Wedding Party
Genna McKenzie
Maid of Honor
Genna and Ava go all the way back to 2003, when they first met in Kindergarten. From playground games to growing up side by side, they’ve been there for each other through it all. Along the way, their parent’s have become close friends too, making them feel more like family than friends. Over the years they’ve shared so many meaningful chapters: playing softball just about every season together, backpacking through South East Asia for two months in 2017, countless camping trips and living under the same roof for three years from December 2019 to December 2022. Through every high and low, Genna has been the kind of friend who shows up- loyal and honest, and always ready with laughter and support. She’s more than a friend to Ava- she’s the sister she got to choose.
Tua Va’a
Best Man
Tua is Alex’s older brother, and from day one he’s been someone Alex could count on — for advice, for laughs, and everything in between. When they were kids, Alex did what younger brothers do best: annoy his big brother and start plenty of silly arguments. But as they grew up, that childhood chaos turned into a strong, genuine bond. These days, they spend their time fishing, playing soccer,sharing a few beers while watching TV shows or telling stories, and spending time with his baby nephew — all moments Alex truly treasures. Tua has always been the perfect role model, and Alex feels deeply honoured to have Tua as a brother and to have him by his side as his best man.
Jessica Henselin
Bridesmaid
Jessy and Ava first met in 3rd grade in Mrs. Moulding’s class and have been close ever since. They became especially close through middle school and high school, creating a friendship built on so many memories, traditions and inside jokes that continue to this day. From a season of softball together and trips -like the one Jessy took Ava on to Vernon—to summers between high school filled with busing to movies and playing grounders at Centennial Park with their friend Ben, over the years, they’ve developed the kind of friendship where they often even say things at the exact same time. In 2020, Jessy became a mom to her beautiful son, Luke and she moved about an hour away, her and Ava’s bond has never wavered. Jessy is the kind of friend everyone is lucky to have- funny, loving, and endlessly welcoming. She makes everyone feel comfortable exactly as they are, and with her Ava has never felt like she was too much or not enough. Making her an irreplaceable part of this day.
Benjamin Darley
Groomsman
Ben and Alex first became friends in middle school. Alex still remembers Ben inviting him to hang out with a group of friends — Ava included — and that moment sparked the beginning of a long, easy friendship. Through middle school and into high school, they spent countless nights watching movies, eating junk food, and laughing at anything and everything. After high school, their friendship only grew stronger. Ben and Alex marathoned Game of Thrones, diving deep into the lore and nerding out together. In 2020, they became roommates, sharing a house near Elk Lake with their high school friends Michael, Alex C., and Amy. During lockdown, Alex was especially grateful to have Ben as a roommate — someone to share good times, good movies, and good company with. Over the years, they’ve watched more movies and TV shows than they can count — from Godzilla marathons to horror nights — and they’ve even picked up golfing together from time to time with Mathew and Leland. Ben has always been a loyal, steady presence in Alex’s life, and Alex is thankful to share this milestone with him.
Lauren Arcilla
Bridesmaid
Lauren and Ava became friends in 2018 when Lauren started dating Leland, and they’ve grown close ever since! Their friendship has been filled with unforgettable memories—from trips to Calgary, Banff, and a handful of Tofino getaways, to a memorable group trip to Hawaii in 2019. When they’re not travelling, you can usually find Lauren and Ava bonding over reality TV or getting way too competitive at game nights with Leland and Alex, battling it out over Ludo, Mario Kart, and just about every board game in sight. Beyond all the fun and adventures, Lauren has become one of the most meaningful and supportive friends in Ava’s life. Whether they are crafting together, creating something new, or spending hours in deep conversation, Lauren has a rare way of making people feel loved, understood and never judged. Her warmth, creativity, humour, and caring heart makes her not only an unforgettable part of Ava’s life and wedding day, but the kind of friend she hopes to have beside her forever.
