Wedding Party
Alison Connelly
Maid of Honor
One of Katie's best friends since 7th grade. Ali and Katie thought true heart break was when Ali graduated 8th grade to go to high school in a different wing of the building, but little did they know they'd actually spend years living on different sides of the country. Ali is dog mom to Scout and Hazel, engaged to Sergeant Cody Downs - Infantry Jump Specialist, and a former resident of Alaska. She spends her free time running impromptu half marathons, making buffalo chicken dip, and flipping Facebook Marketplace couches.
Ruben Renteria
Best Man
Ruben and Nick met in 7th grade homeroom and math class. Ruben is clearly the loudest person Nick knows, yet the most approachable gentleman in the room. They bonded over hidden geo-caches, being the “cool” nerds, and struggling to make a difference in our high school sports. Ruben went on to pitch his UT Dallas Comets to their first American Southwest Conference championship. Ruben visited Nick during his first EY internship in SF and was instrumental in introducing him to Seattle, where Nick lived for a few years and which internship led to meeting Katie in New Zealand. The only thing to separate Nick and Ruben is a few hours at birth – Ruben and Nick share and same birthday.
Emily Webb
Matron of Honor
Enginerd, karaoke queen, former sorority president, and college roommate. Emily ran a tight ship when it came to being in charge of 60+ high-achieving sorority girls, it's too bad she couldn't channel this energy to keep her half of the room clean. All messiness aside, Emily is a one-of-a-kind firecracker, step-dog-mom to Cash Webb, and puts on a karaoke performance to "Every Time We Touch" like it's her last day on Earth.
Josef Omar
Best Man
Nick met Josef at the beginning of their Masters program at UT. Joey was a bit shy at the start of their study groups, but quickly demonstrated his hidden intelligence. Joey and Nick bonded over the collective academic struggle and moments of personal growth. The ultimate gym bro – Joey was there to meet Katie on her first visit to Texas for the gun range and to Remember the Alamo.
Mary Armbruster
Bridesmaid
Mary and Katie spent the first half of 7th grade not liking each other which they both chalked up to the other's "big personality." Fortunately, they have come a long way since then and have spent countless sleepovers trying to learn every popular dance together. Keep an eye on Mary while "Cotton Eyed Joe" plays; rumor has it she still can't remember this routine despite years and years of trying.
Chris Vasquez
Groomsman
Chris and Nick met in 6th grade orchestra, realizing they shared nearly the same schedule. This was in large part due to the academic excellence they both pursued. Rubik’s cubes, Michael Jackson, and Mortal Kombat with breaks only to trek to Chicos at 10pm were the only things they needed to propel their brotherhood. Chris was born just a day after Nick, completing the trifecta of September birthdays.
Becca Jackson
Bridesmaid
A.K.A. Becky J. Katie and Becky met in the cornfields of Ada, Ohio at Ohio Northern University. If you watched a highlight reel of their friendship, you would see Saturday long runs for their half-marathon training and very distracted Sunday library study sessions. Katie has run 3 (three!!) half-marathons with Becky and each one was worse than the time before. (Except for Becky, ask her about how she won 1st place in their first half-marathon while Katie came in dead last.) Becky could win an award for how small her hands are, but don't let that fool you, she is still a top notch Physical Therapist.
Nathan Ortiz
Groomsman
Nathan is Nick's nephew and greatest adventure partner. As an only child, it took Nick a while to figure out what it meant to have a little brother; Nick's glad he did and that they could grow together. Nate brings out the daredevil within Nick, which inspired him to skydive during his stay abroad in New Zealand, where he met Katie. From fireworks in an open field, timed parkour on a jungle gym, or skateboarding in the new neighborhoods, every moment was a great memory. Nathan is father to Liam Ortiz, the (potential) Ring Bearer.
Liam Ortiz
Ring Bearer (if he could walk)
Great-nephew to Nicholas and Katie. Hobbies include jumping around in his Mustang bouncer, speed crawling (almost walking), sleeping, repeat.