Wedding Party
Kate Zeilon
Matron of Honor
Kelsie and Kate have been friends since freshman year of college at Iowa State. Their friendship really bloomed (ha) after Kelsie introduced Kate to May Day baskets. You could typically find them playing piano in the den, stringing lights on their dorm room ceiling, or hosting theme parties. Kelsie takes credit for introducing Kate to her now husband, Stu.
Vasek Cervenka
Best Man
Jake and Vasek met in Northern Minnesota when Jake started training for Biathlon. Vasek's parents ran a training program that was hard work, but a ton of fun! Vasek is still living the Professional Biathlon dream and is training full-time out of Lake Placid while serving in the Vermont National Guard.
Steph Kotnik
Bridesmaid
Kelsie first met Steph in Kansas City while both were passing through visiting Kate. (Kate and Steph have been friends since elementary school). A few years later when Kelsie moved to the twin cities, they became fast friends. Steph and Kelsie have since put in lots of miles biking around Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa together (and stopping to eat, drink, and listen to music along the way).
Ian Ivens
Groomsman
Jake's work boyfriend. Ian was skiing for the University of Green Bay when Jake came home from full-time biathlon training and started working at the ski shop. They met when Jake was helping with cross-country ski race waxing, but really got to know each other when Ian came home and started working full-time at the shop.
Kelsey Legore
Bridesmaid
Kelsie and Kelsey (yes, it really does get confusing) have been friends since elementary school. They bonded over being in accelerated math in middle school and have many fond memories of choir and showchoir from high school. Kelsey and Kelsie traveled through Vietnam together when Kelsie finished her Fulbright grant in Indonesia between undergrad and grad school. They still find opportunities to visit each other whenever they are in Iowa or Minnesota. Fun fact: Kelsey's dad was college roommates with Kelsie's mom's cousin Bob!
Everett Darrow
Groomsman
Everett and Jake were teammates on the National Guard Biathlon team out of Vermont. They spent a couple of years living and training together at the athlete quarters in Jericho, VT before they both went off to do other things. The two spent many breakfasts playing chess and sharing memes. Everett is in the Alaska National Guard, and working toward commissioning with them.
Siena Ellingson
Bridesmaid
Siena is Jake's younger sister but could pretty much be his twin. They both started biathlon at the same time, joined the national guard on the same day, and are *slightly* competitive with each other. But even Jake will agree that Siena wins when it comes to her talent in knitting and baking.
Scott Miller
Groomsman
Scott is Kelsie's younger brother. The two have come a long way from taking the wagon to the park and creating dances to the NSYNC Christmas CD as kids, to climbing, biking, and (on occasion) running together whenever they're in the same city. Scott was the first to say "that's weird" when Kelsie and Jake got engaged, but he seems genuinely happy to be gaining a brother-in-law who is as active as he is.
Phil Miller & Emily Haavik
Musicians
Phil is Kelsie's cousin and Emily is Kelsie's old roommate (and now Phil's wife). Kelsie also takes credit for introducing them. Emily plays guitar and has her own band (check out Emily Haavik & the 35s!) and Phil plays the cello. Fun fact: Phil's parents also played/sang at Kelsie's parent's wedding!
Lili Goodwin
Musician
Lili is Jake's little cousin. She's played violin for several other family member's weddings and we are excited to have her play for us! She is taking her musical talents to an ensemble at the University of Minnesota starting this fall.
Mikael Ellingson
Usher
Mikael is Jake and Siena's younger brother. He is a lot smarter but didn't get the skiing gene like his siblings. He is working on a PhD in Chemical Engineering at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.
Josh Williams
Officiant
Josh is Jake's cousin-in-law- his cousin Lindsay's husband. He is also the lead pastor at Restoration Hope Church in West Saint Paul. We have enjoyed getting to know Josh at family gatherings and are grateful he is able to officiate our wedding!