Wedding Party
Leah Schexnayder
Best Woman, Emma's Ride-or-Die
Drafted: 2017 (Taquito Enthusiasts League, First Round Pick) Batting Average: .999 (Lost .001 to uncontrollable laughter) Home Turf: Los Angeles (But in the east currently, ask me about it) Relationship Status: Taken, but Emma still gets the aux on road trips Career Highlights: Almost walking directly into a fire mid-conversation, launching a two-year YouTube series that never saw the light of day, learning Shoop to rap in an Irish pub, and spending three of the best years living above and below each other. Scouting Report: Emma is my person. We met at 8 PM in a Vons in Pasadena when I let out an enthusiastic “Woo!” after grabbing the last box of taquitos. She laughed, and that was it—instant best friends. We’ve been inseparable ever since, living above and below each other for three years (the best years), traveling together, and laughing so hard we’ve genuinely worried about passing out. Fun Fact: If you hear two people cackling so loudly it sounds like a sitcom laugh track, that’s probably us.
Hilary Peckos
Emma's Best Person, Sister of the Bride
I am Emma’s younger sister. We grew up riding stick-ponies, boogie boarding at the beach, playing dress-up, and dreaming up intricate lives for our Barbies. These days we bond over our dogs, reality tv, and reminiscing on funny memories. I am so honored to celebrate Emma and Alex at this special time in their lives!
Matt Burstyn
Emma's Best Person
Matt has been Emma’s long time friend for 14 years. Emma and Matt met in Altadena, CA. One of the first times they met involved the cops being called and someone trying to fight Emma. Matt is a part-time goblin who gets weird and loses his filter at 11pm or when too tired. Matt believes Emma’s boldness, kindness and adventurousness rubbed off on him to make him the person he is today. Matt and Emma bond over pop music, yelling about anything, and navigating the Los Angeles dating-scape (until now!) Matt works in human services but spends his leisure time hating people. Stats: Cliffs Jumped off because of Emma: 4 Times cry laughing with Emma: 100+ Attendance at the Foothill Round Up: 1 Hating The Foothill Round Up: the limit does not exist
Jenna Lee
Emma's Best Person
Emma and Jenna first bonded in the midst of the dumpster fire that was called ‘working in restaurants during COVID’. Their relationship was really cemented, though, during their first GM Conference together during which they explored the grounds of the Four Seasons in Westlake Village. Their exploration was extensive and may have broken a few hotel rules. During that conference, they spent much time laughing over their mutual intensity (it’s excessive) and making fun of their boss (whom they both adore endlessly). GM conference is also where Jenna coined the nickname ‘Wilderness Man’ for Emma’s crush at that time (hint: this is Alex). Emma swore they were nothing serious and that’s how she wanted it. Jenna was not fooled. Jenna would like it to be known that she was the first living person to predict their unavoidable nuptials. She is very happy to have been correct. Since the GM conference, friendship has consisted of dinners at Little Beast, runs around the Rose Bowl, long phone conversations and even a whirlwind trip to Chicago. Jenna loves Emma lots and lots. Many more adventures to come!
Stephanie Bragg
Emma's Best Person
Hello wedding peeps! I’m Stephanie, friend of the bride, cousin of the groom. Whaaaat? Yes, it’s true. I met Emma in 2014, in LA, in a mansion neither of us owned or lived in. It was late morning and I was hungover in the kitchen after a night of partying when this very cool girl walked in cheerful and chatty, I remember thinking “she looks way too cool to want to be friends with me”. But friends we became by the end of that very day and we proceeded to spend a ridiculously magical summer coming and going from that mansion. Jumping off the roof, trying unsuccessfully to stalk Drew Barrymore who lived next door, generally having an amazing time the way you can in your 20s in LA. During this once in a lifetime chaos I discovered that the universe had delivered me the most amazing friend I could have ever imagined. The kind of friend who will support your crazy (and often terrible decisions) but then also hold you together with no judgement during the repercussions. I have been grateful every day for 11 years that she walked into that kitchen. And yes, the groom is my cousin! I really got to know him while watching movies like “A Bug‘s Life” and letting him eat giant pixie sticks when his parents weren’t home. He has always been a wonderful part of my life and it’s been a privilege to watch him grow into such an amazing man.
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Emma and Alex met each other for the first time at my wedding. A wedding I now consider a success, (despite the divorce that followed), because it accidentally started the path for these amazing people to end up together. I could not be more thrilled to be headed to an Idaho to watch two of my favorite humans become husband and wife. See you there!
Chandler Kay
Best Man
Best Man Bio: Chandler Kay Youth Baseball Position: Left Bench Career Highlights: • Co-captain of the Kilimanjaro Expedition Team (record diamox consumption) • Roommate of the Year (Self-Appointed), Sophomore Season Scouting Report: I met Alex freshman year of college when fate (pledging) brought us together as friends and then roommates. Since then, we’ve summited massive peaks, gone backpacking into some of the most beautiful parts of North America, and I’ve gotten to watch and cheer Alex on as he continues to live his life in an extremely authentic and intentional way. Fun Fact: In his job, Alex has had to regularly trap bears. In my job, sometimes I send an email by accident. Why I’m Honored to Stand Up for Alex: Beyond his impressive resume of wrestling wildlife, Alex is one of the most intentional, loyal, and genuinely unique humans I know. He’s been a field reporter from the frontlines of life, keeping me updated on everything from bear drama to life milestones. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.
