Katie & Jared
Wedding Party
Kayla Scheeler
Matron of Honor
Kayla and Katie share the longest friendship...since they first spoke to each other in the 4th grade! They grew up together like sisters and are truly inseparable. They are the definition of best friends and know each other better than anyone else! They even took their friendship a step further and BECAME FAMILY when Kayla married Katie's 2nd cousin Sam in 2015, after Katie set them up! And now they have a beautiful family of 5 which Katie and Jared are so honored to be a part of as godparents to their daughter Lorelai! Katie can't express how lucky she is to have a best friend, sister, and true family like Kayla after over 20 years of friendship. Katie cherishes every funny, loving, memorable moment with Kayla and can't wait to have her share in the biggest day as her Matron of Honor.
Ryan Krieger
Best Man
Jared and Ryan have known each other all their lives, but became friends their first day attending college in Duluth. Ryan is Jared's best friend, and his go-to hunting and fishing buddy. They enjoy doing pretty much anything outside together...hiking, grilling, exploring, etc. When Jared first met Katie and began dating her, Ryan and his wife Brittney had Jared over consistently as their designated third wheel. They were the first ones Jared confided in when he started developing feelings for Katie. Ryan is the easiest person to be friends with...he's always happy to see you and always ready to help you out or go on a new adventure. Just don't get him started telling a story...
Sarah Valley
Maid of Honor
Katie and Sarah first met in 7th grade and slowly became the closest best friends ever, since! They are truly inseparable, people wonder where one is without the other! Some say they share a brain & can communicate with simply a look...Some might even say their friendship was destined: before ever knowing each other, their grandfathers went to high school together, then Sarah's Mom & Katie's Uncle went to high school together too! Their friendship was truly meant to be; Katie is so grateful to have such a caring, loving, hilarious best friend and sister. She would be lost without Sarah - and not just because they talk literally EVERY day! They share some of the most amazing, iconic memories together, and Katie cannot wait to have Sarah stand with her as her Maid of Honor in October.
Alex Halverson
Groomsman
Jared and Alex first became friends when Alex transferred to Elk River in high school in 9th grade. The first time Jared saw Alex was at hockey tryouts, when Alex took a blistering clapper into his stomach. Later Jared saw Alex alone at school and decided to introduce himself. They became fast friends. Their friendship grew as they played baseball together and watched an endless amount of $5 movies, while talking about girls, sports, and life. Jared also was another great third wheel to Alex's relationship with his now wife, Lauren.
Sherry Berggren
Bridesmaid
Sherry is Katie's closest cousin on her Dad's side (Sherry's mother Mary Kay, is Katie's father Don's, oldest sister). They have been close friends ever since Sherry was in high-school and Katie was the little toddler begging Sherry to "hold me"! Middle-school Katie was thrilled when Sherry moved in with her family for awhile and introduced her to Sex and the City, horror movies, and Kraft mac-n-cheese! Today their friendship has grown to best friends and Sherry is the older sister Katie never had. They share many fond memories brewery hopping, being WINOs, STILL watching horror movies and laughing at their inside jokes! Katie can't wait to have Sherry a part of her big day!
Ryan Orrock
Groomsman
Ryan is Jared's oldest brother, his "biggest bro". From a young age Ryan taught Jared to always be competitive by never letting him win, but by earning the win. He made sure to always pick on Jared, as big brothers do, and especially had fun messing with Jared's temper. Jared is very lucky to have his discreetly loving big brother.
Cayli Webster
Bridesmaid
Cayli and Katie met freshman year in college at UMD in 2009, but did not become close friends until they both struggled through college algebra together in 2010! Needless to say, math and science classes were neither of their strong suits and their Exercise Science majors quickly turned to Business/Communications after one semester of hell! But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and their friendship flourished. They created the best memories in college going out too much, indulging in Duluth's finest fast food (#1 = champs chicken), and having epic hangover Sundays. After graduating, they got even closer hanging out more often, despite being in different cities. They share memories from girls weekends, trips, and milestone moments in life and are inseparable now!
Ross Orrock
Groomsman
Ross is Jared's second oldest brother, his "big bro". Ross has always been there to give Jared advice, but only when it mattered. They have shared many years of playing baseball together, carpooling and sharing a great group of friends. One of the coolest things Jared got to experience was playing a year of legion baseball with Ross. There is no one Jared would rather talk sports with than his protective, trustworthy brother Ross.
Rachel Valley
Bridesmaid
Katie and Rachel first met at the Valley household in middle school, where Katie would come to hang out with Sarah and Kayla. Rachel was always the cooler, younger sister who wanted nothing to do with our "nerd-herd"! After many years of resenting us, we finally wore her down and she started actually hanging out with us when she was in college! She realized we were actually SO COOL and that she had been missing out for all those years!!!! The rest was history! But on a serious note, Katie is so grateful to have found best friends amongst the Valley sisters, they are truly family! Rachel has been such a caring, considerate, fun, incredible friend to Katie, and she can't wait to have Rachel stand with her!
John Lewin
Groomsman
Jared and John have been friends since early high school in Elk River. Most of Jared's best memories include John aka "Lewin". They spent countless days together after they both moved back to Elk River - Jared would wake up and the first person he would call to hangout with was Lewin. He is a truly considerate friend who cares about everyone and is loyal to a fault.
