Wedding Party
Katie DeCou
Matron of Honor
Ali and Katie met before they even knew they would be friends...in the hospital moments after Ali was born, due to their moms being friends. And truly the rest is history here. Ali, having no siblings, and Katie, having only brothers, have been like sisters ever since, doing everything together as they grew up. They experienced both the good and the embarrassing moments, and despite that, are still best friends sharing countless stories, memories and many, many inside jokes...Almost all of Ali's favorite memories include Katie. Ali has always been considered a part of Katie's family, and Katie was jokingly nicknamed "the black sheep" of the Venn family. "KATIE, wash your feet" - Ann Venn
Jess Cabeen-Wang
Bridesmaid
Ali and Jess have been friends ever since Sophomore year in college after they ended up joining the same Sorority. Ali was so thankful to meet Jess through this experience and they ended up being roommates for several years after that. Jess always put up with Ali's antics, including making her many a scrambled egg "hangover" breakfast. Jess is fun, bubbly, and accepting and has always been there for Ali through life's ups and downs. Jess and Ali both love a good glass of red wine, and Ali and James love when Jess and her husband Nicolas come down for weekends to wine taste and cook some amazing food. Not to mention, Kinley sure loves when Auntie Jess visits.
Libby Straube
Bridesmaid
Ali met Libby when Libby lived on the same floor her freshman year as Ali's freshman friend group did Sophomore year. Although Ali didn't live on that dorm floor that year, she visited her friends often and quickly bonded with Libby. Libby is such a caring, funny, and positive person and she and Ali share many college memories together, and also share a love of red wine. Ali and Libby have been friends ever since college. Ali loves when Libby, her husband Zack and her parents visit Paso for a wine trip as Ali becomes one of the Bramson family members for a weekend. Ali now loves when they visit even more as she gets to spend time with baby Cameron!
Natasha Taylor
Bridesmaid
Ali first met Tash on the freshman dorm floor at UCLA. Ali quickly realized what a kind hearted soul Natasha was when, after hardly knowing each other, she offered to accompany her in walking over to Sorority rush together and was even so kind as to share her snacks. Like elementary school friendships, those that share snacks remain friends forever... and Ali and Natasha have remained friends ever since. Although Natasha now lives in the faraway land of Kansas city, Ali and her still keep in touch via phone, facetime calls and visits, when possible, and it always feels like no time has passed. Natasha is such a wholesome and lovely person who Ali feels lucky to call her friend.
Monica Santos
Bridesmaid
Ali and Monica also met through the freshman dorm floor at UCLA. Monica was the one who truly brought their college freshman friend group together, organizing a game of Catchphrase in the common room on basically night one, when no one else had the guts to do so. Monica has been to just about every annual college friend group beach trip since freshman year and Ali was lucky enough to visit her, along with a few other college friends, when she lived in Vietnam. Monica is the most genuine, open-minded and accepting friend. Ali and Monica keep in touch pretty regularly as Monica always makes an effort to reach out and join any friend hangout that is organized.
Irina Astrom
Bridesmaid
Ali had the pleasure of meeting Irina here in our hometown. Since the first day of meeting her, Irina has been the most authentic, wholehearted and adventurous friend and they have shared many of Ali's favorite memories together including central coast outdoor adventures, cooking and wine nights, themed parties and more. Irina is always there at a moment's notice whether you need a good girl's night or just a quick chat to catch-up. Irina's dogs, Jagger and Cobain, are also some of Kinley's bestest friends.
Ashlyn Silva
Bridesmaid
Ali met Ashlyn when searching for a roommate after moving back to the Central Coast after college. While they actually didn't initially live together, they quickly bonded and also shared many local memories together, including when Ashlyn ended up living with Ali for almost a year. Ashlyn is spirited, confident, and loving and Ali loves that she can call Ashlyn for a hangout at the drop of a hat. Today Ali is a proud (self proclaimed) Auntie of Ashlyn's spunky little girl Paisley and loves visiting Cayucos for a girls day or sleepover with the two of them.
