Katlyn & Kyle
Wedding Party
Katlyn Kortz
Bride
Katlyn is one of the strongest people I know and her determination and drive is something that I am envious of. Once she sets her mind to something it’s not often it’s not accomplished even if it shouldn’t be. She is always down to kick back and eat a slice, or three, of pizza and relax. She embraces my dad bod and puts up with me leaving my boxers on the bathroom floor which is an added bonus, but for real she’s pretty rad. -Kyle
Kyle Lafrinere
Groom
It would be pretty easy to fill an entire page of what an incredible human Kyle is. Kyle inspires not just me but everyone around him- with his art or his actions. When something or someone requires his help he goes the extra mile even if it’s someone he just met. I envy his “all-in”, spontaneous attitude -since I like my risks more calculated and prefer time to think- he just does and thinks later. He pushes me (in the best way) to do and try things I wouldn’t and encourages me in everything I do, even if it sometimes means more work for him. When he’s not out ripping the trails on a bike, or sending it down a mountain on skis (both usually with me in tow) he can be found lounging on our couch, hard at work in his glass studio or (remember the spontaneous bit) shooting arrows. -Katlyn
Kayleigh Heynen
Maid of Honor
Katlyn and Kyle met Kayleigh, through her partner Caben (a groomsman) in 2012 at NMU. She perhaps knows far more about the couple than may be considered safe. All four have lived together for a combined 5 years. There’s even a weekly Sunday pilgrimage to Meijer for groceries that happens with Kayleigh. The couple has had quite the memories with both Kayleigh and Caben through the years, some of which if described would probably not even be believed. Kayleigh and Caben also brought Percy (Katlyn and Kyle’s god-dog) into their lives for which they are eternally grateful. Kayleigh is founder of perhaps the closest group of women, known as The Slice Girls. From weekend trips to the Keeweenaw, and vacations in New Orleans- neither Katlyn nor Kyle would be the same without Kayleigh.
Seth Duncan
Best Man
Kyle and Seth met in 2002 when Seth’s family moved into the neighboring subdivision. They quickly connected over their love for U of M football (can’t say Seth feels the same anymore) and the outdoors. Seth quickly became part of the Lafrinere family and Kyle likewise with the Duncan’s. Over the years the two did everything together. When college rolled around they went separate ways but continued to stay connected when possible. In 2018 Seth asked Kyle to be the best man in his wedding and Kyle followed suit in 2019!
Clare Lamberti
Maid of Honor
Katlyn has called Clare a sister for over a decade and she has seen the true evolution of Katlyn and Kyle’s relationship. Katlyn and Clare played hockey together for years while Kyle tagged along in the beginning as “just a friend”, this transitioned into best friend then boyfriend and now FIANCÉ! In 2012 Clare transferred to NMU and her and Katlyn became roommates in Meyland Hall. Little did she know she would also have a third roommate (Kyle) who slept on the futon 98% of that year. The cohabitation did not stop there and the trio moved in a few years later to the infamous “apartments” on Ohio St. until Clare moved west to Colorado to pursue her passion as a teacher, Katlyn and Kyle miss her very much everyday and are fortunate to have a best friend like her.
Jon Clark
Best Man
Kyle and Jon have known each other for as long as either can remember. They attended the best pre-school ever together which happened to be taught by Kyle’s mom. When it came time for elementary school they split apart to different schools but continued their friendship. Once middle school hit they rejoined in the same school and sports. They really started to really become best friends when Jon started study art in school and picked up a love for photography, which Kyle was attending school for. Over the years their bond has only strengthened and now talk weekly bouncing artistic goals and ideas off each other despite living almost 500 miles apart.
Meghan Shannon
Bridesmaid
Meghan was also a member of the commune otherwise known as “the apartments” and has lived with Kyle and Katlyn. Meghan, like several other bridesmaids is a member of the “Slice Girls”, a girl gang with matching tattoos and pizza necklaces (gifted to them all by Kayleigh). She is an amazing artist and one of the most caring individuals to roam the earth. Meghan currently resides in Chicago with her partner Josué (a groomsman) and is finishing her Masters’ degree. Both Katlyn and Kyle enjoy visiting Chicago only to see them as well as indulging in fancy doughnuts and Portillo’s.