Brian "Brain" Teutonico
Alex's Best Person
Position: Groomsman Height: 6'2" Weight: 210 lbs (mostly pure dance moves, with a bit of nachos) Fastest 40-yard dash: 5.4 seconds (straight to the bar, or a bathroom break, if necessary) Lifetime Achievement: Most likely to take the last slice of pizza and then apologize... while eating it Signature Move: The “I Can’t Dance But I’ll Do It Anyway” (his enthusiasm makes up for his lack of rhythm) Specialty: Turning simple tasks into complex, multi-step adventures that no one asked for Fun Fact: Can outrun a bear in a sprint, but only because Alex is the one trying to get close enough to take a selfie with it Scouting Report: I first met Alex in college, but it wasn’t until we both ended up in DC that we really grew close. Alex and his family quickly became my second family during a time when I didn’t know anyone. I’ll always cherish the memories of bar crawls, mountain cabin trips, and those late-night conversations that made those years unforgettable. Alex means a lot to me, and I’m incredibly grateful to have him as a friend. It’s an honor to stand by his side today. Why I'm Honored to Stand Up for Alex: I’m honored to stand by Alex today because he’s been there through the ups and downs, always showing up as a friend. From our adventures in DC to navigating life’s challenges, he’s been by my side. I’m lucky to not only have him as a friend but to be part of this amazing day as he marries someone as incredible as Emma.
Mitch Renner
Alex's Best Person
Bio: Mitch Renner, attorney at law Position: Groomsman Height: Drivers License says 6ft but we all know I’m 5’10 Weight: 190-193 depending on if a sweet treat is involved or not Fun Fact: The dot over a lowercase i and j is called a “tittle.” Fun Fact About Me: I’m a huge movie buff and may or may not have an alphabetized excel spreadsheet of movies. Last fun fact: the oldest living animal is a tortoise named Jonathon, who is approximately 193 years old (and definitely would not last in an octagon iykyk) Also I lied, here’s another fact: Grooms traditionally stood on the right side of the bride in order keep their sword arm free and protect from potential attackers Scouting Report: Alex and I met in the 5th/6th grade when we both played on the same basketball team: the “Fighting Ferrets” (insert a ferret emoji/pic here if possible). Ever since then, he’s been like a second brother to me and his basement couch like my second bed. From never eating steak strips again, playing 2k and Super Mario Strikers until 4am, planking at basketball camp, cheering on our beloved NC Dinos, meeting a C-list celebrity, all the mountain trip conversations and puzzles completed, camping and road-tripping, to transforming a street ottoman into a generational family heirloom, we’ve shared some incredible memories over the years and I am both honored and excited to get the chance to share another with you and Emma.
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Why I’m Honored to Stand Up for Alex: Alex has been my long-time best friend and my leading expert on any and all wildlife issues. If I run into a bear or cougar while walking in downtown Denver, I know exactly who to call and he wont let me down. It’s been such a joy watching him accomplish his dreams both in the outdoors and in life and I couldn’t ask for a better person to be my best friend. While we may be the furthest apart we’ve ever been, our catch-up calls have always made me feel so much closer. He’s the type of person who deserves all the happiness and good times in the world, and he has certainly found that with Emma. Cheers to both of you, and I cannot wait to celebrate you two soon!
Eric Rhodes/Twin-in-law
Alex's Best Person
Height: 6'4" Weight: 85.7 kg Birthday: 12.22.1995 (YES SAME EXACT DAY AS ALEX....Whaaaaaaaat?Random!) Fun fact: I own over a hundred different board/card games. Several of which you would NEVER see Alex playing...BUT I've gotten a few in. *Cough* Codenames *Cough* Burkes Gambit *Cough* Scouting Report: Alex and I met in the summer of 2015 (the best summer ever!), after his favorite sister tricked me into dating her (Love you Emily!). I always looked forward to visiting the charming Dwornik household with Dave, Fran, and Alex. Since then we've had good memories of holidays together, football games, family weddings, and our trip to Alaska (where it was I who found a caribou skull on the side of the road after searching in the wilderness...and Alex was SUPERRRRRR jealous)! Why was I'm honored to stand up for Alex: Alex is the best twin-in-law a guy could ask for. He's down to earth, genuine, and very adventurous and I am happy he has found someone similar in all those things! Emma, I am excited to welcome you into the family!!!
Neama Setambar
Alex's Best Person
And now, introducing someone who's been part of Alex's life since the glory days of middle school when the only thing deeper than their friendship was Alex's fear of guarding him in the post on the basketball court. Their friendship was built on a solid foundation of trash talk, epic one-on-one battles, and mutual disbelief at each other's shot selection. Neama would dominate in the paint, but Alex had the annoying habit of casually sinking heavily contested threes while yelling "buckets!" like he was Klay Thompson's long-lost cousin. But whether it was on the court, in the lunchroom, or now upcoming at this incredible celebration, these two have always had each other's backs and now Neama has the pleasure of celebrating the wedding of Alex and Emma as one of Alex's groomsman.