Wedding Party
Our wedding party is made up of the people who have been important in our lives, and who continue to be valuable influences in our relationship. We are both very fortunate to have many wonderful friends in our lives, both in our wedding party and in our lives. Come meet them!
Stephanie Leverette
Maid of Honour
Chelsea and Stephanie became friends while living in residence during their first year at Taylor. They became fast friends, initially bonding over dorm shenanigans and singing on Choristers together. Stephanie quickly became one of Chelsea ‘s closest friends and has been one of the people who has been there through the toughest and most joyous experiences. It’s impossible to count the number of times they’ve laughed together, cried through tough times, and talked about life, boys, dreams, and passion. Traveling together, finishing their degrees together and living together for 3 years are just some of the experiences that have strengthened their relationship to make it what it is today. Chelsea hasn’t had quite as many “laugh until you cry” moments with anyone else.
Steph lives in Edmonton and works in Church Ministry, where she's served in areas of both Youth and Worship Ministries.
Steph is real, passionate, and unique. She has an incredible servant’s heart and is always seeking to be used to further God’s Kingdom. She’s also a talented musician, a committed friend, and a genuine woman of God. Chelsea is overjoyed to have her stand up as her Maid of Honour.
Lindsay Trudgian
Bridesmaid
Lindsay and Chelsea met at Parkland Baptist Church and have known each other since Lindsay moved to Spruce Grove with her family in 1995. Chelsea and Lindsay’s families hung out often as they grew up, which enabled them to spend lots of time traveling together: to Hawaii, to Maine, and many camping trips! Though they did grow up together, their friendship really deepened when they lived together in residence at Taylor in Chelsea’s second year. This bond was further developed as they traveled together to Europe in 2006. Lindsay and Chelsea have also spent a number of summers at Camp Caroline and she had the wonderful privilege to be on the counseling team led by none other than James and Chelsea!
Lindsay lives with Chelsea and Andi in Spruce Grove, where she works as a Grade 5 teacher.
It has been such a blessing to have Lindsay’s voice of wisdom and support, Lindsay is such an encouraging and supportive friend. She is a woman of integrity, passionate about serving God, and always uplifting to be around. Chelsea can’t wait to have Lindsay support her and James both now and in their marriage!
Lynda Berglund
Bridesmaid
April 15, 1988 was the day that Chelsea began her friendship with Lyn; that was also the day Lyn was born. Since their moms were best friends, their families hung out constantly as they grew up. Chelsea’s relationship with Lyn has gone through many stages, from playmate to mentor to friend. Their friendship has really grown over the last few years and Chelsea couldn’t imagine her life without Lyn. They are very lucky concert companions, devoted Friends fans, and have almost identical sense of humour.
Lyn lives in Spruce Grove, where she is currently attending Grant MacEwan College, taking Office Administration.
Lyn is such a committed, supportive, and thoughtful friend, and Chelsea couldn’t imagine her wedding day without Lyn standing up to support her!
Michelle Kotlewski
Bridesmaid
One of Chelsea’s first bonding experiences with Michelle came while listening to a Charlotte Diamond cassette tape in the wee hours of a Camp Caroline morning. Not only would Chelsea work with her future husband at Camp Caroline in the summer of 2006, she would also have a fantastic roommate (Michelle), who would one day become a bridesmaid in their wedding. As Michelle had the wonderful opportunity of sharing an office with James and Chelsea that summer, she was a regular participant in the many office shenanigans that occurred. Michelle and Chelsea soon discovered that they were kindred spirits, especially in their love for singing, musicals, and making a general spectacle of themselves.
Over the last 4 years, Michelle and Chelsea have been able to experience some of the most exciting parts of their lives together. She was, in fact, one of the first people to suggest that James and Chelsea date. Just prior to Michelle getting engaged, she said, “On your wedding invitation, I’m going to give you an ‘and guest…’ and you are only allowed to bring James Ohlmann.”
