Bridal Shower

Rehearsal

The Meadows

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

From the Benchtop to the Wedding Aisle 

Every love story begins somewhere - and ours began in a research lab at Kansas City University. We were both masters's students, Colt newly assigned to and Courtney with a year under her belt in Dr White's lab. They were both assigned to the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy project, Colt to the cellular aspect and Courtney to the protein. At first, we were just simply lab partners, swapping new found data and throwing good natured insults towards one another. During the early days of our friendship, Courtney found Colt to be an arrogant asshole who had an intense staring problem; while Colt found Courtney to be high strung with a sharp and sassy tongue. Despite all that, neither could withstand the other's charm. It was a year after Courtney had graduated from KCU and had been living in Barbados when Colt finally found the courage to admit his feelings. The rest is history. Kansas City University gave us an education, a purpose, and a project we believed in - but its greatest gift was helping us find each other. And now, surrounded by the people we love most, we're excited to begin the next chapter of our story.

Our Story

Photos

Courtney and Colt met Sam in Dr White's research lab at KCU much like they met each other. Courtney and Sam became fast friends, studying together, and bonding over their shared love of baseball, attending several KC Royals games. Colt and Sam could talk pool strategies and medicine for hours. So who better to officiate the two love birds their friend? 

Samantha Price

Kaylene was the very first person Courtney met after moving to Kansas City to start the Masters Program at KCU. Kaylene refused to let Courtney's social anxiety keep them from getting to know each other during orientation. While they did not work in the same research lab, they quickly became best friends, talking daily, studying together and sharing life advice. Kaylene listened to the many dating nightmare stories of Courtney's and gave her a strong shoulder to cry on when she needed it most. Kaylene currently lives in Blue Springs, MO with her husband and two sons and works at Children's Mercy in their research department. 

Kaylene Whited

Joe Merino is the best man of Colt Solberg.  Their friendship started at the pool table and was forged and tempered through the trials and tribulations of medical school.  Joe has become a brother to Colt and has been the catalyst to much of their groups activities such as the Bah-humbug ball (if you know, you know).

Joe Merino

Hannah was the first classmate Courtney met at KCU in their apartment building at Century Towers. They met during a class meet and greet scheduled before orientation. Hannah and her husband Ethan let Courtney ride with them to the event. Little did they all know, that moment would lead to a lifelong friendship. If you could not find Courtney and Hannah, odds were pretty high that the two of them were down the street having a Taco Bell date or taking their dogs on a walk along a creepy trail in the woods. Hannah and Ethan, who just welcomed a new baby boy (Courtney’s newest nephew) are currently living in Iowa, where Hannah works as a pharmacist (AKA professional drug dealer).

Hannah Williams 

George Magula is one of the grooms men of Colt Solberg.  Colt and George initially started out as roommates in undergrad at NAU.  Not long after first meeting, they quickly became friends and bonded through their shared love of video games, rock climbing, winter sports, and out doors activities.  Despite the many years that have passed since those undergraduate days, they have still maintained their friendship which has only continued to grow.

George Magula

Sasha and Courtney also met during their time at KCU and lived in the same apartment building across the street along with Hannah. They met through Hannah and you could always find the 3 of them in each other's apartments at Century Towers or at P.F. Chang's if it was after an exam week!  Sasha and Courtney also spent many nights doing what they called "swipe nights" where they would sit on one of their couches together, swiping through dating apps, making sure they did not match with the same guy, screaming the lyrics to Lizzo's entire album and dancing around. Sasha currently works and lives in Indiana as a lawyer. 

Sasha Glickfield

Taylor Mellon is one of Colt's groomsman and close friends.  They initially met in undergrad where Taylor would come over to Colt and George's Dorm room to play halo, demonstrate his stand-up comedy routines, or hangout.  Overtime, Colt and Taylor's friendship has continued to flourish and has only grown despite the many years since undergrad.  

Taylor Mellon

Leo is the youngest son of Kaylene and Max Whited. He too refers to Courtney as Auntie Ney-Ney and Colt as Uncle Co. Courtney is not happy about Leo growing up so fast. She tried really hard to convince Kaylene to let her put books on Leo's head to prevent him from growing up. Kaylene refused, Courtney is still salty. Colt tries his hardest to teach  Leo that ducks are geese and geese are ducks. It annoys Kaylene to no end.

Leo Whited

Baylor is the oldest son of Kaylene and Max Whited. Baylor refers to Courtney as Auntie Ney-Ney and Colt as Uncle Co.  The first time Baylor said Ney-Ney, Courtney cried like a giant baby (snot bubble included). He will always be her little Bay-bug!

Baylor Whited

Parker refers to Courtney as Auntie Ney-Ney, as she is the daughter of Courtney's older brother and sister in law Trent and Bethany Beeson. Colt is her Uncle Coat (at least it sounds like she is saying Coat instead of Colt). Parker is full of personality and sass much like her mother and aunt. But how could anyone resist that adorable face? 

Parker Beeson

Pepper Cayenne is Courtney and Colt's fur daughter. Much like her mother, Pepper is full of sass and spunk. She is also a registered emotional support animal, though she offers more judgement than emotional support. She will most likely demand everyone pay her all the attention and give her all the pets and love. Courtney and Colt have accepted this and encourage guests to give into Pepper's demands. 

Pepper Cayenne Kidd

Wedding Party

Guide to Wedding-Appropriate Casual Attire

What to Wear to a Backyard Wedding

How to Level-Up Casual Wedding Attire

Think high school boy going on a date (jeans and a button down Columbia shirt). Sun dresses, sandals. It is outside in the fall.

