Wedding Party
Kate Taylor
Bride
From an Army family, Kate grew up all around the world and decided to keep on going, with the Army and with traveling. She has been a gymnast, a swimmer, and a competitive skydiver. What she enjoys most now is scuba diving, time with pets and her favorite people, and(!) going to Nats games when she's back in DC.
Deb & Jack Taylor
Mother & Father of the Bride
Originally from Oceanside and Los Angeles California, Deb & Jack are Kate's parents. They are retired US Army Officers currently enjoying life in Hawaii. They are worldwide travelers, life-long scuba divers, and animal lovers. They have three cats, and this December they will be celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary!
Jon Siebert
Groom
Born and raised in Manitowoc Wisconsin, Jon has gone around the world and back since joining the Army. Before joining, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a Bachelor's of Science in Biomedicine/Chemistry. His favorite things include his puppies Riley and Xena, strength training, and anime. Jon has a way with animals; his true calling is working in wildlife conservation.
Cindy & Jim Siebert
Mother & Father of the Groom
Originally from Mishicot Wisconsin, Cindy and Jim are Jon's parents. Cindy is a Registered Nurse currently assisting patients with in-home care. Jim currently plans maintenance operations and purchasing at Federal-Mogul. They have three dogs, and they recently celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary!
Jon Taylor
Man of Honor
Jon is Kate's Baby Brother! He is an artist, performer, botanist, and, above all, an enthusiastic steward of nature, with emphasis on native (non-invasive) species. Jon is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Illustration & Design. Beyond illustration, Jon's talents include: painting, photography, stained glass, puppet making, costume crafting, graphic art & design, *and* every facet of the performing arts including dance, acting, stand-up comedy, MCing, and stage management. He recently built a pond that has invited multiple species of dragonfly and a toad that has laid eggs resulting in the birth of hundreds of toadlets.
Erin Fordham
Bridesmaid
Erin is a mother of three (including twins) who recently passed the California State Bar! Erin is imbuing her love of adventure in her girls, with Girl Scouts, camping, and enjoying everything Southern California has to offer. Erin played rugby in college, and has studied abroad in Belgium and Cuba. She and Kate met in middle school when their families became fast friends. They have especially loved family beach trips and taking their little brothers to the midnight debuts of the Harry Potter movies. Erin is also one of the few native San Diegans at the wedding.
Lauren Cobert
Bridesmaid
Lauren is a mother of two, a pediatric nurse practitioner, collegiate athlete, and an aerial artist/performer. She and Kate met as cheerleaders in high school where they spent long nights at practice, football games, basketball games, and at the Y doing gymnastics together. Lauren made all of it fun, and has been a die hard friend ever since. Lauren loves Paris, Degas, and everything beautiful, elevated, and French.
Diana Bojorquez
Bridesmaid
Diana is a mother of two, an Army Veteran, and a Civil Engineer. She and Kate met when they were in the same platoon for cadet basic training and then roommates at West Point. They share a combination of fond and traumatic memories from that time including survival swimming, Army Navy Football games, and nights at the Firstie Club. Diana was always impressed by Kate's chosen major of Geography, and never ever made fun of her for it.
Liz Pham
Bridesmaid
Liz is a bubbly, dynamic Army Officer who just finished a nine month rotation to Poland. When out for a night on the town, Liz has a special talent for disappearing and then reappearing with free shots of Fireball, which the rest of us are then obliged to take. Liz also has a special talent for intuitively checking on her friends, even when she is half a world away. She and Kate met at the Captains' Career Course at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. They have enjoyed Pirates' weekend in Bisbee, AZ, the Dueling Piano Bar in Savannah, GA, and the unwavering love of their pets.
Ester Kim
Bridesmaid
Ester is an Air Force Officer and a world traveler extraordinaire. She and Kate met when they were assigned to Special Operations Command-Korea. They went to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyongchang, South Korea, which is some of the most fun that is to be had in this life. An experienced dog mom, Ester recently fostered and trained a puppy for the Canine Partners of the Rockies, so that he could be a service dog for someone in need. And she still found time to help Kate pick out her wedding dress!
Kat Johnson
Bridesmaid
Kat is a mother of two, a world traveler, and an adventure seeker. Kat has a special talent for counseling, teaching, and coaching others, which she uses in her multiple roles in the Georgia Army National Guard. When Kat's not working, she's hiking and sharing her love of the outdoors with her girls. Her daughters, Alana and Gabrielle, are the Flower Girls for the wedding! Kat and Kate met when they were stationed together in Okinawa, Japan. Beyond delightful work days, Kate's favorite memories with Kat include Gabrielle's mermaid-themed baby shower and Alana's Star Wars-themed ballet recital.
Tasha Ferguson
Bridesmaid
Tasha is mom to the most lovely college student, Allannah, and an Army Warrant Officer (and a dog mom too). Tasha has a real talent for making you feel like everything is going to be ok, and she is somehow always right. Tasha is also the most selfless friend, and has taken care of Kate's cats despite being allergic(!). Some of Kate's favorite memories with Tasha include singing Japanese-style Karaoke, and playing Beanboozled while on a Rhein river cruise (the game where you take your chances and eat either tasty or terrible jelly beans).