Michelle lives in Edmonton with her husband, Jamie, where she works as a teacher.
Chelsea was privileged to be a bridesmaid for Michelle as she got married this past summer, and she is overjoyed to have Michelle stand up for her in the same way!
Kristen Henry
Bridesmaid
Kristen is probably the friend that has witnessed some of Chelsea’s MOST outlandish and hilarious antics. Kristen and Chelsea became friends right away at Taylor, as they sang together not only on Choristers, but at Korean Karaoke!! They also served together during their 2nd year of college as RAs and during that year, their accountability relationship cemented their friendship.
Chelsea was blessed to stand up for Kristen and Mike as they got married in July 2005, and Chelsea is blessed to have Kristen in her wedding party!
Kristen lives with her husband, Mike, in Sioux City, Iowa, where he works as a youth pastor and she works as an Applied Behavioral Analyst.
Kristen is a wise advice-giver and a real and genuine friend. Though the majority of their relationship has been across borders, the commitment that they have to their friendship has caused it to grow, even as they live far apart!
Andrew Ohlmann (aka Brother Man)
Best Man
James's older brother who turned 30 last November. He is not just a brother, but a best friend. James and Andrew, or Andy as most call him, share many mannerisms and extraordinary good looks. Most of all, they share the value that family always comes first. Andrew has taught James the importance of personal relationships, finding good friends and knowing how to party. They share a love that only brothers can have. Andrew gave James a sister-in-law when he married his wife Connie and a nephew when Connie gave birth to the darling little Troy.
Andrew Pohl (aka Thunder Brother)
Groomsman
Andrew Pohl has been friends with James since they lived in Benke Hall together in 2002. You will not find a friend who is more generous and loyal. He is an apprentice electrician and aspiring film maker. Some of James and Andrew's most memorable times together include living in Benke, snowboarding, going on road trips, playing poker, making carbonara pasta, watching TV shows on DVD and working at Camp Caroline.
Graham Quast (aka GQ)
Groomsman
Graham (pronounced gray-ham, not gram because he is not a unit of measurement) and James were inseparable best friends through junior high and high school. They met at Steele Heights Baptist Church when Graham's father Kevin became the head pastor. They both attained a nidan (second degree black belt) in Uechi-Ryu Karate together. Graham and James went to Mexico City in 2001 for a missions trip where Graham met his wife Adrienne. They were also roommates in Benke while attending Taylor University. Graham is now a happily married Chartered Accountant and although he and James do not spend as much time together as they used to, their bond is clearly evident whenever they hang out. James doesn't enjoy witty back-and-forth banter as much with anyone else.
Jamie McClean (Beware: Pool Shark)
Groomsman
Easily James's oldest friend, since grade 2, Jamie and James grew up together getting into all sorts of mischief, young and old. In their misguided and unrealistic overconfidence, Jamie and James are certain they can solve any given problem if the two of them put their heads together. Other than James's brother Andy, Jamie is the only one who stands a chance of beating James at Super Mario Kart and the two of them are almost guaranteed to play the game whenever they are in the vicinity of a SNES. Since grade four, they have enjoyed skiing together and making trips to the mountains. Jamie is a proficient pool player and mountain bike rider. He is now happily married to his wife Annie and working as a financial planner for TD Waterhouse.
Jordan Rothe (aka Beef Stick)
Groomsman
James' brother-to-be! Chelsea's older brother, Jordan, well, he is just plain awesome. Chelsea and Jordan grew up as most siblings do, with much brother/sister bickering... but as they've grown older, they've definitely become closer. Because Chelsea could never beat Jordan in a fight growing up, she knew it was important to marry someone who could take him. Jordan, a cosmopolitan world traveler, is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He loves his sister to pieces and always enjoys a good party. Much like Jesus, Jordan is an apprenticing carpenter and he plans to go back to Nait soon for some more schooling.
