Isabel & James
Wedding Party
Ellise Moreno
Maid of Honor
Ellise and Isabel met at the Catholic Newman Center their freshmen year at TCU, and since then have shared many adventures, sleepovers, library sessions, and giggles. The beautiful Moreno family took Isabel in each Triduum and Easter during college, and it has been a grounding and life-giving friendship ever since. Ellise is a physical therapy student at Creighton University, with the most amazing laugh, and the most impressive Earth Runners tan known to mankind. Affectionately, she goes by Ellish.
Joey Bonfiglio
Best Man
Though James and Joey have only known each other for two years, those years have been marked by a strong brotherhood. With his extensive background in sports and strong witness to faith, Joey found the TCU Catholic Newman Center in the Fall of 2023, and there stumbled upon his soulmate - James. With a lot of common ground, Joey and James naturally gravitated towards one another and have developed their friendship through many rounds of golf, leadership positions in the Catholic community, and going to Chuck-E-Cheese.
Nini Pearl
Bridesmaid
Nini is technically Isabel's cousin, but more of a built-in sister since childhood. Together, these cousins played with dolls, practiced their Christmas dance routines, and giggled about farts under the covers for hours. Since Nini and Isabel grew up an 8 hours drive apart, each goodbye was devastating and each reunion was glorious! Nini is currently attending Chapman University in Orange County and has been able to spend time with the Pixa family at home. Fun fact - Nini and Isa rehearsed this wedding (but Barbie version) for about a decade.
Alexander Koshakji
Groomsman
James and Alexander go back as far as James goes back. Alexander is the oldest of the 5 Koshakji boys and his leadership has always been characterized by strength, joy, integrity, and faith. Alexander lives in Dallas with his lovely wife Sarah, working as a senior sales consultant while getting his MBA at Texas A&M University. He will make you feel like the funniest person in the room and the only one that matters when he talks to you - everyone needs an Alexander in their life. If you encounter this man on the street, ask him to do his impersonation of Popey the Sailorman stubbing his toe.
Ava Pearl
Bridesmaid
Ava is another cousin (built-in sister) of the bride. Isabel's favorite memories with her are practicing pool gymnastics each spring break and launching Ava five feet above the water, watching her land the perfect dismount. She makes Isabel laugh like no other with her sparkling sense of humor and uncanny Valley Girl impersonation. And even though Ava is now a senior in high school, she will always be the cutest little baby cousin in Isabel's eyes. Ava Margarita is a true queen!
John Patrick Koshakji
Groomsman
JP is the second in command in the Koshakji boy line-up and you'll know him when you see him. Without having met JP, most people observe him and think “Yep, that is a JP!” John Patrick is a textbook presentation of the duality of man: a shrewd businessman on a mission; and a steadfast brother willing the good of all he meets. JP has a passion for soccer, his family, and the Black–Scholes model. John Patrick has recently made the move from Washington D.C., where he attended the Catholic University of America, to Houston, TX. Some may call it arbitrage.
Montsy Saporito
Bridesmaid
Even though Maria (Montsy) and Isabel grew up only 10 minutes apart in Orange County, they met at Camp Wojtyla in Colorado, serving as counselors in 2021! Every time Montsy and Isabel answer a phone call or FaceTime from each other, there is immediate crying and belly laughter - they're not sure why. Montsy is a FOCUS missionary at ASU and shows college students the face of Jesus everyday. Isa and Monty's favorite activity together is running up to each other at airports, hugging, squealing, and talking about their heart sparkles.
Grant Koshakji
Groomsman
Grant is the 4th oldest brother and is arguably the cutest. Grant attended the University of Dallas for his freshman year where he played for their men’s soccer program. He then ventured a whole 35 miles west to TCU to finish out his academic career and will be graduating in the Winter of 2025. Grant’s humor will catch you off guard in the best way, but will also make you wish you installed an ejector seat in your car. Grant has an affinity for investment banking, so if you need to sell your business, give him a call!
Julie Kelnhofer
Bridesmaid
Julie is a treasure who came into Isabel's life in 2021. During their first night at Camp Wojtyla, Isabel was homesick and unsure of how to set up her hammock, so Julie quickly set up a tent for them both and had a sleepover to help her new friend feel better. Jules is the type of friend that gets sweeter over time, offering her ear and her heart at the drop of a hat. When she is not serving vulnerable friends on the streets of Philly, or pronouncing "hammock" as "hamm-awk", she is a superstar 4th grade teacher. St. Cecilia, pray for us!
