Elisa & Michael
Wedding Party
Erin Lim Rhodes
Matron of Honor
We met while living just a couple doors down, in the coolest dorm at Chapman our sophomore year. That same year we both decided to try the 'sorority thing'. This is where our sisterly love truly blossomed into something special. We became the best of friends and likely the worst sorority girls ever, always forgetting meetings but never going to a social event for free food without each other. She's the friend I often brag about because uhm she's Erin Lim, and she truly inspires me every day. Erin has always been there for me, supporting me in ways I didn't know I needed. She's given me a lifelong friendship and my love of hot cheetos and I am so thankful!
Kristine Pan
Bridesmaid
Kristine and I always laugh over the fact that we just can't seem to remember how we met, but it was some time during our early Chapman years. I admired her for juggling FOUR jobs during senior year and her ability to always take care of business. I will never forget that time she took me to the dealership to handle some unfortunate car issues, just to make sure I wasn't taken advantage of. She showed those car guys who was boss! This girl has taught me how to "adult" in more ways than one and I'm telling you, it has saved me!
Libby Petcoff
Bridesmaid
Libby was one of my first friends at Chapman. We were originally supposed to be roommates freshman year. I didn't have a car at the time and Libby drove me pretty much everywhere including our many awesome visits to Disneyland. She's that friend who's the best at planning adventures, especially awesome ones that I never even knew existed. She's my go to girl for new experiences, while also being a friend I can sit and do nothing with for hours. We have collected the goofiest memories over the years, some too embarassing to share. To this day I will always say she has the best Lil' Wayne impression and I can always count on her for the greatest stories and laughs.
Amanda Lillicrop
Bridesmaid
Just like Ariana Grande, Amanda and I are SO thankful for our exes, because we probably would have never met otherwise! She's my awesome teacher friend who is loved by her students and has the patience of a saint, especially with my indecisive self trying on a billion outfits before we go out (pre-covid). Amanda is one of those friends who so willingly offers to help with anything that will make your life easier, she's even helped Michael edit some of his papers for flight school! #Englishteacher. She's a couple years younger than me but I always say she's the mature one!
Annelise Yang
Bridesmaid
Annelise and I had always seen each other around campus because we were in the same sorority, but it was spring of Junior year when we shared a burrito at a “sorority house”, that our friendship truly blossomed. Since then we have shared many boba/food dates and enjoyed big vacations together, including Singapore to visit Erin, Kauai with my family, Zion National Park, and way too many trips to Vegas! She’s moved around the most since we all left college and I have always admired her fearlessness for new, big adventures. She is now living in Hawaii, but no matter the distance, Annelise is always someone I can count on.
Kayleigh Fujisaki
Bridesmaid
Fate brought Kayleigh and I together my senior year of undergrad when our sorority matched us and I became her "Big Sis"/mentor. We always joke that I didn't want her (which is true, I didn't want the responsibility), but I'm so happy that I was somehow convinced to take on the role because we've been amazing friends since. Kayleigh is someone I can always count on, like that one time she came to my rescue when I was locked out of my car at a gas station and didn't have triple A. She stayed with me even while studying for a huge final! She's thriving in her nursing career, on her way to being an amazing NP and helping so many people. I'm so proud of my Little Kayleigh!
Alexandria Bolden
Bridesmaid
Alex and her husband, Jarrod, were the first of Michael's new "Bend" friends that I met after we became long distance. We bonded over our dance histories and love of outdoor activities. Alex would always send me the cutest texts about the many ways that Michael was very much in love with me, and it made the long distance more manageable. We've become such good friends in a short period of time and I am so thankful that she's been there for Michael when I couldn't be. We can't wait for a long future of double dates and adventures in Bend together!
Anna Medina
Bridesmaid
Anna is Michael’s super stylish, really cool twin sister. I was honestly a little nervous meeting her the first time. I always thought that twins had this sort of “super” connection and I just really wanted her to like me! Annie is a crazy talented designer and one of my first gifts from Michael was an awesome leather handbag that she made BY HAND. I use it every day! I am super excited to be sister-in-laws with this awesome being and build our own memories together over the coming years!
