Katie & Xander
Wedding Party
Anthony Stoute
Best Man
Xander and Anthony met on July 15th, 1994. Yeah, they go way back. Being only 2 years apart, these two were inseparable. From sharing a room for 20+ years to being on the same sport teams, these two were the quite brotherly duo. Like most siblings, these two had to tolerate each other until they realized they could be friends in addition to brothers. These two were fortunate to have spent years playing sports together, being ping pong rivals, and worshipping together. Anthony is not just an amazing brother, but a devoted friend. He has been there for numerous house projects, car issues, and other major life events to easily be Xander's Best Man. Xander's honored to have such a friend and brother.
Casey Rightmyer
Matron of Honor
Katie and Casey first met at soccer practice in 6th grade. Although Casey was much a much more serious athlete that would rather have headphones in during soccer warm up than socializing, Katie made a point to insert herself right and was determined to make Casey her friend. Casey and Katie became instant best friends there after going on to spending almost every day together in the summers during high school. So many of Katie's most pivotal or integral parts of life, include Casey in them. She is the friend that's always there no matter how long you go without seeing or talking to each other or how far they are. Casey is a constant. Regardless of different colleges, cities and states, Casey and Katie have always remained best friends.
Mitchell Arnett
Best Man
Xander met Mitchell at church many many years ago - in the early 2000's. Mitchell was Anthony's best friend and was over the Stoute house frequently for pool parties, game nights, dinner. The two practically grew up together, but it wasn't until their college years when their friendship went deeper. The late nights of philosophical discussions, hours of playing video games, the vacations, the numerous adventures. Mitchell became an honorary brother. His relentless love, wisdom, and humor has made a massive impact in Xander's life and has made him a better man because of it.
Deanna Brugger
Matron of Honor
Deanna and Katie probably first met at recess in 6th grade, in their Aeropostale T-shirts with really heavy side bangs. Katie had just moved to good ole Bernville, PA but Deanna made her instantly feel welcomed and included, always from that day on. Katie and Deanna became best friends and were almost immediately inseparable. Deanna's parents could have easily claimed Katie as a dependent on their taxes. Sleepovers every weekend (and always on the night before the first day of school), family vacations, home made videos in Deanna's backyard and being each other's "plus one" to every event before boys came along. Deanna's friendship comes with so much loyalty, laughter and honesty, which she's given an abundance of since the age of 12 years old. There isn't a key life event or moment, that Deanna wasn't there for.
Ryan Collison
Groomsman
Ryan and Xander met back in 2012 thanks to Shane - a long time family friend. Xander moved into the bachelor pad during college and the two hit it off sharing mutual interests in music, outdoors, and Christianity. Their bond grew over the years from playing on the church's worship team, many game nights, and going through life together. They also shared a mutual love for the buffalo wrap from The Phoenix in Old Ellicott City and to this day has been their go-to hangout.
Ashley Birk
Bridesmaid
Katie and Ash first met in college at West Chester in their sophomore/junior year while both in the same club, Bringing Hope Home. They had always been friendly but later became roommates their senior year of college. Sharing a bedroom/600 square foot apt together inevitably made them best friends. Katie and Ash, from the first day of roommates in 622 (aka BHH headquarters) to the last, were always found together. Either at Jake's bar, or on the couch with new girl and multiple pints of ben & jerry's. Every occasion felt more fun when you have a friend like Ash around. Ash has so much contagious joy, laughter and energy that she brings to every event with every person. Katie doesn't know how she could have survived that last year of college without Ash.
Erik Johnson
Groomsman
Xander and Erik met at T Rowe Price back in 2017. The two were apart of the same group hire and quickly became friends bonding over their Philly backgrounds while studying for their series exams. Coincidentally, Erik was with Xander at The Sandlot the night Katie came out. He was the person to suggest that Xander drive Katie home later that evening. I'm not sure any of us would be here without him. I can't thank him enough for helping me make the best decision of my life.
Josh Dunbar
Groomsman
Josh and Xander met a long time ago through Crossroads Church and Anthony.... yeah, there's a trend. Josh was also an honorary Stoute member. They grew up in the church together, but this relationship grew outside of the church. They played hockey together, been on many trips together, and make quite a wild duo. I'll always cherish the many weekly trips to Six Flags, the cruises, repelling, and wedding crashing. Josh's spontaneity is refreshing and inspiring. He lives life to the fullest.
Amber Gibbons
Bridesmaid
Katie and Amber first met in Anatomy lab of PT school where they became lab partners and friends while sharing stress over the dissection of their cadaver. Amber quickly became a very special friend to Katie. She is endlessly supportive, kind, and has a contagious positivity she shows to everyone she comes across. Later came Jim, who Katie equally loved just as much. Amber (and Jim) have been some of Katie and Xan's biggest supporters and closest friends since day 1 of their relationship. Katie came to Amber to tell her about the cute barista that asked her to go to sandlot that night. Amber's encouragement, support and dance moves on the sticky floor of Rockwell, helped Katie and Xan be where they are today!
