Alexa & Brandon

July 25, 2015 • ShadyCanyonCountryClub,

Alexa & Brandon

July 25, 2015 • ShadyCanyonCountryClub,

Wedding Party

Austin Ewell
Austin Ewell - Best Man
Austin Ewell is the hardest working friend I know. And Austin delivers the same level of effort to each of his friends who are fortunate enough to be the recipient of his dedication. Austin and I met in 1997 during my freshmen year at USC, when Austin was the fraternity rush chair. And what has transpired is an incredible friendship with incredible memories. We've traveled together in Europe, been roommates for countless bachelor parties, studied for the bar exam together, and have kept a close connection even while living in different cities. Austin's friendship is something I deeply cherish and I'm grateful to have him in my corner.
Ashley McCarthy
Ashley McCarthy - Maid of Honor
Ashley is my youngest sister by five years. She is one of the smartest and most charismatic people that I know. Whenever we're together she brings an amazing amount of love and laughter into my life, and I miss her presence when we're not together. I'm so lucky to have her as a Maid of Honor!
Alycia McCarthy
Alycia McCarthy - Maid of Honor
Alycia is my identical twin sister, but younger sister as I like to joke, as I'm a minute older. Being twins, we have a bond that no one else will ever understand. She is my best friend, and I'm so glad to call her my Maid of Honor.
Jason Knight
Jason Knight - Groomsman
Jason is my longest-tenured friend. And I am so grateful that our relationship has stood the test of time and distance. Jason and I met as 6-year olds when I had just moved into the neighborhood. From riding bikes together as kids up through JV football, Jason and I had cemented a deep bond. Jason and I went different directions for college as he moved to Berkeley, but we were reunited as roommates in Law School at Penn State. And while Jason now lives in Sacramento, we always find time to reconnect during ski season in Mammoth. As a friend, it's so special to see someone find true happiness. And Jason has found that. Jason's lives in the moment and his approach to life is something I aspire to.
Malia Estrada
Malia Estrada - Bridesmaid
Malia is a dear friend that I was blessed to have the chance to meet at my last job with Silverado Senior Living. We met in the HR department as I was a Recruiter and she is still the HR Coordinator there. I had the wonderful opportunity to train her on some areas of recruiting and we became fast friends.
Chris McCarthy
Chris McCarthy - Groomsman
Chris and I met in 2008 at a law firm retreat. At the time I was living in Los Angeles and Chris was living in Scottsdale and our new found friendship gave us both great excuses to rack up miles on Southwest and spend time in each other's cities. We have had some great times and made some great memories. From a Halloween celebration I will never forget, to nearly simultaneous spine fusion surgeries, Chris and I have built a great respect for one another and a great friendship. Chris is a dedicated friend and one of the most thoughtful people I know (although he'd never admit it).
Ashleigh Soyster
Ashleigh Soyster - Bridesmaid
Ashleigh is one of my best friends that I met while in the education program at ASU. Although I'm no longer teaching, I must say that there's a reason I went through that program. Ashleigh still lives in AZ, and I miss her every day.
Jason Pfeiffer
Jason Pfeiffer - Groomsman
Jason and I were introduced when I moved down to Orange County in 2010. Over a shared love of great rye whiskey, and a number of deep conversations about life, Jason and I have cemented a lifelong friendship. Jason and I both witnessed the other fall in love and get married and we have served as each other's sounding boards. Jason is dedicated and loyal and willing to work hard for the things that matter most to him. He is resolute in his values and his opinions, and I appreciate his unwavering commitment to his beliefs.
Geoff Sawyer
Geoff Sawyer - Groomsman
Geoff and I met as first year law students at Penn State. During that first year Geoff coined himself "old man Sawyer," which is funny because he was eight years younger than I am now. Geoff and I were teammates on our intramural flag football team which made it to the championships each year, but could never win the big game. We were also teammates on our Law School Softball team which provided for some hysterical laughs. We traveled to watch Penn State play at Ohio State and Purdue, and Geoff even came to visit me in London during my semester abroad. I cherish Geoff's friendship and I appreciate the potential he saw in me and which he challenged me to strive to achieve.
Bree Ogden
Bree Ogden - Bridesmaid
Bree is a sweet sweet friend that I met in 6th grade through the bond of being a twin. We became fast friends, and went on family trips to Hawaii during high school, and visited each other in college while she was at USD.
Ali Wienke
Ali Wienke - Bridesmaid
Ali is another dear friend that I met through the education program. Ali also resides in AZ, and I miss our girl time when we're not together. It has been so special to be a part of her life after college as I was a bridesmaid in her wedding, and she just welcomed a baby boy, Jett, into the world, whom I can't wait to meet!
Alex Grigorians
Alex Grigorians - Groomsman
Alex and I met in the interview room at a law firm in 2007, and while we didn't necessarily connect in that setting, over the next few years we built a friendship and a bond. We've had some great times including trips to Vegas, New Orleans, and Austin, Texas, and we have shared some incredible laughs along the way. Alex played an important role in my life as one of my closest confidantes during a significant maturation process for me. Alex pushed me to not rest on my laurels and to always seek growth, both personally and professionally. I am appreciative of his insight and his influence on me to focus on always striving to be better.
