Brandon & Gretchen
Wedding Party
Kierstin Barney
Maid of Honor
The one who started it all! Kierstin and I have known each other since kindergarten and through the years have been roommates, adventure buddies, and even found out we are cousins (distant - but we're still counting it)! While Kierstin went to OSU and I went to OtterU, we found ways to hang out and stay in touch. Many mornings we would wake up before the sun, drive 30 mins to meet, and workout anywhere we could find; RPAC, ARC, Westerville parking lots, or apartment gyms. One night, during sophomore year, Kierstin invited me to hang out with her OSU friends for a night of bowling. That night, I met a great group of people - and one very special guy - Mr. Brandon Ra.
Peter Ra
Best Man
I remember the day Pete was born. Leaving the hospital on my dad's shoulders, he asked "are you excited to have a little brother?" To which I had replied, "I'm not going to play with him until he can talk." Little did I know that over the years Pete and I would have become inseparable brothers. Pete has been an invaluable inspiration and influential person to me. He is responsible for all the things that I love about cartoons, video games, movies, and music. Believe me when I say, I couldn't have wished for a better Best Man. His quick witted humor and hilarious dance moves are going to be at absolute max potential come September 19th.
Sagan King
Maid of Honor
Sagan and I have known each other since Preschool! The first time Brandon met Sagan, he witnessed Sagan and I scarf down a large pizza, by ourselves, while hanging out at a park in Convoy. We knew Brandon was a keeper when, instead of judging our eating habits, he was impressed by our ability to make a pizza disappear. ;) Sagan is the kind of person who answers every phone call/text. She's always there for you. You would never know she is swamped with school because she is always there when you need her! Friends and family always come first in her life. She is my scary movie buddy, my Christmas cookie decorating competitor, and my confidant. She loves her friends like a fat kid loves cake. ;)
Ben Riley
Best Man
Sometimes you have a date with Lady Destiny. Ben and I were truly destined to be friends. We had first met randomly at an orientation for The Ohio State University. Fate be it, a few weeks before school had started I had discovered that he was going to be my randomly assigned roommate in our freshman dorm. Steeb Hall 713 was the beginning of a mischievous friendship. By my calculation in the duration of our friendship, we have watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy 52.4 times, drank a cumulative of 34,230 beers, consumed 1.2 trillion calories in fast food, matched outfits 10 times (intentionally) and shared 1 bunk bed for 12 months. Ben is truly my brother from my Marion mother!
Alyssa Claver
Bridesmaid
One of the Stinson House crew! Alyssa and I met during our sophomore year of college. Since OSU, she has been one of Brandon's best friends, and it isn't hard for me to see why. Alyssa has the biggest heart of anyone I know. She is strong, smart, and, most importantly, a dog lover. I'm not sure if there is anything this woman cannot do - other than acrobatic moves - things (or people) will break! Alyssa is married to groomsmen Josh, and together, they are a true power couple! Although they live in Chicago and we do not get to see them every weekend like we want to, every time we are together, we pick up right where we left off. I am excited to have Alyssa standing beside Brandon and me as we say, "I do!"
Josh Claver
Groomsman
Once upon a time, girl meets boy, boy marries girl, boy steals all his wife's friends' hearts. This is the story of Joshua. I had met Josh through one of my best gal pals, Alyssa, on one of the most memorable nights of my life, Mirror Lake night. Upon plunging into the frigid ice water of the grungiest/dirtiest water imaginable, a newfound brotherhood was formed. Josh and Alyssa have since married and moved on to become the Jay-Z and Beyonce of Chicago. A true power couple. Little did he know, he also married into our crazy Stinson/Highland family. Though they live a couple of states away we have become closer than ever. Josh is the commander- in- chief of our epic video game nights, an insane marathon man and all-around one of the most talented, kind, and hilarious people I have ever met.
Megan Beron
Bridesmaid
My Twin. Not really but we might as well be for how many times we are mistaken for one another! Megan and I are only 3 years apart so we did a lot of growing up together. Now, living 4 hours apart, we find value in technology to be able to stay connected as much as possible. Growing up, we shared a room together and always said goodnight before bed. As I got older and moved into my own room, we still said goodnight to one other by knocking on the shared wall between our rooms. When Megan went to college and I was still at home, she would text me "knock knock knock" to say goodnight, just as if she was still right next door. I'm her tech guru and she's my advice-giver. She has the nickname from friends as "Motherly Megan" - it couldn't be more fitting.
