Emily & Jake
Wedding Party
Adam Assad
Officiant
There is SO much more to Adam than the title of Officiant. He is a friend, he is family, he is the most insane chef you've ever met and absolute legend when it comes to hosting a dinner party (don't get us started on his world famous ossobuco). Cousins Adam and Emily both grew up in East Aurora, NY, and as fate would have it, both moved to San Diego about a decade apart. After nearly 20 years, the two of them reconnected and discovered they had much more in common than their family name, love for tabbouleh, and appreciation for the Buffalo accent's punchy, nasal hard "a". Adam has been a constant source of light and laughter in Emily & Jake's lives for the past several years, and they couldn't think of anyone better fitting and more meaningful to seal the deal than the man himself!
Steve Gordon
Best Man
Steve is the best man, well known for his superior intellect, dry wit, and comprehensive knowledge of fast food chains (ask him about the best Del Taco in San Diego County). Founding member of the B-Team (Jake’s college rap group). He and Jake have been friends since the 8th grade East Coast Trip and have been inseparable ever since.
Matt Kelly
Groomsman
Matt is known for his easy disposition, prodigious beard, unexplained travels, and opaque job description (read: spy?). Jake and Matt have been friends since 7th grade math class, when Matt gave Jake his first Pixies CD. Founding member of 30 Helens Agree (Jake’s high school band). The rest is history.
Matt Louv
Groomsman
Matt is a comedian and champion fisherman (ask him how grizzly bears smell). He and Jake have known each other since 8th grade, and the only call home Jake’s parents ever got was when he erased a white board with Matt in 11th grade.
Jeff Filice
Groomsman
Jeff is known for his encyclopedic knowledge of spaghetti westerns, award shows, and lesser-known DC Comics superheroes (ask him about Mister Miracle). Founding member of the B-Team. Jake and Jeff have known each other since summer camp at the Swim and Racquet Club between 6th and 7th grade.
Grant Sukchindasathien
Groomsman
Resident CB, Grant is known for his boundless creativity, musical talent, and unique curse words. Founding member of 30 Helens Agree AND the B-Team (that says it all). Grant is Jake’s oldest friend, having been stuck with him since the 5th grade.
Noel Crisostomo
Groomsman
Resident electric vehicle evangelist and self-described Planeteer, Noel is an energy policy zealot (don’t you even think about running your dishwasher past 4 PM in California) and all-around great guy. The pancit, lumpia, and customized pizzas at his birthdays growing up were the stuff of legends. Noel and Jake have known each other since 5th grade.
Steven Chew
Groomsman
“Chewy” is a charismatic old soul who wishes he came of age in Laurel Canyon in the 1970s. An undeniable “funcle,” Chewy can be spotted doing the Funky Charleston on the dance floor should COVID regulations permit. Jake and Chewy know each other from UCLA Campus Tours.
Kevin Chan
Groomsman
Kevin Chan, whose accent is a mix of Winnipeg and Malibu, can be found on Tik Tok or any social media that supports a front-facing camera and his love for unboxing videos. Trust me, you’ll want to smash that follow. He also recently received a new lease on life after barely surviving frigid water in Cabo San Lucas for Jake’s 30th birthday. Jake and “KChan” are friends from UCLA Campus Tours (and shockingly, post-Cabo).
David Bress
Groomsman
Five foot five with a six-foot personality, Bress is the life of any party. As a high school teacher, Bress has the patience of a saint and a deep knowledge of Washington, DC slang. Bress and Jake are friends from UCLA Campus Tours, and Jake is hoping to earn the honorary role of “uncle” to Bress’s baby-on-the way with his lovely wife, Orit.
Dean Atyia
Groomsman
Dean, whose accent is a mix of Memphis and Malibu, is an absolute character at best/worst. Will Dean offend one of Jake or Emily’s family members? “Hard to say, hard to know” (a favorite phrase of his), but a damn good time nonetheless. Jake and Dean are former “baby lawyer” co-workers.
Lindsay Kingston
Maid of Honor
Maid of Honor, Lindsay, was Emily’s first best friend (and still to this day), since they were about ~6 years old. From the moment Lindsay asked Emily to “tickle her back” (aka: give her a massage during reading time) and Emily happily obliged, it was clear their friendship knew no bounds. Lindsay and Emily have been attached at the hip alongside their other 1/3, Mo (see next door) since Day 1, and Emily truly can’t picture life without either one of them. Lindsay and Emily went on their first of many trips together to Florida back in middle school, where Emily’s fake Louis Vuitton luggage from the local flea market burst open in Orlando, and Lindsay, along with her family and other passersby, had a gas. Lindsay oversees literally every email that gets sent out by HBSC, so check for typos.
Mo Maciejewski
Maid of Honor
Maid of Honor, Mo, and Emily have been on an adventure together since the day they met. The two first became friends when Emily noticed Mo plucked her eyebrows for the first time, and they celebrated by a trip to the McKinley Mall and survived a near asphyxiation by Hollister cologne immediately following. Luckily, they survived, and the world was able to bear witness to Mo’s new high-arch. Mo and Emily saw Sir Paul McCartney together for the first time, moved to San Diego together, and have survived many a near-death experience since Hollister in 2004. Mo is the Founder of Evsecco, which will likely change your life.