Megan Davis
Megan Davis - Bridesmaid
Megan and I had the chance to meet through our handsome men, as they started OCYE together. Through getting to know Megan at various events and parties through our circle of friends, we became fast friends. I have never met someone who has made me laugh like she does, and I thoroughly enjoy the time that we spend together. Her adorable son Nolan just so happens to be our ring bearer as well. And it turns out that July 25th isn't such a bad date to get married, as that is when she and her husband Brian were married.
Carlos Sosa
Carlos Sosa - Groomsman
Carlos and I met in 2008 as neighbors living on Drexel Avenue, just south of 3rd Street in LA. The overlap lasted for two years and we talk about those times fondly. Our street was filled with our friends and a quick dog walk often turned into an impromptu dinner party with lots of wine consumption. Carlos has a zest for life which is simply unrivaled and it's always a better time when Carlos is there. Carlos has recently reinvented his professional life and it has been incredible to watch. He calls me his little brother and I couldn't be more fortunate to have Carlos as part of my family.
Melany Strobach
Melany Strobach - Bridesmaid
Mel is someone I had the wonderful opportunity of getting to know, as she was Alycia's roommate. Mel is one of the most stylish ladies I know and I sure enjoy our girl time together.
Greg Nise
Greg Nise - Groomsman
Greg was also a neighbor on Drexel Avenue and, like Carlos, he has treated me like his own family. Greg has the coolest job (dressing the likes of Jessica Alba and Charlize Theron for the red carpet during Awards Season) which he rarely talks about. While he is typically busy traveling the world for the Cannes Film Festival or Fashion Week in Italy, he always finds the time to dedicate to those he cares about most. Greg and I have become close friends over the years and I'm fortunate to be able to reach out to him when I need support and/or truly candid feedback.
Kara Buettner
Kara Buettner - Bridesmaid
Kara is a darling friend who is like another sister to me. We had the chance to first meet in high school, but didn't really build our friendship until we reconnected in college while she and Alycia were attending USC together. Ever since then we have remained extremely close, and even though she's only in LA I miss her terribly when we're not together. She is another friend of mine who makes me smile and laugh when we're together, especially when she breaks out her incredible dance moves.
Rod McDermott
Rod McDermott - Groomsman
Boss, mentor, friend, pilot…so many words to describe what Rod is to me. Rod and I met four years ago, introduced as a "networking opportunity," and what turned out to be a life changing meeting for me. Rod and his business partner, Chris, gave me the opportunity to change the course of my career and my life and I couldn't be more grateful for that opportunity. During these last four years, with Rod as my pilot, we have traversed all over the Western Region of the US chasing down business and having a blast doing it. Aside from one emergency landing, most of our time in the air has been spent discussing life. Rod has taught me, by example, how to be a great leader, and a great husband. I feel very fortunate to have Rod in my life.
Chris Bull
Chris Bull - Groomsman
Chris Bull is the other half to McDermott & Bull, and in addition to giving me the opportunity to change my career and life, Chris has given me some of the most gut-busting laughing fits I've ever endured. Chris is always there with an open ear, and great insight and direction. Chris has shown me how to add levity to even the most difficult of situations and his "can-do" attitude is something I very much admire.
Leah Tiritilli
Leah Tiritilli - Bridesmaid
Leah is another girlfriend that I met in the education program. Leah also resides in AZ with her family, and I miss our time together. I have had the good fortune of experiencing Leah's life after college by being a bridesmaid in her wedding, and getting to know her adorable 1 year old Luke.
Brian Davis
Brian Davis - Groomsman
Brian and I were strategically sat next to one another at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Gourmet Dinner gala in 2010 as two lawyers who were in the midst of redefining their careers. While I made a career change, Brian has committed himself to the practice of law and been quite successful at it. Along the way Brian invited me to help found OCYE, a charitable foundation which is his brainchild. Brian is dedicated to his family, his work, and to his causes like on one I've ever met. His commitment is something to aspire to. Brian has been a devoted friend and a great confidante and I'm fortunate to have him in my life.
Justin Hinkes
Justin Hinkes - Groomsman
Justin and I were actually set up on a "man-date" by Alex Grigorians, who figured that as (at the time) two newly single guys, we needed one another. While I can't say it was love at first sight, Justin and I have shared some of life's ups and downs together, and through that have built a deep friendship with a great amount of respect for one another. Justin is never short of belief in himself and he is definitely "a really good skier." And Justin's belief in himself has enabled him to navigate some of life's most significant and stressful situations with grace and a belief that things will work out for the best. And for Justin, they have. Justin is a dear friend who is always there with a supportive ear. I'm so thankful to call Justin my friend.