Joe Roth
Groomsman
Ah Joseph. Our beloved founder and CEO of the famous Highland fantastic four! Joe and I have been best friends since the fourth grade. From milk bags in elementary school to IPA's in Chicago, we have shared nearly every life experience with one another. Together, we have been football/track teammates, we danced to YMCA in neon crop top shirts in front of the entire high school, and became the pioneers of rocking man Uggs. That's right, "man Uggs." Joe has laid much of the foundation of who I am today. He has taught me to live in the moment, laugh with friends, and love the song "Wagon Wheel" by Old Crow Medicine Show. Joe will always and forever be the only person that I will have whipped out an actual piece of toast for during a wedding speech. Love you buddy.
Kelsey Andrews
Bridesmaid
Kelsey is my oldest sister. Since we are 6 years apart I spent a lot of time looking up to her. Being the oldest, she had the joy of being my chauffeur while driving our massive family van or grandpa's old car (you know, the one Megan and I had to hold the roof padding up while she drove so she could see out the window!). She also supplies my wardrobe by giving me her hand-me-downs. I can't complain because I love her style! On most weekends in Jr High and HS, you could find me spending time with her at Ohio Northern University. She taught me a lot about growing up and aiming for goals that others say you cannot achieve. When I think of silly things that have happened over the years, Kelsey is normally right alongside me. Oh the stories I could tell...
Jake Soldat
Groomsman
Jake is another esteemed member of the Highland Fantastic Four, and is one of my best friends from all the way back to elementary school. One of my fondest memories of high school was when Jake and I were sitting in algebra class and he had meticulously hand drawn a heroic cartoon starring me called, "The Adventures of B-Ra," a comic that I still have to this very day. Ironically, it was Jake who became a true American hero. Not only is he a veteran of the United States Air Force, but he is living proof that miracles truly do happen on Christmas. For those who don't know, Jake miraculously was a match and was able to donate his kidney to his beautiful wife Megan shortly before Christmas of 2018. I couldn't be more honored to be his friend. Stay golden Pony Boy.
Katie Williams
Bridesmaid
While I worked at GroupEleven, Katie worked for a client of ours in Austin, TX. We started our careers around the same time and helped each other figure out how to do this thing called adult life. After multiple work trips, we became closer and started having annual friend trips outside of work. One night while I was at Katie's (in Cincinnati where she grew up), we found out Katie's mom knew my sister Kelsey before Katie and I even knew each other. Talk about a small world! Katie is a die-hard dog lover and you'll usually find her, her husband, and 2 dogs camping at a local park or even in their backyard while watching movies by a bonfire. Although I desperately wish we lived closer, I value every moment we get to hang out! I am so happy she is standing beside Brandon and I on our big day!
Jeff Avena
Groomsman
The legend of the Highland Fantastic Four would not be complete without the famous Jeff Avena. I had the pleasure of gracing Jeff's presence in the sixth grade and since then we have been incredible friends. Jeff is the athletic one of the gang, and was an all-star on the basketball court and the baseball field. Believe it or not he and I had almost become roommates at Miami University. Oh what could have been! Jeff is easily one of the most lovable guys I know and perhaps the only guy that can recite every lyric of Taylor Swift's songs. We could not be more excited for Jeff to share our wedding day with us, but we are even more so excited that he, Chelsea and their son Miles are now living closer to us in Chicago rather than Texas!
Megan Knox
Bridesmaid
Megan is one of Brandon's sisters and part of the Stinson crew! I met Megan while hanging out at the Stinson house and have gotten to know her more over the years. I had the honor of being one of Megan's bridesmaids during her wedding last summer. She and groomsmen Brian are two very caring people who we are excited to have spend time with us on our big day!
Brian Knox
Groomsman
Sometimes friends are like family, but in this case, my friend became my family. Brian and I had first met back in our freshman year of Ohio State. Both of us lived on the same floor several doors down in the legendary Steeb Hall. Back in those days we would watch sports, rock out to Rise Against, and binge-watch the Fast and the Furious movies. When I moved into the Stinson house, Brian met my sister and they began to date. On my birthday in 2019, they gave me the greatest gift by tying the knot and giving me an awesome brother-in-law.
