Wedding Party

Katie Claussen

Bride

Jake Leipold

Groom

Bennett Baker

Ring Bearer

Bennett is 5 years old and the son of Katie's step-sister Tera!

Natalyn Hastings

Flower Girl

Natalyn is 5 years old and the daugher of Jake's sister Chrislyn!

Ashley Kaster

Maid of Honor

Ashley and Katie have been friends for just about 23 years! This is a day the two besties have dreamt about since they were very young. Ashley is honored to be standing beside Katie serving as her maid of honor! Ashley and Katie have been through all of the good times and the bads times each has had for the majority of their lives. From petty high school drama to heartbreaks to graduations to life accomplishments to big failures. Whenever one of them is down, the other one is there with their half of the complete series DVD set of "Will & Grace", the other's favorite snacks, and the gift of quality bestie time. They say that after 7 years of friendship, it can be assumed that you will be friends with that person for life. Ashley and Katie are well past that now. As they say to each other, "My love for you is like this scar; ugly but permanent." Ashley has been a major help with planning and pulling off this wedding and Katie could not have gotten this all done without her!

Steve Sharlog

Best Man

Steve and Jake have been friends since middle school. Over the years they have grown to be more like brothers than friends. They have helped each other out in the bad times and laughed their way through the good times. One's Lord of the Rings knowledge is only outmatched by the other's. Lengthly discussions about Norse mythology and existential theories of the universe are the norm between them. When the two get together now, usually in Steve's garage, neither of them can hardly get a sentence out before they are both doubled over with laughter about one of their insane references or strange turns of phrase. Their friendship has lasted for most of their lives now and Steve is ready to stand by Jake and get him married!

Melissa Claussen

Bridesmaid

Mel and Katie are sisters and best friends. The two have always been close, but as they have grown up, they've only grown closer. Over the years, they have bonded over Animal Crossing, The Bachelor, and their shared love of collecting things. Katie always thinks of Mel when she comes across a funny Spongebob meme or a cool new collectible toy or basically anything super cute. The only thing that would make the wedding day better would be if Mel could bring their cat Buttons with them all the way from Georgia. Buttons, we will miss you on this day! Mel is exited to get to stand beside their sister on this awesome day! Katie can't imagine this day without Mel standing up there with her.

Joseph McKinney

Groomsman

Joe and Jake have been playing video games together in the same room or a thousand miles apart since middle school. Through the highs, lows, and long distance moves that come with a lifelong friendship like this, their bond of botherhood never faltered. It's hard to say who lived at who's house more throughout their friendship. Jake was so happy to stand up with Joe at his wedding to the amazing Steffany, and could not be more pleased to have Joe by his side as he marries Katie! The best man decision was the hardest one Jake had to make for this wedding. Joe, Steve, and Jake have always been a trio and Jake is so happy to have both of them by his side.

Jessica Velez

Bridesmaid

Jess and Katie's friendship grew slowly until one day it became apparent that the pair was inseperable. The two became close almost 5 years ago when they were put on the same team at work. Both have gone from being in terrible relationships to being single to finding the loves of their lives in those 5 years. It has been quite the journey that has brought them both here. They have always been there to support one another through anything! They don't work together anymore and mostly communicate through voice messages but they're making it work! Jess just loves love, man, and can't wait to stand up with Katie as she marries the love of her life!

Frank Gonzales

Groomsman

For the last 3 years, Frank has been a great friend to Jake. They became friends at a difficult time but from there have formed a friendship through music, movies, and video games. After spending just about every day together early in the pandemic, they decided to become roommates! People in their neighborhood rarely saw one without the other. No one can go back and forth with obscure movie references the way these two can! Their time as roomies was relatively brief but it definitely spurred a lifelong friendship. There was no way Jake was going to get married and not have Frank standing up there with him.

Jasmine Smith

Bridesmaid

Jasmine and Katie first met when they were coworkers at a diner in Pooler, GA. Katie only lived and worked there for three months, but in that time, the two developed a friendship that was sure to be lifelong! That was over 5 years ago and while a long distance friendship isn't ideal, the two make it work thanks to FaceTime and Snapchat. But no matter how long they go without seeing each other in person, it is always as if not a day as passed when they do get together. The two are always there to gas each other up when one is down and encourage the other when they need it most. Katie is so excited to have Jasmine standing up there with her!

Lauren Leipold

Groomswoman

Lauren is Jake's sister and best friend. The two are extremely close and often get mistaken for twins, even though Lauren is older by three years. Lauren is a tattoo artist out in LA and has given Jake almost all of his tattoos. Katie has been lucky enough to get a few herself! Jake is always proud to brag about his sister's work whenever someone compliments his tattoos. Whenever they are together, they always end up singing at the top of their lungs to their favorite songs with harmonies they have made up together over years of practice. Lauren helped Jake pick out Katie's engagement ring and it was definitely a hit! Jake knew he needed his sister by his side as his groomswoman!

Matthew Cunliffe

Officiant

Matt is Katie's good friend from freshmen year at Lake Forest College. Katie transferred to a new college after that year but she and Matt remained close friends! Matt went to Thanksgiving with Katie's family all through college and became close with the whole family. After Katie got out of a bad relationship, the timing worked perfectly and she and Matt got the chance to be roommates! It was only for a year but since they are still friends, it's fair to say it went well! Matt is honored to be able to officiate the wedding and bond these two crazy kids together for life!