Wedding Party
Karissa Gonyea
Maid of Honor
I met Karissa over 10 years ago during my first quarter of undergrad at Cal Poly Pomona when we coincidentally had 3 of the same classes together. People say friends you meet in college are ones that stick with you for a lifetime, and she's exactly that. We've seen each other through two long-term relationships each. And she's been there for every birthday, graduation, heartbreak, life transition, and career milestone. There was never a really important moment in my life where she wasn't there. She's seen me evolve as a person over the most pivotal years of my life. She's someone who always puts others first, even if it means putting her own needs and desires aside. Though we're no longer joined at the hip like we were in college, she'll forever be a sister to me.
Michael Nguyen
Best Man
Mike is my cousin who happens to be my best friend. Despite growing up and living in three different homes together, our friendship grew when we both graduated college the same year. We would get off of our 8-5 jobs and reserve the evenings for exploring. I've always hated the congested streets of LA, but Mike showed me that there is beauty within the chaos. We had many countless nights of spontaneous drives to see improv shows, art walks and outdoor movies. Mike and I are different in many ways, but the one thing we have in common is our sense of adventure. Some of my most memorable trips have been with him and I hope we continue this tradition. I feel at ease around him, and I know he has my back no matter what.
Christina Zavalza
Maid of Honor
I met Christina the first year of graduate school over 6 years ago. Actually, we first met while interviewing for a different graduate program, not knowing we would both attend APU and become permanent parts of each other's lives. For 5 years, we spent almost every day together learning and training in the most vulnerable ways on how to become the best helpers of the world. So many Starbucks runs, art room visits, inside jokes and random outings. We soon realized how similar our hearts and minds are by how we experience love, life, and people. We can be real and playful with one another and it's because we have similar emotional perspectives. I know God brought us together for so many reasons.
Trung Ngo
Best Man
I met Trung when he first came America from Vietnam and joined our youth group. I wasn't really fond of him at first, with his fresh kicks and carefree attitude. I soon realized that this was far from who he is as a person. Our friendship really solidified when I found myself hanging out with Trung every other day for a full summer. Whether it was driving down to the OC for crawfish, going to CUE when it was still a thing, or playing basketball with the guys, it was always fun. Trung was always there for me during my early years of college when I was struggling with relationships and future life plans. He's one of the most selfless and caring people that I know and I'm proud to have him as one of my best friends.
Leanne Oda
Bridesmaid
I met Leanne while interning at the Cal Poly Pomona Children’s Center over 8 years ago. I always thought she was so bubbly and the happiest person I've ever met. Throughout the years I continued to learn how genuine, kind, and humble she is. We’ve connected over our love for working with kids, and over guilty pleasures like “The Bachelor.” One of my favorite memories with her was going to the Cayman Islands in 2012 and swimming with stingrays! She's an amazing listener and has been there for me through life's many challenges and shortcomings, and I'm so glad she's one of my best friends.
Duy Luu
Groomsman
Though we are only a couple of months apart in age, I can't recall a moment in my life without Duy. Being the eldest of four siblings, I can honestly say Duy is the closest thing I have to an older brother. Thank you for saving my life when we were kids. I literally wouldn't be here if it weren't for you getting grandma to pull me out of a sink hole. We've both come so far, from being village kids exploring the forest to grown men starting our own lives and families in America. I can't wait for us to have our own kids and for them to create their own memories, but it probably won't be as epic as ours.
Raina DeGuzman
Bridesmaid
I met Raina through Karissa over 5 years ago, but we didn’t actually hang out as friends until a Vegas trip in 2014. I always knew she was someone who perceived and experienced relationships and love the way I did, and we've bonded about this over the years. I think it's rare nowadays for people to just call to check in and say "Hi," but she’s someone who does just that. I appreciate that quality in a friend especially in our busy and chaotic lives. She's a very caring person and is always down to earth. We're often loud and obnoxious when we're together, but that's what makes it fun.
Jonathan Luu
Groomsman
Jonathan is my youngest brother and I'm honestly in such disbelief at how much he's grown. I remember when I visited him for the first time at the hospital, the nurse asked me, "are you excited to have a younger brother?" The question didn't really register at the time so I just shrugged. In retrospect if I were to answer the question again, my answer would be "hell yeah!" I would have told her how much I was going to love him and how much fun we were going to have as brothers. Jon has become an amazing individual with so much potential. I'm excited to see what the future has in store for him and I know whatever path he chooses, he will be great at it. I couldn't have asked for a better brother and we will always be there for each other no matter what.