Erin Ra
Bridesmaid
While Erin and I didn't meet until after Brandon and I started dating, we had the chance to really catch up during a road trip she and I took to Toronto for Megan's bachelorette party. Erin is a great co-pilot - choosing the right music, keeping us on the quickest route, and bringing the best snack selection; which came in very handy while stuck in a major traffic jam! Our wedding party wouldn't be complete without Erin standing by our side!
Will Cheng
Groomsman
Will, aka "Bill Zheng," is one of the first Asian friends that I ever had. Will was also part of the infamous Steeb hall crew and he had lived in the room next to ours. Throughout college, we went to Buckeye games, wild parties, vacations to Hilton Head Island, and even pledged for an Asian fraternity together (which didn't go very well). He and I spent so much time hanging out that people often confused the two of us and still do. I could not possibly count the number of times that I have been called "Will." All in all, Will is one of the best guys I know, and I wouldn't want to be confused for anyone else.
Patty Kiehl
Mother of the Bride
My personal stylist and shopping buddy, Hallmark Movie companion and even my snack sneaker. She’s always there to answer my emergency phone calls when I have cooking disasters or have gotten myself in a pickle. Her love for dogs, enjoying a good book, and sipping a cup of hot water has been passed down to me. She’s my cheerleader in life and together we celebrate every success and laugh at our mistakes. Best part of all, her shoulder is always ready when I need someone to lean on. She’s the true definition of a mom.
Katherine Ra
Mother of the Groom
My mom goes by many titles, "Queen Bee", "Momma Bear", and "Tiger Mom." She is responsible for raising the four dopiest children ever and we couldn't be more proud to have such an amazing parental figure in our lives. To this day she will always be the most famous person to me. She is my Top Chef, my sommelier, my personal financial adviser, my math tutor, and my biggest cheerleader. For 30 years, she has educated the four of us, provided for us, and most importantly loved us unconditionally. I would never have been able to navigate through life without her and her infinite wisdom. Love you Mom!
Ted Kiehl
Father of the Bride
I am a daddy's girl through and through. During summer days, you'd see me and my dad out in the barn, in the field, or playing ball in the backyard. I still remember following my dad around wherever I could. He taught me how to have a strong work ethic and use every hour the sun is up to be productive. He taught me to love and honor my elders at a young age by taking the family to nursing homes every Sunday after church to visit and hear stories from "the good old days." Everytime I am around him, he teaches me something new. I constantly hear his voice reminding me to check my oil, watch for deer, turn off the lights, etc. He is my voice of reason and I'm so glad I've had such a great role model to learn from.
Phil Ra
Father of the Groom
This is the man, the myth, the legend. To me he goes by "Pops," or as many of my friends like to refer to him, Johnny Tsunami (a famous cool, laid-back surfer dad made popular by a Disney channel original movie). To their point, my dad is one of most relaxed, open-minded, and happy-go-lucky people in this world, and yes sometimes he does wear Hawaiian shirts. To many, my father is a man of many talents. He is a world traveler, a motorcycle racer, a guitarist/drummer/pianist, a grill master, a fisherman, amongst many other things. He has taught me so many life lessons (kind of a Mr. Feeny-Father figure) and was the one to teach me empathy, compassion, and kindness. I can only hope someday to become half the man he is. Love you Dad!
Owen Beron
Ring Bearer
Owen, son of Megan and Nate Beron, loves all things John Deere and Grandpa. He will not pass up the opportunity to build a fort, read a book, FaceTime, or blow kisses.
Bennett Andrews
Ring Bearer
Bennett Andrews, son of Kelsey and Tom Andrews, never stops smiling! He loves to build with his blocks (so he can knock them down of course), throwing the ball, and hanging with his pup Cooper.
Eleanor Park
Flower Girl
Eleanor, daughter of Mike and Janet Park, is the sweetest and cutest little girl ever! Eleanor loves hugs and dancing, especially if you put on "Baby Shark." She stole the dancefloor at the Knox wedding and we have no doubt she will do the same at ours. We cannot wait to share this amazing day with her!
Craig Maxey
Officiant
Gretchen met Craig through Rotary and became friends through the years. Craig served as District Governor during Gretchen's year as Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club President. Their passion for eradicating Polio drove them to work towards a common goal to #EndPolioNow. During one of Gretchen's last Rotary meetings, he joked about being able to officiate her wedding....well - here we are! :)