Anneka & Este
Wedding Party
Cecilie Euser
Maid of Honor
Cecilie is a superhero ICU nurse, an avid gardener, and most importantly... the little sister of the bride! Favorite Memory: First of all, Cecilie was the most adorable child, so pretty much every memory from childhood includes someone trying to pinch her cheeks. Getting into fights, but then immediately teaming up when we got in trouble. Holland during Christmas 2015, iceskating around the rink in Amsterdam with Owen. Christmases at home, where Cecilie is always the first one awake and insisting we go through our stockings from Santa, even now that we are in our 30s. But some of my favorite memories have been the ones we have made over the past months as we finally live within 15 minutes of one another, which has allowed us to have regular dinners and cozy nights around the fire together!
Michelle B.
Bridesmaid
One of Anneka's best friends from college, live music enthusiast, and fellow lover of magical and special things. Favorite Memory: There was one year of matching onesies... but the context has been lost to time. So, a close second would be a single moment that has been experienced time and time again together. This would the moment one or both starts crying during a live show. Every live show carries with it a moment that is so exciting, or satisfying, or perfect, or emotional, that nothing is sufficient except tears - almost always super happy tears but sometimes they're bittersweet, but they're always cathartic. It's an absolutely wonderful feeling and moment and Michelle (Meeshy) is the absolute best person on the planet to experience it with! Here's to more live shows in our future!
Ali Clark
Bridesmaid
One of Anneka's best friends from college, forever boyfriend, and fiercely loyal human. Favorite Memory: Ali and I lived in San Francisco within walking distance of one another for 5+ years, so a lot of memories have been made. Mimosas brunches that turned into afternoon adventures, cozy New Years Eves, & long walks that were just an excuse to chat (more). But I have a new memory now, that I am so thankful for! On the afternoon Este proposed (which was also Ali's birthday!) Ali, her husband Andrew, and their ADORABLE daughter Katherine, made their way to Swensen's Ice Cream to secretly photograph the moment for us and then celebrate with us after. During a time when we have been asked to stay distant from our friends, having her there was a truly special moment I will never forget.
Briana Clifford
Bridesmaid
Anneka's very first friend in California, unfailingly supportive human, and only person Anneka knows talks faster than she does. Favorite Memory: Almost 25 years of friendships provides a lot of memories, including adventurous flights home from college tours, confusingly successful Bay-to-Breakers runs, and much more. But topping the list is us convincing Andy and Kevin to let us leave school early following our AP tests at our all-girls high school. This was fun on principle, because it involved Starbucks, being out of uniform, and not being in class, but it was extra lovely because we were in such solid agreement as to why the small act of rebellion was warranted: the boys' school had been released early, so we were entitled to it too. This YAAAS GIRL attitude still shines bright today.
Erin Euser
Bridesmaid
Erin is Anneka's cousin and her fellow lover of long talks and good champagne. Favorite Memory: Having spent the better part of the last 7 years living near one anther in San Francisco, I have been lucky enough to enter real adulthood alongside Erin, which has been a true blessing - and I also got to experience Erin's drool-worthy cooking and baking skills! But the best memories with Erin are from the weeks that the (John) Euser, (Andrew) Euser, and Gerlomes families spent in Aptos, CA during the summers growing up. Those weeks were slow and lazy and full of family and games of cribbage. That magical time was captured in many awesomely awkward photos of Erin and I in our teen years - bonus points for finding a photo where we convinced Owen and his pile of blond girls to pose with us!
Lindzy Gasparella
Bridesmaid
One of Anneka's best friends from college, wildly creative human, and positive ray of sunshine. Favorite Memory: There are many silly moments that will be remembered forever, but some stand out above the rest. It is important to know that if you're ever in a bind, Lindzy is someone you want on your team. From re-tellings of misadventures in Thailand that had us cry-laughing to stretching a breakfast buffet for two to feed seven, Lindzy always has a plan! Finally, we cannot forget that it was Lindzy's wedding to her husband, Andy, that kicked off the tradition of the "The Wobble"! Dancing the night away to that ridiculous song was not only the best way to kick off a decade of wedding adventures, but it was SO fun that we have kept the tradition ever since. Cannot wait for a repeat soon!
