Meet Us Under the Palms
Wedding Party
Leila Laurila
Maid of Honor
The bride's oldest and dearest friend. Besties since they met in summer school math class before their freshman year of high school. Leila has been by Gabby's side through every chapter of her life since the age of 13. Fun fact, Leila and her three sisters all have names that start with the letter "L", and in high school, Gabby started going by "Labby" as the official fourth Laurila sister. After high school, they set off to the University of Oregon together as roommates and continued to stay close, moving to Washington around the same time in 2020. Never far apart for too long, and sisters for life.
David Cutler
Best Man
Position: Best Man / Big Bro Debut: 1993 - Swedish Hospital Scouting Report: He’s quietly the smartest one in the room Strengths: - A steady source of motivation and inspiration (and biting sarcasm), even at great distances - Always supportive, even when Nathan was younger, dumber, and a near-constant source of annoyance to him - Has more content to embarrass Nathan with than anyone else in the world Career Highlights: - c. 1998 - 2006 / 6555 19th Ave NE: Beat Nathan in countless backyard penalty kick shootouts and 1:1 wiffle ball games - 2006 / British Columbia: Taught Nathan on first night of downhill skiing - 2010; 2013 / Washington DC; Aswan, Egypt: Ushered Nathan through his two of his worst sicknesses - Too many times to count: Laughed with Nathan through hilarious moments mom provided us
Nia Burres
Bridesmaid
The Capricorn to the bride’s Cancer. Nia and Gabby’s friendship sparked quickly and burned bright from the start. They first met during the years Gabby was visiting Seattle from Eugene, but their bond truly began to flourish once Gabby made Seattle her home. From long neighborhood walks to sweet friend dates around the city, these two are rarely seen apart. Some connections are simply meant to be, and just like the bride and groom, Nia was always destined to be the bride’s soul sister and forever bestie.
Eli Mathieu
Groomsman
Position: Groomsman / Nathan’s Personal Biographer Debut: 1999 - halls of Bryant Elementary Scouting Report: His blue collar exterior hides an intellectual interior Strengths: - Extremely silly, and has the goofiest laugh around; will laugh with and at you - Always has time to lend a hand or an ear to a problem; will still tell you all your errs along the way - Hardest working man in the poop tunnel business Career Highlights: - c. 1999 - c. 2003 / 6556 37th Ave NE: high contact knee football in the basement - 2004 / 6556 37th Ave NE: Watched Master of Disguise and Best in Show back to back every day of the week - 2011 / Bellevue, WA: Last time on the baseball diamond together, forming the Pitcher/Catcher battery with Nathan
Ava Vogel
Bridesmaid
Gabby and Ava have been friends since their college days, but their bond truly blossomed once Gabby moved to Seattle. If you know the bride, you know her love for reality TV runs deep and unapologetically so. The moment she discovered Ava shared the same passion, it was an instant connection. Gabby is the proud auntie to Ava's dog, Chief, loving him as if he was her own. Their friendship has that rare magic of feeling like you’ve just met someone, yet somehow known them forever. Effortless, genuine, and endlessly fun. Catch these two laid up on the couch watching the latest episode of their fave show. Together forever.
Josh Miller
Groomsman
Position: Groomsman / Late Night Debate Sparring Partner Debut: 2007 - cafeteria of Roosevelt High School Scouting Report: Can emphatically convince you of anything Strengths: - Somehow both soft spoken in tone but incredibly loud in tenor - The only person in the world who (may be) as stubborn as Nathan - An absolute rock of stability and loyalty Career Highlights: - 2007 - 2011 / Seattle: near-daily arguing with Nathan always ending in love and laughter - 2013 / Cascades: invented multi-level pong, the greatest household game imagined - 2015 - 2016 / Seattle: Seahawks games followed by intense Settlers bouts
Courtney Cucchissi
Bridesmaid
Friends since high school, soul sisters ever since. Gabby and Courtney have known each other since their teenage years, but it was after college that their friendship truly deepened. When Gabby moved back to LA in 2019, their bond grew stronger, and they’ve been incredibly close ever since. Both Cancers, they connect effortlessly over big feelings and shared values. Though Courtney now calls New York City home, the distance has never mattered. These two will always be closely connected, no matter where life takes them.
Brooke Jones
Bridesmaid
The bride’s college best friend and fellow Oregon Duck. Gabby and Brooke first met during their Sophomore year, through a friendship Leila (Maid of Honor) made in French class. Without Brooke, Gabby and Nathan’s paths may have never crossed, making her presence in their story all the more meaningful. Gabby and Brooke clicked instantly over their shared love of music and movement. From dancing at shows to countless miles traveled between Eugene and Seattle, their bond has only grown stronger. No matter where life takes them, these two are forever part of each other’s story.
David Holt
Groomsman
Position: Groomsman / Partner in Mountain Exploration Debut: 2006 - front patio of Eckstein Middle School Scouting Report: His golden retriever exterior hides his cerebral nature Strengths: - Never deterred, has a constant positive attitude in any situation - Cares deeply about his family and friends Career Highlights: - 2008 / Dahl Field: New Year’s hotdogs at dawn over a woodchip fire - 2016 / O’ahu, Hawaii: Saved a food poisoning-riddled Nathan from falling down a slippery waterfall, and then together navigated out of being lost in the jungle - 2024 / Big Island, Hawaii: Helped with logistics for Nathan’s proposal, almost gave it away by lack of slick sleuthing for picture taking positioning
Anna Prestbo
Bridesmaid
The bride’s fellow Cancer soul sister. Anna and Gabby have been connected since their college years, navigating life’s big emotions side by side for more than a decade. Even with miles between them, Anna in LA and Gabby in the Pacific Northwest, their bond has only grown stronger with time. To the bride, Anna’s friendship feels like Los Angeles itself: warm, grounding, and forever home, no matter how much time or distance comes between them. Catch these two at Bacari in Silverlake (IYKYK).
Katie Romoser
Bridesmaid
The bride's twin! Katie and Gabby had met in Seattle circa 2013 at a Snoop Dogg show. After bonding together during a music festival in Las Vegas over what felt like having nearly everything in common, their friendship officially took off. They became roommates in 2020 when Nathan and Gabby moved to Seattle and have been inseparable ever since. Truly two peas in a pod, lovers of all things cute, and incredible plant moms. You can find these two collecting tiny knick-knacks and stuffies of all shapes and sizes.
Brady Kerr
Groomsman
Position: Groomsman / First Partner in Crime Debut: 1995 - playground of 55th Street School Scouting Report: Has a demeanor as sweet as his left-handed swing Strengths: - Has always been steady and consistently himself - Puts others first throughout his life Career Highlights: - c. 1996 - 2001 / 5521 31st Ave: intense basement wooden bat league - 2003 - 2007 / Rav Eck: rec basketball glory days - 2011 - 2013 summers / Cascades: epic Enchantments, Ingalls Peak, Olympics backpack trips