Drew Koshakji
Groomsman
Andrew, the youngest Koshakji, has an inordinate obsession with hamsters, or more commonly understood in their binomial nomenclature - Phodopus Squishies. Drew is currently a freshman in college, attending Holy Cross University. He is studying computer science all while playing for the men’s soccer team. Drew is a multi-faceted specimen – 2nd to the Dos Equis man as the “most interesting man in the world.” James and Drew love to have banjo and guitar hillbilly jam sessions as Drew is a very talented musician - Wagon Wheel on repeat!
Peyton Nelson
Bridesmaid
Peyton is Isabel's best buddy from high school! Pey was an incredible gift to "Pixa" during their time as soccer teammates at Los Al and continues to be a huge ray of sunshine in her life. Their favorite activity together is to walk on the Seal Beach pier with Cold Stone ice cream in hand and talk about Jesus. Peyton's heart is a treasure to Isabel, and is a beacon of light for her community at Biola University, where she plays soccer, dives, and studies nursing. YEWW!
Lance Pixa
Groomsman
Standing a whopping 7 ft 2 in., Lance, AKA the Donk, AAKA Donkus, is the noble younger brother of the bride. Lance can tell you the shoe size of everyone on the San Francisco 49ers roster. Evidently, Lance grew up with a huge love for football, baseball, basketball, badminton, etc. and was tossing a ball before his first words. His heart is well proportioned to his height, as he’s every bit caring as he is tall. Lance is currently a Junior at Arizona State University studying finance, and he likes to spend his Saturdays in the ASU Inferno©. James is excited to welcome another brother into the family!
Lauren Birbeck
Bridesmaid
Lauren is a precious friend and former roommate to Isabel. Lauren and Isabel love going on walks together, sharing beautiful conversations about faith, adding Trader Joe's pesto to everything, smelling flowers, and wearing matching dresses to Sunday Mass. When Mrs. Birbeck is not being silly with her former roommates on Bellaire or her wonderful husband, Will, she is a high school English teacher in Fort Worth!
Will Birbeck
Groomsman
James and Will first met in 2021 through a mutual friend (Garrett James) in a Christian men’s group. Will was closely integrated in the TCU Catholic Newman Center since his freshman days and this is where James and Will’s friendship developed – playing ping pong, talking theology, enjoying coffee at 6am and leading small groups together. Will is currently an engineer at a firm right here in Fort Worth, Texas!
Monica Nieto
Bridesmaid
Monica is a dear friend and current roommate of Isabel's. They met in the lobby of their freshmen year dorm, and were instantly gal pals! Monica and Isabel enjoy heartfelt conversations, playing mermaids in the pool at their apartment, disturbing Adrianna during her work hours, and having sleepovers even though they are only down the hallway from each other. Monica is a development specialist at a local non-profit grade school in Fort Worth. Watch out for Mon on the dance floor... she's got it going on!
Garrett James
Groomsman
"Hi, my name is Garrett. And I like to party!" Is what Garrett will say if you meet him. But when Garrett is not partying, he's doing PT on your dog or going to daily Mass. Garrett is a physical therapy student in Fort Worth, a natural-born leader, and his mom says he's a comedian. James is very grateful for their friendship because Garrett was instrumental in keeping the flame of faith lit in James' heart. If you ever want to hear a cool story, ask him about the time he broke his collar bone on the dance floor.
Adrianna Araujo
Bridesmaid
Adrianna, a fellow Bellaire roommate and sister, is a great blessing to Isabel. She is genuinely one of the most hilarious people you will ever meet, and has a kindhearted loyalty you can't find anywhere else. Isabel and Adrianna enjoy analyzing a specific romantic drama together, catching up after a long day of work (or clowning around), and back in their undergrad time - supporting the Horned Frogs at home games. During the week, Adrianna works in Sports Marketing and teaches Isabel how to use LinkedIn.
Nick Busa
Groomsman
The beginning of Nick and James’ friendship traces back to TCU’s freshman summer camp, “Frog Camp.” They grew very close through joining the same fraternity and sharing a similar interest in sports, faith, and COD BO3. In addition to taking on the same degree path, James and Nick roomed together for three years. Nick also joined the TCU Football team in the Spring of 2020 – so as you can imagine, by then they were finishing each other’s sentences… and snacks. Living in Houston, Nick loves to golf, spend time with family, and dabble in Real Estate.