Wedding Party
Dr. Bryan Hiscox
Groom
A Southern California native, Bryan grew up in La Canada (near Pasadena and the Rose Bowl). He grew up hiking the outdoors, adventuring through books and engineering homemade marvels. In high school, he and his teammates were state water polo champions! Bryan then scored an English major at Princeton University and became the Toastmaster at the Ivy Club. Go Tigers! Following undergrad, he headed back to California where he received his MD and MBA at UCLA. He then proceeded to Scripps in San Diego for his internship. Next, he completed a dermatology residency at Baylor College of Medicine (his Texas connection). He currently practices medical and cosmetic dermatology in the Houston suburbs. Gratefully, the dermatology fairies loved Bryan and introduced him to Kayla...the rest is history.
Dr. Kayla McNiece
Bride
Raised in Abilene, TX, Kayla loves big hair, everything sparkly, and chicken fried steak (with cream gravy, of course). Her father, Jim, worked in sales, and her mother, Rachel, worked at home running her own seamstress shop. A vivacious child, she was fascinated by the big world around her. Some of her favorite memories include learning to embroider at the age of 4, dominating her sister at Easter egg hunts, and traveling through Yellowstone each summer. In high school, she played flute and piccolo in the "Screaming Eagle Band," and during her senior year, she cheered on the Varsity cheerleading squad. After high school she spent a semester at Rhodes College, before earning a degree in Biochemistry at Abilene Christian University. She went on to receive her medical degree at the University of Texas's McGovern School of Medicine. After a memorable intern year in Indianapolis she trained in dermatology at Vanderbilt, then completed a fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery with Dr. David Kent in Macon, Georgia. Kayla then returned to Houston to lead the surgical program at Bellaire Dermatology Associates. There, the Abbvie drug reps "tricked" Bryan into a blind date with Kayla...and the rest is history.
Rachel McNiece
Mother of the Bride
Born in Wyoming, Rachel grew up on a farm learning the nuances of sugar beets, milking goats, and sewing one's own clothes. She got to Texas as soon as she could by attending college at Abilene Christian University. There she picked up her husband, Jim, in the "meat market" of the local SafeCo grocery store… or so the story goes. Rachel and Jim had two gorgeous girls, Kayla (older) and Kimberly (younger). In order to work AND be a stay-at-home mother, Rachel opened her own seamstress shop from the comfort of her home. She sewed everything from alterations to bridesmaids' dresses to window fixtures. She has since taken this passion across the world with her sewing mission, "Sewing the Seeds." Her goal is to teach people the marketable trade of sewing in hopes of providing them a way out of poverty, sex work, and domestic abuse. The McNiece family is not only proud of her mission work but also her life's greatest work—her family.
Judy Hiscox
Mother of the Groom
Judy Gamboa Hiscox grew up in an Adventist family in Los Angeles's San Gabriel Valley. As a child, she loved spending summers at their cabin on Lake Arrowhead. For generations, her family worked in healthcare, and Judy carried on this legacy by becoming a nurse. She is now co-owner and operator of Flash Laser, a medical spa, in Encino, CA. Despite her demanding career and expertise, her true joy and pride in life is her family. She is the proud mother of two amazing children, Bryan and Kari, and two beautiful grandchildren, Brighton and Brennan. She is thrilled to have all of our guests in her hometown!
Jim McNiece
Father of the Bride
Born in Abilene, TX, Jim has spent his life serving others and raising a wonderful family. He faithfully worked 25 years in sales for Wrigley's gum. Jim then applied his skills to the nonprofit sector by dedicating his efforts to Christian Homes, a nonprofit adoption agency that helps mothers with unwanted pregnancies find adoptive Christian families. Kayla is so proud of her father and the work he does. He has been a faithful, loving, selfless leader and provider for the McNiece family.
Dr. Dwight Hiscox
Father of the Groom
Bryan is a carbon copy of his father, Dwight. Dwight grew up in Southern California. As a child he was always up to something; planting a garden each year, starting a lawn service and opening a snack bar at the high school. He also spent time at the University Hospital getting early experience with their room-sized mainframe computer. At the age of 19 he was off to medical school at Loma Linda University. Although he initially specialized in psychiatry, he later double-boarded in Anesthesiology. After 25 years in the operating room he and he and Judy opened Flash Laser, a medical spa in 2004 where he practices medical aesthetics. His passions include his family, Costco, gardening in his lush California yard, and repairing anything and everything around the house.
