Wedding Party
Kaylee Zitterkopf
Maid of Honor
Leslie & I first met when we were baristas at the 9th street Dutch Bros stand. New co workers quickly became best friends as we started to manage together. From those early days to now we have walked through some of the worst & best days together. I give Les credit for truly opening my heart to the Lord as we started going to Life Church together every Sunday for quite some time. She taught me what it is to be a truly honest, loving & growing friend through every stage of life. We’ve spent holidays, big days, ordinary days and any other kind of day in between together. Whenever I picture a big event in this life time, she’s next to me. She's my favorite friend to yap to about my newest hobby & my biggest secrets. I couldn’t ask for a better friend & if you know her, you know she truly models what a beautiful, life long friend is. Les quite literally fought her way through the gals at my wedding to catch my bouquet and did successfully, and two months later she met Paul. No doubt in my mind that was the Lords work. I can’t wait to watch them embark on this next chapter of life, they are going to do it so beautifully & what an honor it is to stand right by them!
Cheyenne Kessler
Bridesmaid
Leslie and I came into each other’s lives right as we were both entering our teenage years, trying to figure out how to “do high school” — and high school relationships. We actually met through our high school boyfriends (who we obviously aren’t with anymore, so clearly we know who got the better end of that deal!). We spent our days in the mountains, going on Dutch Bros runs, or downing baskets of chips at our favorite local Mexican restaurant. We’ve grown up together — from teenagers to adults, through college and starting our careers. Even though I now live a thousand miles away, Leslie has remained a constant rock in my life, and I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her. Leslie is obviously a total catch — which is why Paul may have tried to stalk her through the Dutch Bros drive-thru. Just kidding! I know he may or may not have been sent there by someone who already knew what a perfect match they’d be. From the moment Leslie told me about Paul, I had a feeling he was the one. That feeling was only confirmed when I came back to town, met him, and we all chatted together over spicy margaritas. Later, at his house, he popped a bottle of champagne for us and graciously let us take over the couch watching Jersey Shore and The Eras Tour while he hid away and gave us “catch-up and girl time.” What a guy! I truly think we’ve found the perfect couple, and I feel so lucky to be included in and to witness this special day.
Susana Romero
Bridesmaid
Meet Susy or Susana– The Other Half of the Meatball Duo Leslie and I go way back, like middle school basketball rivalry back. I first met her when my older sister started dating her older brother. And to be completely honest, I wasn’t her biggest fan at first (mainly because she played for the rival team and, well, I took that way too seriously). It became clear that our siblings were end game, I realized it was time to stop being a brat and give Leslie a chance. Turns out, the girl I once side-eyed on the court shared my obsession for Grey’s Anatomy and Jersey Shore, and just like that, our iconic “meatball duo” was born. Even when I moved away for college, Leslie and I were inseparable. She visited me in Salem often, and let’s just say chaos followed wherever we went. From late-night laughs to questionable life choices, we were basically Deena and Snooki reincarnated. Then came Paul, the brave soul who would eventually win over Leslie’s heart. I was skeptical at first (as any good meatball bestie would be), but one Christmas Eve, during an intense family game of Uno, I watched him hold his own. He kept up, made us laugh, and didn’t even flinch when the full Snooki & Deena energy came out. That’s when I knew: if he could survive our family and the meatball duo, he was definitely the one. 💕 So here’s to my best friend, my fellow meatball, and the only person who can quote both McDreamy and Snooki in the same conversation — I couldn’t be happier to stand by your side today.
Vivian Punzo
Bridesmaid
Hello everyone, my name is Vivian. I first met Leslie when I started dating her older brother, Jesus — who is now my husband of 12 years. At the time, I was 16 and Leslie was just 13. She would often tag along with her brother when he came to visit me, and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow through so many different seasons of life. Now, I’m thrilled to be by her side as she enters this exciting new chapter — marrying Paul. I still remember when she first introduced Paul to the family at the Christmas Parade in downtown Walla Walla. As the “older sister-in-law,” I’ll admit, I had my guard up — but it didn’t take long to see that Paul is a kind, genuine, and thoughtful person. It’s been a joy getting to know him over the past few years, and I truly believe Paul and Leslie are a perfect match. I can’t wait to celebrate their love and be part of their special day.
