Katie & Chris
Wedding Party
Laura Gates
Maid of Honor
Katie's big sis and maid of honor from afar. Truly the best big sister there ever could have been. So selfless, so loving, a master braider, and so freaking strong and open hearted to all walks of life. Despite having lived in different city, state, and country for the past THIRTEEN years she has missed being with Katie in person for only a handful of birthdays. Laura Gates I love you.
Abigail Grace Steinnecker
Bridesmaid
Abby was recruited to join the FT tennis team in high school out of the blue. And what a gift. Abby and Katie were assigned to be doubles partners and there was probably never a doubles team that both had so many laughs and lost so many matches. Abby has been the absolute best for stepping in to help while Katie planned a wedding from afar. From scoping the venue with Carol - to helping with both showers, she's a wonderful friend and Katie just loves that she's still only a few minutes drive down the road in FT. Love you my heart-on-her-sleeve Abigail Grace.
Samantha Anne Garner
Bridesmaid
Katie first really remembers walking with Sam on the playground at their elementary school- Brent and saying "want to be best friends?" - "yeah." and that was that. Lemonade stands, summer camp, inside jokes a plenty. Maybe an unlikely duo- but the best. Sam was sporty, Katie girly, but both lovers of life, dogs, nailpolish, and the Kardashians. and now wine. Sam is every bit the go getter that Katie is the home body- and Sam, I know I wouldn't be who I am if I hadn't gotten to grow up with you. You've been the closest friend to me for more years of my life than anyone else and I'm so grateful for you. Love you!
Briagenn Adams
Bridesmaid
Katie's first memory of Briagenn is from 1st grade. Already it seemed like there was never anybody new in Finneytown, so when a new girl with braids and a polka dot red dress joined the class, Katie wanted to be friends with her. Fortunately it went both ways. There was plenty of fun in elementary school .. But honestly, the best was yet to come for this friendship. Briagenn went to a different high school, but always returned on snow days (a gift from above that Ohians can hold over San Diegans.) So so much fun trying new things together in high school, college, and exploring San Diego together. I love you friend and so thankful that you've always been down for trying new things together to celebrate all stages of life.
Kristen Picard
Bridesmaid
Katie and Kristen were random roommates at Miami. When They found out who they were assigned to- they arranged a phone date - and a stiff conversation while Katie paced a laundromat commenced. On day of arrival at the dorm Katie picked top bunk- trying to be generous- while Kristen was broken hearted as she had always wanted top bunk. They went to the college orientation accidentally dressed in the exact same non preppy outfit- and should have known then that they were a special kind of soul mate. Fortunately- a tiny tiny closet of a room forces closeness and random roommates quickly became friends. Kristen, you have known me on a closer level (literally 77sq ft room) and deeper than almost anyone else and laughed with me and loved me through it all. I will always love you for that.
Lexie Taylor
Bridesmaid
Lexie and Katie met thanks to Kristen at Miami. They started to be friends freshman year, but then sophomore year Lexie and Kristen were in a three person dorm room and the third roommate never showed- meanwhile Katie was panicking about the commitment of a sorority so it jut worked out perfectly that two of her friends had an extra bed in their room. The switch was easy. Lots of bad but delicious food from the late night dining hall below, lots of jokes about poop, deep talks about the pits in life, and a friendship that can withstand big big distance and being in different places in life. Lex. I feel at peace around you. Love you.
Alaina Gulla
Bridesmaid
Alaina is Chris' sister and mom to Flower Girl June. She has got to be the coolest sister between two brothers ever. Alaina is endlessly creative, funny, and generous. She and Chris share a lot of the same best qualities and it makes Katie love her extra. She can quote movies perfectly and it is so fun to see her and Chris do this together. She has always been so supportive of Katie loving her crazy little brother. Alaina, I am so glad I get to be your sister in law. Love you.
