Katharine & Jacob
Wedding Party
Katharine “Katie” Johns
Bride
Katharine “Katie” Johns is a West Virginia native. She lives in Nitro and works an office job in Charleston for West Virginia’s nurse aide program through DHHR. She’s a writer in her spare time (search KJswritersblock on Facebook or Google to find her website and work) She and Jacob met through a dating app over the summer in 2020. (See Q&A's and Things to do for more details)
Jacob Holland
Groom
Jacob is from Georgia. He drives and runs his own trucking company, Iron J Express. He happened to be delivering in West Virginia when he and Katie connected over a dating app. (See Q&A's and Things to do for more details)
Kristina Johns
Maid of Honor
Born eight years and two days after me, Kristina and I have shared our birthdays and many life experiences growing up. She graduated from Fairmont State University last year with a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science. She is currently earning her Masters in Exercise Physiology at Kent State University.
Joseph Harvey
Best Man
Joseph is four years younger than me, living in Mississippi and serving in the Marine Corps. He’ll be getting married later this summer as well!
David Johns
Father of the Bride
David is the senior pastor over the venue, Winfield Baptist Church, where he has ministered for over 18 years. He also serves as a chaplain in the Army National Guard, but more than anything, he's always taken time to be a loving, supportive father to me. He just returned from a ten-month long deployment to Kuwait.
Leigh Johns
Mother of the Bride
The wonderful woman who raised me (and my sister)! Many thanks to her encouragement, support, and guidance throughout the years and as this event came together!
Suzanne Harvey
Mother of the Groom
Jacob’s mother is an IBEW electrician living in Georgia. She’s always taken the time to be a loving mother.
Pastor Andrew Gordon
Officiant
Andrew is the associate pastor of Winfield Baptist Church. Special thanks to him for overseeing the ceremony and preparing me and Jacob for the life we want to live together!
Pastor Mark Toole
Video and sound
Mark is the church youth pastor. Special thanks to him for running the technical side of the ceremony! Two of his children are participants as well. Mark and Andrew went to school together at Cedarville University and were hired at Winfield Baptist around the same time. Originally from Ohio, he is a big Buckeyes fan as well.
Emily Rinick
Music (ceremony)
Emily is one of Katie’s cousins. She is just finishing her sophomore year at Marshall University, studying Exercise Science with a concentration in Clinical Exercise Physiology and a minor in Psychology. Throughout school, she played in band and was a member of JROTC at Nitro High School. She and her parents go hiking and camping when they have the time to spend together. She may be accompanied with an upright bass player by her boyfriend, Andrew Brown. Andrew studies Jazz music at Marshall and serves in the Air Force.
Dale Harper
Music (reception)
The Harper’s and Johns’ are neighbors and family friends. Dale leads Sunday worship and his own local band called The Highlanders. He works at Advantage Technology and is always helpful with computer problems and advice. He and his wife just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary!
Hannah and Zeke Toole
Flower girl and ring bearer
The pastors’ families are close; Katie has overseen all their kids in the young children’s church programs at some point, and the Johns’ often babysit them. Their outfits are based on “Alice in Wonderland”, which is also the theme of Katie’s bridal shower. Ruling Wonderland is Hannah Toole. At three years old now, she’s the youngest of the youth pastor’s family and of the bunch in general. She’s Katie’s littlest best friend (but she’s not warmed up to Jacob yet! Lol). She loves McDonald’s, animals, the color yellow, and trying to keep up with the big kids. Not late for this date with the rings is Hannah’s older brother, Zeke. Zeke is almost finished with preschool. He loves his family and Katie’s dad, Toy Story, superheroes, sports, and the color blue.
Karleigh Toole
Junior attendant
Katie didn’t want to leave out the big girls. She found ways they can help and participate too. Karleigh is Zeke and Hannah’s big sister. She and Krissy have been good buddies. Karleigh likes Looney Toons, Scooby-Doo, and mermaids. As the oldest of the bunch, she just finished first grade.
Zoe and Aletheia Gordon
Junior attendants
Zoe and Aletheia are Pastor Andrew’s daughters. Katie has spent a lot of time with them. The Gordon girls are silly and funny. They like arts and crafts and reading books. All the big girls (and Zeke) play little league soccer—Karleigh and Zoe are on the same team. Zoe just finished Kindergarten and Aletheia just finished preschool. Zoe is also a cheerleader at her school and she is good at math.