Shayla Shannon
Bridesmaid
While Shayla is James' sister, Shayla and Ali were actually friends in high school, outside of knowing James. Many a good memories, and likely a few embarrassing stories, were made over sleepovers and high school dances. After high school, they ended up going their separate ways but were brought back together when Ali met James. Ever since then, it has been great getting to reconnect and become friends again, sharing memories over family game nights and holiday hangouts. Ali loves that Shayla is always up for a family hangout and is so excited to gain a sister as kind and sweet as Shayla.
Cole Quick
Best Man
James met Cole in 2009 and they quickly bonded over their shared tastes in music. Their friendship has grown over the years from weekend parties and concert trips to weekend BBQ's and camping trips. Cole regularly went to visit James while he was away in college and helped to alleviate his homesickness. Cole has always been there for James, even when they lived hours apart, and will continue to be there through future life stages. Cole is one of the most humble, driven, and talented people that James knows, but he thanks his wife Becca for getting him to eat his vegetables.
Zach Cook
Groomsman
Zach is James's cousin and has been there from the start. They are only a few months apart in age so they experienced the same trauma of growing up in the Shannon family. Their early years were spent attending family BBQ's and birthday parties, and spending time at Nana and Grandpa's house trying to stay on their good side. Zach moved to the bay area with his mom and sister in Elementary School but moved back after he graduated high school. He quickly fell in with James's friends and is still a part of the group today. Zach is always down to grab a beer at Cal Coast with Ali and James or come over and keep Kinley busy to give them a break. "Unckie Zach" is one of Kinley's favorites.
Steven Knowles
Groomsman
James met Steven way back in Elementary School but really became best friends in High School while working as lab partners in Auto Shop. Steven has always been the lynchpin that held together their tight circle of friends. His infamous house served as home base for the groups' many adventures and shenanigans. Steven has a warm heart and has welcomed many a fiend into his home when they didn't have anywhere else to go. He will always be one of James' closest friends.
Sean Powers
Groomsman
Sean and James grew up playing youth sports together but became close friends in high school while they were both on the baseball team. They bonded in the dugout but extended their friendship to weekend poker nights and Sunday dinners with his family. Even though they spent many years apart while Sean was in the Army and they both attended college, their friendship remains strong. James credits Sean with motivating him to finish his college education when Sean began attending school after he left the Army. Sean recently moved back home with his family and James is looking forward to many more years together.
Tyler Pendley
Groomsman
James met Tyler through Steven and bonded through their mutual friends. They spent many weekends out on the lake and shooting pool at the house while they were roommates with Steven and Jeremy. James has always admired Tyler for his ability to pursue his passions and achieve his goals. Tyler always brightens the mood and is genuinely the nicest and most caring person there is.
Jeremy Wheelon
Groomsman
James met Jeremy through Steven. Jeremy was working for Steven's family company and seamlessly fell into their friend group. They spent many years developing their relationship as roommates and drinking buddies with BBQ's, lake trips, and concerts. They've both grown over the years but their friendship has stayed consistent. Jeremy is a loving and supportive friend, but an even better teammate for "Team Bus Boys."
Tim Boyd
Groomsman
James met Tim in college in Monterey. James was attempting to stay under the radar in class but Tim wasn't having it, and consistently attempted to start up conversation. James gave in and made one of the best friends he'll ever have. Tim and James joined a business fraternity together and Tim helped make James' college experience memorable with bar nights, beach trips, BBQ's, burritos, and King Cobras. Tim even once beat James at a game of darts.
David D'Esposito
Groomsman
David is Ali's closet cousin. Having no siblings, Ali was thrilled when David was brought into our family. Ali and David grew up together and being both only children, are almost more like brother and sister than cousins. David met James over family holiday get togethers and quickly became friends with James.... David might even like James more than Ali! David was always Ali's sous chef for family gatherings. That is until James came along and, being a much better chef than Ali, was quickly named head chef, demoting Ali to share the sous chef title with David. Many a holidays have been spent between us three bonding over late night Halo missions or watching movies.
Meagan Sowerby
Officiant
Meagan is James' cousin and when thinking of who we wanted to be our officiant, Meagan's name popped into our heads, as we knew we wanted to have someone special marry us. Ali has enjoyed getting to know Meagan better over the last several years whether through family game nights, wine tasting events, or couples dinners with her and her husband, Richard. Meagan was quick to welcome Ali to the group and make her feel like part of the family. Meagan is fun, energetic and warm-hearted and Ali is thrilled to gain another cousin.
