Juli & Hank
Harbingers of Wedding Cheer!
Michelle E. M. Malerba
Best Woman
My soul sistercousin, my first best friend, and favorite adventure companion Michelle and I have been through it all together from childhood shenanigans to neverending tequila shots. She has the purest heart, a creative mind, a loyal friend who can curse like a sailor. A true beauty, I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t guzzle coffee, laugh hysterically, and shop all day with her. It is an honor to be her friend and family.
Melissa Kay Anderson
Best Woman
Long before we met, our mothers used to make the same 5 am bus commute to LA from the IE. Mel and I met in High School when we were 16 - a quick bond over soap operas, nail polish, and eating hot Cheetos turned into a life long friendship where we basically do the same things. She is the paisley print to my solid, the bright fuchsia to my grey, and the Libra to my Aries I can always count on her to meet me in a dive bar for a good beer and to tell me when I’m trippin.
Kalani P Makanui
Best Man
Kalani has been my best friend, comrade, and road dog since middle school, confidant, bandmate, drummer and brother from another mother. Kalani has been there through grand adventures, hard times and everything in-between. From drinking buddy talking smack over Nintendo games to shredding on stage, to dispensing sage advice, he continues to be one of the most solid individuals I know, and I am lucky to call him my friend.
Farmer Greif
Groomsman
My eldest brother, I always have always looked up to him (especially due to his height). A meticulously detail-oriented and prolific creator of all kinds of art and music projects, Farmer never ceases to impress. With all his world travels and adventures, he has the best stories. Farmer somehow manages simultaneously to be a super dork and one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. A Keyboard player, sports fan, house-cat & craft beer lover, this guy is a fun hang every time. He continues to be a source of inspiration by setting the bar high and exemplifying how I should get things done.
Leslie P Schnyder
Bridal Posse
LP is my roomie for life! Les and I went to UCLA together and met in class, but our friendship truly developed when we became roommates while I was in grad school - first in Carson then in Inglewood. We have traveled to Vegas, Rio, and Mexico together. Over the years, we each have moved from coast to coast but have always managed to visit each other when it counts. We can talk for hours about nothing and everything in person and over the internets.
LaShannea "LaLa" Mitchell
Bridal Posse
My Sissy!! Our Parents met 21 years ago and boom! I got a younger sister. My first memory of LaLa is of her getting the chicken pox and my mom telling me I had to leave the house for two weeks! Haha…you, do what you got to do for your little sis. Its been all good since. La has become a loving, generous, and loyal friend who faces life's' challenges with grace and humor. I'm impressed by her ability to do it all, and I am thankful she is willing to ride with me through life.
Jake Morton
Groomsman
Jake and I met in the '90s, I used to go to High School basketball games just to watch him shred the hell out of the drums for the pep band. A fabulous guitar player, singer-songwriter, drummer and all around fun person to be around. Jake is a consummate professional in his endeavors, a hilarious guy who rolls with the punches with levity and grace and a great-hearted man. A skilled businessman, marketer, team leader, coppersmith, carpenter, beard grower, party life-of maker, and more. We have been in many bands over the years, with many loud sounds, and inappropriate jokes that I won't mention here.
Ian Etherton
Groomsman
My first memory of Ian was in Kindergarten; for Halloween, he dressed up as a Ham Sandwich. This creative and out of the box costume totally blew my young mind, and we quickly became friends. Since then, we have had many adventures and been around through the ups and downs of life. A master craftsman and connoisseur of the finer fruits of the earth; Chef, Carpenter, Gardener, Businessman, Brewer, Sommelier, plus so much more I'm forgetting; he is a super cool guy and definitely one of my favorite humans on the planet.
Valerie R Mejia
Bridal Posse
My Sistercousin, Val, is who I can count to visit me wherever I move from LA, Austin, or Philly, I know she will be there. Always down for a good time, as long as it's not too hot or too cold, we always find good food, good music, and good people. No plans, No problem. Her go with the flow nature is how Val ended up introducing Hank to the family before I did! When she met him in San Jose at Raheem’s stand-up show.
Gus Greif
Groomsman
My big middle brother Gus, The man- the myth- the legend, a great guy with a big fun personality. Gus is an awesome singer-songwriter, crafting tunes that can be both edgy and cartoonish, deep and silly within the same tune, just like he is. Authentic, goofy, sometimes stubborn, Gus is hardworking and loyal. He is an inspiration to me, always putting his whole heart on the line, with friends and family, or behind an instrument and a mic. I’m glad to have him as a friend as well as a big brother.
Aurora R Malerba
Bridal Posse
My little lady love, Aurora was one of my first babies, who’s is now a whole spunky, opinionated, brilliant, caring, and creative young lady. Aurora has a better taste in music and food than most adults and can bake a lemon cake that’s so good it will make you slap yourself! She is one of my favorite people on this earth, and I love spending time with her.
Xian Evonuk Drew
Groomsman
My guy, my boy, my man. I am sooo lucky to have a son like Xian. He makes me proud every day, from his straight forward observations, his dedication to his passions, his hilarious antics, wit, and his resilient attitude toward life and all the curveballs that get thrown at a young man. I am truly blessed by the cosmos to be his dad. As much as I try to teach him life lessons, he keeps me growing and learning at the same time. Mostly-chill, sometimes a little wacky; he will still make a terrible pun even after shaking his head in shame at all my stupid dad jokes.
Courtney Morris & Martín Perna
Celebrants
Quick fact 1: Courtney and Juli met in grad school when a brief conversation on Post-Its, sci-fi, political blackness, and the X-Files began a life long sistership and intellectual partnership. We were destined to be in each other's lives. Shortly into this new friendship, Courtney met Martín, and soon they embarked on their own journey. Since then, Martín has been a source of friendship, love, comedy, and care. Quick fact 2: When Hank and Juli started dating, he visited Central, PA. After music, dinners, and dishes, soon Courtney was calling him Hankcitos and Martín invited him back. From the start, they've seen our relationship grow, sharing the beauty and challenges of long-distance love paired with multiple moves. We are beyond stoked they've agreed to officiate the ceremony.
Leilani Mitchell
Ring Bearer
My sweet, sassy, and foodie niece will secure the bag and make sure the rings make it to the altar.