Darryn Schulte
Best Man
Kyle and Darryn met the winter of 15/16 when Darryn moved to the UP to go to school. They met through a mutual friend and quickly bonded over their love for skiing, tall t’s, and bucket hats. Kyle is forever grateful for Darryn introducing and pushing him into biking. Darryn is always down to road trip to ski or bike and have a good energy filled time. Darryn’s creative outlook and humbleness in life continues to amaze Kyle.
Kara Wilkinson
Bridesmaid
Kara is a member of the Slice Girls and a super talented floral designer currently residing in Grand Rapids, MI. Kara is one of the most adventurous women Katlyn knows, seconded only to Mika (more on her later). In Marquette, Kara, Katlyn and Kyle (along with pretty much any other member of the bridal party) could be found walking along the shores of Lake Superior, sitting around a bonfire, eating Rice Paddy, or holed-up during a snow storm watching Vines on the couch in someone’s living room. Kara and Katlyn share a startlingly similar sense of humor and Katlyn appreciates Kara’s zest for adventure and living in the moment.
Caben McKendrick
Groomsman
Caben McKendrick and Kyle met in college through mutual friends. They quickly became friends and become two of the six founding members of the “apartments.” Caben has lived with Katlyn and Kyle more times then not in the past five years. Caben is a quiet guy but would do anything he can for his friends and Katlyn and Kyle love him for that. He’s always down to have a good time and is the father to Percy the dog who, if she could, Katlyn would be marrying instead of Kyle. You will often find Caben in front of his computer going by the name of “WitchkingCaben” destroying people in video games when he isn’t out exploring the UP or practicing and promoting sustainability.
Rajani Hyslop
Bridesmaid
Rajani and Katlyn began working together when Katlyn was finishing her radiography degree at Northern. What started as Rajani being a preceptor grew into being a coworker and spending afternoons, weekends and holidays within the walls of a hospital then turned into a friendship in which was based heavily on an appetite for Border Salsa, Vango’s waffle fries and Aubree’s coconut grove chicken strips. Rajani is willing to help anyone who needs her. Although now in different departments within the same hospital- Katlyn always appreciates Rajani as both a hard worker and a great friend.
Ben Pletcher
Groomsman
Kyle and Ben.....you guessed it, first met in pre-school. They played numerous sports together through school but really bonded over skiing and the outdoors. They went on many skiing trips and when they both moved to the Upper Peninsula for school the skiing continued! Ben has always been open to try anything and Kyle always liked that about him. Kyle has always said if there was one person that he had to be stuck on an island with it would be Ben because he’s basically Bear Grylls and MacGyver in one.
Amelia Pruiett
Bridesmaid
Amelia is a member of the Slice Girls and is there for anyone who needs her. She is wise and always knows how to support those around her with her words and actions- that is what Katlyn appreciates most about her. Not to mention she helped Katlyn cross off a bucket list item of learning how to ride a horse (which is SUPER FUN). Amelia also has two corgi sisters which both Katlyn and Kyle are equally obsessed with. Amelia appreciates the simple things in life, like good food, good company and a good sunset. She takes time to slow down and savor every moment.
Josué Briones
Groomsman
Josué was the first person that Kyle met and became friends with while attending NMU. They shared a major and were in the freshman seminar. They ended being suite mates their sophomore year and lived together again when him and his partner Meghan (talked about above) joined the Ohio Street apartments. Josué is one of the most talented artist friends that Kyle knows and continues to evolve and create amazing work while currently living in Chicago. One of the highlights of Katlyn and Kyles friendship with Josué was showing him Cheboygan and doing “country” things.
Mika Benton
Bridesmaid
As described briefly in another bridesmaid’s bio, Mika IS the most adventurous and final Slice Girl. Mika can frequently be found scaling a cliff or trying a new recipe in the kitchen. Mika is currently based in Utah where she is a wilderness therapy guide. Katlyn loves how Mika would give the shirt off her back if it meant helping another human. She is kind and would gladly pour you the biggest glass of wine you’ve ever seen in your life and then follow it up by a hot plate of homemade noodles and sauce before making sure everyone in the room eats and drinks before she sat down herself.
