Cayla & Jay
Wedding Party
Amy Adams
Matron of Honor
Amy and I met shortly after I moved to Portland in 2012. We were roommates for 5 years from 2013 up until the summer of 2018 when Amy married her wonderful husband, Kelvin. We were just baby friends when we first signed a lease together with 4 other girlfriends in SE, and at first, we weren’t so sure we were going to get along. But through the challenging moments, Amy and I chose to remain at the proverbial table and work things out, and I am SO glad we did. Amy and I have said for years that our friendship has helped prepare each of us for marriage. Our friendship has taught me the value of investing in a whole person for the long run, and being committed to the ever-evolving person they are and will become. We've both changed so much in ten years, and we're still standing in each other's corners rooting for one another. It was my great honor to stand with Amy on her wedding day four years ago, and in the years since, to watch her become a mother. And now I can't wait to have her stand next to me when Jay and I say "I do" in September, and all the life to come after that. I love you, Amy!
Vanessa Hoffman
Bridesmaid
Vanessa is my childhood bestie. No one else in my life today has born such close witness to those painfully awkward and indelible years that make up adolescence. Vanessa and I met in 7th grade on the B-team basketball team. I was the very uncool new kid, and Vanessa was gracious enough to befriend me. We became fast friends and eventually made our way together through the painful social landscape that is jr. high and high school. We were locker and doubles partners on the (varsity this time!) tennis team in high school, which speaks volumes to Vanessa's patience (I would NEVER have wanted to be doubles partners with me!). There are far too many years to account for, but just know I have so many fun memories getting up to no good with Vanessa over the years. And really, there is simply no one better to have gotten to grow up alongside. I am beyond grateful we have remained besties through all these years. Vanessa is a truly amazing, enduring friend. She's faithful, loving, generous and always there for you when you need her. I'm so grateful for all her love and support, and I can't imagine doing this thing without her! I love you, Ness!
Katie O'brien
Bridesmaid
I've known Katie and her beautiful family for eight years since spring of 2014 when I took what was meant to be a temporary job with her and Patrick as their nanny for Alexis, who was just 18 months old at the time. I had left my corporate job and was doing some soul searching, trying to figure out where exactly it was I was supposed to land. I didn't intend to stay long (certainly not 4 years!), but the truth is, I fell in love with all of them. Five months after I started, Carly was born, and it just became harder and harder to leave. The job was hard and exhausting in ways nothing else is, but those girls, and now Ethan too, blew my heart wide open and I've honestly never been the same. Even after they moved to Eugene and I finally found my footing in public sector work, we've remained close. And throughout mine and Jay's relationship, Katie has been an amazing support and cheerleader. Katie has a unique way making me feel seen in a way only she can. No bullshit. She reminds me to trust myself when I forget, and I have so much gratitude for that. I realize it's probably a bit unorthodox to have your former boss in your wedding party, but it really is just a testament to how amazing she is and how much I love her, Patrick and the kids (who are also in our flower party!). Katie feels like the big sister I never had, and I'm so grateful for her continued friendship through the years. I love you Katie.
Marissa Palke
Bridesmaid
As Marissa's older sister who has literally known her her entire life, I can confirm that she has always been the kind, gentle and loving person she is today. She legitimately came out of the womb that way. She made me a big sister for the first time, and what can I say but that she was my very first best friend? I have always adored Marissa. I remember feeling so disappointed that she was 4 years younger than me because that meant we wouldn't get to be in high school at the same time (probably fortunate for her), and I desperately wanted to parade her around and tell everyone she was my little sister (I still did whenever I got the chance to be sure). I was so proud of her, so proud she was mine, and literally nothing about that has ever changed. I am still so proud of her and proud she's mine. Today she is a truly incredible mother to two fantastic, kind and joyful children, and she makes it look eeeasy (when we all know it's not). She is also a very talented illustrator (here's where I get to brag on her for designing our BEAUTIFUL wedding invitations!). Thank you, sis! I was so honored to stand with her when she and Kevin married in 2014, and I'm so grateful to have her by my side all these years later as Jay and I make this important commitment. Love you sister!
Amanda Mejias
Bridesmaid
Amanda is my next younger sister, after Marissa. A full eight years younger than me, and yet I have ALWAYS thought of her as older than she is. I swear I thought she was FINALLY turning 21 three years in a row. What can I say, Amanda is an old soul, ahead of her time. It's one of the many things I adore about her. She has always had an eye for things with history, for things that are worn with years, but that come with a really good story. She has never cared much for status or fleeting social trends. Instead, Amanda is drawn to things that last, that have innate endurance because those are the things that have character, and Amanda is a person of deep, enduring character. Most families have someone who is the "family glue," the person that kind of keeps it all together. When I was little, everyone said that about my maternal grandfather. Amanda is that person in our family, and not because we don't already all like each other, it's just her persistent faithfulness and commitment to family in general; we're so lucky to have her. Amanda was married in May of 2020 in a small, intimate ceremony with family. Her partnership to Edwin has been so natural and such a gift. I can't wait to see them build a family of their own in the years to come. In the meantime, I'm so grateful for both of their enduring support and love for Jay and I, and I'm so grateful to have my baby sister standing with me on our big day. Love you sis.
