Natasha & James
Wedding Party
Natasha Kress
Bride
I graduated from Sutherlin High School in 2013 where I met James in drama class. After graduation, I then went to UCC where I graduated from their RN program in 2016. The following year James and I moved to Corvallis, so he could go to OSU. I was also working in the ER at Mercy and going to school online at OHSU for my BSN. In 2017, I graduated, and James and I bought a house in Albany. The following year I started a 2nd job working as an agency nurse for the 5 Samaritan hospital ERs, and we bought a Ram truck! This is also the same year James and I got engaged at Niagara Falls!! We love traveling together. Other places that we have been together include Memphis, Tennessee to visit Graceland, Las Vegas, the Great Lakes, and Canada. We also love to fish, crab, and play video games!
James Gugel
Groom
I graduated from Sutherlin High school in 2014 where I sang in choir and performed in plays. I then went to UCC for a transfer degree, which I received in 2016 and then transferred to OSU. This June I graduated from OSU in bio-engineering. In my free time, I like to play video games and spend time with Natasha. We love to travel to new places, go on hikes, fish and crab at the coast, and enjoy the occasional binge watching of TV series.
Amelia Snow
Maid of Honor
Amelia and Natasha met during nursing school in 2014. We had to review each other’s paper. Soon after that, we became closer by finding out we were the 2 youngest in the class and only 3 weeks apart. We became friends quickly while studying at each other’s house. We tried working out however each attempt didn’t last long. We did a squat challenge video to “Call me Maybe” just once. We even joined the Y which didn’t last long. We became best friends and completely lost all chance at losing weight when we discovered a common love. Mac & cheese! After graduating, we both started at Mercy Medical Center. Amelia in PCU and Natasha in the ER. We both love to travel and go hiking. We have managed to go to Las Vegas and St. Louis together, and we were successful on a 10 mile hike near Mt Angel.
Alexandrea Estrada
Bridesmaid
Alex and Natasha first met playing softball in grade school. They then both attended JoLane middle school where they also played volleyball and basketball. Alex was better at basketball than Natasha, so they would meet every Wednesday morning to practice. Alex taught Natasha how to do a reverse layup! Natasha also wanted to improve on running, so Alex and her dad Dewey would help with this on the weekends. Alex and Natasha also shared the same interest in 4-wheelers and visiting the coast together. They went to different high schools and played on different teams, but they still tried to get together as often as their schedules allowed. When they got their first cars, they met up to show each other. Now, they both spend time together with their significant others.
Kari Kress
Bridesmaid
Kari and Natasha have known each other their whole lives. Natasha’s Mom (Sasha) and Kari’s Mom (Kathy) grew up together and graduated from Glide high school. They spent many summers swimming at Natasha’s Nana and papa’s house or spending a week down at Shasta lake together. Another similar quality that they share is that they're both nurses. Kari works on the labor and delivery floor while Natasha is in the ER. In 2011, Kari married Natasha’s brother T.J. TJ and Kari live in Chilliwack, British Columbia, and in 2016, they had Lacey (the flower girl).
Courtney Alford
Bridesmaid
Courtney and Natasha met in 2016 when Courtney started dating Natasha’s brother Chris who is a groomsman. One of Courtney's favorite interests is spending time with her horse Hemi whether its riding, grooming, or feeding her. Some shared hobbies among Courtney and Natasha include fishing, hunting, and watching Chris race. Courtney recently became a realtor working for Berkshire Hathaway.
Breanna Sharp
Bridesmaid
Breanna and Natasha first met at Sutherlin High school. Breanna was one grade below Natasha, but going to a small school, it was easy to know one another. Breanna recently became engaged to Colton who is James’ brother. Breanna, Colton, and James enjoyed singing choir together in high school. There have been many spring break vacations with Breanna, Colton, James, and Natasha over at the coast as far south as Northern California to as far north as Astoria.
Cody Stone
Best Man
Cody is James’ oldest friend. Cody and James met when they could hardly think or speak at a preschool in Sutherlin. It wouldn’t be until their late elementary school years when they would truly become friends on the football field. The years went on and they found other interests, but they always knew they could count on one another. After they both graduated Sutherlin High School in 2014, they set their eyes on new sights and enrolled themselves in the engineering program at UCC. They would spend their nights trifling over physics and chemistry homework just trying to figure out how it all made sense to their professors. Although unlikely, working on homework together gave them a chance to truly bond as friends. James could not think of a more suitable person to be his best man.
Treyse Reber
Groomsman
Treyse has been a friend to James for almost as long as anyone. They met at East Primary Elementary School in Sutherlin where on their first day home from school they learned that they were neighbors. Many days were spent playing outside in the field next to Treyse’s place where Treyse terrified James about some mountain man that lived in the creek next to the field. They also played football together in their late elementary school years. In high school, they had different interests, but that didn’t stop them from hanging out when they could find the time. Despite graduating from Oregon State University, one of the best memories is when they attended a Duck’s game together. James is honored to have Treyse in his Wedding Party.