Dress Code

This is an UNPLUGGED WEDDING

A Little History of the Area

Dexter, MO Dexter, MO began as a railroad town, platted in 1873 by the Cairo, Arkansas and Texas (CAT) Railroad, which connected to build a route. It was named after a settler's horse, "Dexter" and grew rapidly with the railroad's arrival in September 1873, attracting early settlers from nearby states and developing as a community with tree-named streets. Its history centers this rail development, with early residents like Andrew Neal and Levi Norman arriving as the wilderness was tamed. Terrible football team, though. (*cough, cough* GO BULLDOGS!)

Sikeston, MO Sikeston, Missouri, grew from a small settlement into a significant regional hub in the Bootheel, driven by agriculture (especially cotton) and the railroad, experiencing rapid population booms in the early 20th century, marked by events like the historic Jaycee Bootheel rodeo, and the founding of the first Methodist chest west of the Mississippi, but also shadowed by a brutal 1942 lynching of Cleo Wright, a dark chapter in the town's history. Spanish explorers are said to have visited the Sikeston area in 1541. At the time, the region consisted of cypress swamps and forested prairies. In 1789, the King of Spain ordered an overland route be established between New Orleans and St Louis. This frontier road crossed through what is known as Sikeston. In 1829, the land was purchased by the Stallcup family. City founder, John Sikes, acquired control following his marriage to Catherine Stallcup Myers in 1859. Sikeston occupied both sides of the civil war as they sought to move men, artillery and supplies through area swamps. In 1907, the swampland was drained and revealed some of the most fertile farmland in the world. There is so much more to Sikeston's history but Courtney is already pretty biased, so gonna end it here.

Poplar Bluff, MO Named for poplar trees on the bluff overlooking the Black River, Poplar Bluff began with early settlers in 1840s. It grew as the railroad developed.

Lake Wappapello Lake Wappapello is a large reservoir in southeastern Missouri, created by the Army Corps of Engineers on the St Francis River for flood control, now a popular recreation area for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, and swimming. It is where Courtney went to Girl Scout Camp (Camp Latonka) for several summers. But it holds even more significance, as it is at Lake Wappapello, at Eagle Point overlooking the water, that Colt asking Courtney to marry him and she said yes.

Q + A

Bullwinkles Rustic Lodge

Travelodge by Wyndham Dexter provides air-conditioned accommodations in Dexter. The property has a fitness center, a business center, an in-house restaurant and free WiFi throughout the property. The rooms have a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. All rooms will provide guests with a microwave. Staff at the hotel are always available to provide advice at the reception. Takaroa Airport is 44 miles from the property.

Travelodge by Wyndham Dexter

Dexter Inn is offering accommodations in Dexter. Featuring a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, the 3-star motel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property provides a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk for guests. At the motel, all rooms come with a desk and a flat-screen TV. At Dexter Inn each room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast. Takaroa Airport is 44 miles away.

Dexter Inn

Located in southeast Missouri, the Econo Lodge hotel is near many shopping centers and attractions. This hotel is close to the Holly Ridge Wildlife Area, the Dexter Welcome Center Depot and Museum, Evans Pottery and the Heritage Caboose museum. Home to the Dexter Murals, which features a pictorial history of this charming town painted on the side of numerous buildings, Dexter has a number of unique things to see and do. Local business include Tyson Foods, Holden Pallet Company and Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies. A number of restaurants and fast food establishments are close by. Guests of this Dexter, MO hotel can enjoy features like: Free continental breakfast, Free wireless high-speed Internet access and Free weekday newspaper. This is a Pet-friendly hotel; fees apply. Business travelers can take advantage of additional conveniences like access to copy and fax service during their stay. This hotel features warm and inviting guest rooms that are furnished with microwaves, refrigerators, coffee makers and hair dryers. Rooms with upgraded amenities like kitchen facilities, whirlpool bathtubs and spacious work desks can be requested.

Econo Lodge Dexter

Hampton Inn by Hilton Dexter

Offering free WiFi, OYO Hickory House Inn is located in Dexter. Each room provides a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Guests will also find a microwave, a refrigerator and a coffee machine in the room. The bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer. At OYO Hickory House Inn there is a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Guests can make use of the on-site barbecue facilities while kids enjoy the playground. Parking is included at no extra cost. This property is a 14-minute drive from Holly Ridge Conservation Area. The Stars and Stripes Museum is 5.3 mi away.

OYO Hickory House Inn

OYO Malden Airport Inn provides flawless service and all the necessary facilities for visitors.Stay connected with your associates, as complimentary Wi-Fi is available during your entire visit.When arriving by car, take advantage of the hotel's convenient on-site parking facilities. Your stay will be comfortable with the presence of room service and daily housekeeping as an in-room amenity for your relaxation and enjoyment.To ensure the well-being and convenience of all visitors, smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the entire hotel. In order to ensure the utmost level of relaxation, the guestrooms feature an inviting design and are equipped with all basic necessities, creating a delightful stay experience. To ensure your satisfaction, certain rooms in the hotel come fitted with air conditioning for a more pleasant stay. In select rooms, visitors can enjoy a touch of amusement with the availability of television and cable TV for their entertainment needs. Within specific rooms, a refrigerator and a coffee or tea maker is conveniently available for your use.Understanding the significance of bathroom facilities in enhancing visitor contentment, hotel offers a hair dryer, toiletries and towels within a few chosen chambers. Throughout the day and night, guests can enjoy light refreshments with the hotel offering vending machines.

Courtney & Colt

Courtney & Colt

Things to Do

Dexter Welcome Center Depot and Museum

Boon Park

Hidden Trails Country Club

Mingo National Wildlife Refuge

Lambert's Café

Lake Wappapello Wappapello, MO