Ankush & Maggie
Wedding Party
Michelle Cyr
Maid of Honor
Michelle is Maggie's middle sister, the one who used to pull shenanigans throughout childhood, including but not limited to: slamming a car trunk on Maggie's head, telling Maggie not to blink and then flicking her in the eye, and willfully encouraging Maggie to go down "Big Kid Mountain" on a rickety scooter when she was six (thank you, Michelle). As a more mature adult, Michelle is an avid gamer, nature-lover, and the head of the education program at the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens. She's also responsible for our adorable flower boy, Soren. Hi Soren, it's me! I love you!
Adam McClaughry
Best Man
Adam and Ankush first met at the Chapman University dorms as freshman. While they were both in the film school and crossed paths every now and then, it wasn't until senior year when they lived together with the other member of their Chapman core trio, Nick, that they all realized they'd be friends for a lifetime. Adam makes a lot of jokes, and with his quick humor and wit you can't blame him. He's incredibly funny, a great dancer and a competitive athlete. Adam currently works as a director, editor, and visual effects artist based in LA and lives with his amazing girlfriend, Chaya!
Nicole Gee
Bridesmaid
The oldest of three, Nicole is the responsible and caring big sister everyone needs. Known for always being outside (walking, biking, swimming in the ocean), it's no surprise she's one of Maggie's favorite people to go sea glass hunting with. Thanks to her generous spirit, anti-lazy personality (whatever that's like), and brains, Nicole consistently makes it in the "Top People You'd Like To Have With You In An Apocalypse" list according to family polls. She's also been a junior high science teacher for the last ten years, so we know she doesn't accept any BS.
Juhi Khemani
Groomswoman
Ankush's older sister and only sibling, Juhi makes herself known in any situation and is often the life of the party. She loves a good glass of Sangiovese wine, her two fur babies Luna & Otis, and her NorCal life. Ankush and Juhi bond over their love of classically iconic movies, both good and bad, like - the Alien franchise, Air Force One, any of Tony Scott's movies featuring Denzel Washington. Juhi's wicked smaht, caring and a beloved junior high math teacher in Oakland, CA.
Chloe Kroes
Bridesmaid
Maggie grew up in a tight knit family with cousins she considers like siblings and Chloe is the OG "cousin-sister." A constant fun and silly companion, Chloe is a central figure in Maggie's childhood memories. From inside jokes to nicknames we thought were clever at the time (they're just our names backwards...), it wouldn't be a proper wedding without Eolhc. True to her nature, Chloe continues to be a positive influence in children's lives, working as an ABA Behavior Technician for kids with Autism.
Tommy Soto
Honorary Groomsman
Dec 31st, 1995 - January 9th, 2023 Tommy was a fun-loving and loyal friend to both Ankush and Maggie since they met in elementary and middle school. Known for his incredible talent on the drums and impeccable music taste, you knew Tommy was around by the drumming of his fingers to match any rhythm imaginable. Tommy earned his BA and Masters degrees in Accounting at Cal Poly SLO where he met his life partner, Maddy. A spot has been left open in our Wedding Party to honor Tommy's life and reflect the hole left in ours through his passing. You are always missed, friend.
Greg Kroes
Bridesman
If you can't reach Google, there's a good chance Greg will know the answer anyway. A walking wealth of information, Greg is Maggie and Ankush's go-to for book recommendations, world news, pop culture, and an unhinged sense of humor. A sense of humor, by the way, that he regularly inflicts on his younger cousins (which is all his cousins). Besides being a dork, Greg is a talented producer and businessman! He started his own production company, Mountain View Films, from his apartment and now works with some big-boy-fancy-pants celebrities like Kevin Costner and THE Prince Harry (which is soooo great for him. I love hearing all about it at our family functions. Oh, what country is Greg working in this week? What did Kevin have to say about him today? LEAVE IT ON LINKEDIN GREG, I wanna eat our grandparents' food in peace).
