Katlyn & Travis
Wedding Party
Sarah Gerken
Maid of Honor
Sarah is Katlyn's (younger) sister. They disagree on who to root for in nearly every sport, but they're a perfect balance for each other. You can thank Sarah for "coaching" Katlyn on color, design and style - not only for the wedding but on fashion over the years, too. Before Sarah moved to Texas where she currently lives, they both lived at home with Mom and Dad where they rarely shared toys, shared many inside jokes, indulged in a few adult beverages, and made some of their favorite memories together.
Michael Albanese
Best Man
Best friend. Best man. Travis and Michael met their freshmen year at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). They quickly bonded over EVERYTHING, including how normal they found each other to be, the television show "Friends", and other unmentionables that aren't appropriate for this site. Through it all, Mike has had Trav's back and Trav has had Mike's. Travis was present when Mike proposed to his then-girlfriend, and Mike returned the favor.
Julie Rueb
Bridesmaid
Julie and Katlyn are cousins and less than five months apart in age. They grew up celebrating most every holiday together with their families and embracing brand new (weird) traditions they so proudly established. On any given day, but especially in the summer, you can find them enjoying a Cubs game together, lounging at the pool, or sipping on margaritas in downtown Naperville. Katlyn was honored to serve as a first-time bridesmaid in Julie's wedding; now Julie's doing the same for her.
Chris Platz
Groomsman
Chris is Travis' older brother. Growing up, Chris and Travis participated in normal brotherly things together, but a lot of the time they shared involved hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and riding ATVs. They still hunt and fish together multiple times a year, but they are joined by a few others including Trenton, Chris' son and the ring bearer! As brothers, they have stories to last them days in the woods or on the lake, and Travis is looking forward to adding one more to the repertoire as Chris stands up as a groomsman.
Carey DeKing
Bridesmaid
Carey and Katlyn met in high school and bonded on a class trip to Italy; they shopped through Florence, explored the history of Rome, and enjoyed the best pizza, pasta and gelato the world has to offer. Over the years, they have smiled together through life's highs and supported each other through life's lows. Carey brings out Katlyn's adventurous side, assuring her that trying new foods (vegetables) is actually healthy and not scary. Their shared love of cleaning, planning and organizing is a beautiful (or crazy, depending on who you ask) combination.
Ryan Krause
Groomsman
Travis and Ryan played high school football together at different schools (Columbus and Spencer) that combined to form one team! They remained friends (obviously...), and Ryan was with the group in the Dells the night they met Katlyn. She remembers being particularly excited to have found a Justin Timberlake look-a-like. (She even calls him "JT" on occasion.) Travis, Katlyn and Ryan have spent many weekends competing in flippy cup and running races in Wisconsin and Illinois, watching the Packers (and the Bears) play, and traveling to places like Arizona to climb Bell Rock and Northern Wisconsin for some good ol' lake time.
Nadia Schweisthal
Bridesmaid
Nadia and Katlyn met their freshmen year of high school in Mr. Walker's World History class. They became fast friends with a shared zest for life. Upon Mr. Walker confirming that "Gherkins" were indeed a type of pickle, Nadia started calling Katlyn "Pickle", and the rest is history. During college breaks when Katlyn returned home from Iowa, her first call was to Nadia to bake cookies - something they still share a love for today. The two have countless memories together, the most recent of which are Travis proposing to Katlyn and Katlyn standing by Nadia's side for her wedding.
Brad Dolezal
Groomsman
Travis and Brad were born days apart in the same hospital. When the boys were six weeks old, they attended daycare together. Travis and Brad have been friends ever since, spending many days together during and after school. Although Brad wrestled at Marshfield High School and the University of Minnesota, he is best known for his game-winning shot against Spencer in basketball. From basement wrestling matches to fishing trips, they have lost count of the wins and losses but not of their friendship.
Ashley Schmidt
Bridesmaid
Ashley and Katlyn met their freshmen year at Loras College, and they bonded immediately! Enjoying a healthy balance of fun, faith and fitness, they spent a lot of time together - including several classes and hours in the media lab for their Media Studies major. When they lived together junior year and roomed with two others who shared their first names (Ashley and Caitlin), the tradition of using last names began and stuck! Katlyn and Rouse - as Katlyn calls her - share an appreciation for the simple things in life like wine, great conversation, college stories, and the occasional margarita.
