Wedding Party
Matt Friedl
Officiant
Matt met Trent when they worked together as teachers at Hudson High School. As a talented and experienced history teacher, Trent always respected and looked up to Friedl as a friend and mentor. Friedl was ordained through the Universal Life Church online and registered as an officiant in Minnesota just for our little backyard wedding. As of yet, we are the only couple he has married, but we highly recommend him for your next wedding!
Sandra Carson
Mother of the Bride
Sandy is the fun-loving, nurturing caregiver who would do anything for her children. She's traveled the world with her children. She's also a Pac-Man champion. She loves being a mom and grandma, and we love her too!
Terri Tufte
Mother of the Groom
Terri is the kindest soul and a loving mom and grandma. She loves to travel to the U.K. to stay with Traci and Allan and be there for Alistair. Her amazing sewing skills have helped dress the wedding party. She brings her family together through meals, and Trent loves his mom's cooking best!
Todd Tufte
Father of the Groom
Todd is a fun-loving father who, like his sons, enjoys a good steak and a drink. When you meet Todd, you know where Trent gets his quick sense of humor. Todd is a family man and is always willing to help you out when you need it!
Gina Carson
Maid of Honor
The bride's adorable little sister. Gina has been waiting to plan a bachelorette party for her sister for about 6 years now, and she finally got to last weekend! It was epic. Gina and Katie enjoy getting together weekly to have dinner and watch Love Island!
Trevor Tufte
Best Man
Even though Trevor is 10 years younger, he's always found a way to put his big brother in his place. Still, Trevor is always by Trent's side ready to help with all of Trent's big plans. Although Trent likes to brag about it, it was really Trevor who put in most of the manpower to build Trent's custom arcade cabinet. What would we do without Trevor?
Traci Tufte
Bridesmaid
Traci is Trent's vibrant, outgoing younger sister. They grew up in close in age and Traci will always tell Trent exactly how it is. We all love it when Traci comes home to visit. In 2017, we had a once-in-a-lifetime experience visiting Traci and Allan for their wedding in Scotland, and we can't wait to visit them at their new place outside London!
Chris Carson
Groomsman
The bride's big brother. Like all big brothers, Chris teased Katie relentlessly growing up and told her all sorts of lies when she was a gullible child. Now, he still tries to get away with it sometimes but it's not so easy. Despite that, Chris has always looked out for his younger siblings, and he's an amazing big brother. And he and his wife Lauren hosting all of us when we go visit whatever new place he's been stationed in the military!
Tricia Elite
Bridesmaid
Tricia and Katie met when Tricia moved to Cottage Grove for 8th grade at Oltman Junior High. We had many classes together, and many sleepovers, too. We bonded in high school doing history projects and watching Morgan Freeman movies together. We also both went to St. Cloud State where we would get scolded for giggling too much in group fitness classes. Tricia is the very definition of what every good friend should be.
Sol Dulka
Groomsman
Sol and Trent met in the marines and deployed to Djibouti together, and Trent was drawn to Sol's easy going demeaner and good-time attitude. Trent has good memories with Sol both from the marines and from visiting Sol for some crazy times in New Ulm. Whenever Trent talks to Sol, he can't help calling him "my brothuh!"
Rachel Fog
Bridesmaid
Rachel is Katie's oldest friend. They met in Kindergarten in Ms. Vague's morning class, although Rachel doesn't remember Katie until 1st grade. Since then, they've been together through so many birthday parties, camps, school projects, graduation parties, jobs, weddings, baby showers. Rachel is a constant friend throughout Katie's life and she couldn't imagine having a wedding without her by her side!
David Brauch
Groomsman
Trent and David, aka "Brauch Lobster," met each other in their marine days. They both deployed to Djibouti and built their friendship when they both were assigned to sit in the guard tower on base. Trent was there for Brauch as his best man at his wedding. We've always had fun with Brauch and his lovely, glamorous wife Maha when we've gotten together!
Allison Shaver
Bridesmaid
Alli and Katie met in Ms. Lowry's 2nd grade class. At that age, Alli wore big reflective classes and was the first one to learn how to write her name in cursive after we learned capital A. Though Alli's, eyes have improved with age, Katie's have not and now she is the one who wears the bigger glasses. Growing up, Alli was the one responsible for teaching Katie to be organized, always making sure she knew what homework was due that day before she got to class. Out of class, Alli always made sure Katie was up to date on all the gossip and coolest clothes to wear to the next dance. Throughout our lives as we've grown older, Alli has always been there to prepare me for what comes next. Today, she probably uses some of Mrs. Lowry's cursive skills on her cake decorations and cupcakes, which she is supplying to our wedding. When you have a cupcake tonight, please think of Alli!
