Bridal Party
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Alison Bengtson, Maid of Honor
If you know Kayla, you know Alison. BFFs since the womb, Alison is Kayla’s identical twin sister. Alison is Kayla’s rock, and definitely one of her biggest blessings. From creating neighborhood movies and skits to dancing the night away in NYC, there is never a dull moment between them. Alison is also a documentary goddess and an absolute riot. Her sense of humor is truly something to cherish. In addition to this, she has one of the most loving hearts imaginable, and Kayla is honored to have her in her life. These are just a few of the MANY reasons why Alison is Kayla’s Maid of Honor.
Mariann Kukielka, Bridesmaid
Mariann and Kayla initially bonded over their love for verbose and extravagant vocabulary. After meeting in a summer History course, the two immediately became friends due to their similar senses of humor and mutual passion for notorious runner-up William Jennings Brian (sorry you never won an election WJB!). They both attended the University of St. Thomas, and eventually ended up moving to New York City, where their fun only continued to grow! Mariann is actually the reason Kayla and Jake met. She’s a business bad- ass and an absolute sweetheart combined. She is also a very loyal and considerate friend and has an incredible heart. Kayla is ecstatic to have her as one of her bridesmaids.
Mary Swanson, Bridesmaid
Mary, Alison and Kayla are known as the “three creeps,” and if you know them you’ll 100% understand why. The friendship that the three of them share is hilarious, beautiful, and strong. In high school they would spend their nights at Menards (for no reason) and frequent Red Lobster as often as they could. They’ve painted furniture in parking lots, attempted to investigate a motel crime, and uncontrollably laughed at any opportunity possible. In addition to her humor, Mary also has an extremely kind heart. She’s a fellow teacher, has an unbelievable singing voice, and is just incredible in general. Kayla is so excited to have her as a bridesmaid!
Maddie Michaud, Bridesmaid
Kayla and Maddie met in sixth grade at St. Croix Preparatory Academy’s beginning of the school-year picnic. Kayla and Alison went up to Maddie and asked her if she wanted to be in a music video that they were “producing,” and Maddie said she would consider it (the music video has yet to be made). Their friendship has been strong ever since. Maddie is an absolute intellectual and gives the best advice. Her heart is beyond pure and she is simply a blast to be around. In addition to her overall incredible personality, she’s also an all-star entrepreneur! Kayla is forever grateful for her friendship with Maddie, and is elated to have her as a bridesmaid.
Molli Pace, Bridesmaid
Kayla met Molli in Mexico City while the two of them were on a modeling contract in 2015. After weeks of experiencing slight loneliness, Kayla saw a beacon of hope when Molli arrived on the scene. The two instantly connected, and Kayla immediately invited her to the zoo the minute she arrived (not even giving her a minute to unpack!). The two of them had some crazy fun nights in La Ciudad de México (especially when they were hired to “perform” ie. throwing beach balls off a DJ stage) and Kayla will cherish these memories forever. With much luck, Molli ended up moving to New York as well, and their friendship has continued to blossom. She has a heart of pure gold and everyone who meets her absolutely adores her. Kayla is ever so grateful to have her in her bridal party!
Stephanie Dodd, Bridesmaid
Kayla met Stephanie at an awkward TommieMedia Thanksgiving party during college. The two of them had their eyes set on becoming journalists, and loved to “get the scoop” on any possible story at St. Thomas. In addition to a shared major, Kayla and Stephanie became friends because of their similar personalities. The two of them, along with Alison, were inseparable in college. They attended many random parties together, tried starting a rock band called ”The Infected Lizards” and have always had some sort of silly inside joke to share. Kayla will always say that her experience at St. Thomas would not have been nearly as fun without the beautiful S.DODD. Stephanie is an absolute sweetheart and an inspiration in the media/advertising world as well. Kayla is so excited to have her as one of her bridesmaids!
Kate Finlayson, Bridesmaid
Kayla met Kate during her first year of teaching in New York City. Kate is the beautiful and kindhearted dance teacher at their school, and her personality is truly something to be admired. Kayla and Kate started to become friends in the teacher’s lounge, and the two of them would sit by each other every day to discuss everything from crazy work problems to boy drama in NYC. Since Kate is the definition of amazing company, Kayla knew that this fantastic fellow educator was far more than just a “work friend.” They started to hang out outside of “school” and it was even more rewarding! The two of them have been great friends ever since, and Kayla is so appreciative to have her in her bridal party!
