Valerie & Josh
Our Wedding Party!
Julia Humenik
Officiant
Val's sister, who just happens to be a fully-ordained (as of this June!) and practicing pastor of the United Methodist Church. Julie is Val's built-in friend for life and is only one year younger than the bride. She helped Val road trip across the country when she moved to Oregon. However, she also invited her to a murder mystery dinner in college where Val ended up being the one "murdered". Despite this, Val loves Julie with her whole heart, and knows Julie feels the same.
Alison McRae
Matron of Honor
Alison is Val's oldest friend...in fact, her home phone number holds the high honor of being one of the only phone numbers Val has in her long-term memory because she called Alison quite a bit growing up. They bonded in 3rd grade over cursive writing and their budding business "Val and Al's Computer Crafts"--where they designed business cards for their classmates...they had one customer. ;) Val thinks their third-grade selves would be impressed with this wedding website.
Abigail Brown
Matron of Honor
Abbie is a lifelong and fabulous friend! Val and Abbie got to know each other near the end of middle school and bonded in high school during late nights at the skate park eating McDonald's fries (after marching band shows with Alison) and during plenty of camping adventures. Abbie even got Val into jogging for one of the only times in her life where running seemed fun! Val is pretty sure that Abbie knows all of her past crushes & secrets! Val appreciates that Abbie understands her love of chatty voicemails and the art of catching up.
Genevieve Melber Humenik
Bridesmaid
Val's beautiful sister-in-law and crafter extraordinaire! They bonded over after-school snacks and hangouts while Willow, Daisy, and Charlie napped. Gen helped Val get out of her comfort zone in California and all of the little hikes and events she invited her to made Monterey begin to feel like home. Val is so lucky to have gained a sister in Gen and can't wait to do "crafts and cocktails" sometime this summer!
Jennifer Lockett
Bridesmaid
Jen and Val met while working at a juvenile facility for teen girls in Portland. When they had downtime at work they got to craft and then decided to try doing the "couch to 5k" app together and began running before work. They share a love of coffee shops, tacos, and the entertaining seasons of The Bachelorette. Despite that Jen's cat, Furby doesn't seem to like her, Jen's and Dre's living room has always been one of Val's fav. hangout spots.
Layla Iranshad
Bridesmaid
Layla was Val's first work bestie after getting paired together at Santiam Crossings Wilderness Therapy School. Every other week they would live together with teenage girls in the woods. Val has decided that if she ever had to live off the grid, homesteading with Layla would be the way to go! They bonded over the simple pleasures of life away from the woods: Movies, drive-thru coffee breaks, and brunch. Val loves that Layla just "gets" her and they can talk for hours if you let them.
Curtis Whitley
Best Man
Josh has been on 'Team Curtis' since 2014. They taught at the same school and lived in the same apartment. So when Josh needed a Best Man, he knew who to call. Call, because Curtis isn't a texter.
Jasmin Altamirano
Bridesmaid
Jasmin is Josh's sister and Val's future sis-in-law. She's sweet and funny and Val can't wait to officially be her sister! She's probably the coolest person in the wedding party because she is in her 20s and super artistic and creative. She also hates single-use straws (as we all should).
Gordon Humenik
Groomsman
Val's adventurous older brother and an awesome dad to her nieces & nephew. Val's reason for moving to Cali & thus meeting Josh! Once, he made Val a stand for her clarinet in his woodworking class and all the girls in her clarinet row were jealous.
Bo Hu
Groomsman
Josh's friend since eighth grade, fact-checker and science consultant. A note to Californians: Bo is a transplant to the great state of Minnesota, which is an entirely different place than Michigan.
Holden Wood
Groomsman
Jasmin's awesome boyfriend and an honorary member of our weekend hike club with the Altamirano clan. Skilled at crossing creeks and rivers without getting his feet wet.
Charlie Humenik
Ring Bearer
Josh and Charlie met a long time ago-- around when this photo was taken, but now this 6-year-old is ready to rock the job of "Ring Security" and help his favorite soon-to-be Uncle "Osh" (Josh) tie the knot with Auntie Val.
Brooklyn Marchesello
Flower Girl
Brooklyn is Valerie's second cousin (...we think, or is it first-cousin-once-removed?), nevertheless, she is three, fabulous and ready to walk down the aisle!
Daisy and Willow
Jr. Wedding Coordinators
Daisy and Willow are Val's nieces and they are here to 1) get the party started on the dance floor and 2) grace you with their sweet and hilarious presence!