Our Wedding Party
Kim Thu Trinh
Maid of Honor
Kim Thu and Kha-Ai met in college at UMBC's Vietnamese Student Association. From the get-go, Kim has been Kha-Ai's trusted confidante. After directing two annual Vietnamese culture shows, many rehearsals, and late nights painting the show set, plus countless nights of going out to eat pho and Korean BBQ while sharing the latest happenings, they fostered a friendship built on trust and empowerment. They enjoy trying new foods together and catching up on life, making sassy comments about their past cringe, and uplifting each other in all their endeavors and are lucky enough to be practically neighbors now and start weekly yoga together. Kha-Ai loves Kim's firm and kind honesty and deeply admires her resilience, thoughtfulness, and motivation. She can always look to Kim for advice or just sisterly support and love. Kim is a talented creative media specialist and plant mama, and lives with her sweet and goofy husband, Jimmy.
Erin Rutkowski
Maid of Honor
Erin is the Ethyl to her Agatha, fellow plant-lover, and college 90s' aerobics-partner. They bonded over creative writing, the mystic arts, and horror movies, among other mutual fascinations with the dark and disturbing. Their friendship has strengthened over the years through unfiltered conversations over sushi, pho, Dunkin', and Coldstone, and a DC adventure to a Buffy the Vampire Slayer 21st anniversary gathering, where they accidentally hung out with 40-year-olds and walked around the metro at 1AM with handwhittled wooden stakes. They continue to nurture their bond through fiery, hot, spicy soups and the mentally soothing presence of many, many plants in their homes. Erin lives with her husband, Alex, their heckin' cute geck, Mortimer James, and floofy puppy, Yoshi. Long nights were spent during COVID digging holes at Alex's Animal Crossing beach and getting him stuck in them.
Taylor Nappi
Bridesmaid
Taylor and Kha-Ai met on the school bus in sixth grade and have been friends ever since. Taylor witnessed the peak of Kha-Ai's classic nerdiness. With not a single class together until senior year of high school, they bonded on the bus and hung out after school making 'films' and watching Korean dramas together with their friend, Murugi. While they were in college, Kha-Ai visited Taylor at Towson and every now and then they would together make a trip to DC to visit Murugi as well. In adulthood, their friendship continued to bloom over healthy cooking, sharing books on Scandinavian living, catching up over lunch, and encouragement and support of each other in pursuing their dreams. Taylor is a calming presence, down-to-earth, and talented graphic designer and artist who lives with her entrepreneur boyfriend, Dave, and their sweet kitty, Chia.
Murugi Thande
Bridesmaid
Murugi and Kha-Ai also met on the school bus, freshman year of high school. They never had a class together but Kha-Ai and Taylor were able to catch the rare and elusive Murugi every now and then to hang out after school and on weekends, making films with Murugi as the director (now on DVD, but not Blu-Ray). Murugi was one of Kha-Ai's most supportive readers; she read every story Kha-Ai wrote and returned them with her reviews. They had K-drama watch parties together, and now are all grown up, empowering each other to pursue bigger and brighter dreams. They traveled all the way to Iceland together, snorkeling in a glacier lake between two continental tectonic plates and chasing the northern lights on the autumn equinox. Murugi is a driven, smart, creative soul, and a skilled professional photographer who lives with her spunky cat, Tusker.
Allison Gorrell
Bridesmaid
Allison and Kha-Ai have been strong sources of support and love for each other and bond over cooking, kpop, books, and deep discussions on various current events. And baking, but more of Allison teaching Kha-Ai how to properly bake things and Kha-Ai only knowing how to bake one single thing. Getting brunch, lunch, coffee, or eating at home together are some of their favorite things and having Allison over always brings more warmth and love to the room. Whether it's introducing Allison to new foods or doing a puzzle on the living room floor together eating cookies and sipping wine while listening to Kpop, Kha-Ai and Allison always have a good time together. Allison is an incredible special education teacher who truly makes the world a better place. She is so sweet and kind that she married Austin, one of the best men, just for Andy and Kha-Ai's wedding, a whole two years in advance!