Claire Hartsoch
Bridesmaid
One of Anneka's best friends from college, a lover of long walks, and a magical fellow adventurer. Favorite Memory: So many, but the most unique would have to be Burning Man 2019. With Este as team leader, Claire, and Claire's husband, Kevin, and I all committed to tackling Burning Man for the first time. It was a lot of packing, a long overnight drive, a few *parked* naps (with gentle wakeup's from strangers), and a lot of dust, but it was also one of the greatest adventures and I was lucky to experience it with Claire. From swinging in the clouds, to roller skating in the desert and everything in-between (bartending, bike rides, endless dancing, new friends, and BURRITOS) it was a moment in time that I will never forget and I am so so thankful to Claire for diving in with me!
Mary Keown
Bridesmaid
Anneka's cousin, creator of the infamous game "Guess What Mary's Thinking" and probably one of the funniest people on the planet. Favorite memory: Our time together in San Francisco! A seven-year age gap has never kept us apart, but living in the same city for a few years helped us grow even closer! I enjoyed our nights out and dinners in and adventures to stalk local influencers at Gap. I laughed until I cried and will cherish those memories forever! Close second and third would be taking her out to wineries one day before her 21st birthday and watching her brilliant high school drama performances at Justin-Sienna! Oh - and playing literally any game with Mary, especially if Uncle Jeff is also involved. Cannot even attempt without laughing. THE. IN-TEN-SI-TY.
Brianna Larson
Bridesmaid
Brianna (Anna) is Anneka's cousin, fellow book nerd, and favorite trouble-maker. Favorite Memory (we've been causing trouble together for a long time time, so there are a few): The introduction to American Girl Dolls by my little curly haired, orange-mustached, wild child cousin and being so jealous. Running around in the hills behind Grammy and Papa's house and feeling like we were miles, rather than feet, from home. Having sleepovers and trying to sneak back into the house... and epically failing. Living together for a few months and spending the whole time reading Outlander and forgetting to talk to one another - or to Anna's husband, Roger. Holding my Godson, Gino (Anna's oldest), at his baptism while he screamed but still looked like the cutest baby of all time.
Danielle Roe
Bridesmaid
One of Anneka's best (and first) friends from college, wedding planner extraordinaire, and wonderfully caring human. Favorite memory: Considering it was not BFF at first sight, we have absolutely thrived as friends. Best was adventuring around Ireland together along with Danielle's husband, Colin. We wandered the streets of Dublin together looking for our quintessential Irish evening and we found it! We spent the most magical night in a basement pub outside of the tourist area listening to a three-piece band play both old Irish ballads and quirky covers. Still one of the best vacation memories of all time. Bonus note: Colin and I share the same birthday and so for one day a year Danielle is tasked with managing to celebrate two people on the same day - and she does it with huge success!
Allyson Saca
Bridesmaid
One of Anneka's longest friendships, fantastically dry sense of humor, and genuinely good human being. Favorite Memory: To pull just one memory out would be a disservice to the long-standing friendship - it's more like a highlight reel! Carpooling in high school, during which I almost always made everyone late and Allyson kindly, but exasperated, got everyone organized and on the road. Family camping trips together. Laughing until we both were in tears. Seeing Allyson's parents' confused looks as I bawled my eyes out and Allyson cracked up at the end of The Notebook. Visits to one another in college. Walks around the Lafayette Reservoir. Long days of wine tasting in Napa and now long dinners at home in Bay Area, within the 20 minutes of one another again after all these years!
Marie Sidelnikov
Bridesmaid
One of Anneka's best friends friends from college, crafting queen, and crazy (proud) plant lady. Favorite Memory: My first trip to Europe was alongside Marie in 2014. It was a whirlwind trip through London, Paris, The Netherlands, and Italy and it included fancy teas, a trip to the emergency room, an overnight in a train station, and a hike up to the top of Duomo while running a temperature and having an asthma attack, but it was fabulous adventure! A close second comes several years later following the birth of Marie and her husband, Vadim's, first child, Clara, when Este and I joined the new parents for a little r&r in Cabo. Beach, sun, beers, and one giant tomahawk steak made for a fun and relaxing weekend that is definitely due for a repeat in the near future!
Brian Goldstien
Groomsman
The Wayward Journey - We were driving home from Burning Man in a huge U-Haul. Brian drove & I was the DJ, he made fun of my "anthem" music, we shared stories, & I almost got us killed. He heard a sound & thought the back of the truck had opened & wanted to pull over. I had a better view of the roadside & said he could pull over. Turns out the roadside was less a turnout & more a deep & dangerous ditch that nearly sent us & the truck tipping over. Thankfully Brian, a man who hasn't owned a car in years, is a surprisingly skilled driver & managed to avoid disaster. Most people rightfully would’ve had a few choice words to share but the great guy he is, Brian didn't get mad or try to make me feel bad. Although, he hasn’t been in a car, truck, train, plane or any other vehicle with me since.
