Anna & Max
Wedding Party
Marie Fiala
Maid of Honor
A big sister is the person who is supposed to teach you how to shave your legs, do your makeup, and threaten all your crappy teenage boyfriends and that's exactly what Marie did. She even let me hang out with her friends in high school which was a big deal as a freshman/sophomore to sit with the juniors/seniors at lunch. She's beautiful and glamorous but my favorite side of her is when she has no makeup on and stuffing her face with snacks while laying in bed watching ghost shows.
Andrew Shapiro
Best Man
"Best Man" is a title not only bestowed upon Andrew for the Yago wedding, but basically by everyone who knows him / has had any interaction with him. Andrew Shapiro / Shap forced his way into Max's heart early in middle school by simply claiming "we're best friends". 20 years later and he still introduces Max to everyone as "This is my best friend Max". Andrew and Max cemented their friendship through winning the "Spirit of the Knight Award" their senior year, and going on to win multiple beer pong championships throughout college and into their professional years. Andrew resides wherever the most single women are, and loves a good 3 Michelin Star dinner.
Tess Carey
Matron of Honor
You never know what you're going to get when it comes to in-laws. Thank GOODNESS for Tess. I hit the jackpot with her as my sister-in-law. Not only is she normal, but she's kind, hilarious, beautiful, and such an caring sister. I've decided I won't divorce Max just so I can keep Tess forever as a second sister to me. Plus she lives on a lake and 5 mins from the beach sooo...
Pat Evans
Groomsman
Pat Evans - what do you say about a man that's already had so much written about him? The defensive player of the year for Las Lomas High School Men's Varsity Basketball has been named "The Pat Evans Award". Pat once ran a half marathon in college and his fastest times were during the uphill portions. Pat went from wearing a t-shirt in the pool to being the most jacked guy I know. As someone who has been in Max's life since 1st grade - you couldn't pick a better person to be by your side (and definitely not against you).
Madeline Hasserjian
Officiant
None of you would be in Cabo right now celebrating this super cool couple if it weren't for this lady as she (along with Lauren Holmblad - bridesmaid) is responsible for introducing the bride and groom. But she's responsible for more than just that. Thanks to her, some of my most favorite memories were at her house and/or lakehouse back in our teenage years. From filling our lungs for hours with hookah to dressing up as Harry Potter for the final Harry Potter movie premiere to falling asleep to the show Friends, I can't think of happier times. It's because of the special place she has in my heart that she's officiating the wedding. And because she's super smart.
Brian Stafford
Groomsman
Nicknamed "The Enigma", Brian Stafford is a man who cannot be defined. He was the most handsome man in Walnut Creek, but never wanted a girlfriend. He was the best basketball player, but never beat Max in basketball (ever). Brian just wants to chill. Catch some tasty waves. Get a good stretch in. He's as honest as the day is long, and although he's only been to Atlanta once in his whole life, Max and Brian have an inseparable bond.
Alyssa Browning
Bridesmaid
When you look at Alyssa (aka La) you might think to yourself "how could someone that gorgeous and that fashionable be anything more than that?". I wonder the same thing myself, but you'll be surprised. This girl majored in Engineering Management with a Biomedical Engineering focus and a Systems & Industrial Engineering minor (uhhh what?) has the kindest heart, and makes everyone around her feel loved and special. After 16 years of friendship and one year of living together, I still don't know how she's a real person.
Jordan Kerl
Groomsman
This may come as a complete shock to everyone reading this, but Max actually was a backup quarterback at one point. The man who was ahead of Max was none other than Jordan Kerl. While Max was arguably a much more naturally gifted athlete, Jordan seemed to have a knack for the game, and in all honesty, Max looked up to Jordan. Once Max replaced Jordan Las Lomas High School went on to have the most successful year in their schools history. After Jordan recognized the difference in talent level between himself and Max, they actually went on to become roommates in college for several years. During that time Jordan was the Ichiro Suzuki of San Diego, and became one of Max's closest friends. Jordan recently welcomed his first daughter into the world and Max is honored to be her God Father (probably).
