Katie & John
Wedding Party
Lauren Kirwin
Bridesmaid
Lauren and I met during Orientation Week at Michigan Tech where we lived across the hall from each other in the dorms. We made MANY memories in the dorms...starting with Lauren breaking her fan in minute one of "speed cleaning" her room (RIP Monster Fan), putting Lauren's bed on the ceiling, playing broomball with the hall, and of course her enduring car Penny. We've shared so many laughs and have made so many memories, but have also been through tough times, break ups, and big life changes together. Some friendships end when people grow throughout life, but Lauren and I have only grown closer together and I truly couldn't be prouder and more thankful. Whenever I need a laugh or advice, Lauren is always there and I couldn't be more excited to have her next to me on my wedding day!
Patrik Culey
Best Man
Patrik and I met in Elementary School and have been friends ever since. We grew up just a couple of blocks away from each other and were always together doing something. We have always shared so many of the same likes, dislikes, hopes, and dreams and always support each other. For the past several years, Patrik has lived out of state and so our relationship has had to adapt. But, no matter how far apart life has taken us, or how much time passes in between seeing each other, Patrik and I have continued to be best friends. He is one of the only people that I can have no plans with and still enjoy just hanging together. Although we do not see each other as often as we would like, when we do, it is like we have not missed a beat. I could not imagine having anyone else as my best man.
Liana Periard
Bridesmaid
Liana and I met in middle school but really became each other's support systems after high school. We are very similar people who understand and respect each other more and more as time goes on. I will never take for granted the candid and vulnerable conversations we are able to have with each other, and now with our partners too! I know that Liana will always be there for me when I need her, whether that's for a good laugh or a good cry. I am physically incapable of forgetting our group trips to the UP to Liana's family's cabin where we were able to explore Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, and even more of the UP together. I can't wait until we're able to go to concerts again and jam out together! I'm so thankful for our friendship and to have Liana stand next to me on my wedding day.
Steve Denstaedt
Groomsman
"Shooter" Steve and I met our freshman year of college through mutual friends. We found ourselves together often playing basketball or with some other group activity. Our friendship probably blossomed because neither of us are particularly athletic and therefore we were always guarding each other. As we spent more time together independent of others, we discovered we had more in common and I found that Steve was an excellent confidant. After moving home from college, our mutual love of "It's Always Sunny", sports, gambling with friends, and trivia always gives us something to do when we are together. Steve never lets me win in Ping-pong, but is always willing to just listen to me and give advice. There is no one I would rather shotgun a beer with and I am happy to have you stand with me.
Jessi Hollingshead
Bridesmaid
Middle school soccer gave me 2 of my lifelong friends and I couldn't be more grateful - this is where Jessi, Amanda, and I met. Thinking back to our teenage years, it's hard to find a memory Jessi isn't in. We took drivers training together which lead to our daily carpooling to high school, cleaning Jessi's house before parties, and Jessi was even my "show mom" at some horse shows! I'm really proud of our friendship and how we remained close, but I'm most proud of our commitment to making each other a priority. It was a true testament to our friendship when we went to college - Jessi went to CCS in Detroit and I went to Michigan Tech 9 hours away. The distance only made us stronger and I know that Jessi and I will be old ladies cracking dirty jokes together while we're wrinkled and blind.
Ryan Massa
Groomsman
Ryan is Katie's younger brother, and my future brother in law. We met for the first time only a week after Katie and I started dating, and we really hit it off well. It is great to have been able to get to know Ryan over the last few years, and see him grow as a person. Ryan is honestly the younger brother that I always wanted to have, and finally I do. This is especially true when he tells Katie that he likes me better than her. I have been able to witness him become an Eagle Scout, have an extreme fitness journey, graduate high school and now start college. I am happy that I could be a part of his life, and him be a part of mine. Both Katie and I are so happy that Ryan will be standing with us during our wedding.
Amanda Greco
Bridesmaid
Amanda and I became inseparable in high school thanks to middle school soccer, where we got our first taste of being each other's teammate. We're both pretty competitive (just ask Jessi), but this truly brings us closer and has created an immense amount of trust and understanding between us. Some of my favorite memories with Amanda are from high school soccer and golf, camping together at horse shows, MacBook photoshoots, and especially our joint Graduation Open House! We've been able to share so much since high school and I know we'll be making memories together for the rest of our lives. Amanda is one of the most positive, kind, and thoughtful people I know. She always has my best interest in mind which is why I can't wait for her to stand up with me on my wedding day!