Jinsoo Joo
Groomsman
The First Impression - My first year at Burning Man I pulled into camp & I saw a few people milling about groggily in the early morning hours struggling to wake up. One person did stand out & that person was Jinsoo, drink in hand, wearing only a pair of bright red speedos, dancing away with a big smile on his face. I thought to myself, who is that guy & more importantly does he want to be my friend? Luckily we did indeed become friends, sharing many great times & many tremendous hangovers. Jinsoo’s a mix of Sophia from Golden Girls, Capt. Picard from Star Trek, Jerry from Seinfeld, & a dash of Barney from the Simpsons (it's true you booze bag). Always direct, usually funny, & the core of any group of friends he is in, I am so thankful he is a friend although my liver might disagree.
Luke Huffstutter
Groomsman
The Hype Man - I met Luke on NYE at Jeff & Val's home where he was staying for the weekend. That night is a story for another day but it sprung a series of adventures for years after, always centered around a big party, festival, or event. Luke’s an impossibly excited person, genuinely amazed & happy to be on this beautiful planet & shares with everyone that immense contagious energy. Our first big weekend together was at Coachella, 3 plus days of Luke non-stop, jumping, yelling, dancing, cheering, running, screaming, cartwheeling, shouting, fist pumping, & otherwise living & loving life fully & completely. Somehow my quiet subduedness & his boundless energy mix & match to form a beautiful friendship & I am so happy to have Luke in my life, ready to hype up the dance floor at my wedding.
Jeff Starr
Groomsman
The Die-Hard Fan - When I moved back to the Bay Area I met Jeff because he was Val’s boyfriend (now husband), they were both so welcoming & supportive inviting me to every occasion. Well... maybe I invited myself everywhere but the important thing is Jeff was then forced to hangout with me. Best of all Jeff, being a born & bred Portlander, is also a die hard Cleveland Browns fan. We are both fans because we simultaneously decided in high school we didn't want to be accused of being a band-wagon fan. So we both choose the team with the worst record in the league, THE Cleveland Browns. After 20 years of struggle the Browns finally gave us reason to celebrate this year! We cant wait to spend a chilly week in February 2022 in Cleveland watching & reveling in a Browns Super Bowl win.
Dan Chang
Groomsman
The Monkey Brother - Some people you meet & in time you become good friends. Then there are people that you meet & the next day you are wearing coordinated matching monkey scarves & sunglasses for octogenarians with cataracts. Dan is the latter. Hanging out with Dan is always an adventure. A Tuesday night may start off as a beer in a sleepy Mission dive bar but lead to asking people on the street in Oakland at 4am for directions to a mystical party at "Animal House". Or a simple trip to the bathroom at a concert turns into an extended show stopping dance party with a guy dressed as a banana handing out lemons. Not sure if Dan has a keen ability to make these things happen without me knowing, or if he is a divining rod for the unusual but I do know that he will always be my monkey brother.
Valerie Starr
Groomswoman
The Enabler - As you read through this list of characters who will be standing by my side as I get married, all of them I have in my life because Val enabled it. Well not my sister, she was stuck with me & can't blame Val for that but everyone else can point to Val as the reason for me in their lives. When I moved back to the Bay Area as a penniless, broken hearted, recent college grad living with my parents I hadn’t kept in touch with anyone from my childhood. At the encouragement of my sister I reached out to Val & without hesitation she invited me to San Francisco to come to a party & introduced me to an amazing group of humans. More than a decade later I can look back to that day as the start of a new life, one with priceless friendships and experiences all because of Val.
Luisa Meza
Best Woman
The Big Sister - On a road trip as a kid I was peacefully looking out the window when a pair of feet hit the side of my face, my sister's feet. I told her to get them away but she just giggled. I ignored her but she kept pressing them into my face. Finally I grabbed her feet & threw them over the seat bench. She yelled out "Este hit me" and my Dad responded "Stop bothering your sister!". Then, with muted giggling only I could hear she moved her feet back to my face knowing I was powerless to stop her. You might wonder then, why would I ask her to be my best person for my wedding? Well for every for every diabolical mind game or cliche big sister torture I endured she made up for it a million times more with unwavering support and love. She’s the best big sister a kid brother could ask for.