Emily & Corey
Wedding Party
Melanie Stanek
Maid of Honor
Emily was 5 when she met Melanie the day she was born, and they’ve been sisters (some would argue twins) ever since. The two grew up singing along to musicals and acting in school plays together, and if you get them in the same room, you can be sure they’ll still quote scenes from The Parent Trap (which Corey learned as a surprise to impress the Staneks!). Emily now looks up to Melanie (literally and figuratively), and has used Melanie’s adventurous passion for living abroad as an excuse to visit her in Israel, Thailand, and most recently Madagascar. During the pandemic, the two had the special opportunity to reconnect more deeply as adults when Melanie lived with Em and Corey in San Francisco for 4 months, where Mel ran her first half marathon! Now Mel is loving life in sunny San Diego.
Arie Pollak
Best Man
They say you can choose friends, but you can’t choose family. Luckily for Corey, the brother he got is the brother he would have chosen. Aaaww! Big brother in every sense of the word. While they both grew up believing they’d be WWF wrestlers, then professional baseball players, they ended up becoming accomplished gentlemen, a path Arie blazed for Corey. Although Arie’s hobbyist adventures have outpaced Corey's now, Corey is honored to always get the invites to bike, boat, board, ski, and Sunbear! Corey could always rely on his big bro. From being his “guardian” when Corey got kicked out of prom and needed to be picked up, to supporting him through life’s obstacles, Arie has excellently lived up to the role of great big brother.
Natalie Cohen
Bridesmaid
"Natitude" and Emily met as members of the same Inessence Ladies bachata dance team and after bonding over a trip to Greece (during which Natalie offered plenty of "girl talk" advice about Corey, whom Emily had had her first date with right before the trip), they became Greek goddess sisters for life. Natalie is known for her sassy yet positive attitude and her top-notch punning skills, which automatically make her an honorary member of the Stanek family. And as a dancer, you can be sure she'll bring the party to the wedding.
Ted Pollak
Best Man
He’s ten years younger than Corey but arguably more mature and definitely better looking, even if he erroneously thinks he’s also taller. A true renaissance man, Ted can make any experience better. With his business acumen and exquisite taste in the finer things in life, Ted’s splash of class amongst the Pollak boys is well received. Corey was excited to have a younger brother when Ted came along, and Corey has been a proud older brother ever since, especially once Ted “became a real person” when he got old enough to “hang”. Since becoming a real person, Ted has continuously impressed Corey with his charisma and insight. Despite being ten years younger, Corey still goes to Ted for advice and to talk things over with when he needs a listening ear.
Savannah Tikotsky
Bridesmaid
Savannah and Emily quickly went from random strangers to family when Savannah and her two kitties Toby and Lola moved in with Emily and Mojo in June 2018 (the pets were less than thrilled but grew to tolerate the situation that they had no say in). Savannah was the first of Emily’s friends to get to know Corey well, and right away Savannah and Corey bonded over their mutual love of snowboarding. When Emily moved in with Corey, Savannah moved up to Tahoe to live out her snowboarding and paddleboarding dreams, while continuing to train for her 26th half marathon (plus 4 marathons). Savannah’s cozy Tahoe house also makes for the perfect girls-weekend-away when a lot of wine and girl talk are needed.
Tim Stanek
Groomsman
When Corey first met Emily’s brother Tim, he was playing keyboard in a band on Beale Street in Memphis and was a total badda** on stage. Corey’s first impression of Tim was epic and thankfully all subsequent impressions have been also. Definitely the most talented man on this page, Corey is pumped to have another brother join the crew. When dreaming up his dream girl, a standard Emily far surpassed, cool inlaws were always part of the package for Corey, and Tim and the entire Stanek family definitely checked that box. Excited to share wine, music, and Stanek family traditions from here on out, Corey is privileged to gain such a great brother in law.