Hannah Pruett
Bridesmaid
Hannah is my actual baby sister, a whopping eleven years younger than me, but also my twin. When she was a baby we called her Hannah baby so often she started to introduce herself as such. Us: "What's your name?" H: "Hannah Baby" She was a VERY cute baby, and it was pretty perfect. It's still difficult sometimes for me to wrap my brain around the fact that she is a full grown woman nowadays! And what an amazing and talented woman she is. All of my sisters are very creatively inclined and all are musical, but Hannah really capitalized on that particular gene and more or less put the rest of us to shame. I don't think I've ever seen Hannah try her hand at a creative pursuit that she wasn't naturally amazing at (you should see her paint!), and she has a genuinely incredible voice (which, spoiler alert- you'll all get a preview of at the wedding!). While I admittedly do not understand her Gen-Z generation, I'm eternally grateful to have someone as gracious as her to break it all down for me, rooting for me to "go on and buy the mom jeans", because "trust her, they're cool" she says, all the while explaining what words like "yeet" mean to my (apparently) very outdated self. Like all of my sisters, she is a woman of deep faith, and like all of my sisters, she has been wonderfully supportive of mine and Jay's relationship from the beginning, and I'm honored to have her stand with us on our wedding day. Love you Hannah Banana.
Andrew Beehler
Best Man
My friendship with Andrew has come full circle, from being my first friend in Portland 10 years ago(!) to being my Best Man this fall. Andrew lives in southeast Portland with his wife, Sarah, and precocious 8-year-old daughter. We were initially introduced through a unique shared connection (my close former coworker from San Francisco is Sarah’s cousin) and have enjoyed birthdays, holiday parties and many high-end craft beers. Along with Reid (and Ryan Gardner), we’ve survived the last few years by regularly getting together for ‘Beer Meets’ or sharing homemade cocktails as a group. He’s consistently supported me through past relationships and break-ups, hosted me in between housing situations, and continues to diligently seek out our next great craft beer. Seeing Andrew’s marriage and family evolve and expand up close has been rewarding and I’m excited to experience this year’s life changes of my own with him by my side.
Jack Raub
Groomsman
Jack has been a wonderful brother to me since he married my sister, Jess, in 2015, and he even bestowed upon me a new title the following year of ’Uncle Jay’! Jack and Jess live in San Clemente and together parent their beautiful kids, Peyton, Jack Walter (JW) and Olivia. Jack has a presence and energy proportionate to his stature, and would give most anyone I know a run for their money in both instances. If you know Jack and Jess, it’s easy to see they’re perfect for each other, winding each other up and keeping the laughs going. I’ll always remember Jack proposing at the top of Heavenly Ski Resort in Tahoe in the presence of our family. Now, I’m excited to have him stand with me on my own important day, and to ride the high of all the positivity and fun that Jack brings with him wherever he goes. I think Jack also wins the 'groomsman picture acceptance' contest too - where I sent sunglasses and fake mustaches to each groomsmen, asking them to take a picture if they accept their role. He totally crushed it!
Connor O'Mara
Groomsman
Connor and I have been friends since swatting tennis balls at each other playing JV tennis in high school and became even closer friends as roommates in college at Cal Poly. Connor lives in San Clemente with his wife, Katie, and their 3 beach-loving kiddos. It’s always been easy to be friends with Connor, as he’s such a lovable, go-with-the-flow kind of guy. We enjoyed playing singles tennis against each other in high school and later Connor transferred up to Cal Poly and joined me, Robb, and Matt MacLachlan as roommates together in a house near downtown San Luis Obispo. We had many great times rocking out in the house before and after I graduated, out at concerts or road tripping along the coast. It’s even a fond memory to have met Connor’s future wife the first night he also met her (New Year’s Eve 2009.) The 3 of us have shared fun times over drinks figuring out how to adult in the world haha.
Robb Canko
Groomsman
I was immediately introduced to Robb on my first day arriving at college as he was my next-door neighbor freshman year at Cal Poly. He now lives in Oxnard, CA with his wife, Kristin, one toddler and a new two-month-old little girl. Freshman year of the dorms at Cal Poly was a magical time and both Robb (and Matt MacLachlan) were key components to those times. We quickly buddied up to be roommates just off-campus sophomore year, and kept the good times rolling junior and senior year by living in the historical ‘Bullard House’ near downtown San Luis Obispo, along with Connor. Many late nights, long conversations (and possibly some arguing) ensued over the years, with more memories than I can count. Thankfully our friendship extended beyond college, where we’d travel to get the gang back together on Halloweens or other holidays. Robb gets extra brownie points for being one of the most consistent callers of all my friends – a stronger skill than I have myself!
Alister Caddy
Groomsman
Alister’s been my best friend since I first landed in San Clemente 20 years ago(!) and he currently lives in Long Beach, CA with his two wonderful kids. We formed a close bond through the tribulations of JV football and the relief of finally leaving the team sophomore year. Our high school group really took shape after carefully selecting our own hangout space on the school campus, dubbing our group the ‘Grassy Knollers’. Our friendship has never waned through the years, the sign of a great friendship when you’ve remained close despite never living near each other since high school.
Reid Frumkin
Groomsman
I first met Reid when we volunteered at a mutual friend’s nonprofit event and got paired to share the last yard tool for Forest Park trail maintenance. We’ve been close friends in Portland for over 8 years, sharing memories of group floats, hikes, and many other adventures. Reid has been a key member of our ‘Beer Meet’ group and a great friend through the years to lean on for relationship advice (& venting) and personal finance. Reid gets special thanks for his free extra garage space, but mostly for helping me get my new job, where we’ll be coworkers starting right after the wedding.