Colton Gugel
Groomsman
Colton is brother to James and son of Craig and Joy Gugel. Colton and Breanna (bridesmaid) recently became engaged in May. Colton graduated Sutherlin High School in 2015 and attended UCC that fall. He since decided college wasn’t for him and sought work elsewhere. For the past few years, he has been a cashier at the local A. M. market. These brothers enjoy a good video gaming session and enjoying the outdoors. They spent many summers with their parents taking trips to Miller Lake. Many large fish were caught on that lake. James and Colton had their differences growing up, but they are brothers through and through. James is honored to have Colton in his wedding party.
T.J. Kress
Groomsman
T.J. is Natasha's oldest brother, married to Kari (bridesmaid), and father to Lacey (flower girl). He graduated from Roseburg High school in 2006 and then went to OSU where he graduated in 2010 with a forestry degree. T.J. is currently employed at Ts'elxweyeqw Tribe Management in the forestry division which is local to where he lives in Chilliwack, BC. T.J. not only executes a leadership role in his position, but he also works outside surveying trees. T.J. enjoys spending his time outside. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, disc golf, lacrosse, 4-wheeling, biking, racing go-karts, running half-marathons, and tough mudder.
Chris Kress
Groomsman
Chris is Natasha's second oldest brother and boyfriend of Courtney (bridesmaid). Chris graduated from Roseburg High school in 2008. He then attended UCC for a transfer degree, which he then transferred to OSU to receive a forestry degree in 2015. Chris has been working at Roseburg's BLM since graduating high school and loves working outdoors. In the summer, he has been going with the fire crew to help with the fires. Other hobbies include hunting, fishing, boating, 4 wheeling, lacrosse, hiking, racing go-karts/dwarf kart, and camping. He also has a fur-baby, which is a black lab named Moose who just turned 5!
Lacey Kress
Flower Child
Lacey was born in August of 2016 and is the daughter of T.J. and Kari Kress. Her newest personality is being independent stating "I can do it" or "Lacey do". She is also very curious about what others are doing and is not shy to ask "whatda doing?". She loves playing at the park, blowing bubbles, using chalk, watching Paw Patrol and Dora, and listening to books being read to her. Her favorite types of food include mac & cheese, hotdogs, chicken nuggets, donuts, ice cream, grapes, and apples with peanut butter.
Tyler Wilson
Officiant
Tyler is a best friend to both James and Natasha. He sang in choir with James and performed in drama plays with both James and Natasha. He was also in the same graduating class as Natasha. Tyler started going to UCC and performing with Umpqua Singers. Before graduating, he joined the Navy and moved to the East coast. After serving with the Navy, Tyler came back to Oregon where he actually moved in with James and Natasha in Albany. The three of them enjoy playing video games, eating at restaurants, and going to the movies together.
Joy Young Gugel
Mother of the Groom
Joy is the mother of James and Colton (groomsman). She was born in 64' to Jim and Judy Young. She grew up in Oakland, OR where she graduated from Oakland high school. After high school, she worked at the local Fred Meyer in Roseburg. Later, when Craig and Joy met for the first time, Joy said that she felt like lightning shot through her and that’s when she knew he was the one. James thought about this same moment when he saw Natasha for the first time. James remembers taking turns playing Pokémon with his mom, and that is one of his best memories with her. Both Joy and Craig have been very loving and caring parents to James and Colton. They are the best.
Craig Gugel
Father of the Groom
Craig is the father of James and Colton (groomsman). He was born in 61' to Lorenz and Susan Gugel. Craig graduated from Winston High School and then enlisted in the Army where he served a few years overseas. Craig is a talented musical artist which certainly rubbed off in his children. When he came back, he met the love of his life, Joy. They had two beautiful children and settled down in Douglas County, where they both grew up. Growing up in the Gugel house meant good food was a plenty and even better times laughing at movies and each other. They spent most of their vacations at the coast or up at local mountain lakes. Some would say that the lifeblood of the Gugels is fishing, but it might just be music.
Sasha Kress
Mother of the Bride
Sasha is the mother of Natasha, T.J., and Chris. She was born in 1960 to Lorene and Rogers Sanders in Dixonville. She grew up on a farm with plenty of acreage to hunt and play in the creek. She graduated from Glide High school in 79' and married Tom Kress in 81'. Sasha and Tom met in the 4WD club racing their jeep and bronco. In 98', Sasha opened up a second hand store for kids called My Three Little Rascals. In late 99', Tom had the opportunity to work in Kentucky. The 5 of them lived there until 2001 when they realized home can only be found in Douglas County. Sasha and Tom bought Waldron's Outdoor Sports and have owned the store since. The most important thing to Sasha is her kids, and she has made every effort to attend all of their events. She also enjoys the outdoors and warm sun!
Tom Kress
Father of the Bride
Tom is the father to Natasha, T.J., and Chris. He was born in 63' to Leonard and Shirley Kress. Tom Graduated from RHS in 81' and then married Sasha. He then went to U of O where he graduated with an accounting degree in 84'. Shortly after graduating, his dad asked him to help co-own a parts store. This was Carquest, or as they named it Kress-Backen having the Backen family be partners in the business. In 99', Tom was offered a financial director position for Carquest in Kentucky. After being there for 1.5yrs, he realized that life would be better back in Oregon. He then bought Waldron's Outdoor Sports. In 2018, he ran and was appointed County Commissioner. "Now that my kids are grown up, I wanted to help give back to the community". Tom enjoys spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, ect.