Jenn DelCorro Cao
Bridesmaid
Being the only girl in the family, I always wanted a sister, and in 2013 Jenn became the sister I never had. Though distance was a little barrier in getting to know her in the beginning, I never worried about what kind of person she was if my brother chose her for a lifetime. When I first met Jenn, I knew my brother was in good hands because I’d never seen him happier, and that makes me appreciate the person she is so much more. Jenn is one of the most down to earth, loving, and passionate people I know, and I'm grateful to have a sister like her. Not to mention, she's also such an amazing mother to my nephews!
Robert Solorio
Groomsman
It's funny how complete strangers playing soccer together can become the best of friends. I don't remember exactly when we became such good friends, but I'm sure alcohol was involved. Aside from being one funnest people to be around, Robert is one of the most considerate and dependable people that I know. Whether it's being carried out of the bar or airlifted off of a mountain top, we always make it home safe and sound. It's always an adventure when we're together and it's apparent because people say "Oh no" when we're together. For better or worse, I wouldn't trade our friendship for anything. Thank you for always being there to support me, I'm blessed to have you in my life.
Emily Luu
Bridesmaid
Emily is one of David’s younger sisters. We met through youth group as young 12 year olds, and I became close friends with her even before I met David. She was in all of my favorite childhood memories when it came to youth group. We sang in our church choir and danced cultural dances together. We even faced the normal adolescent issues together such as boys and other girl problems. She has such passion and dedication for helping others, and I'm so proud of her for pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant. We sometimes joke to other people about being closer friends before I started dating David, but now we’re going to be lifelong friends as sisters!
Andy Luu
Groomsman
Andy is another cousin of mine, Duy's younger brother. Growing up I always viewed Andy as a reserved person always alongside Duy, and we often excluded him in our adventures. Now, I see Andy as a strong young man who wears his heart on his sleeve. If I can commend him for something, it's his love and passion for his family and friends. It's admirable to see how he continues to elevate our family through his words and actions. I guess our roles have changed quite a bit since childhood, and now it's me who wants to hang out with him. I'm so proud of him and excited for him to be part of one the most important days of my life.
Kelly Luu
Bridesmaid
Kelly is David’s second younger sister, who I also met through youth group. Growing up together was fun, singing and dancing together for our church. All of those endless practices were tiring, but it was fun because we were all together. Youth group became my second family, but little did I know Kelly would become my actual family one day too. Kelly is one of the most down to earth and fun-loving people I know. We both share a love for working with kids, so I know she'll be an amazing auntie one day. And I'm amazed at what she's accomplishing through nursing school. I’m lucky to be gaining another sister, and look forward to getting closer over the years.
Simron Dhillon
Groomsman
I met Simron in our master's graduate program. I remember being very subconscious about meeting new people because I was never really good at it, so I chose to sit in the back of the class. Little did I know this would be the start of our friendship, talking about the crazy weekend that we each came back from. As our program progressed, the more we hung out and the more I appreciated him. I can honestly say I wouldn't have survived the program without his friendship. Thank you for all the times you made sure I had a place to crash. That little hallway by the stairs will forever be mine. Though we're "grown" now with many responsibilities and don't have time to hangout much anymore, I will forever cherish our friendship.
Jennifer Su
Bridesmaid
I met Jennifer several years ago through her boyfriend Trung, a mutual childhood friend from youth group. Jennifer has been a part of our journey the last few years through travel adventures to Portland, Seattle, Napa, and Zion. As I've gotten to know her, she's proven to be one of the most dependable and caring, yet funnily sarcastic people I know. She always knows how to make things happen because she's a big planner. And she may not be a natural hiker, but she put up with one in Zion just so we could get engaged! I've come to really appreciate my friendship with her, and I'm looking forward to many more travel adventures together.
Gabriel Lara
Groomsman
I also met Gabe in our healthcare program the same day I met Simron. Gabe is still the same person I met years ago and I really appreciate that. If I can describe Gabe in two phrases it would be "work hard, play hard" and "what you see is what you get." Whenever I'm with Gabe I know it's going to be a great time, but I also know there is much more to him than a "party animal." He's a very smart, hardworking and caring person. I think the reason why we're such good friends is because we're very similar, someone who's loyal to friends and values family. We came from very similar backgrounds and have the same mindset on life. Life would be so boring without people like Gabe and I'm proud to have him as one of my groomsman.
Nguyen Vu
Groomsman
Nguyen is probably one of my oldest friends from our youth group days. My childhood would have been very boring if Nguyen didn't create a fun and exciting atmosphere during Sunday gatherings. He's a funny, caring and passionate individual with a great moral compass. Growing up, Nguyen would influence us kids to participate in activities such as lion dancing, camping and volunteer work. You would think that washing cars or going to video tapings on the weekend would be pretty boring, but he made it fun. He can turn any event into a party. I believe that my memories and experiences with Nguyen helped me grow to be a better person. Thank you for being such a great role model for me and I hope you continue being the same exuberant individual that I've always known.