Charlotte & Ryan
Wedding Party
Austin Rising
Officiant
Without Austin, there would be no Ryan and Charlotte. You see, Austin hosted an event at a craft distillery in DTLA he had recently discovered. Austin invited Ryan, whom he met through a leadership development program 7 years ago when Ryan unknowingly chose Austin to be his buddy since the task was to pick someone who you wouldn’t normally talk to, and Ryan thought Austin was unapproachably scary looking, and he invited Charlotte, who picked Austin after several rounds of interviews structured to discover a roommate. Austin’s event was the first time Ryan and Charlotte met. And then, Austin shared stories naturally while talking in the kitchen with Charlotte, until eventually, Charlotte demanded that Austin schedule her a date with Ryan. After Charlotte called the restaurant to verify that a reservation was in fact made for the correct time, the rest is history. So it is only appropriate for Austin to be the person who officiates Ryan and Charlotte tying the knot—Oh and we forgot to mention, he’s also a professional voice artist, so hopefully it sounds OK!
Margaret Juravic
Best Lady
Margaret and I have been friends for over 8 years! We met in college and never looked back! Margaret and I always find a way to have a good time, whether it's staying in and playing board games, or hitting the town, she is the perfect friend to always bring a positive attitude! She is my go-to lady for advice and the occasional vent session. She has been excited for me through many pivotal moments of Ryan and my relationship and I cannot think of anyone better to fill the role of my Best Lady! Margaret is currently living it up in San Francisco before she transitions back to her home town of Chicago! Thank you for being a big part of my wedding Margaret! Cheers to a life long friendship!
Sarah Shaff
Bridesmaid
Sarah and I have actually known each other since I was born. She is my original friend and rockstar sister! Most days she can be found making wine or whiskey or cuddling with her beloved dog Kobe! We enjoy traveling together, seeing Broadway shows, playing games, and finding new restaurants. Our father even says he raised us to be explorative eaters, but we have surpassed even his well-traveled comfort zone for finding new and exciting things to eat. Our most recent food exploration was eating a smoked cricket -it tasted like bacon except not...! I couldn't imagine tieing the knot without her by my side!
Danielle Powell
Bridesmaid
Danielle and I have been friends since college! She and I moved to Los Angeles together and weathered the crazy that is the post-college life crisis and a big scary new city! We enjoy watching movies, going to comedy shows, brunching hard, and hitting the beach for a bike ride! Our favorite first LA passtime was hiking in Malibu and then grabbing a burger at Malibu Pier Cafw. Once we found that perfect Sunday we started to fall in love with the easy-to-hate-at-times-yet-fantastic Los Angeles. Five years later and we are both still thriving in this crazy big city and being each other's rock! I couldn't imagine my life without her as a sounding board, hiking buddy, brunching pal, and support beam! Thank you for supporting me on our big day Dani!
Heather Baughman
Bridesmaid
Heather and I met in LA shortly after I moved here! She is a rock-solid brunching, adventuring, art-loving lady in my life! She can be found at the sewing table designing and creating epic pieces of fashion! We have spent many weekends in the sunshine talking through our current problems and walking through modern art museums -not touching stuff... mostly...right Heather? Our craziest adventure together was skydiving last year! We had such a blast conquering a fear together. It was thrilling and thankfully resulted in not even a scratch or bruise! Heather has been there through every step of mine and Ryan's relationship and I cannot imagine making it official without her by my side! Cheers, Heather!
Alex Von Lersner
Best Man
Alex and Ryan first met at a Los Angeles Sinfonia alumni event in 2013. At the time, Ryan was looking for a roommate and someone to play music with, luckily, Alex is a fantastic drummer, not a terror to live with, and also a loyal friend. Together the two have traveled internationally, ridden motorcycles, bowled countless games, and have assisted each other during times of career risk and growth. Alex has pulled Ryan up at his worst and helped Ryan move more than once -who does that? However, Ryan did repay the debt by carrying his and Alex’s pack a ways during a sierra backpacking trip. Alex was one of the first people to remark how healthy and happy Ryan seemed with Charlotte. Through thick and thin, Alex has been there. Hopefully, he doesn’t embarrass Ryan too much with his speech.
Harry Lewin
Groomsman
Harry and Ryan first met when they were 7. Ryan went to Harry’s house, rocking a bowl cut, and a sweet 20 inch bike with shocks to ask if Harry wanted to play. After some tumultuous years of aging with plenty of arguments through the years and time in different cities, Harry and Ryan are still fantastic pals happily reunited in Los Angeles. These days, Harry and Ryan can be found playing music (harry on Guitar, Ryan on Bass, Alex on drums, Peter on Guitar), wrenching on cars and motorcycles, or sipping whiskey together. Harry knew Ryan and Charlotte were perfect for each other when he found out that Charlotte and Ryan sent each other calendar invites for each and every date. Though he made fun of them for it, he was happy to help execute the proposal, and also toasted that he further was convinced of the appropriateness of the match because he believes no one can roast Ryan better than Charlotte can—and that’s saying a lot for being friends since age 7. Harry, and will stand by and witness the moment as a groomsman.
Loren Quintanar
Groomsman
Loren and Ryan first met at the start of UCLA’s solid gold sound band camp Ryan’s sophomore year of college. If memory serves, Loren was wearing nothing more than a speedo with his sousaphone. Despite this fact, Ryan and Loren went on to play tuba in multiple ensembles at UCLA, and eventually to recharter Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a music fraternity together. In addition to lifelong tuba mate and fraternity brother, Loren was the first friend to whom Ryan introduced Charlotte—Loren and his now wife Samantha joined Ryan and Charlotte for a somewhat cold but enjoyable and lengthy dinner in Malibu Canyon, only four weeks into Charlotte and Ryan’s courtship. Loren and Samantha had demanded the double date after hearing how excited Ryan was about Charlotte. Since then, Ryan and Charlotte attended Loren and Samantha’s wedding together where Ryan was Loren’s best man. Now Loren gets to stand with Ryan as a groomsman!
Rupen Dajee
Groomsman
Rupen and Ryan first met at UCLA—bonding as some of the more organized and motivated individuals pushing forward the reactivation of Sinfonia, and growing much closer through working together for years after college. Additionally, Rupen has taught Ryan how to adventure safely, and can be said to be responsible for Ryan’s scuba certification—Rupen and Ryan dove on the great barrier reef together—as well as Ryan’s motorcycle license--Rupen and Ryan once rode from the ocean to the ski slopes to say they could surf and ski in the same day in California shortly after Rupen convinced Ryan to take a ridership course. Rupen also taught Ryan how to travel with vitality, showing Ryan how to enjoy Thailand, Japan, Australia, and Fiji with little time and even less rest. Ultimately, Ryan is capable of far more with far less sleep than he once thought possible, simply by spending a sizable portion of life with Rupen. Rupen has also backpacked in the Sierras with Ryan, so Ryan has taught Rupen some adventure too! Rupen will stand with Ryan as a groomsman.