Lauren Holmblad
Bridesmaid
Bay is a very important person in this wedding and in the bride and groom's life since she (along with Mady - officiant) introduced us. The morning after Max and I met her exact words were "OMG Anna you HAVE to marry Max". Well this one's for you Bay. This girl will tell you how it is while always looking out for you. She's also the top software sales rep at our wedding.
Bryn Stembridge
Groomsman
Every groomsman on this list is a jock and a d-bag. Bryn is Max's exception. While Pat and Shap and Jordan were out beating up nerds in their lifted trucks, Max and Bryn were content on a camping trip in Santa Cruz or talking about how the Shins are a super under-rated band. Max's athleticism was undeniable, but Bryn was able to show Max a different path outside of sports. A world filled with literature and nature and craft beers. Bryn showed early promise in athletics as a young boy, but due to his left handedness he really only thrived in board sports and volleyball. What Max loves most about Bryn is that you never know what you're going to get. Top sales rep at the budding tech start up? Quit and move to France. Go to a top engineering school in the world? Work on micro trailers in Wisconsin. Bryn is loved by all and feared by many.
Shelbie Baca
Bridesmaid
My oldest friend and my only other cat-loving friend. Shelbie was the coolest chick on the playground in elementary school and continued being the coolest chick throughout middle school and high school. How she decided to be friends with me I'll never understand. She has the most infectious laugh and smile. She's so sweet and hot you might wonder is this girl for real? Yes. Yes she is.
Kevin Kennick
Groomsman
Max has been in 3 fights in his life. Two of those were with Kevin Kennick. Kevin and Max go way back. They forged a friendship early playing youth basketball together. While Kevin lacked height in those early days, he made up for it with tenacity and a genius level IQ on the basketball court. Max was fascinated by Kevin. Someone who could survive off pizza, french fries, and nerd ropes as their sole source of caloric intake was someone Max needed around. Max and Kevin knew their friendship was lifelong, and after high school they visited each other at their respective colleges. Someone would always end up peeing somewhere inappropriate and their friendship only grew stronger. Today Kevin is lucky enough to be married to one of Anna's closest friends, Savannah, and we are honored to call them some of our closest friends.
Lauren Cusimano
Bridesmaid
How do I find the words to describe the most lovable person I've ever met? A lot of you know her fiance, Todd Merriman (a groomsman). We REALLY liked Todd Merriman but then when Lauren came into our lives all of us were like Todd who? Lauren (aka Cus) lights up every room she walks in. You always want her around no matter what you're doing. She's quirky, life of the party, kind, super hot, and will out-dance anyone who tries. Seriously get this girl on a dance floor. It's the most fun you'll ever have.
Nick Michaud
Groomsman
Ok we're getting into the new batch of friends. Up until this point you're basically just dealing with friendship due to longevity. Nick is one of Max's newest and closest friends. Reason for that? This kid loves more than anything. You'll find Nick holding hands with anyone who will let him. Nick has angered more than a few ladies in his day because 1) he's a doctor 2) he's fabulous looking, but 3) he will show you the best night of your life and then never call you back. This is a fair warning to all bridesmaids and #YagotoCabo wedding attendees - Nick Michaud is an obvious catch, but if you think you're the one to tame this wild stallion, you're dead wrong. As an engaged (soon to be wed) man with no sexual attraction to Nick, Max has no fear that Nick will be an incredibly close friend for the rest of their lives.
Haley Tormey
Bridesmaid
My ride or die. Max and I would be friendless losers in Atlanta if it weren't for Haley. When a mutual friend 3 levels removed introduced us, she welcomed me into her friend group with no hesitation. My life is so much more entertaining with her in it. I can always rely on her to stay out late with me and make me laugh. One of my favorite things is to simply watch Haley do life. She's very strange. She's the first to arrive and the last to leave. Which works out because I can't wait to see her and never want her to leave.