Malia Cone, Bridesmaid
From Broadway dancing to an immense appreciation for holiday spirit, Malia is the power definition of a very fun friend. While Malia also went to St. Thomas, the two of them truly became close in New York City. They’ve danced the night away on countless occasions, hosted a few Halloween and other theme parties together, and have enjoyed fun girl’s nights where conversations could be authentic and true. Malia is such a fun presence and truly brings joy to everyone that she meets. She also has such a generous and kind heart. Kayla is so very excited to have her in her bridal party!
Laura Benton, Bridesmaid
Laura is Jake’s beautiful and talented sister. The two of them truly light up around one another, and their energy is contagious. A lot of people actually say that Laura and Jake look like twins, and their bond provides absolute evidence to this claim! Additionally, Laura is an incredible doctor who helps people in need each and every day. She’s an absolute intellectual and (bonus points!) a bonafide expert when it comes to good skin care advice! Kayla is so very excited to gain Laura as a future sister in law, and is honored to have her as a part of her bridal party.
Harper Gilhoi, Flower Girl
Harper is a four-year old dancing queen and Jake and Kayla can’t wait to see her dominate the dance floor with all of her skills! Harper’s mother is Kayla’s cousin Jennifer’s beautiful daughter. Coincidentally, Jennifer was the Flower Girl in Kayla’s parent’s wedding back in the 90s (crazy how things come around!) Harper is an absolute sweetheart and has such an infectious personality. Kayla and Jake are so grateful to have her in their wedding <3.
Groom's Party
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Griffin Dolan, Best Man
Jake and Griffin “The Fabricator” Dolan met their Sophomore year of college at NYU. They hit it off with their mutual love of video games and mercilessly bullying each other. Despite never wanting to admit it, Griffin really showed his true colors when he let Jake sleep on his couch for weeks while he got his shit together after college. Griffin is a talented fashion photographer, and Jake took full advantage of that by having him take the engagement photos. Unfortunately, Griffin will be too busy celebrating with us to take photos of the actual wedding. Jake and Griffin remain close, getting together online a few times a week to play video games and hang out.
Felipe Vargas, Groomsman
Jake and Felipe “Feeps” Vargas met in the summer of 2006 at the public pool in Morristown. They had a blast attempting to sneakily toss a hat Felipe made out of duct tape on to each other’s heads. They strengthened their bond by discovering similar tastes in metal music as well as a passion for all things nerdy. Felipe is probably the smartest dude Jake has ever met, and for sure the most talented artist he knows. They once had a two-week straight sleepover at a friend’s house. They spent a couple years trying to start a metal band. Felipe and Jake remained good friends all through high school and college and beyond. They still regularly get together to grab a drink, share music, and play video games.
Sean Crosby, Groomsman
Sean “Yeah Like The Hotel” Crosby and Jake met in the summer of 2008. Sean was dating Jake’s good friend, and when they broke up Jake decided to continue to hang out with Sean regardless. Sean likes to say, “I won Jake in the divorce.” They bonded over similar taste in music, video games, and other hobbies and continue to play video games a few nights a week to this day. Sean has been an incredible friend to Jake, offering support in the hardest times and love when it’s all good. They’ve built a few computers together as well, recently discovering they both share that passion as well. It’s through those video games that Sean and Griffin also became close.
Eric Arellano, Groomsman
Jake and Eric “Mayne” Arellano were randomly paired to live together in a six-person, three-bedroom suite freshman year at NYU. Jake had a nightmare roommate and essentially moved his computer into Eric’s room where they played video games together most days. They ended up living with each other all four years, sharing most of their college memories together. They shared the same major, helped each other with homework (sometimes successfully and sometimes not), and spending most nights going out together. They remain close, getting together every so often to catch up, play video games, and share a drink.
Aidan Dolan, Groomsman
Jake and Aidan “Don McMuffin” Dolan met freshman year at NYU. They bonded over a mutual love of video games and music, and even lived together for the summer after graduation. They often went out together and planned epic parties on a bi-weekly basis that became famous on campus (they considered hiring a bouncer at one point). They continue to get together about once a week ever since college (which was particularly easy when they happened to move into apartments that were only two blocks apart) to cook meals for each other and also regularly convene online to play some video games together.