Andrew Elmenhurst
Best Man
I met Paul on the 10th of June back in the 90s— I believe it was ’96. I remember seeing the guy (Paul) and knowing damn well this was my big brother… unless my parents had failed to guard the delivery room and this was, in fact, an assassin sent to befall me. But no — he was my big brother. That day (June 10th, 1996), I shook his hand, and we immediately fell into conversation — talking about Clinton’s campaign for re-election and the Seattle SuperSonics’ upcoming season. We had an instant bond, and 20+ years later, that bond remains. No matter how far apart we live, or how long we go without talking, I can always count on him being there. A couple of years ago, when I was home for the holidays, Paul brought home a woman he seemed so nervous to introduce to our family. This is always a good sign. Enter Leslie — I immediately loved her. She is so positive, vibrant, and loving toward Paul. I had a feeling she was the one, and it didn’t take long for Paul to confirm it. I remember him saying he was going to take it slow… and I think it was a year later that they moved in together. HA. Evidently, love doesn’t care about your timeline. Since then, I have seen Paul transform into an amazing partner and witnessed these two support each other individually and as a team. I’m forever grateful she took a chance on my brother.
Luke Elmenhurst
Best Man
I’ve known Paul my whole life—little brother perks mean I got a front-row seat to everything he did right (and everything that got him grounded). Watching him navigate life basically gave me a free masterclass in what to do and what definitely not to do around our parents. Not long after he started dating Leslie, I happened to be living temporarily in Walla Walla, so I got an early front-row seat! Between CrossFit mornings, family dinners where she could trade shots with my dad without blinking, and countless game nights —it was obvious she fit right into our chaos like she’d always been there. More importantly, I saw how supportive she is, how she keeps Paul sharp and laughing, and how happy he is with her. Took about a week to know she was the one. Can’t wait to stand up with them and celebrate their love. Love you both!
Leo
Groomsman
I can still remember my first day at Assumption as the only new 3rd grader. I heard our teacher call out to a taller boy sitting a few rows in front of me. She said, “Paul, Leo is new so please help him around.” Seeing Paul whip his head back towards me was the only memory I have of him not being my best friend. I had my first sleepover the next summer as his birthday guest, played tons of saxophone and soccer with him over the years, and my last memory before moving 6 years later was picking strawberries at Klicker’s together. We’ve never lost touch despite never living in the same time zone again. He’s a brother for life and so I can’t wait to meet his lady for life too.
Brayden Hansen
Groomsman
Paul and I met in college. We quickly bonded over surviving on canned chili with rice and escapes to Walla Walla during dead weeks. He became one of my best friends, and our adventures have ranged from simple road trips to both of us cramming onto a single moped in the French Riviera. On a trip to Walla Walla in 2024, I finally met Leslie—and instantly felt like she’d been part of the crew forever. The love between them was obvious, and now I couldn’t be more excited to cheer on two of my favorite people as they kick off their next chapter together!
Trevor Zakrajsek
Groomsman
I met Paul in the backseat of a car on the way to a party at Eastern Washington University, and somehow we ended up talking like we’d known each other forever. That random ride kicked off a friendship that’s stuck with me through some of the biggest chapters of my life. We made it through chiro school together in Iowa, shared more laughs than I can count, and now we even get to work side-by-side at his family’s clinic. I’m genuinely grateful for this guy and the friendship we’ve built, and I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate Paul and Leslie.
Logan Hoeft
Groomsman
Paul and I first met in 5th grade. Ever since I walked into the classroom for the first time he has been stuck to me like glue ever since. I guess the curly headed punk just needed a leader he could look up to and there I was to fill the void. The rest is history.