Daina & Jonathan
Wedding Party
Maya Shabbir
Maid of Honor
Maya is Daina's baby sister and best friend-- if you don't know what it's like to look up to your younger and clearly cooler sibling, this is it. Maya unknowingly kicked off her robust modeling career at age 3, when Daina kindly encouraged her (with absolutely no coercion or bribery) to pose for hours of photographs. And for all of you who know Maya now to be your most photogenic friend, Daina takes 100% of the credit. Daina was 9 when Maya was born, and what a pleasure it has been to watch her grow: remembering her as that little modeling nugget, and seeing her transform into an incredible woman. Daina is pretty sure that Maya will ultimately become a leader of the free world; until then, Daina will continue to force her to make all of her Spotify playlists.
Jordan Mallen
Best Man
Jonathan's brother, confidant, and consensus #1 overall pick. He's a multi-sport athlete and a charmer. He'll outsmart and outclass you without breaking a sweat. Jordan and Jonathan spent their childhoods playing games around the clock, often set-invented, full contact, and through the hallways of the house. This included recreating most of the early 2000's pro-wrestling moves, which Jordan mostly consented to. They can carry on surprisingly informed conversation on just about any topic and have no qualms about abruptly switching sides in a debate just to see if they can. Despite having a nearly 6 year age gap, neither Jonathan nor Jordan appears to have ever gotten the memo.
Arielle Mallen Kuritzky
Bridesmaid
Arielle is Jonathan's little sister. Up until high school, they fought as much as can be expected of a brother and sister so close in age. As their friend groups melded, their quarrels faded, and by the time they were in college, they had become particularly close. Arielle has never been afraid to tell you what she thinks, how she feels or to belt out a tune. While that can be a lot on a daily basis when you share a common bedroom wall, those qualities are now refreshing. Arielle has a strong sense of family and puts her money where her mouth is in terms of making the effort to keep everyone close and connected despite the many miles between us all.
Cory Blitz
Groomsman
He's Daina's little brother, who she shares endless wild and crazy childhood memories (nightmares?) with about everything from being Daina's executive business assistant (slave) at age 3, to the minor violences of lip-biting-tiny-fist-punching "playful" wrestling, that sometimes ended in a tube of neosporin to the eye, and resulting pirate eye patch. It seems like just yesterday Cory was this shy, squishy, little boy rocking a bowl cut; Daina still isn’t sure how or when he transformed into a cultured, wildly intelligent and charismatic man (despite written proof, Daina will adamantly deny she ever said any of this, by the way). Along with Maya, he's Daina’s other BFF in the ultimate triad, and she wouldn't trade anything for the memories they have together, and the new ones they’ll make.
Zoe Berkery
Bridesmaid
Zoe is the best possible solution to the problem that is Daina's little brother Cory. ...kidding! She is tied for the best future sister (hey Arielle!) a big sister could ask for... even if she doesn’t really like onions (and honestly it is very important that you all understand how much this means). And it certainly doesn't hurt that she's a bad a$$ influencer and exceptional wonder-woman in both the corporate arena and the big bad real world.
Yonatan Kuritzky
Groomsman
Yonatan officially joined the family when he and Arielle got married almost 2 years ago. He has been a great addition to the family, and not just because his job gets us all free Hulu and HBO -- though admittedly it doesn't hurt. He has a calmness about him that permeates his environment and low-key makes him a great fit for his and Arielle's So-Cal life. His sincerity is readily apparent. If he thinks you're full of it, he'll call you on it, and if you're in a bind, he'll help you figure out a solution.
Rene Dayan-Bonilla
Bridesmaid
Rene is a not-so-little sister to Daina, who used to follow her older sisters around and succumb to what some would say were the tortures of little sisterhood. It is actually amazing how much she endured...! She has a huge heart and passion for making a difference in the community when it comes to her students and the people around her. A truly genuine and selfless human being, friend, sister, babe, and big bundle.