Kimmy Taliaferro
Matron of Honor
-Kayla's little sister and best friend- Kimmy Taliaferro is Kayla's younger sister by two years. Kayla and Kimmy grew up in Abilene, TX and are proud of their West Texas roots. Their favorite childhood memories include their three-legged cat named Oreo (sweetest cat ever), raising English bulldog puppies, spending the summers in the pool playing "torpedo" with Dad, and "fishing" with Mom in Yellowstone National Park (Mom is the ONLY one who caught any fish). They had a charmed upbringing surrounded by great people. Kimmy is a CPA by training, but she does not act like one. She is a brilliant artist and business women who has a heart for serving and blessing others. In fact, her artwork is featured on our Save the Dates! Her talent knows no bounds. She recently married the love of her life, John Taliaferro (08/24), and resides in Abilene, TX.
Kari Hiscox
Bridesmaid
Kari is Bryan's younger sister who lives in La Canada, CA with her supportive partner, Kevin. Together they've had two beautiful children. In fact, Brennan will be our ring bearer! Kari loves culinary arts, crafting and pottery. Kayla has been inspired by her resilience and appreciates her guidance on all things Californian. They share an appreciation for thoughtfulness and communication. Kayla is thrilled to have another sister in the family!
Brighton Hiscox-Wade
Flower Child
Brighton is the daughter of Kari Hiscox and Kevin Wade. Brighton cannot be with us in person today, but we know she is with us in spirit. We remember and honor her today. Chloe, her distant cousin, is wearing one of Brighton's favorite bows in her memory.
Brennan Hiscox-Wade
Ring Bearer
-Bryan's Nephew- Brennan is the son of Kari Hiscox and Kevin Wade. He will be 2 1/2 at the time of the wedding. This brilliant and spectacular child loves meeting new people, eating citrus fruits, playing outdoors, and interacting with furry friends. He will capture your heart with his beautiful eyes and bright smile.
Chloe Taliaferro
Flower Girl
Chloe is Kayla's niece. She is the daughter of John and Kimmy Taliaferro. As the flower-baby, she is joyfully celebrating her aunt and uncle-to-be! This is her very first wedding, and she is sure to be a star of the show! She loves her jingle bell socks and her nightly bath.
Dr. Bobbi Brady
Bridesmaid
Bobbi and Kayla were co-residents at Vanderbilt Dermatology (c. 2015-2018). She was Kayla's best friend and support system during that demanding, magnificent season. Bobbi was, and continues to be, an inspiration and example of strength. Now, she is a thriving dermatologist AND PARTNER of the Woodruff Institute in Naples, FL. She has an amazing husband and two gorgeous daughters. Kayla loves and admires Bobbi.
Sarah Boyd
Bridesmaid
Kayla and Sarah have known each other since high school!!!! BUT they became close friends during their junior year of college at ACU (Abilene Christian University). Although Sarah is supremely artistic and techy, she manages to tolerate Kayla's deficiencies in these areas. They share a common love of funky clothes, meeting new people, and dogs. Now she is a associate partner for IBM!! She resides in Dallas, TX with her two PERFECT four-legged children, Walter and Wendy (miniature schnauzers).
Dr. Alice Elroy
Bridesmaid
Alice and Kayla were co-residents together during their internship year (first year or residency) at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Alice helped keep Kayla grounded during the rigors of that year. Alice is classy, graceful, calm and level-headed. Now, Alice lives in Salem, OR with her perfect family--complete with a handsome husband and two brilliant children.
Cyrus Jamnejad
Groomsman
Cyrus and Bryan met in sixth grade at Paradise Canyon Elementary, where they came so, so close to the pinnacle of pre-middle school coolness, but were narrowly thwarted by a hotly-contested Science Bowl question concerning the relative amounts of dinosaur biomass during the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, and had to settle for second place. The obvious chicanery of “the Mesozoic Era” as a response, as submitted by whatever long-forgotten cross-town rival it was that ultimately won, but clearly did not earn, the trophy barely even bothered them. That experience, of course, benefited them enormously in the long run. They moved past it. They evolved. They thrived. They never looked back, not once, not ever. They have, in all likelihood, completely forgotten about it. Cyrus truly hopes that the joy, partnership, and love that Kayla brings to his life will now and forever make that true.
Dr. Melissa Jenkins
Bridesmaid
Melissa and Kayla were co-residents together during their internship year (first year or residency) at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Together, they have faced the best of times and the worst of times. Lol. Now, Melissa is a successful anesthesiologist in Indianapolis and is as fabulous as she looks! She adores her sweet husband and two precious ginger-headed children. One of Kayla's longstanding (and unobtainable) goals is to have hair and sass half as fabulous as Melissa's.