Hannah Kelly
Bridesmaid
Hannah and Kha-Ai sorta-kinda met their freshman year of college at UMBC, but really it was more like Kha-Ai admired Hannah's bubbly, outgoing vibes when they were in Honors' College Seminar together. It wasn't until a few years later when Kha-Ai and Andy met that Kha-Ai and Hannah began to hang out along with her now fiancé, Ben, (one of the groomsmen). It was no surprise that four truly awesome people would eventually come together. Their adventures were kicked off with a road trip to Savannah, GA, and then many more hangouts at each other's place. Hannah is a brilliant actress and Kha-Ai and Andy love going to see her shows. They've bonded over the beautiful things, from talking about weirdest topics (like homunculi) to discussing books, art, and boba. Hannah is a radiant soul full of kindness, grace, and pure friendship, and Kha-Ai is so lucky to have Hannah in her wedding and life.
Matthew O'Neill
Best Man
Matthew, Andy's younger brother, holds the well-deserved title of one of our two best men. His unwavering support and love for both Andy and Kha-Ai have been a continuing source of strength for them. Together, they have all shared countless memories, from the adventure bus in Puerto Rico to the high-stakes Mario Kart sessions that broke Andy's phone. Andy is sincerely grateful to have not just an amazing brother, but a true best friend.
Austin Gorrell
Best Man
Austin, the other esteemed best man, has been Andy's close friend since the second grade. They met in the first grade, but hated each other until the second. They have shared so much, from climbing mountains, to learning fencing, to proudly earning their Eagle Scout ranks side by side. Even more impressive, together they replaced a dryer vent once. Austin is so loyal and dedicated, that he went and married one of the bridesmaids, Allison, just for this wedding. Andy and Kha-Ai couldn't imagine their wedding day without Austin by their side, and Andy couldn't ask for a better co-best man.
Di'Shon Hall
Groomsman & Officiant
Di'Shon is serving not only as a groomsman but also as the officiant of the wedding. Andy first met Di'Shon at the Digital Harbor Foundation, where they worked together teaching students and teachers about 3D printing, and quickly they bonded over their love for being micromanaged. This shared love for being micromanaged went so deep, that they both ended up as consultants. From their adventures in New Orleans all the way to Lisbon, Di'Shon has become one of the closest friends Andy has ever had. Kha-Ai and Andy both are thankful to not only have him as part of our wedding, but to be leading it.
Ben Straube
Groomsman
Ben first met Andy when they joined the same acapella group in college. While their friendship began on campus, it truly blossomed after graduation. Since graduating, Andy and Ben have shared weekly fencing practices, road trips to tournaments, board game conventions, and a very confusing sense of humor. Ben and his fiancee Hannah have been a profoundly positive source of inspiration to Andy and Kha-Ai. Andy is truly honored to have Ben as a groomsmen, as his friendship has become one of the most important parts of Andy's life.
Jake Kreckmann
Groomsman
Jake, a cherished friend since middle school, has been a constant source of kindness and understanding, even when faced with Andy's occasional chaotic antics. As college roommates, he, Andy, and Austin formed a trio, conquering late-night study sessions over junk food and dinosaur chicken nuggets. Andy and Kha-Ai are grateful to have Jake by their side on their wedding day, and ask all guests to please not feed him any chicken nuggets (he gets cranky).
Dang-Quang Tran
Groomsman
Dang-Quang, a.k.a. DQ, is Kha-Ai's younger brother who has always been a voice of support in Kha-Ai's life and now, Andy's. Kha-Ai and Dang-Quang grew up as typical siblings but grew closer as they grew up and are closer than ever. They both love planning surprises for mom and dad and are always empowering each other in their personal and professional lives. Dang-Quang is so excited to have Andy as his brother-in-law and looks forward to future adventures all together on the west coast, exploring parks and trying delicious Asian food.