Wedding Party
Bree Imel
Matron of Honor
Meet Bree! Bree was Laura's very first friend in elementary school. Laura's very first memory of her was the little girl who always forgot her Winnie the Pooh backpack in class and had to run back before the am/pm kinder switch. Since then, Bree and Laura bonded over a shared love of Lizzie McGuire, Harry Potter, and helped each other survive both Mrs. Zitren's 4th grade class and Mr. Padilla's high school Spanish. The strongest friendships can last across time and space...and though they rarely had a class together and often lived in different cities, Bree and Laura's friendship has lasted 25 years and counting.
Alex Motamedi Ponnaz
Best Man
Meet Alex! Alex and Josh go back, nearly as long as either can remember. Alex taught Josh one of his most important life lessons, that one can disagree with someone, but still remain the best of friends. Their friendship really was put to the test from the onset: the 1996 Presidential Election. Imagine the "high minded and deeply informed" political ideas of two 7-year-olds arguing over things they can't vote on. This is how few friendships start. Today they argue far less, but still have deep and thoughtful conversations as often as they can.
Kate Ortiz
Maid of Honor
Meet Kate! While not Laura's first friend in college, Kate set the standard of what to expect in a great friend. Kate and Laura braved the rainy duck days of Oregon together (SCOOOO DUCKS!), explored Europe after college (the real test of friendship), and lived together both in Eugene and the Bay Area. Kate is the type of friend who will be there for you rain or shine, and Laura is excited to have Kate bring more shine to the wedding day!
Andrew Hedlund
Best Man
Meet Andrew! Guess what? Andrew and Josh have their own meet cute. Do you have a meet cute? Probably not. That's the kind of love they share. And what kind of love could possibly be so deep, so enduring, so complete? Well, obviously it's the love of government run health insurance. That's right, you read that correctly. Be jealous.
Angela Hernandez
Bridesmaid
Meet Angela! Laura first met Angela when they were in high school, but Angela has since become like the big sister Laura never had. Even though Angela has been married to Laura's brother for many years, Angela has gone out of her way to form a great friendship with Laura. Angela has always been a reliable friend to meet with for coffee, a manicure, and a good talk. Laura will continue to appreciate Angela's words of wisdom.
Brian Hamilton
Groomsman
Meet Brian! Brian is Josh's brother and all around well accomplished Shack Wizard. If you do not know what this means. Don't worry about it, you will find out later.
Chelsea Fuller
Bridesmaid
Meet Chelsea! Chelsea and Laura met in grad school and have grown over the years from fledgling to fully grown therapists together. Over the years they have bonded over a shared love of reading and appreciation for the importance of mental health. Chelsea was there from Josh and Laura's first date, with the encouragement that, "she would be down the street to support in case the date didn't work out." While those services weren't needed in the end, Chelsea has been a great friend to both Josh and Laura over the past 6 years of their relationship.
Malcolm King
Groomsman
Meet Malcolm! Josh and Malcolm go back years, but it is really their shared love of entrepreneurship, music and all things hilarious about life that have brought them closer over time. These things all came together during a roadtrip through Texas, where they discovered perhaps some of the absolute best Mexican food that can be found north of the border, unintentionally drove in circles around Houston's freeways, and attempted to close an investment deal in an IHOP parking lot at 3am, after a plate of what could only be described as one of the blueberry pancakes of all time.
Quinn Rafferty
Bridesmaid
Meet Quinn! Laura is looking forward to getting another sister to balance out all the brothers when Quinn marries her brother later this year. Quinn is one of the smartest people Laura knows, is a math wiz, and board game champion. Quinn has raised the bar for competition in the Hernandez family.
Jeff Pittelkau
Groomsman
Meet Jeff! Josh and Jeff first met through work over ten years ago. As the years have passed Jeff has turned into a true friend. Jeff can hold a conversation with almost anyone about almost anything and do it in a way the leaves you feeling heard and respected at the end. But what makes Jeff a truly remarkable person, is his kindness and willingness to show up when it matters. FUN FACT: Jeff is a cyclist and has biked many times from SF to LA for charity.
Bee Wong
Bridesmaid
Meet Bee! Bee and Laura are like sisters in law, only better! Ever since Bee and Brian started dating, she has been apart of the family. Bee can be found studying social work at the University of California Berkeley and when not doing that is known to make a cocktail or three. However, despite all her hard work aside, what we love most about Bee is her lively spirit and sense of humor. She is always good to have around at a party!
Christoph Fromme
Groomsman
Meet Christoph! Christoph has known Josh since middle school. But their friendship turned into a partnership when they started a company together in 2013. Overcoming hardships, they bootstrapped their little startup from nothing into something. Due to Christoph's good nature, they have maintained their friendship through the years. Christoph might have many talents, but what you might not realize is that you are probably conversing with him entirely in his second language. And what Christoph won't tell you is that he can play the viola like nobody's business.
Lauren Hanson
Bridesmaid
Meet Lauren! Lauren and Josh go back all the way to high school. Somehow, someway, they have kept their friendship through it all, including across continents. Although, they like discussing lots of topics, they come back to their mutual love of history, democracy and you know...nerdy things like that. Lauren, already more well-read than anyone you are likely to meet, is accomplishing a feat that few would attempt and that is reading biographies on EVERY SINGLE American President. And we mean all of them. In order. This should give you an idea of why they are friends.
Alex Hernandez
Groomsman
Meet Alex! Laura's baby brother Alex is her childhood partner in crime. Alex may masquerade as a mild mannered accountant, but he truly is the funniest person you will meet. Ask him what his favorite Simpson's quote is and without missing a beat, he will answer, "Let the bears pay the bear tax, I pay the Homer tax!-Homer...You mean the homeowner tax.-Lisa." Together, Alex and Laura have learned important life lessons like: "You don't win friends with salad," "In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics," and also, the greatest excuse is that you were, "Flipping over wheelbarrows in case it rains." Now, because, "I'm not one for words............."
Sarah Raynes
Bridesmaid
Meet Sarah! Sarah and Josh have known each other since 2009. They first bonded over college football, but soon realized that they were to be lifelong friends due to their many overlapping interests. Despite Oregon losing the Rose Bowl that year, neither of them could forget the more memorable event, Josh introducing Sarah to the dangers of non-alcoholic beer. Over the years, they have built the sort of friendship where despite sometimes going a long time in between visits they can pick things up right where they left off, almost as if no time has passed at all. In Sarah, you will find no one more thoughtful and caring to call a friend.
Christopher Hernandez
Groomsman
Meet Christopher! Laura has never known life without Christopher. Twin A to her Twin B, Christopher is persistent, a soccer player extraordinaire, and sets the standard for family achievement. That being said, Laura has learned the hard way to never play a board game against him. Challenge him to your own risk!
Luke Fuller
Officiant
Meet Luke! Everyone who has ever come across Luke has liked him. Likewise, Luke can get along with anyone. This was why, when Laura and Josh first met each other, her friends wanted Josh to meet Luke, you know, to get the "Luke stamp of approval." Fortunately, Josh and Luke both got along so well, they ditched Chelsea and Laura, and got lost in conversation wandering around the Academy of Sciences. Rumor has it they are still lost in conversation to this day.