Lac Lawrann Conservancy

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Our Story

How We Met

Ashley and Brett met at American Family Children's Hospital where Brett worked as an MA and Ashley was a social work intern in the Pediatric Pulmonary Clinic. Instantly, Ashley developed a school-girl crush on Brett and was always awkward and shy around him. What Ashley and Brett didn't realize was that Ashley's supervisor, Craig (officiant), was sneakily trying to set Ashley and Brett up. It wasn't until after they started dating that Ashley and Brett realized the tricks Craig played: for example, telling Ashley to go into the team room to grab some papers when he knew no one was around and paging Brett to do the same; making a note to tell Ashley that Brett was single...and also very cute and charming. The weeks went on and Ashley would call her best friend, Tera (Matron of Honor), every week to tell her how cute the MA was, but she was way too afraid to make the first move. Little did Ashley know, Brett, also being shy, was working up the courage to ask Ashley out. During a night out with Kayla (Bridesmaid), however, Kayla had somehow to convince Ashley (after a few too many drinks) to add Brett on Facebook. Brett excitedly showed his sister, Amanda, that he got a Facebook request from Ashley. The next week, Ashley (too afraid to ask Brett out alone) invited Brett to have drinks with friends; Brett respectively declined explaining he was on call that night as an EMT, but was quick the ask Ashley out for dinner and drinks for the following night. Ashley, as only Ashley would, called every single one of her friends freaking out about her date with Brett. Ashley had never been on a true first date before, and sought solace in her friends for advice on what to wear, what to say, and what to do in the event of awkward silence. Little did Ashley know that her first, first date, would change her life forever. Brett picked Ashley up at her apartment and pulled out all of the gentlemanly moves. However, panic soon set in for Brett when the first restaurant they went to had a 2 hour wait, as did the next 4 restaurants they went to as they walked around Capitol Square together. After the 5th failed attempt at getting a table at a restaurant, Brett came up with a different plan and drove Ashley to a different part of town to a very fancy restaurant. Although Ashley was intimidated and shy, the two had an instant connection. Despite the adventure, as they like to call it, that their first date was, the date ended in a good-night kiss and their lives together began.

The Proposal

Nine months after they began dating, Brett and Ashley moved together to Portland, OR so Brett could fulfill his dream of becoming a helicopter pilot, and they knew for sure that they had found their soul mate. Knowing Ashley is super awkward in romantic situations, Brett knew the proposal had to be fast and completely random. After class one day, Brett decided to go browse engagement rings (with no intention of purchasing a ring that day) and ended up finding the perfect ring for Ashley. Although Ashley knew the proposal was coming at some point in the near future, she had no idea of Brett's purchase or plan. Amanda (Brett's sister and Bridesmaid) and Katie (Bridesmaid) came to spend a week with Ashley and Brett in March, 2016. On the first night Amanda and Katie were visiting, they all decided to visit a brewery in Portland and took the train downtown. Little did Ashley know, that Brett had a huge hole burning in his pocket on our way down. After they got off the train and began walking to the brewery, Ashley heard Katie and Amanda (who were walking suspiciously behind Ashley and Brett) yell her name; Ashley turned around and Katie and Amanda were holding a sign that read "Brett wants to know..." and then Ashley turned around with shock at seeing Brett down on 1 knee holding a ring. Naturally, awkward Ashley turned and walked away from Brett and then continued to laugh hysterically until Amanda and Katie guided Ashley back over to Brett (still on 1 knee at this point) where Brett asked Ashley to marry him and Ashley responded with "obviously."

About the Bride and Groom 

Ashley was born in Monroe, WI and grew up in Port Washington, WI. Ashley earned her Bachelor's degree in psychology and social work from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and her Master's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Brett was born in Yankton, SD and grew up in Madison, WI. Brett attended college for 2 years before deciding to join the Navy where he served for 5 years active duty with 2 deployments. Brett then worked as an MA and EMT for a year until Ashley convinced him to pursue his dream of becoming a helicopter pilot. Ashley and Brett met in September 2014. Their first date was October 17, 2014. "I love you" January 2015. Ashley and Brett moved to Portland, OR August 2015. He popped the question March 22, 2016.Brett and Ashley enjoy discovering new craft breweries and wineries, going on adventures and discovering new places together, trying new places to eat, kayaking, hiking, camping, and binge-watching Netflix shows. Ashley and Brett have a cat, Bucky, and Pomeranian, Grr. Brett likes to put Ashley's name into different words to make new wordsBrett's makes a point to let Ashley know that she is beautiful multiple times a day. Brett talks gibberish in his sleep; Ashley talks about Grr in her sleep. Ashley steals Brett's T-shirts; Brett steals Ashley's socks. Ashley and Brett love tacos; they used to go on weekly Wednesday Q'Doba dates when Ashley was too busy in school. Tacos was the first meal Ashley cooked for Brett. Ashley and Brett visited and hiked Badlands National Park, The Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore, Red Lodge Montana, Yellowstone National Park, and Glacier National Park on their road trip out to Oregon and hiked their first mountain together. Brett owns more clothes than Ashley. Brett had to teach Ashley how to use a USB drive. Ashley loves to cook; Brett almost burns their apartment down cooking hamburgers. Brett doesn't let Ashley open or pour her own wine.

