Katie & Brad
Wedding Party
Jessica Nome
Maid of Honor
Jessica is a fierce, loyal, and gorgeous friend. She has been there for me through my best and worst (namely my worst haircuts and dates), she loves Cristian like her own, and she inspires me with her strength. We have perfected how to spend a day at the pool, getting ready for a night out, and how to find the good (and the funny) in anything life throws our way.
Jeffrey Rutkowski
Best Man
Jeff is my older brother and has always been my role model, from childhood to present day. Jeff always sets high standards for everything that he does, which is why I always tried to reach his achievements. It started in middle school and high school, when I chased all of his running records in Track and Cross-Country. I then followed Jeff to Western Michigan University where we were able to spend a semester together as WMU Broncos. We both then moved across the US to Arizona where we continued to grow our bond along with Tara (his wife) and their three amazing children: Abby, Carson and Dalton. Though we now live in separate states, he is someone that I always reach out to first for advice.
Sarah Matchette
Bridesmaid
Sarah is my cousin, my pop-culture queen, and my own personal cheerleader. She is passionate, clever, and beautiful. She reminds me to be my own fan and to live authentically. She also shares my deep love of baking shows, the Royal Family, stationary, and a good pair of statement earrings. She is a walking Pinterest board and I love her for it.
Matthew Rutkowski
Best Man
Matt is my younger brother and the life of the party. Ever since we were kids, Matt had a way of having fun in every situation, and was always game to try something new. From building go-karts in the barn, to riding our bikes to Dunham Lake to go swimming and fishing, to building tree-forts in the backyard, Matt was always around for a fun adventure. Anyone who knows Matt knows that when he is around, there are going to be a lot of laughs and great times had by all- he has a way of lighting up the room when he arrives. He is the definition of a hard working family-man, and is a great example for me as a father figure. Being his older brother, I am proud of who he is today.
Melanie Knaster
Bridesmaid
Melanie is one of my loveliest and longest friends. We met the week before second grade and were inseparable from then on. We made up dances, daydreamed about *NSYNC, talked about boys, and together, battled everything that growing up could throw at us. Our friendship has survived twenty-four years of out-of-state moves, school, jobs, marriage, and babies. (It also survived a very…interesting Spice Girls talent show performance in the fifth grade.)
Christopher Stine
Groomsman
Chris is my best-friend of nearly 20 years when we officially met as teammates on WMU's Track and Cross-Country teams in 2000. Through literally thousands of miles run together, we grew a friendship that has been more like a brotherhood. We both moved to Arizona shortly after college, traveled to dozens of states together, got Murdock together as a puppy. After I left for Abu Dhabi in 2012, Stine did what is unthinkable to many people: he kept Murdock as his own for 3 years and then gave him back to me when I returned to the US in 2015. Ironically, the destination in 2015 was the same for both of us: Los Angeles, California. Stine has been there for me through thick and thin, and I greatly appreciate our friendship. Plus, he's the reason I was able to meet the love of my life!
Bonnie Smith
Bridesmaid
Bonnie is one of my dearest loves. She took me under her wing when we met at work some thirteen years ago and has been by my side through it all. She shares my love of horoscopes (I hope Mercury is not in retrograde), long walks around Target, and is one of the funniest, most humble, most beautiful women I know. She also taught me the art of leaving a party on a high note. I am indebted.
Rob Stevens
Groomsman
Rob and I met through a mutual friend while living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2012. From the onset, I knew that it was going to be a unique and amazing friendship, as the first time we met, he picked me up from my hotel (The Fairmont, Bab-Al-Bahar) and we drove to see the world's tallest skyscraper in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa. While living in the UAE, we lived a life that only seems to be in the movies: we rented yachts from the Dubai Marina, relaxed at Saddiyat Beach Club, and traveled the world together. Rob also has a strong connection to Arizona (he graduated from ASU and his parents live in the Phoenix area now), but I am looking forward to the day that he, Sandy (wife) and Carter (son) move back to the US, and hope that it will be Texas!
Jessie Landry
Bridesmaid
Jessie was my first friend in Dallas and she has become my sister. She is stunning, soulful, honest, and loves without condition. She has been a confidant to me, an aunt to Cristian, and a testament to the bond between women who lift up one another. We’ve packed a lot of love into six short years, and I’m honored to have her stand with me.
Jeff Wright
Groomsman
Jeff and I started our friendship in high school, continued it on as college roommates for our freshman year at WMU and continue it to this day. There's not a time that Jeff and I don't have a blast while together (sometimes maybe too much). Jeff is the type of person who defines what a "yes" man is, and he is always game to enjoy himself to the fullest. We have too many stories to share about growing up in high school and when he visited me in both Arizona and Texas, such as: rafting trips down the Huron River, weekend trips up north, sledding down Reid Road and off-roading in Arizona. Jeff is a great friend, an incredible father, and an impressive businessman.
Brooklyn
Flower Girl
Brooklyn is our strong, silly, fun-loving, and beautiful niece.
Cristian
Ring Bearer
Cristian is the squishiest, smartest, most wonderful little boy in the world.