Candace & Chris
Wedding Crew
Mandi El-Arid
Bridesmaid
Mandi and Candace first met when they were 5 years old in Kindergarten. They quickly became best friends and remained in one other's lives as they grew older. At 6th grade Candace's Dad and Mandi's Mom began dating and eventually married. Candace and Mandi are delighted to be sisters; as it was a wish of theirs since they met in Kindergarten. Today, they live in different states but Mandi and Candace still make time to see one another and do activities together. In the future Mandi and Candace look forward to starting a family of their own and raising their kids together. Candace is so excited to have Mandi by her side during the big day!
Crystal Kim
Bridesmaid
Crystal and Candace met in college at an American Marketing Association club meeting. When they talked they found to have many of the same interests in food, drinks, traveling, marketing and got along wonderfully. After graduating from college, they went backpacking for six weeks around Europe, seeing ten different countries while exploring the range of foods and drinks each country had to offer. Crystal and Candace currently don't live near each other but they continue to talk regularly and meet up monthly to enjoy their favorite Italian meals together or attending a Jason Ross concert. Candace couldn't imagine getting married to Chris without Crystal by her side.
Camille Graves
Bridesmaid
Cami and Candace have been best friends since they met in 5th grade. Cami was Candace's first friend after she transferred to a new school after moving. They continued going to the same school and eventually graduated high school together. Cami currently lives in Oregon but makes time and effort for phone calls with Candace to catch up with whats going on in their lives. She also visits San Diego multiple times a year to hang out with Candace and their other friends. Summer has always been a time in their friendship where they are able to spend the most time together. Candace is so happy to have Cami by her side when she gets married to Chris.
Lauren Williams
Bridesmaid
Lauren and Candace first met while playing softball in elementary school, they were on the same team and Lauren's Mom was their coach. After softball they were reunited in high school through a mutual friend group. Lauren and Candace have grown up together and have been there for each other through many 'big life' moments. Candace is honored to have her best friend Lauren by her side on the big wedding day.
Michael Marino
Groomsman
Mike was part of the first cohort of roommates Chris had when he moved to San Diego. The first interaction was the roommate screening interview in an apartment living room featuring nothing but an IKEA arm chair, a printer, and a floor lamp. As Mike emphasized that they basically will never see each other and that the fridge should not have beer in it - life would play out to be the opposite. Countless coffee hangouts, fond memories of Mike hitting a parked car, riding bikes, and both losing to Tom in a foot race - life has been amazing since our early days on Broadway St.
Juan Becerra
Groomsman
Juan was part of the second cohort of roommates Chris had the blessing of having. As we both approached a new chapter in our lives, we bunked up together at a place we fondly named Cafe Kansas. It was during our time together that we became the men we are today - ambitiously pushing each other to be better than what we were before we moved in. He takes full credit for teaching me the importance of breakfast, reigniting the pride of Latin culture, and losing at all of our bets (ask him about the blonde hair bet). We are there for each other no matter the situation, no matter the time of day.
Shane Bird
Groomsman
Shane can easily be seen as the pseudo roommate to Chris. While they necessarily never signed a lease, there are countless times crashing on each other's couch watching culinary YouTube videos and enjoying the nicest beers (or plum wine) from each other's cellars. Shane is one of the most authentic humans beings and will be the first to ground or hype Chris up when he needs it the most. One of the fondest memories is being roommates in an AirStream in Austin, TX where we woke up Shane to room temp cask strength whiskey with groom party. He's always down for an adventure!
Reverend Tony Mitchell
Officiant
Tony is Candace's Uncle and has been a part of her life growing up and now. He is a very loving, protective and master wordsmith who cares deeply about all his nieces and nephews. Tony has had the pleasure of seeing Chris and Candace's relationship blossom over the past 6 years. Candace couldn't imagine getting married to Chris without her Uncle officiating their marriage. It is an honor to have him lead one of the biggest moments in Candace and Chris' lives.