her for some words of comfort if I need it.
Matthew Johnson
Groomsman
One of Mallory's three older brothers, the one who introduced her to Xbox and video games, and the one who got her obsessed with abercrombie and fitch cologne. No shame there (it smells amazing). Over the years, they have grown pretty close sharing love for cats among other things, taking visits to see one another after living in different states for years, and sharing excitement for one another's accomplishments and vest for life. Matthew is very special to Mallory, and she is so honored to have him apart of the wedding party.
Charlotte Johnson
Flower Girl
Niece to the bride, daughter to the owners of the family owned Ivory North. Charlotte is the life of the party!!
Eli Burke
Ring Bearer
One of many nephews to the bride, Eli is Whitney's youngest son, he lives in Alaska, and is going to be the cutest ring bearer ever!