Stefana Murray
Bridesmaid
Stef and Emily lived on the same floor freshman year of college at the University of South Carolina and hit it off right away. Stef and Emily stayed connected after college while living across states and countries, and eventually found themselves living in Atlanta at the same time for several years, where they were both a part of a local Rotaract club. Emily loves following all of Stef’s high-intensity outdoor adventures whether it’s hiking, backpacking, trail running, ironmanning… Stef knows how to push the limits. Stef and her husband Kevin live in Boulder, Colorado, where they can live out their outdoor adventure dreams.
Shayne Dito
Groomsman
Shigity shigity shigity shigity Shaaaaaayne Dito and Corey met in ’93 kicking soccer balls, which lead to an awesome friendship of kicking a**. Through epic hikes, sick concerts, and spontaneous dance parties, the two amigos became close friends. While Shayne wisely resisted doing business with friends, he finally gave in after years of Corey’s persuasive efforts and now Shayne helps out in Corey’s work as well as life. Always willing and able to lend a supportive hand, Shayne is truly ‘good people’ and a reliable brother-like friend. On a hike in Yosemite, Shayne aptly coined the nickname Dome Boy Leak for Corey, who had to stop so regularly to “take a leak” on the adventurous and grueling day up Half Dome. At least Corey didn’t earn the name Dome Boy Quiv though! Am I right, Alex?
Melanie Kissell
Bridesmaid
Melanie and Emily initially bonded over their mutual distaste for their jobs at a sports bar in 2016, but quickly formed a deeper friendship when they realized how much they had in common (both studied abroad in Costa Rica through the same program and director but in different years, Melanie had many ties to Memphis, where Emily went to high school, they are both dog-obsessed... just to name a few). Melanie has always been a consistent, loyal, and supportive friend to Emily, even when Emily moved across the country in 2016. Melanie still lives in Atlanta with her husband Zach and their two precious boys Zeke and Wyatt, to whom Emily is “Auntie Em”. (See more of Zeke and Wyatt below!).
Ed Yun
Groomsman
As his third brother quoted in his high school graduation yearbook, “Larry’s nothing without Curly and Mo.” Ed and Corey have been stooges together ever since they were seated next to each other in freshman year math class. On a nearly daily basis, their teacher would kick both Ed and Corey out of class for their disruptive comedic behavior, which gave the two buds more time to hang without the distraction of math class—haha. Ed has always been a brother to Corey. They hoop, they bike, they golf, they board, they grub, they joke, they kick it. From traveling Thailand together, to always being a joyful part in each other’s lives, Ed’s friendship is a cherished gem.
Janine Criswell
Bridesmaid
Janine and Emily became sisters when Emily’s dad and Janine’s mom tied the knot in 2010. Boy did Emily get lucky with a great stepsister, and we’re not just talking about Janine’s killer baking skills (you can count on Janine to bring the from-scratch cakes and pies to any family event). Janine fit right into the Stanek family and somehow still laughs at all the puns. She is also a talented writer and actress and, most importantly, a mom to Ethel and Dorothy (see more of Ethel and Dorothy below!).
Eric Scudder
Groomsman
While in a frat together at UCSB, Scudder was always “down to kick it” and he still is to this day. Scudder’s awesome attitude and perspective has gifted Corey with countless memories and good times. From experiencing Giants World Series wins together, to Scudder’s epic DJ sets and his legendary worm dance when Corey passed the bar, moments with Scudder are never less than great…. just keep the couches and lighters away.
Veronica Criswell
Bridesmaid
Another amazing stepsister, Veronica is the youngest daughter of Emily’s stepmom Jen. Veronica always brings a positive attitude and lots of fun to every family event. Always the adventurous spirit, Veronica moved to Santa Fe in 2018 to pursue the study of herbalism, and now lives in Albuquerque with her two doggies, Aspen and Conan. Veronica is also in the process of becoming a real estate agent!
Adams Hendrickson
Groomsman
When Corey noticed a dude wearing ‘Bay Cat Hoodies’ in his apartment complex sophomore year in college, he never expected the bro to be from San Diego. He also never expected that the sharp-witted Adams would become a weekend warrior partner in golf and basketball. Now a partner in life, Adams’ comedic balance of being the ‘most courteous person’ Corey knows with his hilarious one-line zingers, Adams has raised the bar.