Enid Cancel
Officiant
Enid is a hilarious, bombastic personality, avid reader, and inspired artist. Enid is married to Laura Cancel (Bridesmaid) and Mama E to three beautiful children. Enid loves Kobe, the best basketball player of all time, Bad Bunny, and all of his music and activism, and making her friends feel like family. She also absolutely LOVES air travel and dominates at game night. Enid and Kate met when they worked together at the 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force in Wiesbaden, Germany. They traveled to the UK and to Italy for work trips that were entirely too much fun.
Laura Cancel
Bridesmaid
Laura's glowing love for people and experiences is larger than life. She is an Army Veteran, epic planner, and business owner. She is married to Enid Cancel (Officiant) and the mother of three beautiful children. Laura also recently became a cat mom to two beautiful Bengal cat siblings (hooray!). Whether it's planning family fun days, special events with friends, date nights, or artistic ventures like painting on the Rhein, Laura is always creating something beautiful, and showing others that they can too. Laura and Kate met in Wiesbaden, Germany, when Laura hosted Kate and others at her house for one of her many wildly creative and over-the-top fun parties.
Doug Siebert
Best Man
Doug is Jon's older brother! Jon and Doug grew up together in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Doug enjoys hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. He has two labradoodles named Copper and Ollie. Doug graduated from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with a Bachelor's degree in Business. He then established his business and is the owner of Doug's Tax & Accounting, LLC.
Justin Otto
Groomsman
Justin is Jon's closest childhood friend. Justin lives an active lifestyle and is a motorcycle enthusiast. In his spare time, he is restoring a 1970s Mercury Cougar. Justin is a man of many talents - he is currently a mechanic, welder, and crane operator for a construction firm. Justin currently resides in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Jon Weichmann
Groomsman
Jon is a father of three and is the owner of JRI Trans, LLC, a logistics company in Jacksonville, Florida, which he and his brothers established. Jon enjoys getting outdoors, rock climbing, and cheering for the Green Bay Packers. Jon and Jon met at UW-LaCrosse and were roommates. They also refined their salesmen skills at Sears selling washers and dryers together.
Joe Ursitti
Groomsman
Originally from Florida, Joe is an Army Officer residing in Washington DC. He and Jon met while stationed together in Germany and Italy. Joe was inspired by Xena and Riley and decided to get his own pup, an anxious but adorable Whippet named London. Jon and Joe had nightly dates playing Call of Duty until Joe was banned for cheating.
David Beasley
Groomsman
David is a father of three and an Army Veteran. He and Jon met when they served together as the Bravo Company Command Team in the 522nd Military Intelligence Battalion in Germany and Italy. David enjoyed hanging out with Jon (and Xena and Riley) so much, he decided to get a German Shepard puppy of his own, Dexter.
David Jones
Groomsman
David is Jon Taylor's boyfriend and has become like another younger brother to Kate. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, David and Jon met in Savannah Georgia, where he is assigned to 3rd Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart. David is a an Aviation Operations Specialist, and just became promotable, so he will promote to Staff Sergeant in the near future (we are very excited for and proud of him!). David was previously stationed in Germany, and recently completed a nine month rotation to Latvia. When not working late hours, David is perfecting his new burlesque or fire routine, or working with Jon on their landscaping.
Justin Arias
Groomsman
Justin is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys lifting, sports nutrition, cooking, and anime. From an Army family, Justin is a student pursuing an advanced degree in the medical field. He and Jon met in Colorado Springs through their mutual love of dogs. Xena and Riley love him *almost* as much as they love Jon and Kate.
Ember
Best Kitty #1
Kate got Ember when she was living in Korea and needed a furry companion. Ember is a survivor; she was near death when she was found and rescued. Since then, Ember has adjusted quite well to indoor life. She's even developed a sweet tooth and a taste for coffee, so she will lick up any bit of sugar or espresso that she can find. Ember is *very* talkative, especially when Kate is dialed in to her distance learning classes, and it is her turn to do a presentation. Ember is extra sweet and can be extra shy, but once she warms up to you, she won't leave your side.
Ash
Best Kitty #2
Kate scooped up Ash when she saw her running through traffic on a cold rainy day in Okinawa. Now Ash relaxes in her comfy cat bed. Ash loves to play and loves to snuggle, but can be quite mischievous. She acts like a little detective and follows Kate around her apartment, attempting to investigate or assist her with whatever she's doing. Both Ember and Ash love curling up next to Kate and on their heated blanket. Neither Ember nor Ash will join us for the wedding, but they will get extra kisses and treats when Kate gets home.
Riley
Best Puppy #1
Riley is the sweetest older pup. Jon got him from a rescue in Texas about 10 years ago. When going for walks, Riles likes to take his time and stop to sniff *everything*. He loves cheese, barking at everything outside, and naps on his sheepskin rug. Riley is extra cute when he is showing his excitement by prancing and jumping, and when he is snuggling with Jon. Riles and Xena love their hiking adventures with Jon and Kate, car rides, and pup cups from Starbucks.
Xena
Best Puppy #2
Xena is Jon's little shadow. She loves doing everything with him and playing with Riley. When going for walks, Xena is on a mission, scanning for threats (threats = other dogs to bark at). When Jon and Kate have hosted friends with kids, Xena is happy running around, herding them, and being the center of attention. Xena loves treats (and people food) a little too much, so she is currently on a diet. Although Xena and Riley can't physically be at the wedding, they will be there in spirit.
Lykai Johnson
Wedding Planner
Lykai is the best wedding planner we could ever hope for! We are grateful that this weekend will be extra special and we can feel like the guests of honor because of her.