Details

Photos

Tera and Ashley met in 3rd grade and have been best friends ever since. They are always there for one another through thick and thin, despite the miles between them. "True friendship isn't about being inseparable, it's about being separated and nothing changes."

Tera Bienlein 

Brett and Jaron started off rivals in Lacrosse in high school. It wasn't until college that the two became best friends. Jaron has always been there to support Brett through all of life's obstacles. The two have had many adventures over the years but their favorite thing to do is sit back in a small bar and enjoy good drinks while talking about life.   

Jaron Klopstein 

Jesse is Ashley's older brother. Brett and Jesse bonded over the Third Eye Blind concert at Summerfest. Despite not having spent too much time together, Brett is excited to gain a brother-in-law. 

Jesse Monahan

The bratty, annoying little sister turned best friend. They are always there for one another; to tell secrets to, to laugh with, to cry with, to tell stupid jokes with, and the one who is always there to make funny faces with you on skype to cheer you up on a hard day. 

Cassie Monahan (soon to be Wiklin)

The Groom's older sister who welcomed Ashley into the family with open arms. Despite their very awkward first encounter in the team room at American Family Children's Hospital in the middle of the workday (thanks Brett), the two instantly developed a bond and Ashley gained another friend, and soon to be sister-in-law!

Amanda Schnirring

Brett and Ken met while they were in the Navy where they became best friends through their 2 deployments together. Though Ken and Brett live 2000 miles apart, the two talk often and will always remain best friends. Brett was a groomsman in Ken's wedding last July. 

Kenneth England 

Ashley and Brielle studied social work together at UW-Whitewater. They met in class and became good friends soon after. From crazy nights at All You Can Drink, being hungover together during Thursday morning abnormal psych, wine nights with the ladies, and endless amounts of support to get through any obstacle life threw at us, a life-long friendship evolved.  

Brielle Powers 

Brett and Drew have been friends since 6th grade and met playing hockey. Brett, Drew and his twin brother, Garrett (also a groomsman) started a Lacrosse team together in high school. Brett's favorite memory with Drew is their road trip to Virginia Beach stopping for a night of fun in Pittsburgh and visiting the USS Wisconsin museum in Norfolk.  

Drew Glenn

Katie was the first person Ashley met in college at UW-Whitewater. Ashley and Katie were sitting in a circle among other fellow Warhawks at freshman orientation, when Katie turned to Ashley and whispered "do you drink?" and instantly, they became friends. The two then graduated and both ended up moving to Madison where their friendship continued to grow. After Ashley and Brett moved to Portland, Katie came to visit and was part of the proposal. Ashley couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate their engagement than with craft beer and friends. 

Katie Poch

In addition to the many memories Brett had with Garrett and his twin brother Drew (also a groomsman), Brett's favorite memory with Garrett was when the two played the ultimate game of Tetris by filling the bed of Garrett's truck to the brim with Wisconsin beer for Brett to take back to Virginia with him. 

Garrett Glenn 

Brett's and Kevin met during 2nd grade and lived right down the street from one another. Over the many years, the two have made too many memories to count.One of Brett's favorite was when he and kevin  wanted to start an Indoor lacrosse team and make everyone wear pink shorts (pictured above). 

Kevin Bice 

Kaitlyn and Ashley met through mutual friends during Ashley's freshman year in college. Through crazy nights dancing to dubstep, dominating in beer pong, and watching American Horror Story while drinking wine together, the two became great friends and decided to be roommates during Ashley's junior year, which only made their friendship grow stronger. Since college, the two have moved apart from each other, but their friendship hasn't suffered. They continue to stay connected updating one another on their lives and having the occasional skype and wine date always picking up right where they left off. 

Kaitlyn Howe

Ashley and Kayla met during their freshman year at UW-Whitewater and had (too) many crazy nights together that they will never forget. Kayla sadly transferred to UW-Madison after freshman year, but the two rekindled their friendship after Ashley moved to Madison for grad school. Always Ashley's partner in crime, the two had crazy adventures together with too many stories to tell. 

Ashley & Brett

Ashley & Brett

Registry