Adán & Janelle
Wedding Party
Monica Oakes
Matron of Honor
Monica and Janelle are the ultimate BFFs. They have known each other since junior high but only became joined at the hip when they were college roommates. Since then, they have been inseparable-- ASK ANYONE. They are so synchronized in all things in life that they even got engaged only a month apart! Monica and Janelle grew close not only because they match each others awkward, quirky, and silly personalities but also because they share a sense of style in grandma-esque cardigans and a self-imposed bed time curfew of 8PM. Monica knows Janelle maybe even better than Adan does, so he better watch out! Luckily, she approves of him *for the most part*. Life would not be the same without a best friend like Monica, and for that Janelle is forever grateful to share it with her, hip-to-hip.
Anthony Turk
Best Man
Adan met Anthony at the UC Irvine soccer tryouts in 2008. Anthony holds a very special place in his heart because he helped him a lot through college. Anthony has always been someone he can talk to about anything. In fact, Adan has grown a lot through their conversations. Janelle owes a lot to Anthony for who Adan is today. Adan and Anthony often reflect and debate on what women want and what makes them happy. One of their other favorite topics has always been fashion. From leather watches to down jackets, they've covered it all. But, Anthony has influenced him most by his actions. His drive and work ethic is unlike anything Adan has ever seen. What Adan admires most are his sense of humor, curiosity, kindness and, of course, sense of style.
Roselie Tran
Bridesmaid
Roselie has been a part of Janelle's life since elementary school, and since then, Roselie has never ceased to impress and inspire Janelle in the strength, beauty, and intelligence she beholds. Beyond all of this, she is still as down-to-earth as anyone can possibly be. Whatever goal she tries to reach for, not only does she achieve it but she gracefully excels in it and nothing will bring her down. Janelle and Roselie's friendship feels more like family so much that even Janelle's mom and Roselie have had slumber parties without her! Janelle and Roselie share so many memories together: loving, happy, sad, bad, weird, hilarious, fun, unforgettable, old and new. When you have a friendship with that much foundation, and endless Beyonce songs to share, nothing will get in the way of it.
Eduardo Amarillas
Groomsman
Eduardo is Adan's first friend, his brother. The earliest memories he has are with his big bro "Lalo": playing in the rain in Veracruz, Mexico, sneaking downstairs the night before Christmas to guess what their presents were going to be, and playing video games in the apartment they grew up in Tijuana. Adan has memories of them fighting over clothes in high school, through their immature teenage years. As they grew older and matured, their bond became much stronger. That childish hate turned into the brotherhood they have today. Adan hopes that he will be by his side to their last days. What he admires most about Lalo is his ability to shrug anything off. Lalo often reminds Adan to keep things simple and to not get too caught up in life.
Janki Patel
Bridesmaid
Janki and Janelle are the oldest of friends. They grew up together as next door neighbors literally since the day they were born. Their childhood is deeply intertwined from sharing the same pre-school, the same classes and friends, to even carpooling to school. Every weekend involved having playtime together that even their siblings would join in! They shared their toys, games, books, homework, food, ideas, weirdness, creativity, secrets, clothes, everything and anything. They even became roommates after spending their years of college apart as if they haven't had enough of each other! Janki and Janelle share a deep understanding about each other that almost feels like they were meant to be long lost sisters. Lucky for them, they found each other right next door in Polonius Circle.
Sergio Lopez
Groomsman
Adan met Sergio at the UC Irvine soccer club. Adan always admired how hard Sergio worked to be a great soccer player. Although they knew each other then, it wasn't until Adan moved to San Francisco in 2016 that they developed the strong bond they have today. When Adan moved to SF, he didn't really have friends there. Sergio was instrumental in helping Adan cope with being far from family and friends. Adan loves that he can talk to Sergio about any topic and discover new perspectives. Sergio and Adan share a passion for fitness and philosophical conversations about the world. Initially, Adan moved to San Francisco to be with Janelle and explore a new city. But, he never imagined he'd make such an amazing friend along the way.
Camille Toroba
Bridesmaid
Camille and Janelle go way back to junior high school and ever since have had a roller coaster of a ride to adulthood together. Their friendship is strong and humble, and they share a deep unspoken understanding that no matter what comes at them, they'll always be there for each other. The memories, humor, and connection they share keeps them together even through days of busy-ness between them. Camille is also to blame for Janelle's addiction to Hot Cheetohs, boba, long drives, SoulCycle, indecisiveness, and a knack for getting lost while driving, especially through tunnels. In all seriousness, Camille is a powerhouse of humility, strength, beauty, and integrity that has always left Janelle at awe and has been an inspiration for positivity and a kind perspective to life no matter what.