Ethel Smith
Flower Girl
This little 7-year-old goofball has as much spunk as this photo suggests, and is one of Emily’s beautiful nieces and a flower girl. Ethel is the daughter of Emily’s stepsister Janine and her husband Tyson, and lives with her parents in Mississippi, for which she fondly and spontaneously wrote and sang a song called “My Mississippi Home” at Papa and Nana’s 60th birthday party.
James Manalili
Groomsman
MN, MN, MN, MN, MN! From homies in highschool to roommates after college, James and Corey always knew how to have a great time together. Living across the street from the SF Giants' stadium, they were always up to host friends for drinks, food, and hilarious moments. Almost anything was sufficient to prompt a gathering, from their new carpet party to weekend "pre games", James and Corey, or as they are also known amongst some-MN, MN, were quite the duo. Although their impromptu celebrations have slowed a bit, James and Corey have seen each other grow and flourish. James is a great friend and one Corey values tremendously, especially when his Aussie accent is on point.
Dorothy Smith
Flower Girl
This pretty girl will be 4 at the time of the wedding, and is another one of Emily's nieces, also belonging to Janine and Tyson. Dorothy's interests include painting, drawing, gymnastics, baby dolls, and of course, playing with her big sister Ethel.
Zeke Kissell
Ring Bearer
Zeke and "Auntie Em" have shared a special bond ever since he was born to Emily's friends Melanie and Zach Kissell. Emily and Mojo would play with Zeke quite a bit when they lived in Atlanta, and Zeke's parents even trusted Auntie Em to take care of him for an entire weekend while they had a parents' weekend getaway. Emily will never forget the time she gave Zeke a Thomas the Tank Engine set as a gift and he shook it up and down shouting "Thomas Train! Thomas Train!" I hope our future kids have the same zest for life and trains that Zeke has always had :-).
Wyatt Kissell
Ring Bearer
Wyatt is Zeke's younger brother and sidekick, and an equally zestful lover of trains and legos. He and Zeke live with their parents Melanie and Zach in Atlanta.
Shafer Pollak
Ring Bearer
If it were up to his parents this little ring bearer would ski down the aisle. Given he’s still unable to walk, crawling will do for now. The first grandson of Corey’s parents, Arie and Kerry’s son, and Corey’s godson, Shafer Pollak will be bearing the rings for Emily and Corey. This smiley baby boy is tougher than nails, always in the Tahoe snow and barely flinching from his bris, which Corey assisted with in dutiful godfather fashion, including pinky dips of wine. Emily and Corey can’t wait to show Shafer that aunts and uncles don’t have to follow the ‘parent rules’ and to spoil him with everything his parents don’t allow. Auntie Em and Uncle Cor plan to ensure Shafer has cool cousins to grow up with!
Mojo Stanek-soon-to-be-Pollak
Ring Bearer
Mojo Mojo Mojo. Mojito Bonito Chiquito. Mr. Snuggly Boo. Mama's Boy. He's been called many things. Mojo is our first born 4-legged child whom Emily adopted in 2012 and whom Corey adopted as his “bro” in 2018. We can’t commit our lives to each other without Mojo’s presence; our family of 3 would otherwise be incomplete. Mojo can’t wait to officially be a Pollak!
Katharine Newhouse
Officiant
"Auntie" Katharine has known Emily as long as Emily's own parents have. Katharine is Emily's godmother and was present for her birth! The Stanek kids and Katharine's daughters grew up together in Boston, and some of Emily's fondest childhood memories include visiting the Newhouses at their beach house in Rockport, Massachusetts. Distance hasn't kept the Newhouses from continuing to be like family, and Emily and Corey are so honored and grateful that Katharine has agreed to be our officiant. Corey has also loved getting to know Katharine over our many marriage prep Zoom sessions, and we know that with her special place in our hearts, she will make our ceremony so special and meaningful.