Julia and Simon were married July 20th at the Alaska Heavenly Lodge in Cooper Landing. The couple met in 2002 when they were both working at the Moose's Tooth in Anchorage. The specific wedding date was picked because it was the 66th anniversary of Julia's grandparents, Karl and Kathryn Lemmerman, who attended the event from Cincinnati. Kathryn received a gardenia bouquet that duplicated hers from 1946.

The couple reside and work in Anchorage, where Simon is a biologist for the architecture-engineering company HDR and Julia is a mathematics teacher at Dimond High School.

The afternoon outdoor ceremony was delayed due to a car jacking/kidnapping event that resulted in the closing of the Seward Highway at Turnagain Pass. Numerous Anchorage based guests and the caterer were trapped on the north side of the pass. The event schedule was shuffled with the family group pictures being taken before the exchange of vows, which occurred under beautiful sunny skies. The wedding party included best man Matt Bergt, one of Simon's closest friends, groomsmen Kevin Wigren, Simon's brother, and Paxson Woelber, a longtime friend of Simon's. Bridesmaids were matron of honor Angela Comstock, Julia's sister, Kelly Mahle, Julia's cousin, and junior bridesmaid Alena Comstock, Julia's niece. The flower girl was Megan Mahle, Kelly's daughter. Performing the ceremony was Jason Mercer, a friend of Simon's for over 20 years.

Turnagain Pass was opened after several hours, allowing the caterer and 25-30 die-hard guests to arrive and enjoy the reception which followed at the lodge where guests, from all over the country, were wined and dined in celebration of the wedding. On Saturday, a barbecue was held at the lodge for family and guests that stayed on the Peninsula to enjoy the many local activities.

Julia and Simon honeymooned for 10 days in the Bahamas. They stayed at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort on the isle of Nassau.


Parents of the bride are Karl and Joanne Lemmerman of Anchorage. Julia is a 2002 graduate of Service High School, a 2006 graduate of Willamette University with a BA in mathematics, and a 2008 graduate of UAA earning her MAT with an endorsement in secondary mathematics education.

Parents of the groom are Greg and Becky Wigren of Anchorage. Simon is a 2002 graduate of West High School and a 2007 graduate of University of Alaska Fairbanks with a BS degree in wildlife biology.