Wedding Party
Ariel Nekrasov
Best Man
John’s day 1 (though they’re seven years apart). You might not think they’re even related at first glance, but spend enough time around them and it won’t take long to see where their deranged senses of humor overlap. Whether they’re talking late into the night or watching the latest action flick, the two brothers share a bond forged through some of life’s biggest challenges (and its biggest shenanigans). He can destroy the dance floor and his Star Wars Battlefront II opponents with equal dexterity.
Elinor Nelson
Matron of Honor
Elinor and Katie have been best friends for a DECADE and it has been the sweetest 10 years of friendship in the world. They met at 15 at a high school dance, became best friends instantaneously, and never let go. Through every season of life, they have remained the closest of kindred spirits, through high school sleepovers, every Taylor Swift album, across the country colleges, moves, and marriage! Elinor has always been Katie’s biggest cheerleader in the world, as well as the most loyal, gracious, and generous hearted person she’s ever known. It is an honor to have Elinor stand by her side on this day, just as she has through life!
Addison Bean
Groomsman
Addison is one of John’s oldest friends, literally since middle school! A man of many hidden talents - including but not limited to coding, ice cream making, and world traveling - he is one of the kindest and most reliable people you’ll ever meet. He’s got a unique gift to really listen to you and seek to understand your perspective, and in the ups and downs of life, he’s been a huge presence in John’s life as they’ve become adults together. They’ve spent many an hour in coffee shops across Nashville discussing everything from faith and psychology to raster interrupts.
Esther Eaton
Bridesmaid
Affectionally called Esther Bester or Esther Bean by Katie, this fabulous adventurer is coming all the way from China for the wedding!! Esther and Katie have had some fabulous adventures themselves, with a pact where Katie has to come and visit every time Esther gets a new job in a cool new place, like New York and D.C. In college, Katie often would come to Esther’s room to flop on her bed and talk about life. Together, they made pacts to Fail Gloriously, waltz to “I Love Bread,” create a Caper Club, and run the race (of Christ) with endurance, both in a metaphorical and not metaphorical way (much to Katie’s dismay). Esther’s zest for seizing all that life has to offer is contagious, and Katie cannot WAIT to track her down on the globe soon.
Kevin Sakai
Groomsman
Much like Ariel with John, Kevin brought endless laughs into Katie’s life growing up as the perfect partner in crime. A coder, surfer, and secretly fantastic artist, Kevin loves adventuring, and John immediately bonded with him over a shared sense of outrageous humor. John’s so excited to have him as a brother, teammate for family pickleball, and co-conspirator in elaborate family pranks around the holidays.
Emma Hancock
Bridesmaid
Em Gem is the type of friend that you end up sharing a singular braincell with when you’re rolling on the floor at night, while also simultaneously being a friend that you can have the deepest conversations about life and God with! In college, they quickly developed a weekly ritual of having sunset picnics/ballroom dance lessons on the top of a hill. After college, they practically lived at each other’s houses… until they officially became roommates!! Hosting themed parties, karaoke nights, making absurd cinematic biblical analogies, and taking sunset chicken patty walks kept them sane through the early years of adulting, and they were truly able to count the memorial stones of God’s faithfulness together to press on toward hope and joy.
Nate Waite
Groomsman
Steadfast friends through all the chaos college can bring, Nate and John have explored many a historical site together across America while growing in their friendship and walks with God. One of the most reliable people John knows, Nate is loyal, caring, and hilarious. They’ve spent countless hours far into the night talking about everything from processing college stresses to tactics in the American Revolution. Nate is one of the few people John has found that can face him in an Empire: Total War matchup, which is no small feat either.
Holly Monson
Bridesmaid
Holly and Katie locked eyes across the college choir loft 7 years ago… and didn’t end up having a conversation until after graduation! But as roommates, they have made up for lost time by tap dancing, crocheting, and singing their way through life. They love spending time together, whether watching the Great British Baking Show, going on downtown dates, or playing their own game based on musicals. They have also taken on the world together, going all the way to Broadway (twice), as well as England and Scotland!! She is faithful to the Lord and to others, and one of the biggest blessings in Katie’s life - we love our Holly Wolls!!
Chase Weimer
Groomsman
Chase is one of those friends that sticks with you through all the twists and turns of life. Whether navigating the confusing realities of high school, the chaos of college, or the joys of getting married, Chase has been there for John through it all. They’ve talked through pretty much every topic under the sun, laughed, and cried - and walked through practically every area of downtown Nashville at some point. John has also lost a lot of Super Smash Bros Melee games during this friendship to both Chase and Addison, a statistic he does not expect to reverse.
Naomi Nekrasov
Bridesmaid
Naomi: Queen of Art and Industry. With her iconic style, knowledge of film, and sewing/sketching prowess, Naomi is one of a kind, and Katie’s first ever sister!! Naomi and Katie can be found bopping around town thrifting, painting pottery, finding the world’s worst gluten free donuts, or critiquing a hallmark movie being filmed in the middle of the street! Katie is SO excited to have Naomi as a sister and is looking forward to many more late night chats and crafting sessions. Her passion for storytelling while highlighting the truths of the gospel is the COOLEST. Naomi has been Katie’s go-to gal during the wedding planning process, with her artistic eye and sweet heart always ready to help out. She is the best!!
Chad Wylie
Groomsman
John and Chad met as college sportswriters, started a podcast, and well, the rest is history (no copyright infringement intended). Five years later, they share an uncanny amount of interests ranging from soccer to foreign policy that honestly seem almost certain to result in a joint presidential ticket at some point in their careers. Chad’s dependable, honest, and thoughtful, and whether a day requires thinking through your life’s direction or an evolving political crisis, he’s someone John can always rely on to tackle every angle of the questions the world may throw at you.
Hannah Wilson
Bridesmaid
Hannah Wilson was the first person to ever introduce the word “y’all” to Katie’s vocabulary. Katie was the first one to convince Hannah to be a classical teacher, which brought her to Nashville. But Hannah told Katie to move to Nashville, and now here we are, so… match point to Hannah. Hannah and Katie grew close while serving on their hall as small group leaders in college, and have delighted in talking about everything from life and literature to the Lord. During Covid, they started having outdoor coffee dates for this exact purpose. Talk about life giving!! Hannah is one of those people who brings life and sunshine into each room she walks in, and her humble and pure heart is a gift to all who know her!