Derek & Shundeez
Wedding Party
Monica Iglesias
Maid of Honor
Contrary to popular belief, Monica is not Shundeez’s blood sister. But they’re as close as any non-relatives can be. From the countless childhood days spent together in New Territory, Monica still remains Shundeez’s #1 “partner in crime” to this day. Even though Shundeez initially resisted their inevitable friendship in the beginning, there’s no one else she would rather be engaged with at the same time as Monica. Monica shares Shundeez’s love for planning big events and celebrating any and all occasions, and Shundeez vows to help plan Monica‘s wedding… as soon as she’s done with her own! Monica and her charismatic fiancé, Derrick (different spelling), live together in Richmond, Texas.
Bridget Turpin
Maid of Honor
Bridget and Shundeez first met when Shundeez moved to Sugar Land in 5th grade. Even though Bridget “stole” Shundeez’s skates before they even met, their friendship blossomed, from Sugar Land to Austin (where they attended UT together) and beyond. Growing up literally across the street from each other, Shundeez & Bridget grew as close friends soon after becoming neighbors. Despite Bridget later living such far off & exotic places as Australia, St. Louis, Wisconsin, and now Chicago, they remain as close as ever, regardless of geography. When Bridget visits during the holidays, they still meet at "the spot" exactly halfway between their parents' respective houses. Bridget and her charming (and recent) husband, Adam, still currently live in Chicago.
Ashley Duffey
Bridesmaid
Shundeez’s college roommate, assigned by pure chance, when the two attended UTSA together in ‘08-09. After Facebook stalking her and initially feeling apprehensive at Ashley’s styles and interests, Shundeez quickly found a shared love of laughter, live music, themed parties, and St. Patrick’s Day with Ashley. Despite Ashley moving to Dallas and then Chicago (where she currently lives), Shundeez and her are as close as ever, college friends for life.
Jessica Avila
Bridesmaid
Jessica is hands-down Shundeez’s most confident friend. In fact, Shundeez’s mother, Mahboubeh, can always tell when she’s been with Jessica, as Jessica’s energy and confidence is infectious. From high school besties to friends across the Pacific (Shundeez visited Jessica when she lived in Korea), they adore and care for each other even more than they both love crawfish — which is a LOT! Jessica resides in Sugar Land today.
Chelsea Zamora
Bridesmaid
Shundeez and Chelsea graduated high school together, but their friendship didn’t truly develop until their college years. Despite living far apart during much of the year, the two would always get into shenanigans together on semester break. Chelsea and Shundeez invariably make great use of their time together and will always remember that “random girl at breakfast.” Their shared love of travel and adventure remain as strong as their bond can be. Chelsea currently lives in Austin with her delightful boyfriend, Paul.
Sanam Duester
Bridesmaid
Technically, Sanam and Shundeez have been friends longer than they’ve both been alive, courtesy of their parents’ friendship. Even from the get-go in Derek & Shundeez’s relationship, Sanam has always been “Team Derek.” Along with their mutual friend Aurian, Shundeez and Sanam get together frequently for talking, tea, and time together. Sanam and her delightful (and Farsi-speaking) husband, Jeff, live together in Houston.
Haelee Hilton
Bridesmaid
Haelee is the one who first made Shundeez an aunt. Shundeez has enthusiastically watched Haelee mature from a cute little girl into the tall, joyful young woman she is today. Shundeez and Haelee share their love of binging tv shows and eating cream cheese with peppers. Haelee is a high school sophomore and on the Cheer team in Austin, where she lives with her family.
Berkeley Faridifar
Bridesmaid
Berkeley is Shundeez's second niece in terms of age, but number one in terms of FaceTime calls. She is unquestionably one of the most caring girls you will ever meet. Berkeley enjoys braiding her aunt's hair, showing off her new gymnastics routines, Snapchat filters, and playing Roblox with her Uncle Derek.
Sean Sellers
Groomsman
Derek and Sean go waaaaaay back -- friends since elementary school, debate partners in high school, and even roommates in college (Hook 'em). Derek and Sean have shared many an adventure together - road trips, live music, Longhorn football games, and even sneaking onto a bar's rooftop to watch a concert together in Austin during SXSW. (Good times!) Since 2011, Sean has evolved into his own version of "Florida Man" upon moving to Sarasota with his amazing wife, Colleen. They still live there today with their two adorable boys.
Ozzie Olesen
Groomsman
Derek's longest-known friend. Ronald Reagan was still president when they first met, for the sake of perspective. Derek and Ozzie have played football, basketball, and baseball together. They graduated from the same schools, from elementary to middle to high school, all the way to the University of Texas together. Their mothers - Liz and Barb - are good friends, and Derek still stops by Ozzie's place for a fancy cocktail whenever he's back in The Metroplex. Ozzie and his stunning wife Kristin live together in Dallas.
Patrick "Tex" Blankenship
Groomsman
One of Derek's many "old" buddies, Pat ("Tex") has shown how you can take the man out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the man (even adopting it as his moniker upon fleeing the state). After growing up in the familiar stomping grounds of East Plano, Tex relocated to Connecticut, followed soon by Washington State, where he met his lovely wife, Kailee. After a stint in San Diego, they moved to their current residence in Rhode Island, where they live with their three beautiful children.
Nash
Ring Bearer
Our pride & joy -- Nash -- is allegedly a Shiba Inu/White Shepherd mix. An unofficial mascot of the University of St. Thomas, Nash is a "good boy" who will walk our rings down the aisle, with the help of our flower girl, Riley... assuming he doesn't see a squirrel run by.
Ismael "Smiley" Moreno
Usher
Shundeez first met Smiley in San Antonio, where they were neighbors at the same apartment complex. Smiley came to Shundeez’s rescue when he found her rummaging through the dumpster of the apartment complex, looking for a vacuum part that her roommate mistakenly threw away. From “Muffin Tuesdays” to countless adventures in between, Smiley is always a friend eager to help… even as an usher at her wedding. Smiley recently relocated from Houston to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he lives today.
Chris Mendoza
Usher
Chris is one of Shundeez’s closest friends from San Antonio, back in her UTSA days. They've shared countless memories together, from surprise parties to the unforgettable nights together at La Cantina. Chris and Shundeez always talked about how one day Chris would be included in Shundeez’s wedding party. Although the hot pink dresses that were once discussed are not coming to fruition, Shundeez is still very excited to include Chris in this special occasion. Chris lives in San Antonio.
Spencer Crane
Flower Girl
She's cute. She turns three just days before our wedding. She's Derek's niece with the most adorably curly hair ever. She's going to be our flower girl. She's Spencer!
Riley Faridifar
Flower Girl
Riley might be the youngest Faridifar, but she undoubtedly has the most energy and the biggest personality in the family. Riley loves unicorns, Peppa the Pig, the color pink, JoJo Siwa, selling lemonade from her stand at an incredible markup, and our dog Nash (who she'll be escorting down the aisle).