Danny & Ami
Wedding Party
Andrea Moser
Maid of Honor
Andrea and I have been each other’s “roll dawg” since high school. We’ve always been up for new adventures, and we’ve painted many a town red and dominated at numerous game nights together (especially when I practically lived with her every weekend for a few years after college). Andrea and I have experienced many stages of life by each other’s side, and I can always count on Andrea to be there for me. Now, as I begin this next chapter in my life, I’m so grateful to have her by my side as my maid of honor.
Joe Markowski
Best Man
Joe and I met back in 2011 while working together as security guards in Anaheim at the Marriott Fairfield Inn Hotel. We quickly became friends as well as regulars at our favorite sports bar and pool hall, Danny K’s. As our friendship continued, Joe and I really bonded over country concerts and camping trips. There’s nothing Joe wouldn’t do for me if I asked him to – I know that because I have asked him for some pretty crazy things, and, without hesitation, Joe has done it or been there for me.
Krystin Steranka
Matron of Honor
Krystin is loyal beyond measure and always makes sure I feel loved and cared for. We can be our weird, silly selves around each other and thrive off the eccentricity. Krystin is super driven and can achieve any goal she sets her mind to, and she supports me and motivates me to reach my goals as well. With her sensitive insight, Krystin is also very perceptive and helps me see certain things in a different way when I need to. Krystin is basically the female version of Danny, so I really am marrying one of my best friends, and I couldn’t be happier to have Krystin as my matron of honor.
Brent Bosson
Groomsman
I’ve known Brent longer than any other friend. We went to elementary school together, but our friendship blossomed after I came home from college. We hung out almost every day, whether it was playing basketball, cruising through Claremont Village, or just kicking back on his dad’s porch swing having conversations about life. We eventually became roommates and lived in a converted attic where we had some crazy times and made great memories. Brent is the kind of friend who would bend over backward for anyone he loves — he even coined the term “brother” for those in our friend group. That’s because when you become friends with Brent, you become family and are treated as such.
Sam Mortensen
Bridesmaid
Sam goes above and beyond to make sure her friends are taken care of, and she is an amazing listener and has always made me feel understood since way back in our high school days. As is her mission through her photography, Sam empowers and encourages others, and she is one of my biggest inspirations. She puts the needs of others first, which is just one of the many qualities that makes her such an amazing best friend, mother, and fiancée as well (she got engaged earlier this year and will have her own big day next year!). My wedding day wouldn’t be the same without my Sam by my side.
Frank Hunt
Groomsman
Frank and I became friends the first time we met. From the very beginning, we’ve always just seemed to “get” each other. It’s easy to be Frank’s friend because he’s such a positive and affable guy who carries on great conversations and can make anyone laugh. I met Frank through Brent, so naturally we hung out together a lot playing basketball, shooting pool, crashing karaoke parties, and for a little while we even lived together in a small converted attic with Brent. I try to get down to San Diego as much as I can to visit Frank - because every time I do, we have an amazing time.
Amy Ripley
Bridesmaid
Amy and I have been best friends all the way back since the 2nd grade (go Eagles!). She’s always been one of the most kind and selfless people I’ve ever known, and I know I can trust her with anything. We’ve had our share of fun nights out on the town, but Amy also enjoys a relaxing night in cuddled up with one of her many books or playing video games. She’s also super creative and a very talented writer of screenplays and a couple of novels! (Yes, I like to brag about her!) Amy is my Christmas elf who loves all things Christmas and winter, which balances with my love of summer. I’m blessed to have her in my life and by my side as I say, “I do.”
Justin Steranka
Groomsman
Justin is probably the most energetic person I know and also has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I have ever met. I’ve known Justin almost as long as I’ve known Ami, and we always joke that Ami and Justin are the same person because their personalities are so much alike. Throughout the years, Justin and I seem to keep getting closer. I think it has something to do with how invested Justin is with the people he loves and the amount of effort he puts into relationships. Justin and I could be wrestling on the golf course, messing around on skateboards, or racing each other on the beach… it really doesn’t matter, we’re going to have a great time, every time.
Kourtney Brandon
Bridesmaid
Kourtney is my “pequita viejita,” or simply “pequita” for short (a nickname whose backstory I shall spare you). We became best friends freshman year of high school in P.E. class and went on to have numerous classes together where we formed a strong bond. To this day, we still laugh about how we made up raps to memorize calculus equations, our silly conversations trying to use all of the Spanish words we were learning, and the ridiculously terrible rap voicemails I’d leave her daily. Kourt is my faerie who can often tell me how I’m feeling about things before I even realize it myself. I’m so grateful to have her love and support on my big day.
