"Forever I'm yours, forever I do."
Wedding Party
Ashley Edwards
Maid of Honor
Born 6 months apart, Katie and Ashley have always been best friends and cousins. They've shared their family, the same grade, being homeschooled, many activities and friends (choir, tumbling, even sewing and skating lessons!), milestones like getting their license, a senior trip and senior prom, and even got Ford Focus' around the same time, Katie's red (of course) and Ashley's silver! Katie and Ashley have also had a great time traveling together in CA and Las Vegas, and can't wait for the next adventure. Ashley is the best maid of honor Katie could ask for, and she's so grateful for Ashley being in her life!
Kyle Natzke
Best Man
Kyle (AJ's cousin) and AJ have been close since they were both very young. Always hanging out together, playing in the backyard, or finding something to climb. Kyle and Victoria (bridesmaid) have been important people in AJ's life, both together and individually.
Christy Edwards
Bridesmaid
Born 7 years after Katie and Ashley, Christy is the little sister that Katie wouldn't have if it weren't for her! Katie has loved being close to and sharing life with Christy as her cousin and her friend, and is so grateful that they are only growing closer together with age! Katie has found it a true joy in watching Christy grow up from a tiny, sassy little girl with bright red ringlets into an incredible woman, and is so excited to have her in her bridal party!
Brandon Engelstad
Groomsman
Brandon and AJ met in 6th grade when they were assigned seats next to each other in science class... and the rest is history. As they've grown up, they've continued sharing common interests, including going to Best Buy for no reason and strengthening their relationships with God.
Ciera Highsmith
Bridesmaid
When God brought AJ into Katie's life in 2020, He also gave her something she had wanted since she was very little... a sister! Since AJ and Katie started dating, Ciera and Katie have loved getting to know each other. They're both very passionate about God, trying new local coffee houses, cats, books, traveling, history, and the Great British Bake-off so they've had a blast the past 6 months! Katie is so grateful to have Ciera in her life, and can't wait to be there for each other during all of life's moments, big and small!
Isaac Whisler
Groomsman
Strangely enough, Isaac and AJ met with AJ getting mad at Isaac. Their families were at cross-country meets for their older sisters, and they ended up playing football together. But AJ wasn't a fan of Isaac at first... since then, they've maintained a strong friendship, and continue to joke around as usual.
Victoria Natzke
Bridesmaid
Victoria grew up best friends with Ciera and AJ, then became their cousin when she married Kyle Natzke, the best man! Before Katie and Victoria met, AJ told them they would get along because of their similarities, and he was definitely right! Katie knew immediately that Vic would be one of her very favorite people, and a good woman to have in her corner. Besides marrying into the same family, Katie and Victoria have bonded over their obsession with good coffee (particularly making their own espresso), good food, and long, late-night conversations that always inevitably include laughter through tears or laughter until tears! Katie's so excited to live four minutes away from Victoria, and share all of the moments ahead as friends AND cousins!
Micah Skinner
Groomsman
AJ has known Micah for a long time, but only recently started to grow close to him. They were the two people that always pulled the pranks at camp, like putting the carpetball tables in the girls' bathroom or stacking the picnic tables up. More recently, they've shared in interest in American Ninja Warrior training, and of course, they're competitive with each other!
Andrea Stewart
Bridesmaid
Katie and Andrea have been close friends since they met at homeschool tumbling when they were five! Over the years, they were in the same tumbling class, then began taking piano lessons together from Carmen Cook (another wedding guest) and practiced and played duets together at events and recitals. They were such good partners on the piano that they were given a duet at their tumbling studio as well! Katie and Andrea stayed close through elementary, middle school, high school, and Katie living in 6 places since they graduated together 11 years ago! No matter what else changes, Andrea is a constant in Katie's life, always ready to laugh, cry, vent, share, commiserate, encourage each other, and reminisce over Asian food!
Spencer Johnson
Groomsman
Spencer and AJ met at an interview. Coincidentally, AJ was applying to work for Spencer! As an Olympic-level gymnast, Spencer started his own gym called Emerge Academy. For just under a year, AJ worked for Spencer as a gymnastics coach, shadowing him and teaching his own gymnastics classes, as well as sharing an interest in American Ninja Warrior training. They created a friendship right away,