David & Michelle
Wedding Party
Dave Norman
Best Man
Nickname: D-Major Drink of choice: Anything with drinkability Friends for life moment: Carpooling to the batting cages in Emeryville while playing on the world champion Pelicans little league team (even though he probably would have rather have been golfing) Superpower: Linguistics innovator Dave^2 have been a power team since they became friends back in middle school. D-Major, as he is known on the underground rap circuit, even kept an eye out for Michelle during their time together in UCSB (or was it the other way around?). You won't find a better, more loyal guy. Dave holds a master’s in Urban Planning and works at a leading smart meter manufacturer.
Gabby Saucedo
Maid of Honor
Nickname: Gabs Drink of choice: Whiskey Neat Friends for life moment: Working after school and on the weekends at Body Options. We dressed mannequins, talked about relationships and contemplated life...you know, the usual for 2 high school girls. Who gets paid to hang out with your bestie???...we did! Superpower: Master Conversationalist Gabby is so easy to talk to. She has a sixth sense when it comes to understanding me. It is as if we are actually sisters. We can talk for hours and it seems like no time has passed. Fittingly, Gabby has her Master's in Speech Language Pathology and each day helps her patients improve their ability to communicate.
Pat Broderick
Groomsman
Nickname: Brod Drink of choice: Bottom shelf Irish whiskey (he won’t be able to tell the difference) Friends for life moment: When I spotted him on the playground in kindergarten rocking a sweet Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles T-shirt. Superpower: Mudlogging Pat and Dave first met on the playgrounds of Joaquin Miller Elementary school. They bonded over turtles, sports and video games and have been friends ever since. Some favorite past times include making annual summer pilgrimages to Buck’s Lake and coaching little league together. Pat owns a geotechnical company after cutting his teeth as a mudlogger.
Brynn Kaufman
Bridesmaid
Nickname: Lovie Drink of choice: Light Beer Then, Red Wine Now Friends for life moment: Brynn and I shared the pleasure and pain of taking the majority of our upper division science classes together at UC Davis. We would reward our hard work by watching the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy back before there was DVR. She let me burrow my feet under her legs to keep them warm while watching the latest drama in the lives of Meredith and McDreamy. Superpower: Queen of Colors Brynn and I took a post-graduation trip to Europe. Brynn’s mom said that if we could survive the trip and still want to hang out with each other, will be friends for life. Turns out it was super easy!
Mike Lee
Groomsman
Nickname: The Mike Lee Drink of Choice: Bear Fight Friends for life moment: Waiting for the beat to drop in Vegas Superpower: Feeding people Hungry? Mike Lee usually is. Always down for a bite or drink, Mike and Dave have spent many a quality night out in SF. They originally met back in college. Mike is also the creator of the popular workout program “Body by Mike Lee” that he has honed on numerous group vacations over the years. While not feeding people or making them sweat Mike works as a software engineer for a small startup called LinkedIn.
Kelly Ong
Bridesmaid
Nickname: Kel aka KOng Drink of choice: Jameson and Ginger with Lime Friends for life moment: Taking turns driving “the boys” from one adventure to the next. It was never a dull moment hanging with Kel in high school. Superpower: Warrior (Dubs and Rainbows) Kel exemplifies the saying, "Big things come in small packages". Standing in at slightly above 5 ft., Kel played volleyball for the University of Hawaii and now owns and operates a club volleyball team in Oahu. When she's not coaching or playing volleyball, she is willing the Warriors to victory, one Facebook post at a time.
Jeff Smith
Groomsman
Nickname: Smithers Drink of choice: A beer with the optimal combination of quality and cost Friends for life moment: Hopping in the pool to play together for the 2-time IM champion Ballcuzzi inner tube water polo team. Superpower: Fixing teeth Jeff and Dave met freshman year of college and would hang out whenever Jeff was not studying. They’ve stayed in touch ever since as Jeff moved from SF to Miami to NY and recently back to the Bay Area in his quest to be a career student. Jeff now owns an oral surgery practice in Santa Cruz and is starting to plan for retirement.
Allison Smith
Bridesmaid
Nickname: Mischa Drink of choice: There’s nothing like a good Cab for Allison. Friends for life moment: The “Oeste Boys” hosted a pre-dental party one night our senior year in college. It was there that I was first officially introduced to Allison. It was funny because I thought I already knew her. Of course, that was the girl from the OC. Thankfully Allison is MUCH cooler than Mischa Barton. Superpower: Making Science Sexy Allison has her Master's in Occupational Therapy and PhD in Pediatric Science. In addition to her work in the NICU as a feeding specialist, Allison teaches first year OT students at San Jose State University. She and I instantly bonded over our love for children. An OT and a PT, natural friends.
