The Whaleblatt Wedding!
Wedding Party
Maggie Cardasis
Maid of Honor
When Maggie first met Em, Em was stuck in between her mattress and the wall in her freshman dorm. After a few years of being roommates and friends, Em came home and told Maggie about a boy named James that she met at a party. Maggie told Em that he sounded nice, but she absolutely should not start dating someone right before studying abroad in France. Thankfully Em did not listen to her. Now, Maggie is a lawyer in San Francisco, where she gives much better advice, and can’t wait to celebrate Em and James with their families this June.
Celeste Frandsen
Maid of Honor
Celeste lives in San Diego, CA and works for a Chiropractic Software company where she helps doctors realize their goals of patient retention and cultivating loyalty. Emily and Celeste go all the way back to High School where they met in Dr. B’s choir class, and have not stopped singing together since. They’ve done practically everything together from toilet papering a crush’s house to shopping for wedding dresses (you’ll see it soon). Celeste is honored to stand by her best friend’s side as she marries the love of her life, and wishes the happy couple a lifetime of happiness. And also that James knows that BFF sleepovers will forever be a thing. ;)
Thomas Whalen
Best Man
I am James' brother, best man, and beloved baby of the Whalen clan. I am looking forward to showing him up on the dance floor. Growing up, he taught me a lot: mostly how to accept constant defeat at whatever games he graciously allowed me to play with him. I am excited and proud to call Emily my sister-in-law, and am still shocked by her mystic ability to convert James' fear of cats into love for them. Keeping his occasional chaos at bay is no small feat either.
Michael Riel
Officiant
Michael and Em were lucky enough to be neighbors in college, where they bonded over music that Michael played too loud and too often, that Em too often asked to keep down. Through the next few years, Michael became active through the UCSB ski team and helped lead the team along with James, and then hosted James and Lino on his couch for a summer while they binged Netflix series and drank cheap beer. Michael's advanced physics knowledge about how opposites attract led him to introduce Em and James one summer night under a full moon, and the rest is history. Michael now spends most of his time teaching his dog tricks for Instagram likes and cooking new food for friends.
Jimmy Greenblatt
Groomsman
I first met James 17 years ago when I came upon him in the jungles of Gili Motang, nursing a sick Komodo Dragon back to health while allowing several Asian Palm Civet pups to nap in his beard, because they were tuckered out. James taught me the value of a hard day's work, to never look a gift horse in the mouth, that there's more to dancing than a pair of dancing shoes, and to get out there and live a little. James and I have laughed, cried, expectorated, and tippled together. I may not see James as often as I'd like to, but I know that if I need to reach him, that I have his cell phone # so I could probably just shoot him a text. James is a mensch of the highest order. Emily's my sister.
Anu Jaswal
Bridesmaid
I am Em’s sister-in-law and an abogada de inmigración. Em and I met at Hogwarts in the late 1800s. I love R & B, Punjabi music, samosas and my cockapoo. If you see me at the wedding I’m probably lit.
Caroline Whalen
Bridesmaid
I’m Caroline, James’ younger sister! I live in Madison, WI and work for Epic, a healthcare software company. When I’m not working, you can find me being dramatic (on stage and off). I’m thrilled to be part of this amazing day - and to welcome another theater-loving sister to the fam. I can’t wait to celebrate James and Em’s lifetime of laughter, love, and goofiness!
