Olivia & Justin
Wedding Party
Lia Koss
Maid of Honor
Lia and I met on our first day of college at UW, and hit it off *almost* immediately :) Soon after that, we had signed up to be in the same Freshman Interest Group (FIG), I moved in to the Sorority she was in, and we were pretty much inseparable! We also almost never refer to each other by our names... we are Wifey's! After college we lived together in Eastlake for a few years, where Lia taught me how to cook, we decorated our first real Christmas tree in the real world, and we had SO much fun and SO many laughs together. Now we cherish our time together as it just doesn't happen often enough. She is one of the smartest people I know - so wise beyond her years, a wonderful mom and wife, killing it at her job at Microsoft... plainly put, she brings pure joy to my life <3
Chris Herauf
Best Man
Chris and I were lucky enough to cross paths shortly after I moved to Washington, thanks to our affinity for manly beards. Soon after that night, we knew we were friends for life and started going to shows together, spending late nights talking about life, and enjoying each others unique, always positive affinity for life. Many of my greatest memories in the PNW have this guy included in them, front and center, always chatting, smiling, and looking for new adventures / challenges to enjoy. Chris has a love of music unmatched by most, and always provides perspective focused on joy, love, and doing the right thing, so I am so proud to have him stand by my side for this next great adventure in life.
Bre Montalbo
Bridesmaid
Bre and I were on the cheer squad together in high school (Go Lancers!), and we've been besties ever since! We had so much fun in high school - attending school dances, traveling for cheer camp, the standard sleep overs and passing notes between classes in the hallway, dinners at Applebee's (real classy)... then she moved away from me to sunny San Diego for college :( We were lucky enough to be able to stay in touch, and visiting Bre is always fun. She's got the sweetest family and doggos, and I cherish the time we have to chit chat about serious life things and all the funny silly things, too!
Nick Cassella
Groomsman
Nick is my 2nd cousin and someone that I have the utmost respect and love for. Growing up, he was a few years behind me, so always looked up to me as the cool, older cousin, which was returned with both love, and some less than cordial feelings after he destroyed my LEGO set (yes I still remember Nick!). Now I can truly say the tables have turned and now I look up to Nick as someone with an incredible intellect, sense of humor, love for his fellow man, and for being passionate about everything he does in life. The whole Casella Family has been blessing in my life and am so proud to have Nick as part of the wedding crew!
Meesh Chalmers
Bridesmaid
Public Accounting brings people together! I picked up Meesh to help me out on an engagement (of the audit kind) because I loved her unique middle name... and after our first lunch together at Boka I knew this girl would be a special part of my life <3 She is so passionate, bubbly, positive and so adventurous - she truly takes life by the horns and makes life happen instead of sitting from the sidelines letting life happen to her. From the audit days, to running Ragnar, dancing, just hanging out, and now to our monthly phone calls since she's moved away - she is one amazing, beautiful soul!
Kieran Theron
Groomsman
Kieran is my "brotha from another motha" we always say, as he is pretty much a spitting image of myself, just with a much sexier New Zealand accent. Each year, Concur has a global sales kick off meeting and my first year working for Concur, everyone said I HAD to meet this dude from Down Under, who was just like me (super positive, overly happy about just about everything, unabashed, and LOUD). From the first time we said cheers, I think we both knew that this would be a life long friendship, and all of the incredible memories since then have certainly solidified that initial feeling. If someone is being loud around you, smiling wider than the Gorge, or exuding positivity, you can make a strong bet, it is going to be my boy, Kieran.
Kelsey Dahlgren
Bridesmaid
Another Public Accounting love story... Kelsey and I met at KPMG. She was on the Costco engagement with me, and right away I knew this girl was a powerhouse! She worked so hard, her work was always well thought out and deserved a gold star, and she did it all with such a great positive energy, even in the depths of busy season! I knew I had to keep her around me. The past few years we've grown even closer and it's a friendship I really value. We are Snoqualmie neighbors, and love our game nights, Hawks game days and adventures with Baby Haley and our doggos.
Jacob Dahlgren
Groomsman
I met Jacob through my relationship with Olivia, but I think I knew that Jacob and Kelsey were meant to be in my life when we were at a Mariners game only a few months after Olivia and I got together. At the game, my boss asked how we all knew each other and Jacob / Kelsey said, "oh ya we are Justin's friends!"(Olivia doesn't think it is as funny for some reason lol). Jacob and I also bonded at the Gorge when we went looking for jumper cables after the show at 2 am because, well, that is what friends do. I came to find out that Jacob is one of the most reliable friends you could ever ask for. We are always there to help drive each other's aspirations, goals, meat smoking skills, dj skills, or just overall happiness in life. I am so proud to have him up here on this special day.
Karina Sepulveda-Newton
Bridesmaid
Karina and I met through friends, and bonded on the dance floor. This girl can groove like no other! Since the dancing days, we have grown closer over more adulty activities like game nights and Hawks game days, dinners, and spending time with her sweet baby boy Adrian (but we can still cut a rug!). Karina is the most thoughtful and caring person - she'll always come over with something yummy she made (she is a great cook!), taught me how to make salsa, and always takes the best care of me at her salon (she does my hair, duh!). She even came over to my house days past her due date, still pregnant, to help me with my hair and makeup for our engagement photos - now that is dedication!
Waih Huhng Newton
Groomsman
Waih Huhng is also one of the guys I was lucky enough to meet through my relationship with Olivia, and one of the dudes in my life that definitely understands my love of music, dancing, and enjoying life. We have had some awesome moments right next door at the Gorge and he always just seems to know exactly what people need to be happy, even in the midst of a busy concert, or when we are shredding on the slopes of Whistler. Just be careful as he routinely exudes his dominance at game night, while always being that friend who hugs you like it is the most meaningful hug he has given anyone all day. He would also give the shirt off his back (seen it) for his friends, putting others first, and ensuing that his joy is derived from the joy of those around him.
Merina Majette
Bridesmaid
Lia brought me to Merina, and thank goodness for that! We are the Three Musketeers :) Merina is one of the smartest women I know - she is so driven, intelligent and a straight up BossLady! It is SO inspiring! Back in the day, Merina and I would boogie together, share silly dancing videos back and forth, and work out in her apartment gym (she is a BEAST at the gym!)... now I am so lucky we continue to keep the friendship strong even though we live states away <3 texts and memes go a long way! I love this beauty!
Todd Berry
Groomsman
When I first moved to Washington, I brought along my love for the San Diego Chargers, but came to find out, there aren't many bolts fans up here (rain maybe?). Luckily for me when I was driving down my street one day, wearing my Bolts gear, I looked over and saw a dude in a powder blue jersey and we yelled go Bolts etc at each other. Little did I know a year later, I would be at a bar and see a Chargers fan, strike up a conversation, and come to find out this dude was one in the same. Fate was aligned and we watched just about every Chargers game for 4/5 years together, also building an incredible friendship that I am blessed to have. Todd is the nicest dude you will meet, one of the hardest workers I know, and someone I greatly respect. Plus he loves burritos like I do, so there's that..