Attendees
Kimie Smith
Mother of the Bride
Kimie (kee-mee-ay) hails from Tokyo but is a lifelong expat, whether it be Spain, Mexico, or the US. Ask her about any one of her many passions: painting, tai-chi, cooking, you name it!
Vicki Ali
Mother of the Groom
A Baltimore native, Vicki had a long career art teacher before retiring to be a full time artist, grandmother, and baker of beautiful confections. Come to our Sunday lunch to enjoy some of her famous cake!
Henry Smith
Father of the Bride
Raised all around the US, Henry's initial plan to become a lawyer got shelved on a 1963 visit to Japan. The rest, as they say, is history. Now as a professor emeritus of Japanese history, Henry and his wife Kimie divide their time between New York City, Tokyo, and Kyoto. Ask him for updates on his latest research on the history of pigments in Japanese woodblock prints, but only at your own risk..!
Shahid (Martin) Ali
Father of the Groom
Born in India, raised in Pakistan, and settled in Baltimore, Shahid/Martin/Papa Ali is the true global citizen. Following a career in arts design and journalism, "Papa Ali," as he's known to many, now enjoys gardening, watching tennis, and showing his art in regional galleries.
Miko Smith
Elder sister of the bride
Raised in both the US and Japan, Miko's passions span the globe: Latin salsa, Japanese Noh theater, New York City's underground drag and ballroom scene, you name it. When she's not running supply chain and production logistics for high end fashion brands in New York City, she's been helping her sister and #1 partner in crime plan much of this special day!
Omar Ali
Elder brother of the groom
The oldest of the Ali brothers, Omar fell in love with China as a study abroad student and never looked back. Now a managing director for a restaurant group and coffee roaster, he lives in Shanghai with his wife Zhao Yuan and their two children, Victoria (8) and Luca (6). *Update: Omar and his family will sadly be unable to attend in person, as COVID-related lockdowns and travel difficulties currently make travel from Shanghai prohibitive. He will be very much missed.
Tariq Ali
Younger brother of the groom
The youngest of the Ali brothers, Tariq has circled the globe as a fine dining chef in New York, San Francisco, and now in Alsace, France. He and his wife, Justine, are preparing to open their first restaurant in her home town of Lapoutroie where they live with their dog Ramsay.
Anisha Gandhi
Friend of the bride & Officiant
Friends with the bride from their days as budding epidemiologists in grad school, Anisha is a connoisseur of fine wines, klezmer music, and cephalopods. And in her spare time is a lead epidemiologist at the New York City Health Department and a weekend warrior for reproductive rights.
Ryan Burton
Friend of the groom
A friend of the groom's since high school, Ryan is a coffee aficionado, real estate guru, and master of inappropriate jokes. He is also a clinical outreach specialist at a substance use treatment center, husband to Eva, and father to Maverick (4) and Hadley (2).
Fannie Chen
Friend of the bride
A friend of the bride from their days in Beijing where Fannie was a Fulbright scholar studying sexual health in China. When she's not helping incubate startup companies as a VC firm general counselor or helping to promote adolescent health, she's also mother to Bernadette (7 months) and wife to Chris Rice (396 months).
Ryan Bartock
Friend of the groom
Sometimes known as the fourth Ali brother, Ryan is a friend of the family's since childhood. By day a director of strategy and operations at a pharmaceutical company, by night a husband to Kelly and father to Lily (11) and Jonah (9). And by night: a master mixologist.
Laura Tierney
Friend of the bride
A friend of the bride's from their days studying international relations in San Diego. Also a semi-professional grill master, devotee of our country's national park system, and host of legendary Chinese New Year parties along with her partner, Kirk Duncan. Otherwise you'll find her championing environmental polices and sustainable development on behalf of clean energy businesses.
Zhao Yuan
Sister in law of the groom (Omar's partner)
While still dating her now husband, Omar, Zhao Yuan was one of the earliest witnesses to the antics of the Ali brothers in China while also helping out on their film projects. A former Chinese teacher at a language immersion program for American students, she now lives in Shanghai as wife to Omar and mother to Victoria (8) and Luca (6). *Update: Zhao Yuan and her family will sadly be unable to attend in person, as COVID-related lockdowns and travel difficulties currently make travel from Shanghai prohibitive. She will be very much missed!
Kelly Bartock
Friend of the groom (via Ryan Bartock)
A native of New Jersey who now calls Philadelphia home. A former human resources executive specializing in fashion brands known even to the groom, Kelly is now known as a formidable interior designer, marathoner, gourmet chef, and wife to Ryan and mother to Lily (11) and Jonah (9).
Justine Defrasne
Sister in law of the groom (Tariq's partner)
If you name a fine dining establishment in Europe or the US, Justine has likely worked there in the front of the house. A true wine aficionado (even by French standards), fierce mountain climber, and avid traveler, Justine is working alongside her husband Tariq to realize their dream of opening their own restaurant in her hometown in Alsace, France.
Kirk Duncan
Friend of the bride (via Laura Tierney)
A Wyoming native, tennis champ, and classically trained baritone bass, Kirk works as a clinical psychologist in Silver Spring, MD. When he is not spending quality time with his partner, Laura Tierney, he is growing his award winning beard.
Eva Burton
Friend of the groom (via Ryan Burton)
Eva hails from Highland MD, and is a master chef, runner, and volunteer at Our Daily Bread. Also wife to Ryan Burton and mother to Maverick (4) and Hadley (2).
Chris Rice
Friend of the bride (via Fannie Chen)
Video game virtuoso, expert snowboarder, and music festival devotee (or at least back in the day), you'll now find Chris working on his next great challenge: dad to Bernadette. Otherwise he divides his time between working as a litigator at a corporate law firm and explaining what litigation means to Kumi.