Wedding Party
Sara Oliver
Maid of Honor
This curly headed cutie is one of Kathryn’s best friends from her high school days in Chippewa Falls. A few years ago, Sara moved to the cities, and Kathryn and her lived together with their pups in Hopkins for 2 years. Through that time, Sara and Kathryn became even more so inseparable besties, and can be seen drinking tea, watching Pride and Prejudice, reading, traveling, shopping, and planning garden parties together!!!!!!
Isabelle Brezinka
Bridesmaid
Isabelle (aka Izzy, Speedybreezy, etc) and Kathryn met on the UMD track team, in which they trauma bonded over training together for the hardest (not an opinion, fact) race in track. They lived together for 2 years in college, in which many dance parties, thrift shopping trips, and giggles were had. Izzy is still an avid runner to this day, and fully lives up to her nickname Speedybreezy with a Boston Marathon qualifying time!!
Taylor Brezinka
Bridesmaid
Taylor, also Kathryn’s Physician’s Assistant on speed dial (aka doctor on demand), is a bestie of Kathryn’s from college! They forged a friendship through chemistry class freshman year of college, main consisting of Taylor helping Kathryn, and have been besties since! This freckled smarty pants lives down in Mississippi with her husband, dog, and a little bebe in her belly!
Ally DeMars
Bridesmaid
Ally and Kathryn met at UMD while running track and have been besties since! A woman of many talents, you can ask Ally-son to quote any movie or song and she will give you the exact line. She also does an excellent worm. You may even be lucky enough to see it at the wedding. Kathryn and Ally’s bestieship was founded on chick flicks, dance parties, and their shared faith.
Olivia Hawkins
Bridesmaid
Olivia (Liv) gets an extra special shout out, as she is not only Kathryn’s bestie from college and her freshman year dorm neighbor, but also a friend of Alex’s from high school! Liv’s elite matchmaking skills led to her introducing the now engaged couple back in 2017. She is known for her incredible dance moves, exotic travels, and coming out of the girls bathroom with a whole new set of friends.
Brooke Nowak
Bridesmaid
Avid wiener dog and The Office lover, Brooke has been a bestie of Kathryn’s ever since Accounting class in high school. Brooke was also Kathryn’s roommate in her first apartment after moving to the Twin Cities, and the summer when they took on the town together is one that will never be forgotten. Although she loves a good spreadsheet, Brooke is always down for a good time!
Rachael Siewert
Bridesmaid
This spunky gal is one of Kathryn’s high school besties!! Rach and Kath lived together in Hopkins for about one year, until Rach tied the knot! Our Rachael can be seen in the wild painting, creating cool clothes, taking pictures, and just being an overall fab girl!!! The super talented Rach (and her hubby Shale) even took Kathryn and Alex’s engagement pics (see gallery)!!!
Benny Swenson
Best Man
I am Alex's lifelong rival/best friend depending on the day. We've mastered the art of annoying each-other constantly and still showing up when it matters. He is my ride or die. Watching him find someone as humble and kind as Kat has been such a joy, and I'm so grateful to be part of their special day!
Michael (Mikey) Schmitz
Groomsman
Best friends with Alex since the first grade in 2004. Played Hockey together first, then XC, freestyle skiing, lacrosse, and now tennis. Big time fantasy football rivals. Enjoys cooking meals and competing in annual chili cook off.
Dave Baker
Groom
Dave (aka Lil Deb- IYKYK) first met Alex in the legendary Griggs dorms at UMD. After freshman year, they quickly realized one year of chaos wasn’t enough, so they upgraded to being roommates for the next three years. Nowadays, you can usually find them coaching youth soccer, disappearing into the woods on spontaneous backpacking trips, or arguing for the 1000th time about who won Catan.
Jonny Benitez
Groomsman
THE AUDICITY! Some might say this gem of a human can literally light up every room he steps into. Jonny made it his mission to help Alex grow in his Spanish and he succeeded. These two hermanos relationship really grew when Alex was fed up with Jonny playing fort especially over the slow summer days in Duluth. Alex still remembers hearing no one wants to play Pokémon go with you. Yet, Jonny ate his words and touched grass with Alex. Now you can catch Alex and Jon boi touching grass everywhere!
Grant Tyler
Groomsman
Catch this beauty giving the most genuine hugs, commandeering the best seats in the house, singing some Dido or getting browned out at Lizzo. Grant was apart of the genesis of Alex’s college career. Night one, Alex walked down the hill for the first time, from that decision on, their “not blood but family” relationship started. After all, that walk down to The Castle night one, forever made them blood cousins regardless.
Austin Knapp
Groomsman
Austin and Alex first met playing squirt hockey. In High School they became closer friends playing lacrosse together and being in the prestigious doughnut club in band. Eventually they decided to go to college together at Duluth, where they roomed and lived together for several years. Since graduating they have continued to find trouble to get into, now moving into ice fishing with the ice dawgs. Austin has been around since Alex and Kat started dating, in fact, he ended up in the hospital the first time Alex cooked dinner for Kathryn.
Jack Watt (Jay-O)
Groomsman
Alex and Jack have been through almost every step of life together. Growing up in the respective areas of Hopkins and Edina, Mount Olivet Church introduced each other. From section leaders in the choir, co-counselors and then to staff members at COP, they both navigated their future together. Kathryn was introduced to Alex and Jack during their time at UMD. Even with Kathryn bring a voice of caution and a sprinkle of humility for whenever Jacks doing something ill-advised, he’s elated to see these two tie the knot.
Dennis Plotkin
Groomsman
Dennis and Alex met playing Lacrosse at Hopkins High School. Both have a love for game, and for competition in general. Just a couple of guys who aren't afraid to give it their all whether it be in basketball at Carmel Park during summer break, tennis at Lifetime after work, or cribbage anywhere. Regardless of how contentious the game is, they always part with mutual respect.
Logan Bailey
Groomsman
Logan and Alex have known each other since they were 5 years old! They have been bonded together since Kindergarten, when they were both labeled as the "naughties" and had the privilege of being on a sticker chart. This kicked off a life long friendship filled with trampoline adventures, night games and watching moves they definitely should not haev been watching. Since then, they have (mostly) stayed out of trouble and they have literally traveled the world together since 2008. Logan brings the calm to Alex's chaos, yet the two of them can be found on long bike rides, skiing whenever possible, relaxing on Logan's boat or frolfing.