Wedding Party
Naomi Schwartz
Co-Matron of Honor
Elana and Naomi met when Elana's younger brother Benjamin introduced Naomi to the family! Just a short time later, Naomi officially joined the Schwartz family and Elana gained her first sister. It was a slow start in getting to know each other as Naomi and Elana lived in different states, but looking back - it feels like Naomi has always been a part of the family <3
Steve Daoud
Best Man
Known since: 1996. Met in middle school. Expert skill: Steve has a knack for creating a game everywhere we go. No matter what, you will always have a good time when Steve is around, even if you don't know him. Resident oddsmaker of the group, do not bet against Steve...
Avital Schwartz
Co-Matron of Honor
Elana gained another sister when Avital married Elana's youngest brother, Zachary! Elana is incredibly grateful that Avital is never one to shy away from asking the hard questions - e.g. 'Do you think you are going to marry him?' - Avital approximately 1 month after Elana and Justin started dating. Elana may not have known it at the time, but the answer was YES.
Greg Garland
Groomsman
Known since: 1999 Met in freshman year of high school. Expert Skill: Always has a new card game or dice game to show you. Can run your hotel for you if you own one. Greg has an extensive knowledge of many different sports and can tell you the best place to get an IPA. LFC.
Catherine Andersen
Bridesmaid
Catherine's ploy to use food to make friends during clinical psychology internship worked exceedingly well! Elana couldn't help but partake in the 'snickety snack' jar in the intern suite and made a lifelong friend between bites.
Bryan Smith
Groomsman
Known since: 1999 Met in freshman year of high school. Expert Skill: Can create a sidewalk that's up to code and can make a mean eggplant parmesan. 6'3" but reads a 6'5" level. Very intelligent and can tell you a lot of things that you didn't know you wanted to hear!
Emily Brooks
Bridesmaid
Emily helped Elana navigate working in the Trauma Recovery Program at the VA Maryland Healthcare System during their clinical psychology internship and has been unable to get rid of her since then!
Claye Cantwell
Groomsman
Known since: 1997 Met in middle school. Expert Skill: Can throw any random object with incredible accuracy (except a football). Claye is the Jon Taffer of the San Diego bar & restaurant and catering industry. He recent bought some horses and 50% chance he has a man bun at the wedding.
Kaitlyn Gaudio
Bridesmaid
Interviewing on the same day for the Masters in Clinical Psychology program at Towson University went surprisingly well for Kaitlyn and Elana - they got admitted to the program and decided that they kind of liked each other!
Tom Hughes
Groomsman
Known since: 2009 Met through friends. Expert Skill: Speaking english, football (soccer), and can pour a pint better than 99% of the population. Tom is well known for his amazing beard and likes to call "Cilantro", Coriander. You will hear his accent from a mile away. LFC.
Abbie Landaw
Bridesmaid
Abbie and Elana might have been forced to meet at just 2 years old when their parents signed them up for a group at the local Jewish Community Center, but their friendship throughout the years was a choice! And if you need someone to change your flat tire, Abbie is your woman (Elana can vouch for that)!
Joey Stenovec
Groomsman
Known since: 1989 Met in T-ball. Expert Skill: Can match any pair of slacks or jeans with sandals, but can also plan your retirement. Drives a mini-van sometimes. Joey has three boys all under the age of 6, including a newborn, pray for him.
Nicole Ryan
Bridesmaid
Nikki was one of the first people Elana met during clinical psychology internship at the VA Maryland Healthcare System and Elana quickly decided that Nikki would be her friend - a decision Nikki was not part of but is grateful for!
Christopher Martin
Groomsman
Known since: 1990 Met at Christopher's birth. Expert Skill: Knows how to put together a marketing campaign in less than an hour. Definitely not the musician you are thinking of. Like David, Chris was fortunate to be born as Justin's cousin. LFC.
Melodi Wilkie
Bridesmaid
Getting through graduate school isn't easy unless you have friends - thankfully, Melodi and Elana hit it off while becoming Masters of Clinical Psychology at Towson University :-)
David Schmidt
Groomsman
Known since: 1988 Also met at his birth. Expert Skill: Beer connoisseur and soon to be EMT. Don't worry, beer connoisseuring occurs on EMT off days... Like Chris, David was fortunate enough to be born as Justin's cousin. He knows a lot about fire and beer.