Brian Mason, Groomsman
Jake and Brian Mason met freshman year at NYU. Brian was dating a friend of Jake’s, and when they broke up Jake and Brian continued to hang out anyway. Similar to Sean, you could say Brian won Jake in the divorce. The two of them would spend hours each week jamming away on acoustic guitars, attempting to write songs they would never finish. Eric, Brian, and another friend Chris Cha became pretty much inseparable, showing up to and leaving every event together. They would play beer pong and Super Smash Bros into the wee hours of the night a few times a week all through college. They remain close, getting together often to play music and video games together.
Rob Mielke, Groomsman
Jake and Rob “Bobaert” Mielke met in the summer of 2007 at the public pool. They bonded once they noticed they had very similar senses of humor and taste in music. Robert went to school in the neighoring district, but they were brought together due to some mutual friends: Mike Mongioj and Felipe. The four of them spent many nights having sleepovers in Rob’s fully blacklit room. They were in a metal band together for a couple years in college, jamming out in Jake’s parent’s basement. They often get together to play video games late at night constantly asking each other how to solve the problems of wet basements.
Brian Bell, Groomsman
Jake and Brian “Superstar” Bell met near the beginning of 2018. Jake was with Kayla and Alison watching the Eagles eviscerate the Vikings in the 2018 playoffs when they were all startled by Brian banging his fists on the window opposite (after downing a few too many shots due to the Patriots narrowly defeating the Jaguars just prior). A few weeks later, Alison and Brian started officially dating, entwining Jake and Brian’s lives together forever <3. They bonded over their similar jobs (in software) and a mutual love of basketball, regularly meeting up after work to play pick-up at NYU’s indoor courts under Union Square. They hang out often, going on double dates with their red-headed vixen twin girlfriends. Brian happens to also be a twin, which leaves Jake feeling very left out.
Jacob Bengtson, Groomsman
Jake met Jacob “The Aviator” Bengtson in May of 2019. Jacob was in town celebrating Kayla’s imminent graduation from NYU’s Stienhardt School of Education. They really bonded later that year during the week of Christmas when Jake and Kayla went to Minnesota to celebrate with Kayla’s family (Jacob is Kayla’s brother). They discovered a mutual love of video games, first building a computer together and then gaming together later that night. They also realized they are both avid guitarists, taking every opportunity to pick up Jacob’s guitars to jam together and put on a little show. Jacob will graduate from the University of North Dakota in May 2021 with a bachelors in being a badass pilot. He already has thousands of hours behind the yolk and despite Jake’s irrational fear of flying, Jake would already trust Jacob to fly him around the world.
The Parents
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Bride’s Parents
Bill and Sherri Bengtson
Bill and Sherri met at the hottest bar in Mahtomedi-- The Wild Wood Bowl. Bill saw Sherri’s beautiful blonde 80s hair and just knew she was the one. Sherri also fell for his infectious personality and wonderful sense of humor. Love was truly in the air! They married in 1990 with a beautiful candle lit service, and had their two crazy ginger twins a few years later. Six years following they had another amazing son named Jacob.
Bill and Sherri are truly a hoot and a half of a couple! They love snowmobiling, boating, and anything associated with Disney World. They’re also huge dachshund people and currently own two beautiful dogs (the coveted Francine and Slim Henry). Individually, Bill is an entrepreneurial superstar and an amazing fisherman. Sherri is the queen of trends and simply amazing around kids. Together they make for wonderful parents! Jake simply cannot wait to become their son-in-law, (semi because they’re so fun to party with), but also because they are loving and kind. Bill and Sherri cannot wait to meet everyone at the wedding!
Groom’s parents
Marc Benton and Deborah Pasik
Marc and Deborah met in the early 80s at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Marc grew up in Jersey as the oldest of three brothers. Deborah grew up in the Upper East Side of Manhattan as the oldest of three, one sister and one brother.
As you can see, Marc’s dashing bright red fro was just so intoxicating. This photo was taken at their wedding in 1983. Marc is an avid golfer and fisherman; Deborah has a passion for dressage, all things dogs, and cannot wait to be “Bubbie” to all of her future grandchildren. They both share a passion of travelling the world, as well as discussing the most abhorrently disgusting things that happened at their job that day over dinner with their children. Jake is forever grateful for the endless love and support these two have provided him, and Kayla cannot wait to officially be a part of the Benton-Pasik family.