Katherine & Mark
Wedding Party
Randi Hedberg
Mother of the Bride
My mother is my number one role model. She is the core of our family's strength and the glue that holds us together. Although I miss my father Ben Bourgeois every day, I feel fortunate that I was raised by two amazing human beings who taught me how to love unconditionally. Both my parents worked hard to become highly respected petroleum geologists, while also making sure my two brothers and I finished our homework. They made our family a priority by showing us the world, yet making sure we all ate dinner together every night at home. For fifteen years they were soccer parents to three kids, each having two practices a week and games at three different parks across Houston. We never played a game without a parent on the sideline. To this day, I have no clue how they did it.
Faye & Bob Alperin
Mother and Father of the Groom
The love that I have witnessed between Mark and his parents is not only beautiful, but unconditional and unwavering. When Mark speaks of his parents, at any point in the conversation, his immense gratitude for them is expressed. One of my favorite moments every week, is when he calls his parents on Sunday. No matter what the topic may be, his whole being lights up with joy.
Grady & Chris Bourgeois
Brothers of the Bride & Groomsmen
Chris and Grady are my two younger brothers. I am so incredibly appreciative of these two. Whenever I have moved (which was once a year for at least ten years) I always had a brother there to help me. They've assisted me with hosting my office parties at our family lake house with out hesitation and have been my shoulder to cry on through heartbreaks. We've traveled on multiple family trips around the world, jumped out of planes, gone to "interesting" art exhibits with my mom, celebrated birthdays and life's successes all together. My most treasured time spent with them is hanging out in the kitchen at home with my mom. Needless to say, when the three of us are together with her it's magic to me. Both have enjoyed getting to know Mark and look forward to him joining our family.
Barbara Hooks
Sister of the Groom & Bridesmaid
Barbara is Mark's big sister. When Mark speaks about Barbara, he talks about her strength, drive, and love of her family. Mark has told me of the time they were backpacking and the soles of her boots literally ripped off. Barbara finished the trek with blister's worse than any Mark had seen as a Special Ops Ranger in the Army during the War in Iraq. "She never complained once. She's the toughest person I know." Barbara is wife to Dan Hooks (groomsman) and mother to Mark's adorable nephews (our ring bearers), Owen and Nico. Barbara has expressed that she is thrilled Mark and I have found one another and can't wait to celebrate. I can't wait to have a sister!
Jim and Nancy Hedberg
Grandparents of the Bride
A common thread that has bound Mark and I together is our love for "Big Family." My grandparents on my mother's side instilled this in me by continuing to bring us together through out the years. As we like to say, "We show up." My Dad's parents Margie and Benny Bourgeois, also taught me the value of "Big Family." Although they are no longer with us (as of 2020), my hope is that we will continue the tradition of coming together, celebrating family, and making memories.
Dan Hooks
Groomsman
Dan Hooks is Mark's brother-in-law. When Mark speaks about Dan it is usually with gratitude, admiration, and respect. He is grateful for the way Dan loves his sister. Mark admires his brilliance and career path. Lastly, he respects the way Dan has raised his two nephews, Owen and Nico. One of Mark's favorite stories about Dan was when they were hanging out with the boys. Dan was mid-sentence when Owen fell off of a ladder. Dan barely paused, just caught the kid, placed him on his feet and continued with the conversation. Mark's words, "His pulse didn't go up, I've never seen Dan's pulse go up."
Kaila Raymond
Maid of Honor
Kaila and I have been best friends for eleven years. Our close friendship was instantaneous, like finding the sister we never had. Shortly after meeting, I moved from Houston to Austin and ever since then we've been inseparable. We bonded over our deep rooted love for New Orleans (Geaux Saints!), dressing up for Halloween, and finding any excuse to pop some champagne. Kaila works as a CT Technologist for a hospital in Austin. She also got engaged last December! I couldn't be more thrilled for her. She enjoys running, camping, and spending lots of time with her fiancé Morgann, their two dogs and one cat.
Owen & Nico Hooks
Ring Bearers
These two little nuggets are Mark's adorable nephews. Owen is into rock minerals (our family loves that), growing vegetables, riding his bike, and learning about the ocean. Nico has apparently had a sense of humor since he was a baby. He is all about cars and trucks, as well as cooking and books.
Olivia Karr
Junior Bridesmaid
Olivia is the first born daughter of my cousin Kelly Karr, on my dad's side of the family. I was asked to be a bridesmaid in Kelly's wedding. It is incredibly special to me to have Olivia as part of my wedding party. From a young age Olivia has continuously impressed me with how well spoken she is and her thoughtful, kind nature. She enjoys horseback riding, dance, and cheerleading.
Kristy Hedberg
Officiant
My Aunt Kristy is a BAD A$$, as well as my godmother. She lives in Princeton, New Jersey and works as a Senior Digital Designer with Munich Re America Services. Kristy is wife to Don Cochrane and sister to my mother Randi Hedberg. Whenever our family get's together Kristy assumes the role of family portrait photographer (which involves a plethora of family inside jokes). Every year for my birthday I either get a phone call or a very impressive digital birthday card. My favorite was the digital card that had Donny Osmond singing me "Happy Birthday".
