Wedding Party
Shelby Rouse
Solara's Maid of Honor
Graduate Student in Library and Information Sciences- UW-Madison How did you meet Solara? We met our freshman year of college! She had recognized me from district band auditions. It turns out we grew up 30 mins from each other. We were inseparable from that moment on! What is your favorite memory with Solara? I can think of SO many great memories I have with Solara, but I think the best experience would be our Thailand trip the summer after freshman year. What are you most excited about for this upcoming wedding? I'm most excited to celebrate such a special day with my best friend! She and Kirstin are so perfect for each other, and I've watched their relationship blossom from the very beginning. I am so excited to stand directly next to Solara and hand her tissues!
Joey Carter
Kirstin's Man of Honor
Assistant Band Director at Mount Vernon High School How did you meet Kirstin? We were on drumline together the fall of 2017! Favorite memory with Kirstin? When we ate cake and watched Swiss Army Man. What are you most excited for about the wedding? To be together with all my loved ones and celebrating a couple of pretty damn good friends.
Colter Martin
Solara's Bridesman
Solara's Brother How did you meet Solara? We grew up together! What is your favorite memory with Solara? Well generally I would say playing games/watching shows together, but specifically I would say trips to grandma's house. What are you most excited for? I get to be a "GroomLady" or whatever it's called.
Ashley Wilson
Kirstin's Bridesmaid
Daycare Teacher How did you meet Kirstin? I met Kirstin in the UCC dorms, we lived on the third floor with the band people. What is your favorite memory with Kirstin? We had decided to go to pizza street after an ice storm and on the way to my car, Kirstin wiped out on the ice and had to call out of work. We ended up struggling to get to pizza street in the ice but once we got there we just got to hang out all night. What are you most excited about for this upcoming wedding? I’m very excited to see Kirstin marry someone that helps her thrive and makes her so so happy! It’s gonna be a great wedding!
Brandi Holt
Solara's Bridesmaid
Band Director at Lola USD 257, KS How did you meet Solara? I met Solara at UCM! She was wrapping up final two years of her undergrad degree while I began my graduate studies. We met initially through marching band. What is your favorite memory with Solara? One of the most memorable experiences (there have been many) with Solara was when we were driving back from a Lee’s Summit Symphony rehearsal, she was driving, when suddenly a rapid green-blue light plummeted to the earth. Our mirrored reaction was priceless. I mean, how often does one witness a meteor crashing to earth while in good company?! What are you most excited about for this upcoming wedding? I’m most looking forward to the moment when Solara and Kirstin first meet at the altar.
Dalton Clark
Kirstin's Bridesman
Kirstin's Brother Collision Repair Technician How did you meet Kirstin? Our grandma brought Kirstin to the hospital when I was born. What is your favorite memory with Kirstin? Singing/screaming Love Story by Taylor Swift in the car.
Kyle Wood
Solara's Bridesman
Audio Tech at Harvest Productions How did you meet Solara? I met Solara freshman year of college at UCM during one of the dorm floor events. What is your favorite memory with Solara? My favorite memory has to be the float trip we took during our junior year. That was a lot of fun. What are you most excited about for this upcoming wedding? I'm most excited to everybody in our friend group again, it's been too long since we've all last seen each other.
Abbi Pilkington
Kirstin's Bridesmaid
How did you meet Kirstin? We were coworkers at McDonalds. What is your favorite memory with Kirstin? Every breakfast with her or her parents! What are you most excited about for this upcoming wedding? I am most excited to see how happy Kirstin is and knowing she'll be with the person she loves.
Callie Carmosino
Solara's Bridesmaid
Audience Services Manager; Redfern Arts Center Keen State University How did you meet Solara? I meet Solara in the basement of Hudson music hall where she drew me a picture on a post-it before all the freshman band members came through. What is your favorite memory with Solara? There are a lot to choose from but: going shopping for Peter and the Wolf costumes and then performing the Peter and the Wolf quintet together all dressed up! What are you most excited about for this upcoming wedding? I'm excited to see them get married and to get "apartment 203" back together!
Carly Jones
Kirstin's Bridesmaid
Middle/High School Band Director How did you meet Kirstin? I met Kirstin through UCM. What is your favorite memory with Kirstin? My favorite memories with her would be "going" to our 8am virtual classes and literally just sitting there on mute while trash talking and watching Solara play Animal Crossing. What are you most excited about for this upcoming wedding? I'm genuinely excited to just see these two being together!
Shannon Jenkins
Solara's Bridesmaid
Senior Music Education Major at UCM How did you meet Solara? Solara and I have known each other for years. We actually met through showing cattle at our county fair when we were little. We then reconnected through band a few years later and the rest is history. What is your favorite memory with Solara? I could’ve chosen a thousand different memories, but some of my favorites probably revolve around our time in the UCM pep band together. We had a lot of fun. What are you most excited about for this upcoming wedding? I won’t lie about being a hopeless romantic, so I’m really excited for the love and happiness that will surround this wedding. Not just between Solara and Kirstin, but all of the attendees and friends that I haven’t seen in awhile. It’s going to be great!
Emily German
Kirstin's Bridesmaid
Senior Music Education Student at UCM How did you meet Kirstin? I met Kirstin during drumline camp, I lived three hours away and she let me stay the night at her house so I didn't have to drive in the dark. What is your favorite memory with Kirstin? There are so many! We struggled through percussion pedagogy together, she once slapped Alex with a tortilla, and of course our Applebee's nights. What are you most excited about for this upcoming wedding? I am most excited about getting to celebrate my friends during this happy and exciting time!
Alicyn
Officiant
Elementary Music Teacher How did you meet the brides? I met Solara in our middles school production of Aladdin, but we didn't really become friends until high school band. Kirstin and I were wallmates our first year of college. What are you most excited for? I am most excited to get with everyone and celebrate two of my favorite people and their love for each other. I am also so honored to be a part of their special day.
Lauren Hynes
Greeter/Programs
High School Language Arts Teacher- Hickman HS How did you meet Solara? We met in band in 6th grade! What is your favorite memory with Solara? High school marching band camp, marching festivals, band bus, and band room shenanigans. Too many to choose from! What are you most excited for? I'm most excited for about the wedding: love, dancing, and spending time with my Colorado bestie and her amazing almost wife!
Indy
Flower Girl
Indy was rescued from the Larimer County Humane Society at age 3. She is a spunky, high energy kind of girl. She loves hiking, playing with other dogs, and above all else, fetch. She loves more than any other dog around and will be happy to give you kisses in exchange for some belly rubs. Indy is now 4 years old and will be serving as one of our flower girls.
Zula
Flower Girl
From the age of 8 weeks, Zula has been a part of Kirstin's life and has brought much joy to her over the years. She is quiet and reserved, but has a secretive playful side. She loves her bones, walks and car rides, and sleeping in tight/small places. Zula is almost 5 years old and will be serving as one of our flower girls.
Natalie Boggs
Wedding Videographer
Master's Student in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management at CSU Barista/ Freelance Videographer How did you meet Solara? We met in class! We were in the same masters program. What is your favorite memory with Solara? Grilling and having long conversations with all our friends outside her apartment. That or our hike in the snow to the top of Horse Tooth! What are you most excited about for this upcoming wedding? I am SO excited to celebrate a wonderful and kind couple on their special day. I’m also honored and excited to capture it all through photo and video.