Anna & José
Wedding Party
Kaci Toomey
Matron of Honor
Anna met Kaci through work over 9 years ago. The two were the new wine reps in San Francisco and Marin. They bonded over nights singing karaoke at Silver Cloud and the numerous shots of fireball that were consumed. Kaci has even made the trip back to East Lansing to experience a MSU vs U of M football weekend, along with the 9 quality hours of dancing at Rick’s American Cafe that ensued. Kaci quickly became one of Anna’s best friends and they have remained extremely close over the years. It really is like they have grown up together.
Gabriel Anguiano
Groomsman
Gabriel is the easiest brother-in-law a guy could hope for! José met Gabriel over 20 years ago when he started dating Lili, José’s oldest sister. Gabriel became like a brother to José. He always brings the best vibes and positive energy to any gathering and he definitely knows how to have a good time. Gabriel has been someone José has always admired and continues to look up to as he enters this new adventure in life.
Jennifer Vens
Bridesmaid
Jennifer and Anna met via Facebook when they joined the “GVSU Class of 2012” group; the two would be incoming freshman at Grand Valley State in the fall. Once they started chatting they decided they were going to become roommates. Quickly they both realized they were not cut out for what is referred to the “Bible Belt” of Michigan and ended up leaving together every weekend to party at MSU or WMU; seriously every weekend. Needless to say, both Jen and Anna transferred after their year at what they referred to as “camp”, but have remained just as close ever since.
Nicolas Ferreira
Groomsman
Nick and José met while they were both working at The French Laundry. The two were on the same schedule, which meant they had the same days off together. Majority of the time they would always find themselves grilling together, catching a ball game, and hitting up the Villagio pool. Naturally, their conversations would always lead to food; brainstorming different ideas and sets for the menus at work. Nick was only at The French Laundry for one of the six years José was there, but the two have remained close and Nick has been one of José’s closest friends over the years.
Nellie Norris
Bridesmaid
Nellyville and Anna met in 5th grade while playing basketball together. They have been pals throughout middle school, high school and college at Michigan State SPARTY-ing on together. From vacations together, spending time during the summer on the lake, to waiting in line at Rick’s to dance the night away, the two continue to tehe about anything and everything under the sun.
Elliot Bell
Groomsman
Elliot started at The French Laundry a few months after José and ended up being José's partner on the fish station. Because they had opposite schedules, their only real communication was about the handoff of the station. If you know these guys they are men of few words, so not much more was communicated other than “Hey you’re in the shits, you have 98 4x2 red and 12 in the pdr”. They didn’t have much of a chance to hang out (or chat) until they started practicing on Mondays for the annual TKRG soccer game. Although they never worked the same schedule in their years together they were always able to relate, even becoming sous chefs around the same time. They have still maintained a close relationship after José concluded his time at the restaurant.
Andrea Rott
Bridesmaid
Andrea is Anna's cousin who has been like a big sister. Growing up, Andrea always tried to include Anna and Jackie (her younger sister) despite the few year age difference. There were a few summers Andrea even took the two on road trips to Boston (where she lived for years) and introduced the gals to the Boston Library. At the time Anna was less than thrilled, but has grown to appreciate the bookworm vibes Andi gave off back then. Throughout high school Andrea would always be at Anna’s basketball games, helped her get ready for dances and prom, you name it! Andi (or Fa as the family calls her) has provided great insight and has been such an amazing role model for Anna over the years.
Jarrod Huth
Groomsman
When José moved to Yountville from NYC Jarrod was one of the first people he met at The French Laundry. After a month into training José’s spirits were low and Jarrod offered him a ride home. The two bonded over a beer and Jarrod told José to keep pushing through, and this was something that always stuck with José in more ways than one over the years. The two were briefly roommates at the “Pink Palace” before Jarrod moved to NYC. Both José and Jarrod remained close over the years.
Jackie Fraser
Bridesmaid
Wacky Jackie is Anna's cousin. The two grew up very close, only being a year apart in age. Anna would spend most summers with Jackie, eating TimBits and convincing Jackie to help her with her Kumon before tubing and water skiing on Lake Huron. They would take road trips in the Suburban to New York to watch hockey and get into all sorts of trouble during family trips up north at the cabin, Palm Springs, Mexico and Disney World. Jackie was the sister Anna never had. The two even went to college together at MSU, celebrated a few good welcome weeks and have made too many great memories to count!
Jonathan Granada
Groomsman
Granada as the guys refer to him as, has been one of José's long time friends. The two started cooking together at The French Laundry around the same time and lived within a block of each other. José and Granada became partners at the restaurant and grew even closer by constantly pushing each other. It was actually at Granda's house where Anna and José met for the very first time. Granada's favorite thing to do as of late is chat with José about their glory years at TFL, he currently works down in LA but the two still keep in touch.
Ofelia Colin
Bridesmaid
Ofelia is not only Anna's future sister-in-law, but also a great friend. From the moment Anna met Ofelia she was very welcoming (and protective over her little brother JR) to the family and always made a point to go out of her way to make Anna feel at home. The two have shared so many good talks and Ofelia has always had great advice to offer both Anna and José over the years. She is one of the most loyal and sincere people they know.
Jimmy Fraser
Officiant
Jimmy is Anna's cousin, and one of the first people José met from Anna's side of the family. Although he has been living across the country, Jimmy has always made trips out to California over the years and gets together with Anna and José when they make the trip back to Michigan. He has been a huge cheerleader of the two since 2013, when José introduced Jimmy to some Vietnamese food in the Outer Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco. He is always a facetime away from the two and good for a couple cocktails!