Linda Coddington
Reader
Linda Coddington is my mom's identical twin sister, wife to Kipp Coddington, and mother to Nate Coddington and bridesmaid, Taylor Coddington. In her past, she may or may not have been in the CIA. On top of that cool fact she is wickedly funny, adventurous as well as a skilled (in my book) carpenter. I would like to say my most stand out memory of her was when I was five and managed to get her and my mom confused or watching the Solar Eclipse with her in Medicine Bow, Wyoming (zero totality line, so cool). Although, as of the past several years it has been witnessing her be there for my mom in countless ways with out hesitation. For that she is an absolute treasure to me. Mark and I are honored that she has agreed to participate in our wedding ceremony.
Heatherly Family of Singers
Ceremony Musical Performers
Jerry Heatherly (my godfather), Anne Heatherly (Auntie), Lauren Heatherly (my crib-bestie) and Jordan & Lyndsie Heatherly (coolest Nashville couple ever) are a truly gifted family who have been a source of love and spiritual guidance to me throughout my lifetime. They have graciously accepted Mark and my request to share their talents and sing during our ceremony. During the last several years of my father's life my dad taught himself how to play guitar. He spent countless and joyous amounts of time practicing with my Uncle Jerry. Jerry has agreed to play my father's guitar for this performance.
Taylor Coddington
Bridesmaid
Taylor is my cousin from my mom's side, my self-proclaimed biggest fan, and least serious competitor (again self-proclaimed, but secretly a silent assassin) in my mother's annual cooking contest at Lake Travis. She recently moved to Denver where she works at a healthcare startup. On weekends, you can find Taylor hiking with her fiancé Ryan and enjoying local bistros. If you want to strike up a conversation, ask about her amazing Newfoundland mix, MuMu.
Hana Harada & Bela Messex
Grooms Party
Mark is fortunate to have some pretty incredible friends in his corner. Two of which I have been fortunate to meet are Hana and Bela. Mark met Hana and Bela (now married with a beautiful baby) in college at UC Santa Cruz. The stories this crew has from their time at "Story House" in college are epic and should be scripted for a movie. Their friendship has lasted as they have evolved as people and overcome obstacles geographically apart at times, but somehow always together.
Mae Brown
Flower Girl
I absolutely adore this vivacious little human. Mae is five years old. I met her through her mom and one of my bridesmaids, Sonia. Whenever I invite myself over for dinner at Sonia's, I am Mae's designated and glorified story book reader. Madeline is our favorite. Mae shared with her mom that her favorite memory of me was when her family was at our family lake house with the Portillo family. Ainsley Portillo (Mae's bestie and her flower girl twin), Mae and I went scouting for fairies in the garden. From what I hear she has been practicing her flower girl skills by collecting flowers on her neighborhood walks with her parents and wants the wedding to be tomorrow.
Paoli Perrone
Groomsman
Paoli is Mark's longest standing friend. They grew up across the street from each other in Long Beach, which is pretty unique and special if you ask me. Friends since preschool, so when Mark says, "I've been friends with Paoli my whole life," he means it. A lover of the natural world, Paoli is a rock star conservationist. He lives near the beach in Ventura California, where he rides the ocean on his surfboard as often as he can.
Sonia Brown
Bridesmaid
I became instant friends with this lady when we met at Spectrum Reach (where we share a glass wall with each other). We've confided in each other about everything, from weekend happenings, to wine recommendations, work grievances and successes, her pregnancy with baby Lucy, and all my first/last dates. Whether she wanted to or not, she heard all the details of Mark’s "moves" from the very beginning. Sonia has been the biggest advocate of the Katie/Mark relationship since day one. It's true, we would not be standing at the alter if it hadn't been for her immense support. Mark and I are very grateful for this lady and the friendship we have with her beautiful family.
Ainsley Portillo
Flower Girl
Miss Ainsley Portillo brings joy and laughter into every room she struts into, much like her father Mario, who I met when I started at Spectrum Reach. Becoming close friends over the years with this beautiful family has been exactly that: joy, laughter and good times. Ainsley is five years old and loves to dance, sing, and build with LEGOs. Her mom, Heather Portillo tells me one of Ainsley’s favorite memories was spending time at the lake house having a sleepover with Mae in the bunk beds and swimming in the fountain. This is her first flower girl appearance and her mom says she is beyond excited to participate in Mark and my special day!
Kara Felton
Bridesmaid
This lady is hard not to love. The first day I met her at the office, she walked up to my cubicle and said, "Hi, I'm Kara. We're going to be best friends." Jokes aside, I truly admire this woman. Where she came from and where she is today are completely different worlds. She's one of the hardest workers I know. Whenever I have shown doubt in myself, she has been the first to straighten me up and reinforce my fierceness. Kara, an Olympic weightlifter, met the love of her life and now fiancé Cole, at training. She spends weekends seeking out adventures with Cole and lovin' on their golden retriever Stella.