Emmy & Matt
Wedding Party
Becca Steele
Maid of Honor
Emmy's sister Becca has been such an important figure throughout Emmy's entire life. Becca's zest for life, work hard play hard mentality, and continuous source of support, love, and guidance has not been overlooked. She has been Emmy's teacher, confidant, and role-model since 1992 and has spent too many days giving advice and being an ear when days are tough. Becca is the life of the party and radiates positivity and excitement. We feel so lucky that she was able to come to CO and spend so much of 2020 with us, she truly is a blessing.
James Johnson
Best Man
James and Matt met at Queens University in Charlotte in 2006. Since then they have traveled the world together and remain best friends. James and Matt frequently see each other in D.C. and have shared many experiences in life with one another. James is responsible for "cigars and ice cream", gives the biggest hugs, and the worst high fives!
Tina Mamalis
Bridesmaid
Tina is Emmy's second big sister, cousin, second-cousin, and second-cousin again (it's a Greek thing). It was Becca, Tina, and Emmy against the world growing up and our moms are to thank for matching Easter dresses, Halloween costumes, and endless childhood videos together. 28+ years later Tina provides immense support for Emmy and is someone who she can always rely on for advice and guidance.
Nick Badami
Groomsman
Nick was one of the first people Matt ever met when he moved to CO. They both worked for the Colorado Rapids for quite some time and developed a great friendship. Nick is originally from Park City, UT, and when he and Matt went to Sundance Film Festival in 2015 Matt had the opportunity to embarrass himself on the ski slope for the first time in front of Emmy. Since then, Matt and Emmy have spent many nights with Nick, his wife Alyson, and their two Bernese Mountain Dogs, drinking wine and smoking meat!
Kellyn Warren
Bridesmaid
Kellyn and Emmy shared an apartment together in Denver before Emmy moved to Fort Collins for graduate school. Their nights were often filled with good food and wine with laughter and trashy TV usually in the mix. Kellyn has remained a really close friend throughout the years that Emmy was in Fort Collins and now lives only a few blocks away from Emmy and Matt. Kellyn was so influential in the later years when Matt and Emmy were dating and always has the best advice!
Simon Bird
Groomsman
Matt and Simon met in 2006 at Queens University where they quickly became friends as they were teammates on the Queens University golf team. In 2009, Matt and Simon learned to ski together in Colorado, embarrassing themselves and barely getting down the mountain in one piece. Since then, Matt has visited Simon several times in England and looks forward to many more trips abroad to visit Simon and his wife Ellie.
Katie Doherty-Peterson
Bridesmaid
Even though Katie and Emmy were the same majors at Gonzaga, it wasn't until they moved in together after college in Denver, CO when they became very close friends. From starting professional careers together to now getting/being married, Katie and Emmy remain close friends and confide in one another throughout all the ups and downs that life delivers. After all, Katie did say yes to letting Ryley (the Kaelin family dog) live in their apartment for three months so we also have her to thank for bringing Emmy and Matt together!
James Roeling
Groomsman
James and Matt met in 2013 when they both worked for the Colorado Rapids. Matt, James, and Ryley (the Kaelin family dog) were roommates for 5 years in Denver and have subsequently hiked many a Colorado 14ers together. James was a trusted confidant for Ryley when Matt and Emmy were out of town and has become a close friend over the years!
Mia Carrasco
Bridesmaid
Mia was Emmy's college roommate freshman year at Gonzaga, and that small suite in Welch Hall became the hangout spot for Mia, Sarika, Emmy, and Ellen during their freshman year. Mia's personality is contagious and beaming and has taught Emmy so many life lessons about living in the moment, being present, and being your true authentic self. Emmy and Mia's post-college relationship blossomed and developed as they became young professionals but the late nights in Welch Hall, on East Nora, and at Star Bar will always be fond memories of their time together at GU.
Dan Luce
Groomsman
Dan and Matt met in 2013 when they both were looking for a roommate after recently moving to Denver, CO. They met via work at the Colorado Rapids and within minutes they decided that they wanted to live with one another. At that time, neither of them knew anybody in Denver and they quickly became close friends. They did everything together -- including multiple visits to the 16th hole!
Shannon Brosious
Bridesmaid
Shannon is Matt's older sister, who per Matt is "caring, kind, compassionate, and a really good dancer". In 2014 Shannon had the brilliant idea to email The Joshua School where she and Emmy both worked to see if anybody was available to watch the Kaelin family dog, Ryley, for 3- months until Matt moved into a new apartment that allowed pets. Low and behold, Emmy became Ryley's dog mom for 3 months which is how she and Matt met. If it wasn't for that email in November 2014, Matt and Emmy's paths may never have crossed!
Tim Brosious
Groomsman
Tim is Matt's brother-in-law and they first met in 2009 when Tim and Shannon began dating. Tim taught Matt how to ski and is responsible for Matt's stint at running marathons. Since then they've gone to a Notre Dame football game and have watched too many Eagles games to count. Pre, and post-kids, Tim is always in for fun and adventure and truly lives life to the fullest!
Sarika Khanwilkar
Bridesmaid
Sarika and Emmy go way back, all the way to 2007 in the halls of Skyline High School. However, it was not until their time at Gonzaga when they became very close friends. They explored the surrounding areas together, road-tripped to and from Spokane and Salt Lake City every summer, and had many grand adventures with Mia and Ellen in Spokane. Sarika has always been a source of motivation, encouragement, and laughter for Emmy and shines a light on everybody that she meets.
Matt Gwilt
Groomsman
Matty K. and Gwilty have become very close over the last few years. After a ski trip together in 2018 Gwilt and his wife Tori are still in the running for the top power couple against Emmy and Matt. It has been fun visiting Gwilt and Tori in Charlotte, N.C., and hosting them when they come to CO for ski trips.
Ellen Jokerst
Bridesmaid
Ellen is a beaming, radiant, and vibrant human who attended Gonzaga University with Emmy. Ellen was Sarika's roommate when Sarika, Mia, and Emmy were freshmen at GU. Ellen showed us the ropes and being a year above us, we always thought Ellen was super rad (and she still is!). When Ellen moved to Denver, CO in 2014 she and Emmy found common ground in both being recent transplants to the Mile High City. From game nights, epic cooking, lounging, drinking good wine, trying new places in the city, and significant others who get along splendidly, Emmy and Ellen spend quality time together doing what they do best -- laughing, eating, and always finding something new to explore!
Andrew Jacobs
Groomsman
Andrew and Matt go all the way back to little league baseball in the 1990s. Having both grown up in Medford, NJ, Andrew and Matt spent a good majority of their childhood and high school years together. Matt spent many days at the Jacobs' house swimming, playing church league softball, and cheering on any Philadelphia sports team. They remain close friends to this day!