Jake Elmore
Groomsman
Surprisingly Kyle and Jake didn’t meet in preschool rather when they were elementary aged and Kyle would go on trips with Seth to all of his hockey tournaments. They became closer friends in middle school while playing sports together. They really became close when they worked together for 3 summers at Grand Rack Hunt Club. They spent days maintaining hunting property and pulling beaver dams with Ben, who also worked there. Jake now lives in the Marquette area working the forestry business which is awesome because him and Kyle get to see each other often.
Ava Ingalsbe
Junior Bridesmaid
Ava was Kyle’s first niece and the first little girl that made Katlyn feel like she had a niece, and for that she will also have a very special place in her heart. Ava is Owen’s big sister, and she is a very talented young woman both athletically on the soccer field and musically when she’s singing in choir! Kyle and Katlyn are so excited to have her with them on their big day!
Jimmy Crusoe
Groomsman
Jimmy “Big Rig” Crusoe and Kyle met while playing travel soccer and shared many mutual friends. Jimmy and Kyle also shared a love for skiing and would go at least once a week with Katlyn, Ben, Hazen, and Jon. Jimmy and Katlyn used to share a love for DECA while in High School and to this day is Kyle’s go to man for any tax questions he may have.
Aubrey Lafrinere
Flower Girl
Aubrey is a sweet little lady in Katlyn and Kyle’s life. She’s the oldest of the Lafrinere clan and big sister to Hazel and Keegan. The couple loves seeing Aubrey whenever they are in Cheboygan and hearing about school, sports or snuggling up and watching the tablet.
Hazel Lafrinere
Flower Girl
Hazel Rose enters most people’s lives the same way she entered the world: like a firecracker. She’s the spunkiest and middle child of the Lafrinere family. She may be small but she has sass and makes the couple laugh whenever she is around!
Keegan Lafrinere
Ring Bearer
Keegan is the youngest to the Lafrinere clan and is full of life. When he’s not fighting for his life in a house full of girls he’s running wild playing outside. He, like the rest of Katlyn and Kyles nieces and nephews, stole their heart the day he joined the family and it wouldn’t be an event without him!
Owen Ingalsbe
Ring Bearer
Owen is the first nephew Katlyn and Kyle received and he instantly stole their hearts. He is the youngest of the Ingalsbe family. He’s full of life and always ready to attack you with a nerf gun of some sort. We couldn’t imagine anyone else to help “protect” the rings on our big day!
Chelsea McGrath
Usher
Chelsea is not only a talented, brilliant nurse but she is one of the strongest women the couple has ever met. Katlyn met Chelsea when she started working in the cardiac cath lab, and the two became fast friends, with matching senses of humor they spend the majority of their work week together at all hours of the day. The couple is honored to have Chelsea with them on their big day.
Louis Nye
Usher
Louis has been a close friend of both the bride and groom for years. The couple admires the love he has for his friends, bikes, motocross and beer, he has sparked a variety of new passions for Kyle and Katlyn. Whenever Louis is around the good energy is flowing.
Hazen Dodd
Usher
Kyle became friends with Hazen through sports and sharing many of the same friends in middle school. Katlyn quickly became friends too as they all shared similar sense of humor and sense of adventure. Kyle and Hazen were best friends in high school and we’re rarely apart. They would always bring getting into something usually resulting in some sort of trouble that they would always get out of.
Mike Archambo
Usher
Kyle and Katlyn became really good friends with Mike in the early years of High School and would spend a lot of time together at bens house and exploring the Michigan Militia compound near Mike’s house. Mike chose to go to Michigan Tech after high school and with Katlyn and Kyle going to NMU they spent a lot of time together skiing and exploring on the weekends.
Kyle Ketchabaw
Officiant
Kyle K. was the one of the first close friends Kyle L. ever made. They grew up down the road from each and loved being outside catching suckers or building forts in the woods. The first really met in kindergarten when they had Kyle L’s Aunt Kay Robinson as a teacher. She quickly renamed them Kyle 1 and Kyle 2 because they were always together and they never knew which one she was trying to yell at ;) Some of Kyle L’s favorite memories with Kyle was when they would ride to school everyday with Kyle L’s mother in her mini van listen to lite 96.3 and getting stuck behind the slowest driver ever, a fellow teacher that taught at the local high school. I don’t think either of them will ever forget when Kay tried to take a “shortcut” to pass said slow driver and caught air over a bump! Sorry Mom!