Charlotte Whalen
Bridesmaid
Charlotte came from the same womb as James, four years later. Her fond memories of her brother include jumping on the trampoline with him, being together in solidarity as the family’s low-key black sheep, and eating grass because he told her to Charlotte heard of Em before she knew her, and from the way James talked about her, she could tell her brother had found his forever. Charlotte and Em bonded right away, and from dancing together at the wedding where they met to the many heart to hearts that followed, Charlotte has found a supportive, loving friend and sister in Em Charlotte loves traveling to new parts of the world. She’s currently studying Advertising in Hamburg, Germany (to make cool ads, not annoying ones). She also loves music, drawing, animals, naps, sugar, sunshine, and hugs
Kevin Fink
Groomsman
Hey fam and friends! I'm Kevin Fink, the oldest sibling of the Whalen and Fink squad. I'm living in Baltimore, MD with my girlfriend, Thea. I'm a software engineer for a government contractor. Outside of work, I'm an avid gamer and TV junkie. I also enjoy playing volleyball, hockey, or really any kind of sport or competition. I'm very happy that James and Em have invited me to be part of this special day. They are a great couple and truly bring out the best in each other. I wish them even more love, happiness, and laughs in all of their adventures to come.
Mitchell Fink
Groomsman
Hi Friends! My name is Mitchell Fink. I am the younger step-brother to James (and soon to EM!!). I'm a Michigander, living outside of Detroit with my girlfriend Cindy. I work at Ford as an engineer. In my free time, I play ice hockey almost year round and golf in the summer. Every time I have had a chance to hang out with James and Em, it has been a blast. Whether it was a family vacation or a sibling bonding extravaganza, they have always been so much fun to be around; there is no shortage of laughter. I am really grateful to be a part of this wedding party and cannot wait to celebrate their happiness!
Lino Martinez
Groomsman
Sup! I’m Lino or to Em I’m Bambino. I’m one of the nestlings, aka I met Em freshman year of college as we were on the same floor...then we moved in to the same 6 person apartment in Isla Vista the land where there are no middle-aged adults or kids as far as the eye can see. Me and Michael played Cupid in the story of Em and James after a summer I spent sleeping on James and Michael’s couch—where we watched Wilfred and played can jam for days on end. So I got to know both Em and James separately but now that I know them together I can say, with the utmost confidence, that they complement each other...love you two to bits:)
Liliana Muscarella
Bridesmaid
Liliana was Em’s very first friend ever (at UCSB). Since running across the street and almost getting hit by a car on their first meeting, it was roommate-love at first sight. Through thick and thin, errant bicycles and hairy Nila beasts, they’ve stuck it out to have a relationship grander than any other (fiancé schmiancé). Many many belly laughs, tears, and uncannily good advice later, Liliana is lucky that Em has kept her along for the ride. Following a stint in Paris where she was the designated witness and (unfortunately subpar) photographer for Em and James’ engagement, Liliana recently moved to Washington DC for work. She is forever grateful for Em’s cat-lady-shaped place in her life, and looks forward to witnessing the next big adventure of the Whaleblatts.
Leigh Evans
Bridesmaid
I met Em when her beautiful shining face entered my dorm room (alongside fellow bridesmaid Liliana). I soon became addicted to her angelic singing voice and haven’t recovered since she’s left my general vicinity. I met James after he swept her off her temporarily Parisian feet and he soon became another lovebird of our college nest. About me: I really miss long walks on the beach in Isla Vista ‘cause we were a bunch of spoiled little kids going to school in the most beautiful place in the world. I love sincerity and tasty writing and improv and sweet potato fries and dark chocolate and compassion and not eating animals and laughter and silliness. And I love that I get to celebrate the next-level partnership of these two beautiful souls!l
Jordan Pine
Groomsman
Hey everyone, groomsman Jordan Pine here. James and I first met at UCSB when we both joined the Ski Team as Freshmen and quickly bonded over tuning skis late on Friday nights. I had the honor of watching the bride and groom grow from the inception of their relationship, as James and I were roommates Junior and Senior year. After only a few months of dating, Em definitely surpassed James as our Favorite Roommate (this may or may not have been partially because of Em’s cat Nila). I’m currently based in San Francisco and work as a Product Design Engineer in Amazon’s Device Group (think Alexa and FireTV products). Outside of work, I’m typically busy maintaining my self-proclaimed “Best Skier on the Mountain” status, but also enjoy golfing, and exploring with my new fiance