Liz & Russell
Wedding Party
Kristin Brandush
Matron of Honor
Liz and Kristin have been best friends since they were Pi Phi's together at Valparaiso University. Kristin has known Liz and Russell their entire relationship. She probably knowns them better than anyone since she shared an appartment with them in Chicago for 2 1/2 years prior to her getting married. Kristin enjoys nursing, dogs, puzzles, sleeping and of course her husband, Kevin.
Max Horrell
Best Man
Russell and Max met in high school through swimming and have been best friends ever since. There were inseperable in high school, every summer during college and have stayed best friends even though they live half a country apart. They are even each others best men in their upcoming weddings. They enjoy long drives together, meowing at eaching and being bro's for life. Max currently resides in Santa Barbara, CA.
Stephanie Taylor
Bridesmaid
Steph and Liz took a lot of writing classes together in college and also happened to be in the same sorority so the firendship was easy and natural from the beginning.
Niklas Helsingen
Groomsman
Russell and Nik met unexpectedly when Nik came to California on an exchange program from Sweden. The company that sent him to the States didn't place him with a family, and very long story short, Nik lived with the Deghi's during senior year. Russell and Nik have been "brothers" ever since. They have visited each other almost every year since in a variety of countries, phases of life, and experienced more than words can express together. Love you brother!
Sarah Girls
Bridesmaid
When Liz's freshman year roommate didn't show up on the first day she was forced to walk to a mixer event alone... until she turned to her left, saw Sarah, and asked "Can I be your friend?". Sarah oblidged and nearly 10 years later Liz is very happy to still call Sarah her friend. Also, for those of you who might not know Sarah - yes, that is her real last name.
Fernando Aguilar
Groomsman
Fernando was introduced to Russell through Valpo swimming, but they were destined to be good friends from the beginning because he is the younger brother of Russell's other good friend and then roommate, Guillermo. Fernando lives in Chicago right by Russell and Liz and they all love to have Saturday morning workouts (followed quickly by brunch), sip good scotch, and discuss life.
Michelle Brewer
Bridesmaid
Michelle and Liz were soroity sisters who shared the second floor of a little yellow house and have been through lots of life's ups and downs since then. They have a shared love of trashy tv, on point color schemes and any nemesis of one of them is the nemesis of both of them.
Guillermo Aguilar
Groomsman
Russell and Guillermo first met when they swam together at Northridge (a college in southern CA that no longer has a swim program). They were both recruited to Valpo and became roommates as well as very close friends. Guillermo is the older brother of Fernando, lives in Anaheim, CA, and always is down to talk on the phone and share his unique perspecive on life.
Lauren Swedenborg
Bridesmaid
Russell and Lauren went to high school together in the small town of Sebastopol, CA and have been very close ever since. Now a Nashville native, Lauren is driven young lady with a crazy talent for interior design and always has time for long phone calls filled with laughter and jokes spoken in a language that sometimes only she and Russell truely understand.
John Joppek
Groomsman
John originally was a neighbor to Russell and Liz when they first moved to Chicago. He and his wife Kelly both quickly became very close mutual friends over the years with both Liz and Russell. John is the tender of bars, the father of Gypsy (Australian Shepard), surfer of kites, lover of Kelly and enjoyer of bro time on the back deck with Russell.
Ali Taubert
Bridesmaid
Ali swam with Russell in college and when he introduced Ali and Liz they immediately connected and took it from there. Ali was not only a Pi Phi with Liz, but she was Liz's little in their sorority. Ali loves a good podcast, lawn gnomes, pop music and though the years may roll along and we've grown into adults we will forever be protective of our little sister Ali.
Scott Zindler
Groomsman
Scott and Russell have grown up together from the time they were kids playing in the fields, riding dirt bikes and watching the original Fast and Furious. They have stayed close thorugh all the years. Scott lives in Sebastopol with his beautiful wife Eliza and is a firefighter for Cal Fire. He is an amazing friend and we are so happy to have him in our bridal party.
Melissa Bernat
Bridesmaid
Melissa and Liz have known eachother for 10 years and it all began when they happened to be put in the same Valparaiso University FOCUS group over the summer. Melissa has lived blocks away from Liz, Russell and Angus their entire time in Chicago which has made regular dinners, tennis matches and all other types of hangouts very common in their lives. Melissa is a feminist, nurse, world traveler, lover of lemons and all things Polish (the country from which she came).
Alex Cox
Groomsman
Alex Cox (aka Coxy) has been friends with Russell since he was a Freshman on the Valpo swim team. Cox spent most of his Friday and Saturday nights at the blue house with Guillermo and Russell. They have stayed close since college and now Cox lives 2 blocks away from Russell, Liz and Angus. Cox enjoys throwing the ball for Angus, IPA's and is an engineer in Chicago.