Kisha & Jared
Wedding Party
Kara Tapangan
Matron of Honor
Kara is Kisha's best friend, who happens to be her little sister. She is also one of the most hilarious people in the world and is a pretty good dentist. Kara can also be credited for teaching Kisha how to participate in fashion and not just wear combat boots and army green things everywhere.
Jordan Rodu
Best Man
Jared's work wife at Carnegie Mellon, to the point that when the staff re-did the office mailboxes they made one for "Jordan Murray". A friendship forged over Captain Rons, accidental determinants, and Arsenal growlers. Fun fact: Jordan's family just got bigger by one dog -- their first -- and Kish and Jared are taking credit for it.
Liliana Tapangan
Bridesmaid
Liliana is Kisha's sister-in-law and co-founder of the Tapangan B Team. Liliana also leads in giving compliments within the Tapangan family group chat. Surprisingly, Liliana is also a fellow horror movie fan and helps Kisha force the rest of the Tapangan family to watch them.
Michael O'Brien
Groomsman
Michael aka OB is Jared's OG brother-in-law, and will be the biggest Boston sports fan at the wedding (with some stiff competition). He's the man with the best swag -- zero drop Topos for life, or until he gets another job -- and New England craft beers.
Kasten Alvarez
Bridesmaid
Kasten, aka Net-Net, is the big sister Kisha never had. They grew up in the mean streets of Ipil in the Philippines and now share an unreasonable love for food. Kasten and Kisha once entered a hamburger eating contest at a mall not to win but simply because they were hungry. Work smarter, not harder, people.
Carlos Carvahlo
Groomsman
Carlos got Jared to Austin, even though it took a couple tries. A longtime friend and mentor, Carlos is also responsible for Jared's Big Green Egg acquisition just after his move to the Lone Star State. If you've enjoyed the fruits of the Egg, thank Carlos!
Cariza Mercurio
Bridesmaid
Cariza, aka Cha-Cha, is one of Kisha's cousins and is always down for a delicious crab feast...actually, any feast. From learning dances as teenagers to doing shots of tequila in Mexico, Cariza is one of Kisha's favorite people to experience life with. Fun fact: Cariza makes it a goal to see Kisha anytime she's in town (even if it's a light, all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ lunch that rolls into dinner).
Niko Tapangan
Groomsman/Officiant
Niko is Kish's baby brother and the officiant at our wedding. Along with Kara, he was in on the super secret engagement plot before almost anyone else, chauffeuring Jared from the Harlingen Airport to the clinic on the sly to get the final approval from her parents. Catch him on the dance floor with no fewer than two gold chains.
Aaron Stares
Groomsman
Aaron is Kish’s brother-in-law, self-appointed captain of the Tapangan B Team and certified Tapangan whisperer. He graced Jared with his first all-terrain amphibious kicks (aka Adidas Crocs equivalents), and repaired his shoulder via text message while Kish and Jared were on their very first vacation.
Brandon Farmahini
Bridesman
Brandon and Kisha once competed against each other at UT in Lincoln-Douglas debate in high school (which he allegedly won). Since then, they've been great friends and nerd out on Power Rangers, Mortal Kombat, and football. Brandon somehow tricks Kisha into talking about being over 30 on a podcast these days.
Richard Hahn
Groomsman
Richard and Jared shared a series of offices at Duke, complete with hacking coughs, decomposing flowers, and tikka masala stained takeout containers. Since then they've been great friends and active collaborators on statistics and raucous group chats.
Carlos Morales
Bridesman
Carlos, aka the Diego to Kisha's Dora, is one of Kisha's best friends from her Johnson & Wales University days. Carlos also helped Kisha get her first job in college as part of the operations team, and they've been inseparable ever since (even if it's just sending each other memes on Instagram).
David Yeager
Groomsman
Yeager and Jared forged a friendship over statistical methods in psychology, brisket competitions, and Astros - Red Sox postseason games -- even though the last two broke Jared's way.
Samantha Bankston
Bridesmaid
Samantha and Kisha met one magical day in a middle school English class. Kisha walked in, Samantha took one look and was like, "It's a no from me, dawg." Fast forward to 20(ish) years later, Kisha and Samantha are still great friends and sporadically take trips to South Padre Island or Las Vegas to enjoy many Pina Coladas and snacks.
Marco Mendoza
Bridesman
Kisha and Marco met through Samantha back in middle school. Marco was essentially a resident of the Tapangan household throughout high school and became quite the Filipino food connoisseur. Marco and Kisha also think they "sound really good" when they sing "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence in karaoke, so they think it's odd that people don't ask them to do it more often.
Beth O'Brien
Flower Lady
Beth is Jared’s sister and when Beth and Kisha aren’t shooting hoops with DK…in 20 degree weather…in the dark, they’re plotting their next brunch adventure and trying to figure out why it’s so hard to find vanilla vodka in Framingham.
Rachel Carney
Flower Lady
Rachel is Jared’s stepsister and is always down for a good time. Kisha and Rachel have an understanding that it is never too early for a party. They also have decided that it is their mission in life to find the best luxury dupes on Amazon.