Jaime & Justin
Wedding Party
Anthony Bracco
Man of Honor
When Anthony traipsed into her life on their first day of NYU in 2010, Jaime wasn’t sure he’d notice her. But they say the best friends push you to grow, and that’s these two in a nutshell: Anthony got Jaime completely addicted to Starbucks, Jaime forced Anthony to ruin his physique at Serendipity, Anthony kept her from buying a dreadful pink peacoat, Jaime forced Anthony to leave the east coast for the first time and takes full credit for him becoming a world traveler. Anthony was the only friend Jaime wanted at her college graduation dinner, the person she held onto sobbing when she moved to California, the person with whom she shares the most random inside jokes that have pretty much morphed their own language. Anthony is the perfect person to stand by Jaime’s side on their big day!
Joel Manduke
Best Man
Outside a brief period in the early 90s where Justin focused on reconnaissance, Justin and Joel have been best buds their whole lives. Bathtime dance parties, Razor scooters, and a tour-de-force on the bar mitzvah circuit solidified their early brotherly bond that’s still strong today despite 300 miles of distance. Their adventures have included snorkeling in Hawaii, scaling alps in Switzerland (they took a tram), pub-hopping in London, and feasting at the Eiffel Tower. Joel’s the better musician, but let’s not forget who got a black belt first. Joel’s often mistaken as the older one, and Justin looks up to him in many ways. He puts family first, he’s funny, and he balances his passions with practicality… and he’s famous. We couldn’t think of anyone else to back Justin up for his wedding.
Kristin Seder
Bridesmaid
Kristin met Justin first at UCLA, but it was when Jaime visited Kristin in Tucson they knew they’d become just as close. After talking for hours over guacamole, Kristin was solidified as one of the warmest people Jaime’s ever met. When “KRum” finally moved back to San Francisco, she filled Jaime and Justin's nights with unlimited snacks, board games, fitness dance parties, and baby snuggles with her cutie, Calvin. Kristin is infectiously positive, easygoing, witty, and kind to everyone. Being with Kristin makes you feel like the most important person in her world, from her insisting you have more snacks to breaking into your apartment the weekend you get engaged to fill it with streamers and champagne. Some people just come into your life for a reason, and Kristin will be in ours forever.
Evan Seder
Groomsman
Evan and Justin met freshman year at UCLA, and their love bloomed when they became campus tour guides. Countless hours of frivolity in and out of Kerckhoff Hall gave Justin the best friend he made in college. Both landing jobs in San Francisco after school, they became roommates and kicked off 5 years known to historians as “The Rad Pad Era”, during which Evan taught Justin how to shave. They navigated a new city together, played more Nintendo 64 than is recommended, and even worked together for a bit! They’ve been all over the US and beyond and even weaseled their way into some San Francisco secret spots. For 10 years, Evan's always encouraged Justin to “swing away” and has supported Justin’s biggest milestones and decisions. Jaime and Justin are so lucky to have him in their lives.
Betty Zong
Bridesmaid
Betty is the type of friend who will take your hand and guide you through a crowd, the one who laughs at herself just as much as she lovingly teases you, and listens to you vent for hours. Before J & J’s first date, Betty and Wendy sat on the floor for hours sewing Jaime’s homemade jellyfish Halloween costume, and Betty skillfully art-directed the photos Jaime sent Justin (“oof that angle doesn’t work, let’s try the stairs!”). She even endured ten hours of straight wedding dress shopping as the only bridesmaid in town. With every borrowed dress and ziplock full of brownies from Betty, Jaime has come to appreciate the value of a truly generous spirit (and dessert, duh). We love Betty for her sense of humor, gumption, and her originality. She's as perfect as her homemade dumplings.
Kevin Saul
Groomsman
Justin met Kevin early at UCLA, becoming compadres as campus tour guides. Justin was drawn to Kevin’s humor (over it now) and they both love nerdy things like board games and silly things like dancing at Nine Fine Irishmen in Las Vegas, where Kevin surprised Justin for his 25th birthday. Justin’s really into movies and music, and Kevin’s always game for a trip to the theater and is the perfect concert companion. He also taught Justin how to style his hair! Both classy and cool, Kev’s equally satisfied with some scotch on the golf links as he is with a paintballing trip or jam session. On their infamous “BRoad Trip” down the California coast, Justin and Kevin golfed, hiked, did an escape room, and visited an ostrich preserve. Justin and Jaime can’t wait for more good times with KSaul.
Wendy Schnare
Bridesmaid
Wendy and Jaime met unofficially at 13 at Emma’s bat mitzvah, but Wendy was the first person Jaime met in the Bay. They instantly clicked as Wendy’s adventurous side exposed Jaime to things like cider bars, SF Nightlife, Santacon, her first camping trip (near a strip mall, but still, camping!), and artisanal everything. Thanks to Wendy, Jaime worked up the nerve to tell Justin it was time for them to meet in person, and was there through countless “what should I wear?!” conversations. Wendy has the most giving heart, her humility hides the fact that she is somehow good at everything (she even played rugby in high school!), and she has the most contagious smile. Wendy living in Seattle now is also just an excuse for more food expeditions, right? Justin and Jaime adore her.
Joel Ontiveros
Groomsman
Another tour guide! Wherever Joel is, he takes 100% advantage of his environment, and Justin credits him with many of his most fun memories at UCLA and beyond. Joel is a bonafide “yes man”, making time for everything he loves (including his 1 million friends). Justin got Joel into rock climbing when Joel moved to San Francisco, and they’ve spent tons of hours crushing crag. Bouldering led Joel to living in a van (on purpose) and moving to a hippy-dippy place like Vermont to get his master’s degree. Over their decade-long friendship, Joel’s been a magnet for new and fun experiences, and he once got Justin and Evan down a snowy mountain road using just a clothes hanger! He and Jaime bonded when they were working as college counselors, so Justin’s counting on them to get his kids into UCLA.
Emma Snyder
Bridesmaid
Emma definitely counts as Jaime’s oldest friend, they go back to 1992! Jaime’s earliest memories are in Emma’s Berkeley backyard brushing Barbie hair and splashing in Emma’s rain boots. After many years of fun family trips to Donner and Scottsdale, Emma made the Bay feel like home and introduced Jaime to Betty and Wendy. Like the sister she never had, Emma makes you feel like no time has passed at all and is the definitive best hostess whenever we visit Boston (she gives up her bed!). Everyone who meets her immediately becomes part of her fan club, and it’s easy to see why Emma has been such a bright spot in Jaime’s life for decades. Unflinchingly positive, delightfully silly, loyal, and loving, Emma Rose is the ultimate cousin-friend. We love you Em, you beam of sunshine, you!
Seth Meline
Groomsman
Seth and Justin first met lakeside in Truckee, CA. Seth had a broken wrist at the time, but Jaime and Justin made sure to wave from their jet ski. Soon after at a family bar mitzvah, Seth told Justin that Jaime likes to date girly guys. Justin needed to step up the manly-man quotient. When dancing to Whitney Houston hits that night didn’t help his case, Justin’s next chance came as the two of them spent great times together on the Meline Family Alaska Cruise. Helicoptering to a glacier hike, tossing back drinks in a miner’s saloon, and playing in a blackjack tournament convinced Seth that Justin was man enough to marry his sister. Seth’s one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet and does an excellent Eddie Vedder impersonation. Justin’s lucky to be gaining such an awesome brother!