Rose & Zaki
The Bridal Party
Savahn Wiltz
Maid of Honor
For this maid of honor and daughter of the bride-to-be, it has been her life's mission to find her mom a good man since she was 3. She would turn every outing into an episode of a match-making show. And though her mom was content living life with just the two of them, Savahn, a hopeless romantic, wanted her mom to find her person. So, when Zaki asked for her blessing she couldn't be happier. Though being a single mom was not easy, the pair learned from the journey and from each other. Like any kid, Savahn has provided her mom brief moments of sheer frustration - but many more moments filled with hysterical laughter, joy, and great pride. As a sign of their unbreakable bond, the bride-to-be has asked her daughter to walk with her down the aisle.
Angel Azer
Bridesmaid
Rose and Angel met many years ago when they worked together at Zones and have remained the closest of close. When dining out, they often share meals with each other, usually consisting of extra lemons and a Diet Coke for Angel. Some of their fondest memories include playing Kings - where Rose learned of Angel's mad freestyle skills, getting locked down at the Southcenter Mall Nordstrom, (the night of one of Rose's birthday events), the birth of Angel's son, (Rose's godson), and years later, Angel's daughter (her middle name is Rose). Although it was Angel's dream to be forever-roommates with the bride-to-be, Rose is hopeful that Angel will be content with standing alongside her at the altar.
Angela Klein
Bridesmaid
Rose met Angela many years ago when they both worked at Microsoft. The two first bonded over dating stories and their love of EDM. Angela has since married her wonderful husband, Patrick - and he and Zaki share an undeniable bond over their love of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Gin (never again), and comparing notes on how things are "done in Philly". The two couples have shared many memories throughout the years from Rose's first time meeting Patrick and planning a birthday party for him (later discovering it wasn't his birthday), the unforgettable Kaskade show, to Senor Frog's in Lake Chelan (#shenanigans), and many margs in Cabo. Rose is overjoyed that Angela will be part of another unforgettable life moment on 8/1/2021.
Mary Reed-Piltz
Bridesmaid
"Meems" and Rose have been the closest of friends since they met back at Pierce College. Since then, they have shared many memories together - from DV8, Jillian's, The Loft, and all the old stomping grounds, taking new cars on test drives at the waterfront, parties at Rose's mom's house when she was out of town (sorry Mom), to hanging at their favorite bowling alley or Shari's with Mary's daughter, Alannah, in her car seat. Rose will never forget that one fateful day when Meems uttered the statement, "Rosie, I think you might be pregnant." And then the 2 concocted ways of hiding it from Rose's mom for the next 5 months. August 1, 2021 will be another wonderful memory the two will share, as Mary stands alongside Rose on her wedding day.
Rachel Hanssen
Bridesmaid
Rose and Rachel aka London, met years ago at Razorfish, but working together at Microsoft years later is where their bond grew. They have shared many great moments from getting serenaded by Drake at his concert to missing a return flight home on a work trip, then waiting for the next flight by watching Beyoncé's Lemonade at their favorite spot, Vino Volo. They are unstoppable when Push It by Salt n Pepa comes on, and both share a love for unicorn slippers - or anything unicorn, really. Rachel is now married and has a beautiful son, (who helped Rose say "yes to the dress", btw). This Poptart couldn't be more happy to have her London beside her on her wedding day.
Serimon Strong
Best Man
Serimon, aka Snook, and Zaki have been best friends for over 20 years. Snook has butterflied Zaki's eye up, and has been Zaki's ambulance driver on a few occasions. With so many great memories it's hard to pinpoint just one, ok maybe not. Zaki was sitting at home one day, doing Lord knows what, when Snook called and needed someone to ride with him on a road trip to Utah…that same day! Snook's nephew, Dee Dee had a football tournament. Zaki dropped everything (lol). Long story short, Zaki recalls this being one of the best trips he's ever been on, (other than Dee Dee stinking up the back seat). Just one of many stories of how they have each other's backs. Zaki considers Serimon a brother and is thankful that he will be part of his special day.
Chandara Long
Groomsman
Chan and Zaki have been friends for over 20 years - since high school hoop. Zaki retells one of their many stories, "We had a break before we had to leave to go to an away game, and I left my jersey at home. I had a raggedy car and sometimes it didn't start right away. We left to go to my house to get my jersey and on the way back, my car died. When I got it to start, we were so late - I ran about 10 red lights to try to make it back in time. We saw the bus at the light and the team was waving and laughing at us as they drove by. My car was NOT going to make it to South Kitsap, but we saw one of the coaches wives, and got a ride with her. LOTS of running the next day." Moral of the story, stick with your homie even when he has a raggedy car. He might include you in his wedding some day.
Ja'Wanne Brown
Groomsman
Ja’wanne Brown, aka Jubu, aka Principal Brown - is the funniest one in the crew (But don’t tell him I said that). I have a lot of stories but most are probably not appropriate. Ok - I do have one story. We went out one night in Seattle and… Never mind. Can’t share that one. Ok, ok. I got one. We were at Summer Jam and - oh snaps! Can’t tell that one either. Ok. I got one y’all will like. We was at the Loft in Tacoma… dang! Can’t tell that one either. Well as you can see - we have shared a lot of fun and crazy memories over the years, and our stories will go down with the ship. (lol) This man is like a brother to me. Here’s to 20+ years of friendship, and happy he'll be part of my special day.
Shane Neagle
Groomsman
Shane and Zaki have been friends for around 20 years - although it feels like it's been longer since they have worked together for the last 13 years. Zaki and Shane were roommates when Shane met his wife, Tiara. During one of those nights, Shane and Zaki were wrestling in the living room at midnight. After some time, the property manager, who lived below them, knocked on their door. Shane explained that he was practicing his dance moves because he was part of the Jabbawockeez dance crew and the property manager believed him. (Shane was never part of the Jabbawockeez dance crew.) Zaki would describe Shane as one of the most down-to-earth people he's ever met. Zaki considers Shane one of his closest friends and thankful he'll be standing by him at the altar.
Van Long
Groomsman
Van and Zaki have been friends for over...you guessed it 20 years. And no, you aren't seeing double, as Van and Chan are twin brothers. They have some of the craziest stories and memories over the past couple decades. (Wow thats a long time!), that they can sit and laugh at for hours. A shareable story is a time when Van convinced Zaki to join his dragon boat team that raced in Tacoma. With Zaki's help, they ended up placing first in many tournaments. Zaki was the best one on the team, of course. Van was a hard third...maybe. Van is somone that Zaki considers a brother and he's very excited that Van will be sharing in his special day.