Devin McIntire
Groomsman
Bryan and Devin met in 6th grade and built a budding friendship in middle school but it was endless hours of Water Polo that helped the friendship flourish. They bonded over music, compared notes on the pitfalls and jubilations of young love, and lamented their pragmatic approach to teenage exuberance (e.g. driving fast, but not as fast as Cyrus, drinking, but not as much as ....). Now, as marginally pragmatic adults so many years later, they trade notes on the best pizza ovens and cookbooks, and Devin is ecstatic for Bryan to embark on his most exuberant journey yet.
Dr. Erika Radel
Bridesmaid
Erika and Kayla were co-residents together during their internship year (first year or residency) at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. They share a passion for rescue dogs and diamonds. A life in medicine is rough, but Erika and Kayla make it look fabulous (mostly). Erika is a successful anesthesiologist in Indianapolis with a fabulous husband and two handsome boys (and 2 rescue dogs). She loves fitness, travel, home decor, and being a supportive friend. Stay gold, Erika.
Colleen Rehfuss
Bridesmaid
Kayla and Colleen became fast friends during Kayla's short stent at Rhodes College (Memphis, TN). Since then (15+ years), they have made great efforts to stay close and celebrate each other throughout life. Colleen is a master of sales and has worked for some of the most prominent American companies. She is a dear, sweet friend who continues to pray over and bless Kayla. She now lives in Salt Lake City, UT with her amazing husband and two beautiful children.
Liuba Shemena
Bridesmaid
Liuba is a blessing from Ukraine. She helped Kayla's mother, Rachel, through many sewing missions for Ukrainian orphans. Liuba, an orphan herself, would translate sewing instructions from Rachel to the orphans. Their goal was to give these young people a marketable skill and a way out of alcoholism, the sex trade, etc. Since the Russian-Ukrainian war broke out, Liuba has been living with Kayla in Houston, TX. Liuba has become a second sister to Kayla (and a second mommy to Romey (dog)). Liuba now works as a manager at a luxury restaurant in Houston, TX. She hopes to return to Ukraine some day to make it her home again.
Dr. Maria Simpson
Bridesmaid
Maria!!! What a Godsend! Maria was Kayla's med school roommate for three years. She loved on and carried Kayla through some of the hardest times. Together, they loved jogging around Rice University, preparing home cooked meals, and supporting each other through crazy medical rotations. She is now a thriving PMR physician near Atlanta, GA. She has a beautiful family complete with two precious young boys (and two adorable labradoodles).
Sandy Ryan
Groomsman
Sandy and Bryan have been friends for more than 30 years – since Sandy saved Bryan from summers of solitude playing Zelda by himself. They’ve been teammates on water polo teams (2x CIF champions, both will have you know), roommates in a questionable Santa Monica beach bungalow for 4+ years where COVID may have originally spawned, cross-country road trips and the always present friend on a long distance phone call. Sandy couldn’t be happier, albeit a little jealous that Kayla now gets complete access to Bryan and his culinary skills.
Drew Weightman
Groomsman
Their relationship goes all the way to the 4th grade — back when 5’7” Bryan stepped in as protection for 4’1” Drew on the rough playgrounds of La Cañada. They stayed close through elementary school, middle school, and high school in California, including years playing water polo together. College took them far from home but relatively close to each other on the East Coast—Bryan at Princeton and Drew at Middlebury in Vermont—which meant plenty of visits and road trips. After college, they lived together in a pint-sized bungalow in Santa Monica. Through grad schools, moves, and many miles since, they’ve stayed close through the chapters of life. Drew is thrilled to celebrate Bryan and Kayla as they begin their next one!
Thor McNiece
Loving Support Animal
Thor was Kayla's first (fur) child. As Kayla finished her surgical fellowship in Macon, GA, she adopted Thor from a local rescue. At six years of age, Thor was a strong, dashing personality who carried Kayla through loneliness, stress and change. He loved squeaky toys, chasing cats and peeing on boxwoods. He was her partner-in-crime till Bryan came along. Thor passed in October of 2023, but he rests peacefully knowing that his Kayla is in great hands.
Romey McNiece
Loving Support Animal
Romey Joy McNiece, Kayla's second (fur) child, is a constant source of energy, attention, affection, and joy (of course) for Kayla and Bryan. Her passions include food, food, food, treats, squirrels, opossums, and food. As a former street dog, she is scrappy, resilient and savvy. As a Labrador, she is sweet and loving. Romey is loved (and spoiled) beyond measure.