Juan & Jenny
Wedding Party
Elizabeth Robinson
Bridesmaid
Liz was a grade above Jenny at Prior Lake Senior High and they ran track together in 1998. Liz is an amazing friend and the coolest girl in the room wherever she goes. She is bound to make any party better by being there. Liz’s wedding claim to fame is that she was there with Jenny during the famous Chipotle run-in with Juan. She’s been cheering on the couple ever since.
Sametta Hill
Bridesmaid
Sametta and Jenny met interning at Kente Circle during their graduate school studies to be Marriage and Family Therapists in 2010. Sametta went on to earn her doctorate. She teaches and writes books as well as lectures nationally. The friends bonded over their love of fashion when they showed up to an intern gathering wearing the same outfit.
Sinai
Flower Girl
Niece of the Groom This little diva in training by her uncle, Big Diva, likes to steal her mom’s high heel shoes. She loves all things girly and can already do her own makeup. She also inherited her dad’s love for video games, anime, and cartoons.
Chris George
Groomsman
AKA CG. Juan and CG met in high school. Juan cooked for the class potluck. When CG walked in, he saw Juan’s food and had to have a big plate. After trying Juan’s food, CG stood up asking “who made this?” Juan told him and from then on they always rode together.
Anil Persaud
Groomsman
AKA Tony Stark. High School friend Juan met through CG. They bonded over their mutual love of anime. Goku & Vegeta
Jose Mena
Best Man
Older brother of the groom. Juan idolized his brother, ten years older. One of Juan’s early childhood heroes. Juan tells stories of how quick of a fighter he was back home and how he can dance with two girls at one time.
Gabe Barthel
Groomsman
Friend of the groom. Gabe and Juan met working in the service industry together at Crave Restaurant and Sushi Bar. The best way Juan can describe it is something just clicked when they went for drinks at Big Bowl one day after a shift at the Galleria. They hit it off when they realized the other liked anime as well.
Juan Valero
Groomsman
Friend of the groom. Met working at Mall of America. Juan is the kind of guy that will always help you out. He showed up last minute to witness the couple’s legal nuptials downtown on a random Tuesday. He gave them the keys to his apartment all summer so they could take their kiddos to his pool. A really generous friend. And always up for a party.
Malia
Flower Girl
Daughter of CG. Malia calls Juan , “Uncle Juan”.
Winnie
Flower Girl
Windsor; younger daughter of bridesmaid , Kimesha. She’s after your heart and always on the move. She is fearless, adventurous, and has an insatiable appetite for life. She is the littlest member of the wedding party with the biggest spirit.
Kimesha Winn-Miles
Bridesmaid
Kimesha and Jenny met serving at The Cheesecake Factory in Edina in 2007/2008. They later discovered they both began serving at the Lakeville Perkins and both knew Lisa. Through many moves and many years, the friends always come back together to share in good times and bad. They both love discussing academia, conspiracies, fashion, and weddings!
Maroun
Flower Girl
Maroun is Kimesha’s oldest child. She loves all things unicorns, mermaids, pink, and sparkly. Maroun loves to share her life with her family and friends . She loves singing to Disney songs in the car with mom.
Krissa Olson-Wade
Bridesmaid
This super hero will do more in one day than most of us do in a week. She has a Captain Marvel-like strength for taking care of everyone while saving the world. She is a rescue dog mom and a foster pup mom. Krissa and Jenny met working at The Cheesecake Factory around 2006. Jenny always told Krissa she looked like a beauty queen, it took nearly fifteen years before Krissa admitted that her mom had kept her box of beauty /prom queen/ homecoming crowns for her at her childhood home. Krissa can do pretty much anything but her side business is flowers and outdoor beauty scapes/flower boxes. Krissa is also the wedding florist.
Ria Flom
Personal Attendant to the Bride
Ria and Jenny met through St. Michael’s church youth group while in High School. They both worked, sang, spoke, worshipped, and volunteered on Quest retreats and mission trips. They were founding members of the Holy Grounds youth coffee house. Ria is creative, artistic, and organized. She’s always using her skills to make the world a better place for others. Currently living in Ireland with her husband Colum, Ria will be the wedding’s furthest traveling attendant. The Bride is so honored Ria could make the trek across the sea to be with her on this big day.
Lisa Schelitzche
Day-Of coordinator
Lisa is a boss. Lisa and Jenny met while Lisa was managing the overnight shift at Perkins restaurant while barely 18 years old. Lisa came down and visited Jenny at Luther College a few times, notably to celebrate homecoming and canoe derby. Lisa is gifting the couple her services as coordinator to help the Menas’ big day be fun, happy, and flow smoothly. A great big “thank you” to her for that huge gift of time and help! She will be your go-to human on the day-of the wedding for issues, questions, hiccups, concerns, or mishaps. Pro-tip: don’t cross her, she means business. ;-)p
Father Jim Perkl
Officiant
Father Jim is the head pastor at Mary, Mother of the Church. Fr. Jim was a friend of the late Gina Tupy. Jenny met Father Jim while working with Gina Tupy on Quest retreats for youth in Prior Lake. Father Jim is an amazing confessor, rides motorcycles, and paints glorious Icons. http://thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/priesthood-gives-you-a-front-row-seat-to-life/