Robby Huang
Groomsman
Nickname: The Dwight Howard of Beer Pong (back when Dwight Howard was a compliment) Drink of Choice: Scotch & Soda Friends for life moment: Cheering on the Warriors to victory during the We Believe playoff run. Superpower: Early adoption of Dubs jerseys - some swings (Monta Ellis), some misses (Anthony Randolph) Robby and Dave became friends toward the end of their college years. From friendly competition to see who could get the highest A+ in game theory class to overanalyzing the Warriors to “investing” in cryptocurrency, Robby and Dave’s interests have always overlapped. Robby manages a number of investments ranging from startups to real estate to restaurants.
Jaclyn Gertmenian-McKay
Bridesmaid
Nickname: Jackie Drink of choice: Doesn’t matter, she’ll have to plug her nose to get it down. Friends for life moment: Playing tennis at the Chabot tennis courts during the summer before Jackie moved to Colorado. It was one of the few times where we got to spend some time together, just the two of us. She was clearly better than I was at tennis, but was extremely patient and kind… foreshadowing the amazing mother and teacher she is today. Superpower: Duck Tape Wallet Magician Jaclyn, mother to Carson and Easton, 6th grade math teacher, track and cross country coach... slayer of spelling bees.
Devin Waterman
Groomsman
Nickname: Devineeeezer Drink of Choice: Everything (because he’s probably on another juice cleanse) Friends for life moment: Procrastinating in the dorms, getting pwned by 12 years olds in Counter Strike and talking about shockwaves. Superpower: Cracking backs The good doc was one of Dave’s first college friends. They lived on the same dorm floor and roomed together every year of college. Devin currently works with his dad at their chiropractor practice. When he’s not healing the masses you can always count on Devin for a smile and good laugh.
Michelle Gertmenian-Wong
Bridesmaid
Nickname: Mushy Drink of choice: Shots anyone!?! Of coffee, of course... Friends for life moment: We share the same name… need I say more??? A few years ago, Michelle and Andrew moved to SF and became neighbors to me and Dave! As a nurse, Michelle has pretty crazy hours, but we have managed to explore the neighborhood together, one Class Pass Pilates session at a time! Superpower: Speed Talking Extraordinaire - Mushy can get more words per breath than anyone else I know! Michelle is a kind-hearted nurse by trade and runner by hobby. She is incredibly gifted at both!!! Michelle is also an excellent photographer and the master mind behind our Save the Date photos! Thanks Mushy!!!
Paul Cotter
Groomsman
Nickname: Pacman Drink of Choice: Beer (don’t get him started) Friends for life moment: Playing Settlers of Catan and still being on speaking terms after Superpower: Making beer that people actually like drinking The older (and some would say wiser) of Michelle’s brothers, Paul Anthony has always been kind to Dave. Whether talking sports, beer, Settlers strategy or just life Paul is always thoughtful and genuine. Having traveled the world with his wife a couple times over, we are ecstatic to have them back in the Bay where Paul is studying the science/art of beer making.
Vanessa Gertmenian-Wong
Bridesmaid
Nickname: Voo Drink of choice: Whatever the cool kids are drinking these days ;) Friends for life moment: Circa Summer 2003, Dave and I went with Vanessa and Daryl to Disneyland. I convinced 9 year-old Vanessa to ride California Screamin' with me. This terrified her! I felt awful!!! Somehow, she forgave me and now loves roller coasters. Superpower: Melting Hearts with Hugs Hands down, Vanessa gives the best hugs out of anyone I know! She can brighten even the gloomiest of days! Vanessa is well on her way to earning a doctorate in Occupational Therapy and becoming a member of the first OTD class at Samuel Merritt. She and I will share all the same alma maters from high school to college to grad school.
Alfred Cotter
Groomsman
Nickname: Little Al Drink of Choice: Jungle Juice Friends for life moment: Navigating the road to Hana in a jam packed car and living to tell about it Superpower: Flying The younger of Michelle’s brothers, Alfred has grown from a mischievous pre-teen to a responsible adult seemingly in the blink of an eye. Alfred lives in Arkansas with his wife and newly born baby, keeping us safe by working as a mechanic for the Air Force. A dedicated family man, you can count on Alfred for anything even if it’s as simple as a warm smile.