Danielle Voss
Bridesmaid
Danielle and Katie met while on vacation with their families in Riveria Maya, Mexico in 2012. Dani's family was from Elk River and Katie's family was from St. Michael - SMALL WORLD! The fam's met at their resort's swim up bar and the rest was history! They have been friends ever since, always picking right up where they left off. They both have always shared a sister-like bond. Katie was so honored to be a bridesmaid in Dani's wedding in 2016 and is thrilled to have Dani apart of hers now!
Tim Wold
Groomsman
Jared and Tim met at their first college party in Duluth. Jared was told by his friends to go find their friend Tim in the alley. He found him and the night ended with a naked race...and the rest is history. They became friends that night, roommates soon after and have remained great friends ever since, despite distance or time passed.
Paige Jackson
Bridesmaid
Paige and Katie met through Rachel in 2015 (Paige was Rachel's roommate in Bemidji). They all started hanging out back in the cities once Paige & Rachel graduated, and slowly created a strong, fun, caring friend group! Katie can always count on Paige as a great friend, ready for a good time! She is always there when you need and is your biggest fan! They share so many amazing, fun memories together...from crazy girls nights out to cabin weekends and everything in between! Katie is so grateful to have grown this amazing friendship with Paige as she is a part of this special day!
Tony Nelson
Groomsman
Jared and Tony have known each other their entire lives. They became friends their first day at college in Duluth. Their friendship grew and they developed a great bond over the years in college. Tony is a reliable friend, who you could do anything with and have a great time doing so. Jared does not get to see Tony as often as he would like, but once they are reunited it's like no time has passed at all.
Caitlin Abrams
Personal Attendant
Caitlin and Katie became friends in high school as the C/K-ait duo! As her fellow Caitlin/Kaitlyn, she has always been her right hand gal, ready for adventures on the drop of a dime! They share many memories together exploring trendy things to see & do, being creative, and cheers-ing over delicious ciders and wine! She can always count on Caitlin in their friendship and is so lucky to have her by her side on the big day!
Zac Von Bank
Usher
Jared and Zac aka "Vonny" have been friends since high school. They were roommates during college and after graduation into adulthood. They spent many days playing NHL and tailgating at sporting events. Zac is always the first one to offer help and genuinely loves his friends. Jared is thankful to have had Zac in his life for so long.
Wendy Skomars
Videographer
Wendy and Katie first became friends during class and band in middle school! They shared a crazy sense of humor, which carries through today! One of the best ways to see this sense of humor is to get your hands on one of the many classic and hilarious videos they created in high school, with their friend group. From rap music videos to an entire knock-off season of Flavor of Love, Wendy was always the genius behind the camera and Katie had the creativity to direct. They were a great duo then and they will be a great duo in October when Wendy records Katie and Jared's special day! Get ready for some beautiful and comical footage, just like old times!
Marcus Orrock
Usher
Jared and Marcus are cousins (Jared's father Todd is brothers with Marcus' dad Brian). Growing up they were inseparable best friends. They have spent many memories together hunting and fishing, and their friendship still goes strong today.
Lorelai Scheeler
Flower Girl
Lorelai is Katie's 3rd cousin. She is the daughter of Katie's best friend/Matron of Honor, Kayla Scheeler and her husband Sam Scheeler (who is Katie's 2nd cousin). Jared and Katie were recently named Lorelai's godparents at her baptism. They were so blessed and honored to be named godparents to this bright, loving little girly. They both are always so eager to see her next and make her giggle! They can't wait to have her a part of their special day!
Matt Jensen
Officiant
Matt is Katie's cousin (their moms are sisters), but over the years he has become the brother she never had. They grew up together (Matt was a teenager & Katie was a baby) and have spent countless family memories together through every age of life. After Katie's father passed away, Matt became a big male influence in her life, always offering conversation, a listening ear and good advice. She cherishes her close relationship with her "brother". After one of Katie and Jared's first dates, Matt was there when Jared was dropping Katie off. He gave him the typical man-to-man shake down, followed by poking some fun at Jared (or as Matt calls themselves "team velcro"), but he quickly bonded with Jared too. Katie and Jared are so excited to be married by someone who knows each of them, and their love, so well.
Lyla Orrock
Flower Girl
Lyla is Jared's first-born niece (she is his brother Ryan and his wife Jen's daughter). Lyla was probably the first person who wanted Jared and Katie to get married right from the beginning. She told her parents she wanted cousins, and at the time that meant eyes on them. Seeing as she was rooting for them from the get-go, they thought who better to have a part of their special day! All jokes aside, it means so much to Jared and Katie to have Lyla be a part of their wedding day, they cannot wait!
Stoney Orrock
Ring Bearer
Stoney is Jared's nephew and godson (he is his brother Ryan and his wife Jen's son). Stoney is Jared's shy, bashful trouble-maker nephew. Jared sees a lot of his own personality shine through Stoney, as he has watched him grow up. Jared is so happy to have his "mini-me" be a part of his special day.
Beau
Pup of Honor
The Bride and Grooms "son" - 7 year old beagle mix, rescued by the Bride in 2015 as a puppy from Kentucky! He is more human than dog, has his parents wrapped around his paw, and is their very best friend! He never leaves the bride and grooms side, and they would be lost without him. They can't wait to have him a part of their big day!