Kate Medina
Bridesmaid
Kate is Michael’s awesome older sister. I’m so thankful that Kate and Pratik’s engagement, then wedding, within the first year of Michael and I’s relationship, allowed me to meet and get to know the important people in his life. I learned very quickly how truly awesome his entire family is. I love how close Michael is with his sisters, because family is so important to the both of us. It's pretty evident that having two sisters had a very positive impact on Michael when it came to our relationship. Annie and Kate welcomed me with open, loving arms and words cannot express how happy I am to join this family.
Paul Langston
Best Man
Our families pretty much grew up together. Paul and I became closer after my dad passed away and if it weren't for Paul I wouldn't have felt so driven to become a Marine, and now a pilot. Paul is the embodiment of a warrior in a garden. He strives to better himself and those around him. He has been a close friend throughout the years, someone I always look forward to seeing.
Nic Lombardi
Best Man
Nic and I bonded and became very close during my last two years in the Marine Corps. Every once in a while you come across someone you just click with. That was Nic, we just rolled right into being best friends. He is an all around genuine human being and a great friend. We share a lot of love for guns and anything related to it. I have so much respect for Nic. He has always tried his best to do right by his friends and the ones he loves, no matter how far he is from them. I look forward to having him around again when he is back in the U.S.
Pratik Gadamasetti
Groomsman
Pratik has been my brother-in-law for little over a year now, but he's been an important part of my life for much longer. Pratik is someone I look up to and has always been there for me when I needed him. I can count on him to find out the latest basketball news and he always knows how to make the most out of any situation. I am still so stoked to call him family.
Colin Bugella
Groomsman
Colin is one of my oldest best friends. I met him during a troubled part of my childhood when I was moving schools and was angry at the world, and he helped me through it. We've been best friends since. While I was in the Marines, we always kept in touch and made time to hang when I was home. He has always been a friend I could depend on to answer the phone or be there for me if I needed him. He has mad BBQ skills and a talent for making people feel welcomed.
Scott Kidd
Groomsman
Scott is my other oldest best friend. We have been close since middle school and have stayed in touch over the years, something I don't take lightly. He was there for me when my family was going through a lot, and he always tried to keep me out of trouble (well sometimes). We've always had great conversations about everything and anything we could think of. Sometimes we'd settle on an answer but would most often we'd find ourselves with more questions. Scott is very insightful and I appreciate his ability to see and understand other perspectives.
Kevin Fox
Groomsman
Kevin was the last friend I made before joining the Marine Corps. We worked together at a bar called the Vinyl Room in San Mateo and have been friends ever since. We make sure to keep in touch and meet up wherever life takes us. Kevin is the kind of guy who stands up for his friends, even if they aren't around. He treats others with respect, and won't turn a blind eye if he sees something wrong. Kevin has proven time and again that he is a friend I can always depend on and someone I can just talk to, if needed.
George Menya
Groomsman
George and I became friends back when I was stationed in the east coast. We both shared the same taste in music and got along right off the bat. He was one of my closest friends in the area. We hung out whenever we could and enjoyed exploring Virginia Beach, VA together. Nowadays, we pick up right where we left off, like it was just yesterday. George is one of the kindest people I have ever met and also the most polite.
Beau Yavor
Groomsman
Beau is one of the best corpsmen (medic) I've ever met, and one of the funniest dudes I've had the pleasure of knowing. We have been friends since I joined 1/5 (my last unit) and he has been an all around awesome guy. We have shared a lot of common interests and I've always been impressed with his knack for crafty, hands-on projects and how he always sees them through. There's never a dull conversation with Beau. We often find ourselves going off on some very entertaining tangents.
Jarrod Bolden
Groomsman
Jarrod was the first friend I made in Bend. We were in the same private pilot class at COCC and realized we had some common interests. Like Paul, Jarrod is always trying to push the limits on what he can do, as well as encourage me to try new things. From his uncanny ability to get his 3 huskies to calm down and listen, to knowing how to fix and take apart anything mechanical, I am always impressed by him. He has been a good friend since we met and also one of the most polite guys if he chooses to be (just kidding man). He is a solid, dependable guy and I'm fortune enough to know him.