the wedding gang

Jamie Lee {MOH}: Jamie and Elysabeth met in 2007, but it wasn't until they were roommates in Newport Beach when their beautiful friendship blossomed. After a freak thunderstorm, the two found themselves arm-in-arm and they haven't let go since. In 2010, Jamie, Elysabeth and Mark moved to Korea to work and live abroad. It is in Korea where their friendship reached levels beyond their own understanding. They've become sisters.

Eliana Trujillo {Bridesmaid}: Eli and Elysabeth became best friends during their sophomore year of high school. Since then, they've grown up together, experiencing life's ups and downs together, each providing their fair share of shoulders to cry on. One of Elysabeth's fondest memories of Eli was during physics class. Eli had drawn a ridiculous caricature of Elysabeth's face, which was, unfortunately, very accurate. They couldn't stop laughing no matter how many glares they got from the teacher. For the following hour, they painfully tried to keep their laughs at bay, but as we all know, the more you suppress it, the worse it gets. They've had many moments like that since then and it will most definitely continue until their old age.

Maria Brause {Bridesmaid}: Elysabeth and Maria met on the first day of college. It was Maria and Candice who had an uncanny ability to predict that Mark + Elysabeth would hit it off. And it's that same intuition and thoughtfulness that has caused Elysabeth and Maria to grow so close. They exchange looks that are packed with words. They know what the other is feeling without a spoken word. They know how to make each other laugh at just the right time. And at any given time on any given day, the two of them can have a deep conversation that only brings them closer together. 

Candice Duron {Bridesmaid}: Candice and Elysabeth also met on the first day of college. With her big smily eyes and captivating grin, Candice's first words to Elysabeth were, "Hi! Want to go to the Mesa Court dance?" And with that, their friendship began. It didn't take long for Elysabeth to realize how special Candice's heart was. It also didn't take long for the two of them to realize that they had the same understanding of love--the furious and uninhibited kind. In fact, if love were a person, it would be Candice. Her actions, her decisions and her words are always edifying and filled with the utmost of love.

Mary Chinn {Flower girl}: Mary is Elysabeth's favorite sister. She's an artistic genius. She marches to her own beat. She's beautiful. And she's quite quirky. But her best quality of all is her heart - it's filled with nothing but pure love & selflessness for those around her, which is an unusual trait for a 10-year-old. When asked if she'd like to be a junior bridesmaid or a flower girl, she replied very matter-of-factly, "A flower girl. I'll have other opportunities in my life to be a bridesmaid. This is my only chance to be a flower girl before I get too old." Point taken. Wish granted.

Dave Ratto {Best Man}: Dave Ratto is my oldest brother. He's a gumba that is addicted to family and loves every single person he meets. Oh man, his speech is gonna be ridiculous.

Sam Ratto {Groomsman}: Sam Ratto is my next oldest brother. He taught me. And taught me. And taught me. Because of Sam, I am who I am. 

Kaylen Ratto {Groomsman}: Kaylen Ratto is my next oldest sibling and I totally like her more than my brothers. With the exception of those wild altercations we would get in as kids. I'll never forget Kaylen!

Andrew Butt {Groomsman}: Andrew Butt is the man. We went through both high school and college together, never going a week without talking to each other. I trust him with everything and anything in my life. 

Jeff Pollock {Groomsman}: Jeff Pollock and I lived and worked together for over 5 years. At UCI, we worked the same on-campus job, and kept that same job throughout college while also being roommates. Later, after graduating, we were both living and managing at a boutique hotel in Newport Beach. Needless to say, we've been through a lot and I genuinely love this dude.