MIKEY & RACHEL TIE THE KNOT
Wedding Party
Liz Studebaker
Maid of Honor
Liz and Rachel met as many North Park friends have, through their fabulous friend, Dennis Stein. Instant besties, they bonded over their mutual love of dinner parties, travel, the Whistlestop, and Rancho Gordo Beans. The friendship leveled up during covid times when along with groomsman Roger Lewis, Liz joined Rachel and Mikey to form the South Park covid cluster and spent much of the pandemic together bonding and fighting like they are family.
TJ Flaherty
Best Man
Mike met TJ when he was in his teens in Rockaway Beach. TJ and Mike quickly bonded over 90’s surf, skate, and snowboard culture. This turned into driving around aimlessly in Mike’s blue Geo for hours and hours listening to punk music and searching for parties, food and good surf. Gas was a dollar a gallon and took you pretty far on a 3 cylinder car!
Kate O'Hara
Bridesmaid
Another friendship spurred via introduction by Dennis Stein, Kate and Rachel met while they were both living in Hillcrest. Rachel was drawn to Kate's playful spirit, kind heart, and the fact that with her in tow every occasion from a girls night in to a dance party on the town, was always improved upon with her presence.
James Carroll
Groomsman
Mike met James growing up in the beach community of Rockaway Beach, NY. James and Mike have enjoyed great food, traveled cross-country together, explored the bars of NYC, and spent time hanging out on both coasts.
Alice Quinton
Bridesmaid
Alice and Rachel met around the same time as Mikey and Rachel and in the same fashion, at a foodie event, we think it may have been the epic Camp Confab on Suzie's Farm. Rachel was drawn to Alice's keen style and her passion for good food and fashion. In time, they bonded further as travel buddies, Tiki Oasis partners in crime, and Barre Method enthusiasts.
Frankie Thaheld
Groomsman
Mike met Frankie in San Diego in 2010 when craft cocktails were fresh on the scene. Two years later, Mike and Frankie joined forces to run Snake Oil Cocktail Company. Since then they have traveled from Bogota to Park City to Cabo to create cocktails, executed over 10,000 events, launched dozens of cocktail programs and built an awesome friendship in the process.
Natalie Wolfe
Bridesmaid
Taking it back to Edwards MM18 days in the early 2000's, Rachel and Natalie met whilst working the box office at the movie theater. Initially bonding over a love of day after thanksgiving midnight shopping and summer trips to Palm Springs, their friendship has held strong through the years.
Roger Lewis
Groomsman
Mike met Roger with Rachel through their mutual friends, Dennis and Liz. As the consummate life of the party Roger never has a dull moment. Roger’s infectious lust for life has propelled globetrotting adventures, closing down several neighborhood bars, and inspired Mike to enjoy the fun stuff in life!
Julia Nelson Helmer
Bridesmaid
Rachel's dearest sister thru marriage, Julia married Rachel's brother Chris and made for the most happy addition to the Helmer fam. Living just a short mile from them, Rachel and Mikey are tickled to have such a close relationship with both her brother and Julia (and their dog Daisy) and to be able to call them family, neighbors and the closest of friends.
James Robertson
Groomsman
Mike met James through Rachel and their mutual friends in the San Diego restaurant scene. Mike and James have enjoyed some excellent food and drink along with heaping sides of sharp wit and good humor. James reminds Mike to always live life to the fullest.
Kate Kaczor
Bridesmaid
Taking it alllll the way back, Kate and Rachel met in a play group, circa 1980! 40+ years of schools, jobs, concerts, fashion trends, boyfriends, road trips, travel adventures, and dance parties later and they are still forever friends.
Tim Ortiz
Groomsman
Mike met Tim when he joined a San Diego business group called EO. As business owners in the events industry Mike and Tim quickly became friends, collaborated on throwing some pretty awesome events, and then joined the gym. Tim reminds Mike of the value of good health and great company.
Tara Lake
Bridesmaid
Our last friendship spurred via a Dennis Stein intro (he really should be an honorary bridesmaid!). Tara and Rachel originally bonded over a mutual love of Yacht Rock and pina colada parties. During covid time, Tara and her boyfriend (also a groomsman) James, joined as part of the neighborhood covid cluster and true bonding time ensued. Many theme parties and group travels later a fabulous friendship remains.
Chris Helmer
Groomsman
Mike met Chris through his sister, Rachel. Mike and Chris have enjoyed some fun times, hilarious moments, and unforgettable family experiences including surfing in Hawaii, trouncing through the snow in Julian, and enjoying outdoor dinners in South Park.
Kelly Orange
Hype Girl
Another lifelong friend, Kelly and Rachel met on a soccer team circa mid 1980 something. Their paths continued to cross throughout life first in school... elementary, middle and UCSC (Kelly attending and Rachel frequently visiting), in the career world... slinging produce at Specialty Produce and in the Social Media space, first at Olive PR and currently at Shine Blume Creative. Kelly's joyful energy and sunshiny spirit makes a happy and most important addition to the wedding party and we can't wait for her to help get the party going!
Michelle Lerach
Officiant
Michelle, Rachel and Michael bonded over a mutual love of good food in the early 2010's. TEDx SD, Sundance, cooking classes at Cups Culinary, and a handful of Berry Good Nights later and the delicious memories began to add up to a most fabulous friendship. We're absolutely thrilled to have her as a part of our wedding party, and we can't imagine a better person to help us tie the knot!!