Kate & Keith
Wedding Party
Kate Stark
Bride
Kate cannot wait to become Mrs... Stark? Ms. Stark? She's keeping her name, but is thrilled to be marrying Keith and joining the Rader family!
Keith Rader
Groom
Keith is excited to make his relationship with Kate government official. The "rest of his life" has already started, but he's excited to celebrate that with Kate and all of his family and friends.
Erin Woebkenberg
Matron of Honor
Erin and Kate met in 10th grade and have had all sorts of shenanigans since then. Erin and her husband Nick even let Kate live with them briefly when they were newlyweds (best. friend. ever.)! Just like their beloved Grey's Anatomy, their friendship has had innumerable dance parties, shots of tequila, broken hearts, and screaming matches and they still love each other.
Eric Crain
Best Man
Eric and Keith have been friends ever since Eric volunteered to show Keith around Miss S's classroom on Keith's first day of kindergarten. They lost touch briefly when Keith moved away to Oklahoma, but ICQ brought them back together in 8th grade. They also roomed together their first two years of college at two separate schools—USAO and John A. Logan.
Rachel Perin
Bridesmaid
Rachel and Kate met doing Damn Yankees at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre. The first night of rehearsals they grabbed a drink, discovered they were both weirdo showgirls, and the rest is history.
Brad Thomas
Groomsman
Big-Dumb-Brad and Keith collectively have 2 more World Series titles than Mike Trout under their belts. Break time putt-putt at Kauffman Stadium brought these two together.
Maggie Lou Rader
Bridesmaid
Maggie and Kate ran in similar circles—the Cincinnati theatre community is all connected— but didn't know each other well until Kate and Keith started dating. Now, Kate feels lucky to call "Keith's Sister" a good friend.
Rob Crow
Groomsman
Gogo Rob Crow and Keith met at Southern Illinois University thanks to Eric, but somehow it felt like they were already friends waaaaay before shuffleboard and PBR at The Cellar. Rob is the President of the Evan White fan club.
Reneé Stoltzfus
Bridesmaid
Reneé and Kate met "on the line" as Diana and Judy in A Chorus Line at the Covedale Theatre. Their characters may not have liked each other much, but offstage they rejoiced in finding another introverted dancer who geeks out over science and board games.
Matt Brewer
Groomsman
Matt and Keith were frat bros in ATO at ASU, and went on to live together in grad school at SIU, where they played a lot of racketball, and taught softball to undergrads. Matt is kin to Ricky Shempert an' dem down in Dais.
Tallulah
Goodest Girl
Tallulah has been Kate's familiar/daemon/soulmate since she was adopted in 2014. This goodest girl loves snuggles and belly rubs on her terms, investigating all potential threats, and making squeakers rue the day they were put in any stuffed animal.
Mookie
Bestest Boy
The Mook Man is a dog's dog who has been by Keith's side since 2016. Mookie is already so excited to meet you all, take a car ride to a new place, and hopefully find a ball or stick there. He also looks forward to staring deeply into your eyes.
James Stark
Father of the Bride
Jim has always been there for Kate when she needs him and in turn, Kate has always been a Daddy's Girl. He is the reason she loves history so much, thinks Monty Python is hilarious, and probably is also responsible for her sweet tooth.
Kent Rader
Father of the Groom
Kent is one of two reasons Keith is not living under a bridge. He's always marched to the beat of his own drum, which has taught Keith how to pursue a life he loves. He's actually one of the kindest people in the world, even if he's not a hugger.
Linda Stark
Mother of the Bride
Linda managed to get Kate to adulthood with no broken bones (Except toes; thanks, ballet.) and has shown her what unconditional love looks like. She's even sharing her wedding anniversary now! Yep, wish Linda and Jim a Happy 45th Anniversary when you see them at the ceremony and reception!
Twyla Rader
Mother of the Groom
Twyla is one of two reasons Keith is not living under a bridge. Everyone agrees that she is the best Rader— she is a sweet, intrepid force, works with incarcerated youths, and is a Jill-of-all-trades. It makes sense that she's descended from a woman who walked from North Carolina to Missouri, pregnant with 6 kids and a rifle in the 1800s.
Justin McCombs
Officiant
In addition to being our wedding officiant, Justin is also Keith's brother-in-law! Justin is just about the most thoughtful person on the planet, a great actor— we can never tell if he's Hitler in Secret Hitler— and has a very calming presence; we can't imagine a better person to marry us. Plus, he called it! Despite not knowing Kate well, Justin suggested to Maggie that they set the pair up shortly after Keith moved to Cincinnati. Maggie promptly forgot, but Bumble intervened and here we are!
Kai Rader
Son of the Groom
Kai will begin attending Walnut Hills high school, turn 16, and get his driver's license all within about 2 weeks of our wedding! It's a busy season for him. You will likely find Kai crouched down, playing with the dogs and then be totally floored when he unfolds himself to stand up. We feel very lucky to have such a kind, clever, and chill son/step-son and are so happy he could be with us today.