Leland Savellano
Groomsman
Alex and Leland first crossed paths in Grade 7, and their friendship took root quickly. Since then, they’ve shared a long history of adventures — from hiking the West Coast Trail and paddling through the Sayward Lakes, to road‑tripping together to Calgary, Banff, and Tofino. One of their most memorable experiences was a trip to Hawaii with other members of the wedding party, a highlight in a friendship already full of great stories. Beyond the big trips, some of the best memories have come from cozy game nights with Lauren and Ava, and countless hours spent watching or talking about soccer — a shared passion that’s sparked many great conversations. Leland is the kind of friend Alex can rely on for spontaneous fun, grounded advice, and a steady presence through every chapter. He’s a true friend in every sense, and Alex couldn’t imagine this day without him.
Meaghan Crow-Parr
Bridesmaid
Meaghan and Ava have been friends since kindergarten, growing up just a few streets away from each other and walking home from school together nearly every day. Their friendship has always been filled with creativity, laughter, and shared adventures — from endless craft sessions to bunking together in Nepal during their 2016 Global Perspectives trip in high school. As kids, they wrote a massive bucket list that they still reference to this day. Whether they’re crafting, walking their dogs, or reminiscing about the past, Meaghan’s warmth, imagination, and steady friendship have been such a meaningful part of Ava’s life. Meaghan is the type of person who makes everyone around her feel cared for. She’s cheerful, honest, thoughtful, and always ready with the best advice. From heartfelt conversations to thoughtful gifts she somehow always knows exactly how to pick out, she has a way of making people feel deeply known and appreciated. Ava feels incredibly lucky to have a friend like Meaghan beside her on such an important day.
Matthew Jawanda
Groomsman
Mathew and Alex became friends back in high school when they ended up in the same Outdoor Pursuits class, spending countless days hiking and getting to know each other. After graduation, their friendship only grew stronger. Alex, Mathew, Leland, and Andrew shared many pub nights together, and during COVID, Mathew, Alex, and Leland kept each other laughing through endless online gaming sessions. Even after Mathew moved to Calgary, the connection never faded. The three of them still spend plenty of nights gaming together, and every summer Alex, Leland, Lauren, and Ava make the trip to visit Mathew and check out the Calgary Stampede. And whenever Mathew comes back to Victoria, you can count on him, Alex, and Leland ending up at the Prairie Inn at least once during his visit. Over the years, Mathew has become one of Alex’s closest friends, and Alex is glad to have him playing such an important part in the celebration.
Lydia Harrop
Bridesmaid
Ava met Lydia through her friendship with Andrew (one of the groomsmen, who’s been friends with Alex and Ava since high school). Andrew first introduced Lydia to the group during a camping trip in Tofino, and Ava liked her right away. Originally from England, Lydia moved to Whistler for a ski season, she quickly became such a loved and natural part of the group. Lydia is the life of the party, with a killer sense of humour and a heart of gold. She somehow managed to teach Ava how to both snowboard and ski — though Ava still admits she could use many more lessons. Lydia is endlessly generous, often offering to host get togethers. Beyond the laughter and adventures, Lydia is always up for deep, honest conversations and brings so much of her warmth and positivity wherever she goes. Her wit, kindness, and vibrant spirit make her an unforgettable part of Ava’s life and wedding day.
Andrew Irwin
Groomsman
Andrew and Alex became friends early in high school, first meeting in the same cabin at Camp Rockridge. Their friendship only grew from there, strengthened by shared classes, shared humour, and eventually by becoming tent partners on the West Coast Trail during their Outdoor Pursuits class — an adventure that added another great chapter to an already strong bond. After high school, Andrew moved to Whistler, but distance never slowed the friendship. Whether it was ski trips up to visit him, or Andrew and Lydia coming down to Victoria, they always found time to reconnect — at the pub, on the ski hill, at the lake or beach, or watching the sunset with Ava, Lydia, Leland, Lauren, Mathew, and Ben. Andrew was also part of the Hawaii trip with Alex, Ava, Leland, Lauren, and two other friends, which became one of their most memorable adventures together. Alex is grateful for their friendship and proud to have Andrew standing with him as a groomsman.