Chris Kickhafer
Groomsman
Chris is a karate master and one of Trent's oldest friends. They grew up together in the same neighborhood in Cottage Grove. Trent and Chris had their golden days singing karaoke from bar to bar in Hastings. Chris is quite the talented karaoke singer, and we still have fun going out with him to his new favorite place!
Rebecca Sanft
Bridesmaid
Becky and Katie met in elementary school, but became better friends in middle school. Becky is a sassy seniorita is always fun to have around because of her cutting comments and direct sense of humor. Becky and Katie lived together for a year in downtown St. Paul, where they got to enjoy some downtown living, going to the farmers market on Sundays, listening to the music in Mears Park on the weekend, or cheering at the peddle pubs that would roll by. Becky introduced Katie to Trent, and for better or worse, here we are!
Jon Gardner
Groomsman
Trent and Jon have known each other since they were little kids playing baseball in the Cottage Grove neighborhood. They grew up only a few blocks away from each other. Growing up, Jon has always been a true and reliable friend. In our backyard wedding, he came to save the day using his electrician skills to repair an outlet for our backyard lighting. Over the course of the years, Jon and Trent have had a competitive streak when it comes to playing the NFL Blitz arcade game, and this year Jon got his glory during their annual match for Trent's birthday at Up Down.
Alisa Schilmoeller
Honor Attendant
Alisa and Katie met backstage in the Oltman Junior High winter production of "A Christmas Carol" where Alisa played one of the ghosts of Christmas future and Katie played a grave robber. Because of our small roles (not to be confused with small actors), Alisa and I had plenty of time to get to know each other by talking about Lord of the Rings (really, it was mostly Katie talking). We grew closer over our teenage obsession of Lord of the Rings, but after our obsession ended, we were left with a "precious" friendship that has lasted over the years.
Chris Olsen
Usher
Trent and Chris Olsen grew up a few blocks away from each other and would hang out in the neighborhood with Jon, Adam, and Chris Kickhafer. Chris has been a steady friend, and is an astounding game master. We've had fun playing games with Chris and his wife Shannon, who both have a heart of gold.
Jessica Buchholz
Honor Attendant
Jessi and Katie met when Katie moved to Hendricks in 7th grade. Although Katie was an awkward 13 year old who didn't want to move away from her home or try to make new friends, she was so lucky to meet Jessi whose special talent is making friends everywhere she goes. I don't know why to this day Jessi wanted to make friends with the stuck-up, moody little brat I was back then, but I'm so glad she did. She taught me about NSYNC, how download music on Napster, and chat on ICQ. As we grew up, we usually got together when I would go back to visit in Hendricks, and later on Jessi ended up moving to Minneapolis for college at the U of M and staying in the Twin Cities. Now, we both have parents to go visit in Hendricks and our families have grown close, too. I've always felt that Jessi has been there for me when I needed a friend, and I'm so grateful!
Adam Thornton
Usher
Trent and Adam lived blocks away from each other and grew up playing with Jon and Chris Olsen and Kickhafer in their Cottage Grove neighborhood. Adam is so fun, charismatic, and always ready to have a good time. He's been there for Trent his whole life.
Vincent Carson
Ring Bearer
Vincent is Katie and Trent's nephew on Katie's side. He is Chris and Lauren's son and Sandy and Steve's grandson. Vincent is three years old, he's a wonderful helper, and he's so excited to be a ringbearer at the wedding!
Lucille Van Ampting
Flower Girl
Lucy is our strong, athletic, fearless flower girl who is already snowboarding down black diamonds in Colorado and competing in wakeboarding competitions. She is the daughter of Dan and Andrea Van Ampting, our cousins on Trent's side. Lucy is also a great older sister to Maddie.
Alistair White
Ring Bearer
Alistair is two years old and ready to walk down the aisle in his fancy suit! Alistair is Trent and Katie's nephew, Traci and Allan's son, and Terri and Todd's grandson. He's a global jetsetter who has flown across the pond for his first American wedding!
Vera Villella
Flower Girl
After spending some time at summer drama camp, this strong and confident little lady is ready to add a theatrical flair to the wedding! Vera is the daughter of Erin and Andy Villella, our cousins on Trent's side, and she is also an incredible older sister to Warren and Julia.
Woody
Ring Bearer
At six years old, and this being his second time down the aisle, Woody is our most experienced, senior ring-bearer. Katie and Trent love their sweet boy more than anything and couldn't imagine having a wedding without him. He's a good boy and the best dog.
Steve Carson
Father of the Bride
Everyone loves Steve because he's always ready with a good story and a laugh. He's always there to help, whether it be moving his daughter in college about 12 times, or coming to replace a leaking hot water heater. He and Trent get along because of their easy-going sense of humor, love of mountain dew, popcorn, ice cream, and a good movie. Dad's always ready to explore and find a new adventure, and he is currently training Katie to be the next boat captain!