Wedding Party
Clare Marie Patros
Maid of Honor
Cousin Clare Marie (Rie/CM) started as Carly's assigned playmate when they were little and quickly became close friend. Rie is always up for playing any sport or game and isn't afraid to get dirty. They have permanently bonded over their ability to instantly make decisions and agree about 99% of the time. They get each other. Fun fact: Rie caught a 22lb fish in Brazil and that is just one of her many extraordinary adventures.
Brian Heintz
Best Man
Brian "Kleg" Heintz is not only Austin's first cousin, but one of his lifelong friends. The two of them have been inseparable from birth. Brian is an RN at Mayo Clinic and an avid SpongeBob SquarePants fan. Rumor has it he knows every quote from the 277 episodes that have aired. Feel free to test him on this.
Maggie Kogut
Bridesmaid
Although Maggie has moved far away from Carly (She trys not to take it too personally), she has remained an extremely close friend. She has been there for significant life moments. Growing up they shared family trips, homeschooling, swimming, ultimate frisbee, and more than one History Day. She is the friend that will encourage and push you to do things you didn't think were possible. Fun Fact: Maggie moved to Michigan to be a missionary with an organization called Kairos.
Jack Wickhem
Groomsman
Jack "Wick" Wickhem is one of the best guitar players that Austin knows. In college, Austin and Jack would spend most of their time making various tacos on "Taco Tuesday" or making funny songs in their makeshift dorm studio. Fun fact: Jack and Austin became roommates by accident in college.
Kateri Kuplic
Bridesmaid
Kateri is a dear friend Carly has known since she was a wee baby. Also, unlike my prose in this paragraph, Kateri is an excellent writer and has written articles for different publications. She also has a wit that would make William Shakespeare jealous. Conversations with Kateri are often deep and always rewarding. Fun fact: Kateri is getting a masters in Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas.
Noah Wingerd
Groomsman
Noah and Austin initially met at a graduation party in 2016. Years later, they ran into each other at the University of Saint Thomas gym. They quickly became great friends and lifting buddies. Fun fact: Noah is one of the main reasons Carly and Austin met.
Sophie Bursey
Bridesmaid
Sophie is one of Carly's first friends. As a baby, she visited her in the hospital when she was born, and have been friends ever since. Sophie has an unbelievable heart for others and has dedicated her life to missionary service. She is the life of any party and is always ready to be spontaneous. Fun fact: Austin and Carly met due to Sophie's invitation, and it was meant to be!
Basant Dhami
Groomsman
Austin met Basant Dhami while lifting at the University of Saint Thomas. Austin complimented Basant's Polynesian-style tattoo and ultimately got a matching one from the same artist. The two of them bonded over their love of working out, business, and goofing around. Fun fact: Contrary to popular belief, Basant is not Hawaiian.
Cecilia Kulhanek
Bridesmaid
Cecilia is Carly's competition companion. There are few challenges she turns down, and is a force to be reckoned with! Cecilia is a fiercely loyal friend with a big heart, and her humor is greatly appreciated. She has a way of bringing people together. Fun fact: The night Austin and Carly met, she tried to "wingman" for him and told him he was "hopeless."
Eric Lake
Groomsman
Eric "Pickle Rick" Lake is Austin's lab manager/supervisor. He threatened to fire Austin if he did not include him in his wedding party. Fun Fact: Eric has a PhD in Pharmacology. Ask him how to spell "philosophy". Favorite quote: "If you believe... you can achieve."
Ellie Guggemos
Bridesmaid
Ellie and Carly are the same person, much to the dismay of Carly's little brother JP (Ellie’s Fiancé). From the moment Carly met Ellie, they clicked. Ellie radiates joy and if you want to sit down to a conversation feeling entirely at ease, Ellie is your person. Fun fact: Ellie's cousin and Austin played football together at the University of St. Thomas.
John Paul Zimmerman
Groomsman
JP is Carly's little bro. It's true that he never achieved his seven-year-old dreams of becoming a snowboarder, then a Robin (Cardinal), then Pope. He still accomplished quite a bit in his 23 years, from his sports achievements, to playing Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (I will show you a video if you ask), and now working as an insurance broker at Brown & Brown. Fun fact: JP had so many injuries in his life that for his graduation party, he had a whole picture board dedicated to them.
Meredith Yager
Bridesmaid
Meredith Yager is Austin's older sister. She may look like a gentle soul, but she was also an undefeated wrestler in highschool. She would consistently beat the boys around the league. It pays to be on her good side. Fun fact: When Austin was younger, Meredith successfully convinced Austin that he was actually her son.
Micah Zimmerman
Groomsman
Micah is Carly's older brother and first best friend. Growing up, Micah was always the idea generator and was all-knowing regarding every plant or animal. Later, he graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, with a befitting degree in Biology. As an adult, I appreciate that Micah is a good listener and empath. He lives in the distant land of San Diego, CA, and works for a lab there. If you visit him, you will benefit from his thoroughness as a tour guide. Fun fact: Micah was Troy Bolton in his high school musical (literally).
Teresa Patros
Bridesmaid
Teresa is a sophomore in high school, but you would think she is much older because of her maturity, kindness, and compassion. Teresa has always been highly artistic. From a very young age, she has had better handwriting than most people, and it has been the envy of specifically Carly. Lately, Teresa has been getting into embroidery. She has embroidered shoes and sweatshirts and should absolutely consider selling some of her work (hint, hint). Fun fact: Teresa was the cutest baby and should win an award.
Conrad Hively
Groomsman
Conrad "Yak" Hively and Austin have been best friends since before they could walk. Fun fact: Conrad has a masters in architecture. During his time at Kansas State, Conrad designed and built several "net negative" houses for low income families.
Catherine Patros (DiFuccia)
Bridesmaid
Catherine is Carly's cousin and friend of the same age. As kids, Catherine's active imagination kept things lively. She liked to explore nature and test the viability of making pots out of dirt and scrolls out of birch bark from the tree in the backyard. Catherine is exceptionally bright and thoughtful, and Carly has always admired her determination and aptitude for learning. Catherine also gets high marks for enthusiasm and a caring nature. After getting engaged within days of each other, Catherine and Carly have enjoyed comparing wedding planning notes. Fun fact: Catherine is getting her master's degree in Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas.
Lucas Dorton
Groomsman
Austin met Lucas "Gorgen" Dorton through his best man, Brian Heintz. Austin would visit Brian in college and partake in pick-up basketball and football games with Lucas. Fun fact: Lucas dreams of being a professional sportscaster.
Celine Kulhanek
Flower Girl
Lenora Kogut
Flower Girl
Bernie Kuplic
Ring Bearer
Joseph-John-Greg-Tony Patros
Ushers
David Zimmerman
Father of the Bride
Terry Robertson
Father of the Groom
Lisa Zimmerman
Mother of the Bride
Jan Hyman
Mother of the Groom
Rev. Martin Schaefer
Officiant
Fr. Marty was a close friend of Carly’s dad at IHM Seminary in Winona. As a transitional deacon and two weeks before his ordination, he preached at Carly's parent’s wedding. Fun fact: Fr. Marty ran the Turtle Lake Triathlon with Carly last summer.