Garrison Glowniak
Groomsman
Travis and Garrison met a few months before their freshmen year of college at MSOE as part of summer league for basketball. They soon found out they came from similar backgrounds. Even though they were different majors in college, a lot of their core classes were the same...so they often "studied" and "did classwork" (AKA played Call of Duty and watched "The Office" into the wee hours of the morning) together. Somehow they both graduated on time. Trav admires Garrison, his former roommate, for his new dad skills and being able to push through shoulder pain at house parties.
Danielle Nystrom
Bridesmaid
Danielle is kiiind of important in Katlyn and Travis' relationship; she approached Katlyn on the dance floor that night in the Wisconsin Dells! Danielle and Travis attended grade school and high school together, and remained close throughout college. Katlyn is delighted and honored to call Danielle a friend. She has the biggest heart and LOVES planning parties; in fact, Danielle and Travis organized the famous trip to the Dells in 2016. It's also worth noting both Katlyn and Danielle each held her first fish in 2020 - and had the same (frightened) reaction.
Dillon Kirsch
Usher
Dillon and Travis go way back...even further than Lainey and Katlyn! Travis remembers watching his nephew Dillon as a kiddo and the competitive nature he had early on. In fact, Travis describes Dillon and his brother Gavin as "the most energetic munchkins ever". What kind of games did they play? Well, there were no board games. Snowmobile and ATV rides with "Travy" driving were common. Dillon looked up to Travis, always wanting to sit next to him at family gatherings and sporting events. Now, Travis looks up to him - Dillon's passed him in height!
Allie Pitney
Attendant (Go-to Girl)
Allie and Katlyn met in 2011 working at Loras College All Sports Camp! Their friendship bloomed quickly because even though Allie didn't attend Loras, she attended another college in Dubuque so they saw each other often during the school year. Post-graduation, Katlyn (or "Kate" as Allie calls her) would visit Allie on her trips to Dubuque, and Allie often stopped to see Kate on her trips home to the suburbs of Chicago. Through sleepovers, bible studies, OrangeTheory classes, a couple of moves and now wedding planning, Allie and Kate have remained close, kept each other grounded and shared plenty of laughs!
Gavin Kirsch
Usher
Travis has many stories of babysitting his nephew Gavin as a youngster. In the recent years of Gavin growing up, the stories have turned into tales of glory on the gridiron, perfection at the plate and magic on the mat. Gavin is - and Travis was - a three-sport athlete in high school; you can still sense a hint of competition between them. (If you don't believe me, come watch our holiday Nerf gun wars.) Gavin and his twin brother Dillon may have learned from the best when it comes to being an usher; Travis was an usher in their parents' wedding in 2007.
Lainey Hankes
Flower Girl
Katlyn and Lainey go way back - five years to be exact. They were neighbors for a short time, had a few sleepovers and spent many summer days playing in the pool! She lovingly referred to Katlyn as "Tatlyn", and the two thoroughly enjoyed dance parties in the wide open floor plan of Lainey's house. Lainey's parents (Sam and Lindsey) and Lainey's grandparents (Dave and Carol) are actually longtime friends of Katlyn and her family. There are too many beautiful memories and wild stories to count, but one of Katlyn's favorites is Lindsey serving as a flower girl in Katlyn's parents' wedding. Now, it's Lainey's turn!
Trenton Platz
Ring Bearer
Trenton and Travis go back nearly a decade and have A LOT in common. Fishing and hunting are two hot topics of conversation whenever this nephew/uncle duo get together. Trenton is an expert storyteller, and he loves to tell Travis how the fish he caught is bigger than Travis' prize. Katlyn and Travis enjoy attending at least one of Trenton's soccer games annually to cheer him onto victory, and they all look forward to the annual hide-and-seek game at Christmas. Though Trenton was a little unsure of the ring bearer role at first, Trenton's Dad, Chris, is a groomsmen, so Trenton is extra excited to be a part of this special day.