Christina & Daniel
Wedding Party
Josh Cohen
Best Man
It is hard to condense into just a few sentences all of the great experiences Danny and Josh have had, or how important Josh is to Danny. A thoughtful and empathetic older brother, an eager (and relentless) debate partner, a kindred Yankees devotee, a fellow West Wing expert (Josiah Bartlett 2024), the list goes on. Josh is a talented professor, insightful author, and pavement-pounding activist who helped turned Georgia Blue in 2020. Danny could not be more proud, glad, and grateful to have Josh as a brother and a Best Man.
Alyssa Nunez
Maid of Honor
Alyssa was Christina’s first friend, partner-in-crime, and enemy. Despite being 14 months apart in age, 8 inches apart in height, and living over 1,500 miles away from each other, Christina and Alyssa have very similar interests in books, movies, and music. They are both huge fans of the legendary Taylor Swift and always make time for midnight listening sessions for each new album. Alyssa is an elementary school teacher in East Austin, where she trains little humans in math, science, and the ways of Taylor Swift. Alyssa always sees the best in people and is always willing to lend a hand to her friends and family, which is why she is, without doubt, the “nice one” out of the sisters. Alyssa is the proud mom of two maltipoos: Max and Jax.
Abraham Nunez
Groomsman
Danny and Abraham have only known each other for a couple of years but Danny is looking forward to decades of holidays and get-togethers. A fun-loving musician, college student, and seasoned HEB employee, Abraham is setting his course and doing it on his own terms. Danny looks forward to seeing where that course takes him and to having another brother.
Cristine Brown
Bridesmaid
Cristine and Christina met at Texas Tech, where they both worked and lived at a student apartment complex. The place was rampant with racism and sexism, but they survived and Christina knows it was all worth it to find a friend like Cristine. They spent many nights at Chimys together and their apartments were so close that weekends constantly felt like sleepovers. After graduation, Cristine, Christina, and fellow bridesmaid Roxanna made sure to stay in touch by coordinating girl trips to Austin, Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Washington D.C. Cristine married her person in 2017 and Christina was lucky enough to be a bridesmaid. Cristine is the proud mother of a cat Marley and a dog Bernoulli and is from Houston, but now lives in Ohio.
Ben Adler
Groomsman
Ben may be one of the most impressive people Danny has ever met. A brilliant bioengineer with a keen sense for politics and a palette like Anthony Bourdain’s, being Ben’s friend since the early days of freshman year at Rice has been an adventure. Hot sauce festivals, dubstep concerts, hookah lounges, and lectures on metaphysics are just a few of the many things Danny and Ben have done together over the years. Generous and intelligent, Ben is another standout Lovetteer (EOL RRF!) and friend.
Emily Richardson
Bridesmaid
Emily was one of Christina’s first friends in D.C. As fellow Texas natives working for Texan Congressmen, they hit it off immediately at a Texas Dem happy hour. They were introduced by Christina’s first friend in D.C., Bryan, who is now dating Emily, creating Christina’s favorite couple. Emily was the President in the Women's Congressional Staff Association while Christina was Vice President. Emily is a bleeding heart liberal in the best way and has abandoned Christina to get a Master’s at the Yale School of the Environment. She is also an expert party host and skilled kolache maker. She is a fierce friend and a fierce advocate for things she loves. Emily is the proud dog mom of Abby.
Gannam Rifkah
Groomsman
Washington, D.C. Big Law lawyer by day, snarky and snazzy socialite by night, Gannam is truly the life of any party (including this one). Danny and Gannam go back to the first day of law school where Gannam always made sure there was a good time to be had by all. While in law school, Danny and Gannam braved the law school library to study (or not study), sampled the best vineyards and restaurants in Charlottesville, and traveled the globe with fellow groomsman Mark Thaler. Gannam’s energy, comradery, and charisma are just a few of the many qualities that make him a good friend and groomsman.
Lauren McIlvaine
Bridesmaid
Lauren and Christina met in a very Capitol-Hill-way: at a reception on the Hill. This was with the Australian embassy and Lauren and Christina quickly connected and took photos with the very large fake kangaroo. Lauren was effortlessly friendly and quickly made Christina feel like she found a real friend. Lauren and Christina were both schedulers at the time, though found her real passion in communications. Christina and Lauren have traveled to Cuba and New York, and constantly end up listening to Taylor Swift when hanging out. Lauren is the only non-native Texan in the bridal party, but makes up for it by letting Danny and Christina mooch off her Hulu account.
Mark Thaler
Groomsman
Mark and Danny hit-it-off on day 1 of law school and have been friends ever since. Smart, funny, and always ready to share an opinion, Mark has made every class, dinner, and trip more interesting and more worthwhile. It is unsurprising but still exciting that Mark is making his mark (get it?) on grocery stores near you with awesome energy bars (Kate’s Real Food). Danny is glad to celebrate his wedding with Mark and looks forward to many more celebrations, including Mark’s own wedding.
Roxanna Castillo
Bridesmaid
Her name is “Roxanna” not “Roxanne” like the famous Police song that someone will inevitably sing to her at the wedding. Roxanna, a Dallas native, was the roommate of fellow bridesmaid, Cristine, which is how Christina met her. Roxanna is the perfect example that people who are effortlessly cool and hot can also have a heart of gold. They spent many nights at Chimys together, bonding over the best margaritas in Texas. After graduation, Roxanna, Christina, and fellow bridesmaid Cristine made sure to stay in touch by coordinating girl trips to Austin, Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Washington D.C.
Parker Leach
Groomsman
Parker was one of Danny’s first college friends, helping bring Danny out of his shell and learn to cut loose. From Beer Bike to Austin City Limits to game days throughout the years, there are just too many good memories to count. Parker is also as good a friend as he is a mechanical engineer. It is a testament to Parker’s character that he has been a groomsman in every wedding our college friends have had. Kind, funny, and mediocre at fantasy football, Danny is glad to have met Parker during O-Week 2010 (EOL RRF!)
Samantha Stiles
Bridesmaid
Christina and Samantha met in a very Capitol-Hill-way, getting coffee in Dunkin Donuts in the Longworth House Office Building. They were both schedulers and learned the hard way that planes will close the doors on Members of Congress. Samantha is an El Paso native and Christina dragged her along many Texas Democratic events and they even spent COVID Christmas together since they couldn’t return to Texas. Samantha and Christina have traveled to Cuba, New York, and Maine together. Samantha is a fierce trip planner, but a fiercer friend. Samantha is the mother of her puppy, Poppy.