Pierre Winter
Groomsman
Adan met Pierre (also known as Pee-Pee) at the UC Irvine soccer club team in 2008. He's been such an amazing friend ever since. Pierre has always been someone he can count on for advice and encouragement through tough times. Pierre shares very similar taste in music when it comes to beats. Adan remembers that when they lived together in Irvine, one of Pierre's priorities was having a bass (and using it often). Pierre has been living in Switzerland for the last few years now and this distance has made Adan realize how much he cherishes their friendship. Adan is excited for him to move back so they can continue creating memories together. The thing Adan admires most about him is his incessant search for adventure and exploration. He's always looking to explore new food, countries and ideas.
Melinda Malley
Bridesmaid
Janelle met Melinda during their time as being two of the few female engineers in their undergraduate classes at UCI and ended up fostering a friendship even beyond the three laws of thermodynamics. From Vegas trips to camping trips, to venturing into rock climbing and acrobatic sports, to prioritizing time for Game of Thrones and choosing the cutest outfit to wear to the clubs, Melinda and Janelle share so many diverse interests that always ensure they will have anything but a dull moment together. Melinda always impresses Janelle in all of the things she puts her mind to from her education, to her hobbies, and her passions and in between all of that always ends up being a reliable friend no matter how far away they are from each other.
Daniel Jaimes
Groomsman
Adan met Daniel at UC Irvine during a summer program before starting college. But, it wasn't until they became roommates during their second year when they became closer. If someone knows what it's like to be married to Adan, it's Daniel. They both roomed together, took the same classes and were part of the same soccer team in the evenings for 3 years in college. Daniel has always been one of Adan's favorites when it comes to discussing soccer. Together they enjoy discussing the nuances of the game. They root for rival teams so that also keeps things interesting. They've also shared trips across the US to present their engineering research. What he admires most about Daniel is his insightfulness. Whether it be engineering or soccer, Daniel always has very creative and interesting views.
Alexsandra Guerra
Bridesmaid
Alexsandra and Janelle's friendship is younger in comparison to others, but no less significant. They met as the few (more like the only 2) women in one of their graduate classes. Lucky for Janelle, she met one of the most outgoing, outspoken, adventurous, curious, spunky, hard-working, well-intended people ever at that moment. Ever since, Alexsandra has inspired Janelle in so many levels of career and life but beyond that the two have bonded so well because they share a connection for living life with intent and loving what each other has to offer in a friendship. Though they may live far apart from each other and out-of-sync schedules, when Alexsandra and Janelle do finally catch up on each other's lives, it's like no time has passed. That's when you know the friendship is truly special.
Phillip Vu
Groomsman
Adan met Phil when he started working for the Navy in San Diego in 2014. Apart from them being coworkers, Phil is Pat's older brother. This allowed them to get to know each other outside of work pretty quickly. Eventually, Pat left that Navy office and Phil and Adan became closer friends. They even started going to the gym together during lunch time. There, Adan was shocked that Phil could shoot the basketball better than him even though Adan played varsity in high school. One of Adan's most memorable trips is Phil's bachelor party in Thailand in 2017. Phil and the rest of the San Diego crew are highly missed by Adan since moving to SF. What Adan admires most about Phil is his finesse into everything that he does from cleaning house windows to creating exact paycheck calculators.
Jason Santiago & Carlo Mora
Officiant & Ceremony Singer
Jason and Carlo are not only special to the couple because they are Janelle's brother and brother-in-law but because Adan has also grown his own special bond with them, regardless of their relationship to Janelle. All together, the 4 always seem to have a great time together no matter what life brings and that they can all transparently bond over the ups and downs. Each one of them can rely on any of the others as a shoulder to cry and laugh on. Because of this, Janelle and Adan could not see a way of celebrating their special day without showcasing these two as a part of it. The couple are so lucky to call these two not only family, but truly two of their best friends and hope that sharing their wedding day in this way will be as special to Carlo and Jason as it will be for the newlyweds.
Lian Janelle Amarillas
Flower Girl
Beyond having the *most amazing* middle name by coincidence, Lian holds a special place in Adan and Janelle's heart as Adan's brother's daughter. She may only be 7 years old, but she always seems to put a smile on all of the adults' faces with her clever stories she tells. However far Adan and Janelle are, Lian never forgets to ask about them and why it's been 40 years since they've visited her. One of Lian's favorite ways to entertain a crowd is when she immediately volunteers to smash her face in a birthday cake (a very entertaining tradition called "la mordida"- google it!) at any party she attends, even if it's not her own (even when it's not a birthday!). Lian is a bright little rising star in the Armenta & Amarillas families and that makes her an exceptional little flower girl.