Daniel & Elizabeth
Wedding Party
Rebecca Michael
Maid of Honor
I met Rebecca in 2007 through a small group at Bel Air Presbyterian Church. We hit it off immediately and she's been my rock pretty much ever since. A strong woman of God with a huge heart, we would go on long walks together where we would process everything going on in our lives, then go back to her apartment to pray. We would joke that God was listening in on our walks. She has mentored me spiritually and "talked me off the ledge" more times than I can count!
Ali Kellogg
Bridesmaid
I met Ali in 2008 also through a Bel Air Pres small group. As the challenges of life came, my friendship with Ali grew deeper as we would confide in each other and lean on each other's prayer support. Ali is the biggest prayer warrior I know; and Daniel, she's been praying for you for a long time! She's also a former Miss Mississippi and has a cute Southern accent she uses when she's being funny. A working mom with 4 kids, Ali and I spent most of our catch-up time on Monday Bachelor nights.
Melissa Beaman
Bridesmaid
Melissa and I also met through yet another Bel Air small group (I sense a theme.) We bonded during a carpool from LA to Zion National Park and sharing a tent there. The first of many travel adventures that would follow, including whitewater rafting on the American River, hiking through the Superbloom in Anza Borrego, and all the way to the jungles of Angkor Wat in Cambodia! Melissa moved to Colorado a few years ago but we have stayed in touch more than ever through video chat. Melissa, you won't have to listen to my online dating horror stories anymore, but I'm still here for yours.
Heather Carlson
Bridesmaid
Who says you can't trust people you meet on the internet? Heather and I first met in a message board back in 2004. I said I needed a vacation and she invited me to come visit her in Texas (I had never been.) That would become the first of many of our trips together. I would go to the rodeo with her when I needed a break from LA. She would come winetasting with me when she needed a break from Texas. Heather's heart is huge and her love for Jesus and others is contagious. And she will be there for you if you just need to forget your problems and go on a margarita crawl.
Joseph Parker
Best Man
If he’s the “Best man,” why is Elizabeth marrying Me? Lol. I love that joke, almost as much as I love this guy. He’s my younger brother by 3 years and one of my best friends. We’ve been through a lot together, only God knows. And although he’s younger, I still find myself looking up to him. Teaching him to surf when we were “young,” was my gift to him. Tutoring me in chemistry was his to me, because without it, I wouldn’t be a nurse today. I owe this guy a lot and I’m so glad he’s my brother.
Robert Downs
Groomsman
First met this guy in Third grade. We took a 2 year hiatus while I explored other schools before we were reacquainted in Fifth grade. We became best friends after swapping shoes? Lol! We both learned to surf in youth group summer camps. Although neither of us surf anymore, we’re still close as brothers, always there for each other, no matter how much time goes by.
Raymond Gonzales
Groomsman
This is Ray, yet another one of my great friends who transcends our shared surfing adventures of the past. In addition to those adventures, he introduced me to cooler music, than I was already use to. He took me to my first Modest Mouse show way back in ‘98 and the rest is history. Thanks to him, Elizabeth and I share similar tastes in music and passion for live music. Thanks Ray!
Todd Reynolds
Groomsman
Todd was the first person I met at my church, and remembered my name when I returned a week or two later. I was so impressed I continued to return. Then he was inviting me out for men’s breakfast, where I got to know our Pastor, Hector, and some of the other men better. Next he was showing me the ropes as an usher. We been friends since and share not only a passion for our faith, but also our Dodgers! Go Blue!