Nathan Adongo
Groomsman
Nathan is my little brother, or should I say younger brother. Growing up, we were thick as thieves – we still reminisce about the time when we were kids and I carried him over my head through a thorn field because he had no shoes (we weren’t supposed to leave the front yard but somehow ended up a few blocks away) or the time I cut my lip open and he cried with me for solidarity. We have tons of great memories from growing up together, and we continue to make more now as adults. Nathan has always been such a patient, humble, and kind guy, and he’s actually really funny – without trying – and an amazing father and fiance. Nathan grew up looking up to me, but now I am constantly trying to figure out how I can be more like him.
Kelsey Johnson
Bridesmaid
When I was just a wee child, my cousin Kelsey was born. She was the best playmate as we grew up together and has always been wise beyond her years (and she surpassed me in maturity quite quickly and resisted any bad influence I might have had on her). Kelsey is one of the sweetest and most patient people I know, which is part of what makes her such an amazing teacher. She was just married in March and is enjoying the title of “Mrs. Johnson!” Kelsey is my cousin by birth but my sister by choice, and I’m blessed to have her by my side as I say, “I do.”
Jason Danner
Groomsman
Jason and I met while in college at Western Illinois University. I was far away from home, didn’t know anybody, and was just told I would have to sit out my freshman year of football. That fall, Jason and I spent most of our time together either in the weight room or at Aurelio’s (our favorite pizza joint). And I can’t even recall how many times Jason came to pick me up from random places around campus because my Bronco ran out of gas. Jason is one of the funniest, humblest, and most motivated guys I know, and I don’t think I could have survived college without him. Even though Jason lives thousands of miles away and we don’t get to see each other often, when we do get together, we always pick up right where we left off without skipping a beat.
Alexa McPherson
Bridesmaid
I can always count on lots of fun and laughter when I’m with Alexa, and her infectious laugh is one of my all-time favorite sounds. We’ve engaged in numerous shenanigans throughout our decade plus of friendship, and I know I can depend on Alexa for anything and that she’ll always tell it like it is. Alexa is a world traveler and goes from one adventure to the next, and she makes friends everywhere she goes. She moved to Germany in 2016, and although she lives halfway around the world, she’s never far from my mind and heart. I’m so thankful for all of Alexa’s love and support, and she will be celebrating our wedding with us in spirit (and perhaps even in cardboard version!).
Dean Thorne
Groomsman
Dean and I met through Ami, and the two of us really bonded over our love for golf. There was a point where we were playing twice a week every week for several months. Playing a round of golf can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours - so naturally we got to get to know each other very well during that time. Dean is like a coconut... tough, hard exterior, but once you crack the shell, you get a super loving dude who would do anything for those he cares about.
Christine Harris
Bridesmaid
I met Christine a few years ago when we went to a concert with a mutual friend, and I felt a connection to her and her outgoing, bubbly personality right away. As my friend first and my future sister-in-law second, Christine is much more to me than my brother’s fiancée (but I’m so proud and excited to call her a Shores very soon!). Christine loves hard and stands up for her friends and family, and I’m so excited to have her stand beside me on my big day.
Justin Shores
Groomsman
Justin is Ami’s older brother. He and I met about a month into me and Ami dating. From the start, Justin invited and welcomed me into his family, and right away I could tell that he and Ami were very alike in that Justin is also an extremely considerate person who has a positive outlook on life. Justin and Ami are very close siblings, so having Justin not only give his blessing but also become a good friend of mine means the world to me. I love the great times and memories we’ve made while camping out in Panamint Valley and can’t wait for all the good times we still have ahead.
Danielle Easton
Bridesmaid
While Danielle initially thought I was pretentious when we met in middle school band, once she realized that wasn’t the case, we became friends and were inseparable. We bonded over our shared love of quesadillas and swimming in the ocean, leaving our parents on the shore as we spent every minute in the water. Danielle is my “jinx twin” because we would always find ourselves saying the same thing at the same time. We’ve been in each other’s heads and understood one another without words, and I’m so glad to have her next to me on my wedding day.
Alex Maafa
Groomsman
Alex, better known by his last name “Maafa,” is a “jack of all trades” kind of guy who always seems to be one step ahead of the game. I met Alex through Ami, so I’ve known him for a little over 5 years now and we always just seemed to click and mesh well together - I think it’s because we have the same sense of humor; we’re both tricksters who know how to sell the con. Alex and I once spent an hour or so recounting each of our best April Fools' pranks we’ve ever achieved… Alex won best prank… but I think that’s still up for debate.