Katie Ayres
Bridesmaid
Katie is the sister of the groom and new puppy mom to her adorable son, Clovis. Katie and her wonderful boyfriend Clay could live off of their land, easily, as a master pickler, and an unbelievable baker. Katie has shown off her camping and fishing skills multiple times during family trips to June Lake, where she also also exemplified her clear ability to thrive on any given survival reality show. Katie is not only a speech therapist, but also a talented artist (check her out on Etsy).
Dick Pircon
Bridesman
Dick and Bink (the transition starts here) met in college when the two were both nominated (bribed?) as their fraternity’s social chairs (what suckers). The two became close (read: inseparable) on Semester at Sea, where they circumnavigated the globe from Japan to Morocco, and laughed the entire way. Dick and Bink can be found regularly manifesting their own talk show, or faking their very own engagement for free champagne. Dick owns JP Morgan (he may correct you but that sounds accurate), but more than a financial genius, he is one of the greatest friends on earth.
Emily Hutchinson
Bridesmaid
“Hutch” is easily one of the most hilarious and shocking people the bride is lucky enough to call a friend, or more accurately, family. As one of the most emotionally receptive and intelligent people the bride knows, Hutch could make friends with a wall and in turn, make them feel like the most special person in the world. Emily and Hutch met on Semester at Sea, and one of their most memorable moments was sleeping under the stars on the bride’s 22nd birthday, along with a close second of getting lost in Morocco, only to find themselves again. Hutch runs Hotel Figueroa’s Sales Department and can be found romping around Los Angeles with an ear-to-ear smile, infectious laugh, and likely sushi rolls and roe in hand.
Annika Hathaway
Bridesmaid
“Swag” refers to one’s appearance, style, or the way one presents themselves, usually in an awe-inspiring fashion. Annika can be found filed next to this very definition. Annika is the bride’s resident go-getter. As a Viacom exec, Annika stops at nothing to defeat her own goals, and truly exemplifies the “always climbing, never peaking” mentality the bride and her Semester at Sea clan strive to both preach and practice. It’s well known throughout the southwest that Annika has never forgotten a birthday, an anniversary, or a chance to make her friends and loved ones feel special. She can also be found rocking out to New Radicals on any given occasion.
Keli Thoma
Bridesmaid
Keli and Emily met during her first days working at Classy, a local fundraising company in San Diego. Keli, as a team lead both in and out of the office, quickly took Emily under her wing and the rest was history. Keli has a giggle that could make a Queen’s Guard slap a knee, and is there for her friends like no other. A true outdoors gal, Keli loves camping, adventure, and will never say no to Mexico (even on a school night). Keli has never not been there for the bride, even answering calls as early as 4 AM when the bride detects her read-receipts (you might want to turn those off, Kel). Keli is an incredible cook and is known for her bone broth and coconut ranch. If you can't find her in Mexico, she's at the Farmer's Market.
Laura McKenna
Bridesmaid
Laura and Emily also met at Classy, and quickly bonded over their love for deli meats and chardonnay. Their friendship has stood the test of time and county lines, as the two have gallivanted all over not just Southern California, but also the bride’s hometown of Buffalo, NY. Laura is responsible for any and all ab workouts the bride has ever done, courtesy of her ability to make anyone around her howl with laughter. Laura can be found picking Ruth, the Mother of the Bride, out of any given crowd, and hoisting her up upon her shoulders for a joy ride around town (against Ruth's will - or is it?).
Kelcey Teyechea
Bridesmaid
Kelcey is equal parts class and sass. As former co-workers as well, Kelcey technically hired Emily onto her team at Classy, where the two became indivisible with their love of sarcasm, appreciation for butterfly cards (ask Kelcey, she loves explaining this one), and nonsensical humor, as Kelcey truly has a gift for physical comedy (find her at the after-party), and is not afraid to let a little loose. Kelcey is a new-found lover of golf, so with the world renowned Torrey Pines golf course so close in proximity to the wedding venue, if she's not on the dance floor, she's sinking a hole-in-one.
Kory Nybo
Bridesmaid
Kory and Emily first became friends nearly 7 years ago at Emily’s first job out of college (shout out to Insight Global), and their friendship quickly transpired into one that would literally and figuratively change Kory’s life. Kory met her husband while out and about with the bride, and the rest was truly history. Kory has an affinity for charcuterie boards, crisp sauvs, and her jaw-droppingly adorable son, Canon, a mini-golden doodle who will run off with your heart as if it were a game of fetch.
Jessie Panasiti
Bridesmaid
Jessie "Come Have One" Panasiti is the definition of a good time. You call her up on two occasions: 1) when you want to cheers to life and all it encompasses, and 2) when you need the most rational person you know to talk some sense into you. Jessie's thirst for adventure is unparalleled, and she has opened both the bride and groom's eyes up to the wonders of Ensenada, Mexico (shout out to La Bufadora), which they may never truly be able to repay her for. Jessie's fantastic boyfriend, Eddie, has accompanied Jake to many a Premier League "football" game at The Harp, where Jessie and Emily can be found cheersing in the corner wondering what in God's name is going on.