Simply Country Barn - Weddings & Event Venue

Craig & Liz's Wedding Day

Outdoor Ceremony

Buzz's Pub & Grill

Afternoon Refreshments

Dinner

Dance

Our Wedding

Craig and Elizabeth met on a free dating site, “OkCupid”. A meeting was arranged at XS Nightclub, on Nov. 27, 2016. But, despite how well it went, it is “contested” whether it was the first date. Regardless, they spent the next two weeks seeing each other every night. It is safe to say that they fell hard for each other.&nbsp; Over the course of the next two years, Craig and Elizabeth spent a lot of time together. They enjoyed board games, movies, walks, trips, and many shared activities. Even when Craig went to Jamaica for a week with his family, they talked every day. Then, in 2018, Craig bought a house in northern Appleton, and they moved in together. In 2019, they adopted a dog, Charlie, and Craig proposed.&nbsp; The wedding was planned for fall of 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic made the celebration at Simply Country Barn, as Craig and Elizabeth envisioned it, impossible. Impatient to begin their family life together, Craig and Elizabeth got married in an intimate gathering of their immediate family on October 3rd. A celebration of their marriage with all their family and friends was planned for the fall of 2021.&nbsp; Early in 2021, Elizabeth became pregnant with a due date in early November. Elizabeth and Craig agreed that a wedding celebration late in pregnancy, along with the lingering pandemic, made it best to postpone the wedding once again.&nbsp; Finally, two years later, Craig and Elizabeth will celebrate their wedding with you!

Our Story

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Carl and Craig have known each other since Freedom Elementary School. They were friends through middle school, high school, college and into adulthood. Whether it’s to meet virtually to play DotA, or to drive a couple minutes to one another’s house to play board games, lawn games, or just to talk, Carl and Craig are always there for each other.

Carl Kettner

Kris is Elizabeth's older sister and only sibling.  When the ladies were young, they agreed to be each other's Maid/Matron of Honor when they each got married.  Elizabeth was Kris' Maid of Honor back in 2004 and now Kris is delighted to be Elizabeth's Matron of Honor.  Kris lives in Green Bay with her husband, Doug, and three children.

Kris Steinke

Justin is Craig’s older brother (by one month and 13 days); yeah, they used that to confuse lots of people while growing up together. They shared a bedroom until leaving for college, were in a band together in high school (22:9), and shared many interests and hobbies. Justin now lives in Colorado with his wife, Michelle, and two children.

Justin Konkle

Joanna is a long time friend of Elizabeth.  The ladies have been close friends since middle school when their Art teacher, Mrs. G, introduced them during 6th grade Art Club.  Joanna met her husband online and married and moved to Canada.  Even though Elizabeth and Joanna live in different countries from each other, they are still great friends!

Joanna Montrichard

Dan is Craig’s brother-in-law (husband of Tara); Craig grew up with Dan as a surrogate older brother, for Dan began dating Tara while they attended high school. Dan and Craig have grown very close over the years, making wine together, and often being the only two family members (dumb enough?) to get in the freezing Pine Lake waters to work on lifts and docks.

Dan Van Hoof

Tara is Craig’s older sister. She has always been very loving, caring and supportive of all her brothers. Tara quickly embraced Elizabeth as a sister, enjoying shared family time while camping, swimming, playing card games, and long talks around the fire. She lives in Sherwood with her husband, Dan, and two daughters. 

Tara Van Hoof

Garrett is Craig’s younger brother. He and Craig have a long-standing tradition of teasing each other, but also being fiercely loyal. They often turn to each other when support is needed; whether it is when hunting, felling trees and splitting wood, or to “supervise” a party at their parent’s house. Garrett lives in Kaukauna with his wife, Kasey, and two daughters.

Garrett Konkle

Izzy is Craig’s oldest child. Izzy quickly warmed to Elizabeth, playing Legos together (Laquisha!), enjoying a variety of board and card games, and sharing their interests and worldviews. Izzy enjoys writing, drawing, singing and roleplaying. Izzy is a sophomore at Seymour High School.

Izzy Konkle

Izaiah is Craig’s only son. Izaiah is very loving and affectionate, and loves being with family and friends. He and Elizabeth are a perfect fit; they give each other the best hugs. Izaiah is also very active; he enjoys wrestling, nerf guns, football, and baseball. Izaiah starts middle school this fall.

Izaiah Konkle

Charlotte is Craig and Elizabeth’s daughter. She is nearly a year old (and the reason the wedding got postponed from 2021). Charlotte loves to be held, snuggled, and tells great stories. She rarely gets upset, but when she does, singing her a song or listening to music usually calms her.

Charlotte Konkle

Joel Hadfield

Craig met Joel while attending University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. Joel lives in Arizona with his wife, Angela. Joel meets virtually (along with Tim, Ben and Carl) nearly weekly to play DotA and Jackbox games for almost twenty years.

Ben Van Hoof

Craig met Ben while attending Freedom High School, and, yes, he is the younger brother of Dan. Ben lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Elaine, and three daughters. Ben meets virtually (along with Tim, Joel and Carl) nearly weekly to play DotA for almost twenty years.

Tim Karikusus

Craig met Tim through Ben. Tim lives in Utah with his wife, Lindsay, and three daughters. Tim meets virtually (along with Ben, Joel and Carl) often to play DotA for almost twenty years.&nbsp;

Joe & Deb Konkle

Bill & Mary Kaminski

Wedding Party

Q + A

Starting at 9:30 pm, Bus Guys will be available to take you to your home (within the Fox Valley) or to the hotel. This is being offered as a free service to our guests. We just request you tip the drivers appropriately. This service will last until 12:30 am. You must then return to Simply Country Barn the next day to pick up your vehicle promptly.

The Bus Guys LLC

Bus Guys

There is a block of rooms at the Country Inn &amp; Suites in Little Chute available for $169 per room, per night. The block rooms are available for September 23-25. **Deadline to book/cancel is two weeks prior to wedding.**

Elizabeth & Craig

Elizabeth & Craig

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