Jill Tice
Bridesmaid
Jill and Katie first met in Anatomy lab, in PT school. Jill's unique, sarcastic sense of humor made them quick friends. Jill and Katie began their friendship as study partners with Anna and Chrissie but later became even closer friends. They've shared Halloween costumes, lots of laughing over inside jokes and frequent weekend trips to the beach where they bonded over summer workouts, seltzers on the beach and listening to the Chainsmokers on repeat. Jill and Katie have made so many memories since their friendship first start. She is a hilarious, honest and loyal friend.
Jim Gibbons
Groomsman
Jim and Xander's relationship has blossomed quickly over the past few years thanks to Katie's relationship with Amber (Jim's wife) and Jim's warm, outgoing personality. His energy is contagious and bring life to any party. While going on numerous camping trips and double dates they eventually realized they could be friends without their significant others. As of late, Xander's passion for specialty coffee has rubbed off on Jim, who has become quite a home barista. He is a quick learner, dedicated, and loyal. This not only shows in his hobbies, but in his relationships. He's a great listener and a genuine friend whose authenticity inspires growth.
Katie Schutt
Bridesmaid
Katie and Katie met about 3 years ago at John's Hopkins. Katie is the OT to Katie's PT and have informally been called "The Katies". Between sharing patients, the same desk space and even the same gym they became quick friends. As if spending 40 hrs a week together isn't already enough, the Katies spend even more time together after work and on weekends with workouts together, happy hours, dinners with Xander or sharing books/crafts. Katie was an easy friend to make with her contagious personality and ability to make anyone she's with feel comfortable. Katie isn't sure how she would survive work without her go to gal there to always listen, offer advice and humor to any situation
Shaun Villanueva-Unger
Groomsman
Shaun and Xander met through the music scene years ago - maybe back in 2012. Aside from music, they both share a love for coffee, watches, cocktails, and learning. To this day, I am grateful he shared his MasterClass subscription with me. That really helped me through the early stages of the pandemic. He's really helped inspire Xander to be a better friend and person. Shaun is a devoted, intentional, and accessible friend.
Anna Hoffmann
Bridesmaid
Anna and Katie first met in PT school, in their first few days of school. They became study and lab partners for just about everything in school and later on becoming roommates. Anna quickly became Katie's go to gal. Katie and Anna shared just about everything together from meals, wine and Trader Joe's trips. Anna is the kind of friend that makes every little task feel less mundane (like studying) and waits for you after a really hard exam with a glass of wine. Without Anna as a friend and roomate in PT school, Katie isn't sure she would have survived.
Kurt Fox
Groomsman
Kurt and Xander met in 2021 through Ancestory.com. Long story short, they're brothers from another mother. Kurt has quickly become a vital part of Xander's life. While he has a busy life balancing a demanding job and a family of 4 (plus his two nephews), he makes the intentional effort to build this relationship. He is a true role model of what a husband and father should look like. His intentional love, wisdom, dedication, and selflessness is inspiring.
Haley Rykiel
Bridesmaid
Haley and Katie first met sometime in anatomy lab, becoming friends there after bonding over their favorite pre-test anthems and “test seat” rituals. Xander came into the picture shortly after and it was only inevitable they became fast friends too. Haley quickly became Katie and Xander’s fav trio with camping trips to Maine, game nights and everything in between. So many of their favorite memories include Haley in them. It’s easy to befriend someone like Haley that has such contagious joy and fun, always bringing the life to the party and ready for really any adventure.
Chris Beal
Groomsman
Xander and Chris were childhood family friends from birth and grew up together. They might as well be considered cousins. The annual Beal-Stoute OCNJ trips, the wiffleball games at the Beal's backyard "stadium", the NYE parties, and "Destiny" (a game Uncle Wayne made up) are just a few of the many core memories these two share.
Chrissie Roethle
Bridesmaid
Chrissie and Katie met in Anatomy lab where Chrissie's sarcastic sense of humor immediately bonded them. Katie and Chrissie quickly grew to be great friends through Chrissie's endless loyalty, sense of humor and sharing in the most important things in life, like Harry Potter. Over the next 3 years they shared a lot of laughs, studying nights, Panera dates and coconut muffins. Chrissie has a way of making you feel relaxed during one of the most stressful times of your life (aka PT school) and safe to be your most true weird self around her.
Shane Valenstein
Officiant
Shane is the lead pastor at City on a Hill Church where Xander and Katie attend. Xander was apart of the core launch team with Shane when planting COAH back in 2017; however, these two have known each other far longer than this. The Valenstein and Stoute families go back decades. Their mother's have been friends since high school and Shane has known Xander since he was born. Even though he's only 4 years older, he's played many pivotal roles thoughtout Xander's life - babysitter, youth pastor, friend, roommate, lead pastor. Katie met Shane when she began attending COAH and realized how authentic and real he was. His approach to scripture, teaching, and life stood out to her. We're excited and honored to have Shane officiate our wedding!
