The Bridal Party
Kayla Dikih - Maid of Honour
I met Emily in one of our first year classes at Brescia and she has been an incredible friend ever since! We have shared so many fun and amazing memories together. However, my favourite times with Emily have always been our road/day trips. We have had so many amazing conversations and shared lots of laughs. Not to mention the one time we hit four different types of weather in one trip! We drove through rain, wind, snow, and sunshine in the span of one hour! My favourite hobbies include working out, hiking, cooking, reading, and watching crime/mystery shows. A fun fact about me is that I have been going on annual white water canoe trips since I was 10 years old! I am so excited to be a part of Emily's special day!
Noor AlQayem - Bridesmaid
Hi! I'm Noor, I like to read fantasy books and I have a small matcha obsession. Emily and I met in high school at Central in 2013. 7 years ago, the day after prom, Emily and I went to the beach. It was a first for both of us to have gone on a road trip alone and we just burst out laughing when we arrived. Now it feels like such a mundane event, but on that day it felt monumental and we couldn’t believe we made it. It has stuck with me as a favourite and core memory. Now, I still can’t believe we’ve made it and we have had so many more monumental events! I couldn't be happier for Emily and Eric and I feel so privileged to have witnessed the evolution of their relationship. Wishing you all the joy in the world.
Esraa Ghanem - Bridesmaid
Hello! Emily and I met when we were just little saplings in high school. We ended up having the same art class together and she inspired me and encouraged me every day; both creatively and through our friendship outside of class. She has been one of the bestest friends I have ever had, and I thank my lucky stars every day knowing I get to be a part of her life and her a part of mine. This brings me to now, my bestie getting married. Going through some of the best moments and growing together has been such a blessing - from our days in the school cafeteria, to working together in the same place, to our late night adventures, our spontaneous adventures where she makes me feel like a model with all the photos we take, and watching her become the amazing woman she is today; it has been an incredible journey.
I'll tell you all a bit more about me! I LOVE to talk, cuddle my dog, and collect trinkets I find while I'm out and about! When I'm not procrastinating, I love designing things, reading, and playing video games! I cannot wait to celebrate Emily and Eric's special day with you all!
Mihika Jog - Bridesmaid
Emily and I first met in grade 10 spanish class, but it wasn't until grade 11 that her and I grew much closer and bonded over enjoying art and creativity!
I am an animal lover and veterinarian, with a dog and horse I get to call my own. I love horse-back riding and playing tennis. I am also a trained opera singer!.
Emily is an extraordinary person and wonderful friend. My favourite (minorly chaotic) memory with Emily was when we were driving to get fritters but the road had train tracks at the top of a hill that was so steep it looked like we were going to drive off a cliff. Being Emily, she drove over the tracks anyways and (luckily) the road continued! We then had a moment of being grateful we were okay and laughed at how committed she was to driving off that "cliff". Whenever I think about it, it still gives me a chuckle. I am so incredibly happy for Emily and Eric and wish them the happiest of days together!
Carolyn Shi - Bridesmaid
Hi! A little bit about myself: I’m Emily’s friend since high school! I like Chinese food, travelling and going to concerts!
Emily and I met in high school during Red Feather Day. I was sitting in the hallway and I remember Emily dressed in full red feather outfit (purple flower tiara, purple shirt and a purple tutu!!), she sat down next to me and we started chatting. The rest is history.
Since high school, I’ve had so many fond, funny, and goofy memories with Emily. One of my favourites was when we went strawberry picking and hid in the trunk of Eric’s car to pose like we were delivering strawberries in a Tesla! I'm so excited to be a part of Emily and Eric's big day!
Zeel Shah - Bridesmaid
Emily and I first met in grade 9 science class at Central. Since then, we have made so many memories together! It's hard to pick a favourite, but my top three would be our semi annual catch ups (where all the tea is spilled), our joint birthdays, and our high school lunches! My favourite hobbies are dancing (Emily and I were on a Bollywood dance team together in high school) and playing tennis. I can't wait to dance the night away at Emily's wedding!
Emma Tetelbaum - Bridesmaid
Emily and I met in our first year of High School, specifically Art Class. We instantly became good friends due to our shared interest in art and Disney movies. I have so many precious memories with Emily, it’s hard to pick just one! From hairdos in art class to matching each other’s outfits to taking each other to prom, Emily has been an integral part of my life. I’m so excited to be there as she starts a new chapter in her life!
The Groomsmen
Shea Kraemer - Best Man
Hello! I’m Shea. I had the absolute pleasure to meet Eric in high school. Instead of traversing classes together, Eric and I got to explore our friendship and Italy in tandem. For three straight weeks we got to make years worth of memories including; delving through catacombs, third-degree sun burns, and devouring a steak that could feed a family of 7. For now I am a professional student, working through my graduate studies. When I need a break from the lab work I turn to three main hobbies, cooking, video games, and a little too much Magic the Gathering. I am looking forward to being a part of Eric and Emily's big day!
Jesse Bender - Groomsman
Hello, I am Jesse! Eric and I are first cousins, therefore, we go way back! Growing up with Eric was always fun, whether we visited him at his trailer, or just hanging out at family dinners, playing card games, occasionally getting locked in rooms without door handles on them in our grandparents basement...good fun! A little while down the road I noticed Eric started to dress a lot better, and before long he introduced me to Emily. Since then, my wife Jenna and I have loved going on double dates with Eric and Emily (although neither of them are very good at mini golf) and I am super pumped to be in the wedding party and celebrate the two of them this summer!
Alex Macdonald - Groomsman
Hello, I'm Alex. Eric and I met playing hockey together as kids, and now we still play together on the same team. Some of my favourite memories with Eric involve playing video games and hanging out at my family's farm together. My hobbies include working on cars, building gaming PCs, and playing sports. I am excited to be a part of Eric and Emily's wedding!
Travis Smithers-Peart - Groomsman
Salutations, I'm Travis. I first met Eric a few years ago in the workplace. A little time later he ended up becoming my supervisor, the poor man. We bonded during mutual headshaking of decisions outside our control and some very excessive over time hours. Which occasionally led to Eric napping during break. Although I've since departed that employer Eric and I have stayed in touch. In my spare time I can usually be found reading, writing, or playing video games. I'm excited to be part of Eric and Emily's wedding party.
Kaylen Verellen - Groomsman
Hello, I’m Kaylen. Since Eric and I are cousins and I’ve known him my whole life, you’d probably have to ask him when we first met because I was a baby. As for growing up with him around it's been great, I especially enjoyed the time he picked me and my friends up from school and nearly deafened us all with the subs in his truck. I’ve got a lot of good memories with Eric, a lot of which include playing some type of game, usually cards. I enjoy spending my time playing hockey, baseball, videos games and skateboarding. I’m very happy to be apart of Eric and Emily’s wedding and wish them the best for their future together.
Tristan Verellen - Groomsman
I'm Tristan and I've known Eric since I was born, as we are first cousins (and we just so happen to work together). Some recent memories with Eric have been through work, which involve laughing about questionable decisions made out of our control. Some earlier memories with him would be spending time at our trailer on weekends and some late nights playing card/board games. In my spare time I'm mostly playing videos games, if I'm not doing that I will be spending time with my girlfriend of 7 years. I am glad to be part of this wedding party and congrats to Eric and Emily!