Jeremy Simpson
Best Man
Jeremy is Chris' big brother and Best Man. Although Jeremy technically isn't bigger, you can tell by his hairline that he definitely is older. Jeremy has been an outstanding role model for Chris over all the years; he's smart, devoted to family, and his beard growing skills have always given him hope that he too may have facial hair one day. For those of you who don't know, Jeremy is going to be a father in September! Chris is super excited because Jeremy and his wife Leah promised to name their child after him - especially if Leah decides to go into labor during the wedding and steal Katie & Chris' thunder. All jokes aside, Chris has loved having Jeremy as an older brother & mentor, and has enjoyed how their relationship has grown over the years. Here's to you, Jer!
Peter Kampf
Groomsman
The first time Chris & Peter met was in Lindsay Lingafelter's dorm room in Baker Hall on the first night of college. He was sitting on the top bunk and it was very apparent that he wasn't a fan of the guys that entered the room (Chris included). However, after going out that night they quickly realized they had a lot in common, and the rest is history. From being roommates for 3 years to ski trips around the country (Japan next?), the distance from CLE to SD doesn't change a thing between them. I'm very grateful for my buddy Peaches as I've been able to meet a lot of other lifetime pals through him. It's good to see you out of your college element and still thriving; your hard work & perseverance is something to admire.
John Dumaran
Groomsman
Chris & John both started working full time together in June of 2016. For the first couple of months they didn't see each other much because John was onsite & Chris worked in the office. However, once they figured out that they had a lot in common their friendship quickly took off. John & his family are some of the most inviting, inclusive & nicest people around - they knew Chris & Katie were new to the city and looking for friends, and they constantly went out of their way to make us feel welcomed by inviting us to their family/friend events - including Thanksgiving. John is one of the best people that I know, and although he's as Type A as I am Type B, I couldn't imagine having a better all-around guy to look up to and grow intellectually with - he's as bastos as they come.
Taylor Shockey
Groomsman
Taylor & Chris met because of John - and for that Chris will always be thankful. Taylor is one of the funniest people you'll ever meet, and has a way to make even mundane things hilarious. The first time that Chris met Taylor was right after Taylor got back from diving with sharks in Hawaii, and he came off a bit intimidating which couldn't be further from the truth now. Taylor was extremely hospitable when Chris entered the group, and they only lived a few blocks from each other so they ended up hanging out a lot. He was a big reason why I finally felt at home in San Diego and I'll always be grateful for that. Here's to Papi Chulo!
Nate Bond
Groomsman
Nate has been Chris' longest friend. They grew up 2 houses down from one another from the time they were 6 & 7 until Chris moved out for college. Nate and Chris hung out almost daily, and from airsoft, climbing trees, trampoline water games & an infinite amount more, you couldn't catch them apart. Nate has an infectious personality and his humor has no bounds, & I can assure that anyone that has been lucky enough to meet him has not had a single bad thing to say. A few weird things about Nate: whenever he would come over he'd go straight for the pantry or fridge and either eat our chocolate chips or american cheese singles, his wonky pinky toes, & his ability to eat fast food every day of his life & stay skinny. I'm glad to have lived next to someone whom I can call a best friend for life!
Scott Gates
Groomsman
I'm not sure the first encounter that Chris had with Scott, but it was most likely an intimidating one. Scott was intense back then, and it was always hard for Chris to decipher if he was joking around or completely serious when they talked. As Chris spent more time around the Gates household, he found out that Scott was in fact almost always joking around and having fun in his own way. I was always impressed with Scott while he was away in LA for college, because he always made time to call his mom, either daily or at the very least multiple times a week. This is something that I've always personally struggled with (even though I love my mom) and it's always stuck with me - that's the kind of guy Scott is, tough and intimidating but secretly thoughtful (and a momma's boy).
Anthony Pantano
Groomsman
Chris and Anthony grew up sharing a backyard. As you can imagine, they spent most of their time together (Nate included) and have had an immeasurable amount of memories together. In many ways Anthony has helped shaped the way Chris is today - he is incredibly self-less, kind, intelligent, adventurous & a truly great friend. His appetite for life is extremely contagious, and it has led us to some incredible stories. I will always look back fondly at all the hours with you spent playing basketball in the backyard, sitting by the fire, working out in your basement, playing video games upstairs, and especially firing off fireworks every 4th of July (and for weeks after). Cheers to an incredible person that I'm proud to call one of my best friends!