Seth Lipper
Groomsman
Jonathan's oldest friend, Seth has been there since before either of them can remember. For the better part of 15 years, hardly a weekend went by when they weren't staying up late playing video games, pop-a-shot, or ping-pong together. Seth accidentally guided Jonathan down an icy black diamond run, his first time skiing. While it wasn't graceful by any stretch of the imagination, Seth got him down the mountain and helped kick off Jonathan's obsession with speed and powder. They've always been considered "other sons" by each other's families and always will be.
Celine Dayan-Bonilla
Bridesmaid
While Celine and Daina used to run around Lake George with bows and arrows taunting boys, Celine is now essentially a supermodel with a serious acting, writing, producing and directing career. She is the creative mastermind of the family, making moves in TV, movies and commercials, traveling the world, and blowing people away with her many talents and free spirit, all the while!
Daniel Swayze
Groomsman
Daniel and Jonathan met on the 1st day of middle school and have been close ever since. He introduced Jonathan to camping and sprint car racing and in return was introduced to the wonders of cable TV, microwave popcorn, and trampoline wrestling. Daniel and Jonathan both would go on to be setters for their school's volleyball teams (one knocking the other out of the playoffs their senior year) and were members of the same fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Lauren Scanlon
Bridesmaid
Daina would not have survived medical school without her BFF Lau: her partner in crime, her baddest of bad influences, her provider of additional parents, and the most brilliant "classless and uneducated" future oncologic surgeon in America. Lauren has also seen this relationship blossom from the first day of medical school, and has been no less than an essential part of it ever since. She's the definition of a powerhouse in all aspects, and her friendship through the years has been utterly illuminating and unparalleled.
Scott McDonald
Groomsman
Scott is the human version of a golden retriever - fiercely loyal, perpetually upbeat, and always down to have some fun. He is perhaps too willing to give you the shirt off his back. He's also the hardest working guy you'll ever meet. Most impressively, he's managed to turn his pyromania into an actual paying job. He and Jonathan met in middle school when Scott played Daddy Warbucks in the 8th grade play and they haven't looked back since.
Jessica Urban
Bridesmaid
Who would have thought that a mutual love for first-interaction hostility would make two strangers into best friends! Daina and Jess met on a trip to Israel at age 19, and have kept the magic alive in the USA (and Southeast Asia) ever since. Because let’s be serious for a second— you can’t really get more intimate than riding a camel with someone. Jess is a marathoner and one of Daina's greatest role models for athletic and professional success, and there is no one Daina would rather be in a corner with.
Alex Hoffman
Groomsman
The most distinguished of the groomsmen, Alex met Jonathan as a freshmen at Penn. Even as an undergrad, his room was pure class adorned with a litany of plants and a vast array of fine liqueurs. Being close with Alex is easy. He's good for at least 1 funny meme every week and he's always on board for the next adventure be it kayaking in the Hudson, fishing in Florida, or a last minute round of darts in the city.
Aliza Vaida
Bridesmaid
13 years ago they were floor-mates in Warren Towers, then roommates in Allston, and forever besties ever since. Aliza and Daina have been through thick and thin: including sharing one bathroom for 5 girls x2 years! Now that’s true grit. These two college roomies literally morphed into adults (strong word?) together. Aliza is Daina's favorite artist and one of her most treasured confidants— there is no one's college apartment mess and late night cuddles Daina misses more!
Nic Rivard
Groomsman
Nic and Jonathan met on the first night of freshman orientation at Penn where they ran the table playing pong. He has an uncanny ability to fit into any social situation. They developed a penchant for submission wrestling which would start abruptly every few months when their competitive natures got the better of them. They could be found most nights at Blarney, the SAE house, or at their apartment playing XBox.
Jeremy Feigenbaum
Officiant
Jeremy and Jonathan first met at summer camp. They then bussed across the US, and all over Israel before becoming bunk-mates once again on staff. Jeremy is charismatic and has managed to become and stay friends with roughly half of the population despite working like a madman as an attorney for the NJ Attorney General's office. He may have the long term memory of a goldfish, but the genuine interest he takes in the lives of those around him more than make up for it. Plus, it lets Jonathan get away with retelling old jokes.