Amber Sharpe
Groomswoman
Amber is a ray of sunshine who brightens any room, lifts all spirits, and truly makes the world a better place. She's also one of Ankush & Maggie's closest friends. While technically Ankush has known Amber for longer since they were five years old, Maggie will correctly argue that she and Amber are just as close. They've held scary movie nights, beach hangs, picnics, and have stayed close through high school, going to separate colleges, and pursuing our own career paths. Amber is someone that people naturally gravitate toward because of her warm personality, and they want to be part of her inner circle. So really, Ankush & Maggie are so incredibly lucky to have Amber in our lives. She's a talented architect and actor currently based in LA!
Allison Brodie
Bridesmaid
Allie is the closest thing Maggie has to a little sister. Growing up together as another cousin-sister, Allie is a pivotal piece of the Kroes-Gee-Brodie family tapestry. Don't let her sweet face fool you, Allison can pull off any look she wants—one day it's soft curls, the next it's KISS meets David Bowie—and, she's a wicked artist who can sew, crochet, knit, and sculpt anything she can dream up! Allie is also half cat, which we like. Allie is studying Costume Design and Technology at Santa Barbara City College where she works in the theatre department. Nice.
Nick DiLorenzo
Groomsman
Nick is one of those rare friends that stumbles into your life and makes you wonder if you even deserve to be friends with them. He's extremely personable, friendly, funny and brings a great energy to any situation. It's not hard to understand why you want a friend like Nick in your life. Ankush also had the incredible honor of serving as Nick's best man at his wedding. Nick works in advertising and lives in Minnesota with his incredibly personable wife Ella and their two dogs Doc & Chomps.
Mari Bellefeuille
Bridesmaid
Mari, Maggie, and Ankush met in 7th grade at Goleta Valley Junior High when their dumb little 12-year-old minds couldn't even fathom the friendship that was about to blossom. Both a soccer player and lead on the yearbook growing up, Mari spent a lot of time with Maggie and Ankush whether she wanted to or not. Known for her kindhearted spirit and warmth, Mari is a skilled graphic designer (responsible for our beautiful wedding invites we might add) and loving mother. 10 minute round of applause for Mari Bellefeuille for bringing the sweetest most darling baby girl, Elena, into this world. If Elena wanted to, she could take over this entire wedding, I don't even mind, take it Elena I want you to have it!
Andrew Tufenkien
Groomsman
Andrew is one of Ankush & Maggie's high school friends and is genuinely one of the most caring and friendly people you will ever meet. Outside of the tennis court, that is. Andrew also happens to be immensely talented at not just tennis, the sport that he and Ankush played together in high school, but really anything he tries. Andrew lives a life of adventure, travel and just embodying the "live life to the fullest" saying, as he just came back to California after deciding to live in New Zealand for a year. His adventuring also lends itself to his stunning nature and landscape photography (seriously, check out his stuff), which is truly next level!
Lua Princess Angel
IS CAT
Imagine princess eyes in a little delicate baby fur body. She is grace, she is daintiness. She will seek out any and all hidden plastic and eat until she throws up. She loves instigating fights with her brother, then immediately realizing she actually doesn't want to fight. So, she'll scream when Kiko retaliates, inevitably leading to him being put in a time-out and her getting a treat. Tricky girl. ~ Lua ~
Kiko Tubbers McTubson
IS ALSO CAT
Imagine God placed a dog, a trash panda, and a feral street cat into a blender and hit blend--mm, you have a Kiko! Though from the same litter as his sweet sister, Lua, Kiko is cut from a different cloth. This tubby boy has forced Maggie and Ankush to buy a non-tippable trashcan, a breadbox to hide our breads, child locks for the kitchen cabinets, AND a $130 cat feeder that only opens to his sister's collar (he still managed to break into it if you were wondering). As they say, you can take the cat off the streets of Philly but you can't make him believe 3 square meals a day ISN'T cat abuse.