Todd Merriman
Groomsman
Todd Merriman is a colleague of Max Yago. Account Executive Wiz · Full-time Aug 2021 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos Atlanta, Georgia, United States Senior Account Executive, Global Strategic Accounts Okta · Full-time Jan 2021 - Aug 2021 · 8 mos Atlanta, Georgia, United States IBM 3 yrs 11 mos Washington D.C. Metro Area Information Architecture - IBM Data & AI Sales - Financial Services
Savannah Kennick
Bridesmaid
The fact that Savannah and I slept over and used the bathroom more than once, let alone YEARS, at Max and Kevin's (her husband - groomsman) house in SF is beyond me. That house of 5 boys was questionable to say the least. But we were in it together. We even bonded and loved each other so much that we decided to live together in SF. We survived off flaming hot cheetos and protein shakes and we were thriving. Please nobody ask us about the mice infestation.
Jordan Lalor
Groomsman
Get up immediately and go grab your Merriam-Webster dictionary. Got it? Go to the "L" section. Look up "LOYAL". What do you see there? If it isn't a picture of Jordan Lalor then you got a bootleg version. Jordan had always been that cool friend that Max would see from a distance. He had that, I don't really care what you think, vibe that Max longed for. Once Max got the courage to go talk to Jordan he realized, holy shit, this guy was as scared of me as Max was of him! And also that he's simply the best guy. Max and Jordan (once they both got over their initial cool guy fear of each other) fell fast and hard for each other. A love for games, competition, good vibes, Korean women, pop-punk music, and much more made a bro-mance inevitable. Jordan has the looks of a 90s professional surfer and has a heart of gold. If you see Max with any new tattoos, know that Jordan got one right next to him.
Baili Merriman
Bridesmaid
Baili Merriman is the classiest redneck hippie I've ever met. She can teach you everything you need to know about manners, being a hostess, and making sure you are using the right wine glass for the right kind of wine while also forcing you to take tequila shots and avoiding wearing shoes. Like you might see her wearing shoes twice throughout the entire wedding weekend and only until it's appropriate for her to take them off. There's absolutely no one like her and that's why she's special to me. That and the fact that she loves shots as much as I do.
Walton Stephens
Groomsman
Max typed up Walton's description about 5 or 6 times making amazing jokes about how he's a NARP (non athletic regular person) and how he's an incredibly average sales rep and how he lifts weights every day but never seems to get any stronger...but none of it felt right. Reason for that? Walton is just one of the good ones. He was one of Max's first friends in Atlanta and through 6 years and moving to Michigan then North Carolina then Idaho then San Francisco then back to Idaho he has remained someone Max loves and talks to all the time. Big reason for that? He made it happen and Max appreciated that. Max is notoriously too-cool-for-school and with that comes an inability to reach out to anyone unless he 1) needs something or 2) they live close by. Walton, through thousands of miles of distance, managed to always check in with Max and remain a close friend. Walton has a dog named Winston and Max would call Walton by Winston for years - just a fun fact to close this out!
Marty Carey
Groomsman
Close your eyes. Picture yourself sitting on a grassy knoll. Imagine you have a loving sister who you care about deeply and may have been a total brat through her teenage years but turned into a pretty decent human. Now imagine that sister gets married to a guy. What would you want that guy to be like? Open your eyes. I can guarantee the man that you just imagined marrying your now cool but once super not cool sister would be DAMN close to Marty Carey. Everyone Max introduces Marty too inevitably comes back to Max and tells him "You hit the jackpot in terms of brother-in-laws". Max couldn't agree more. You need something fixed around the house? Call Marty. You need someone to get a beer with and play some cards? Call Marty. You need to move? Call Marty. Max couldn't be more honored to call Marty a brother, a friend, and a groomsman. Even though he was home-schooled in Indiana Marty somehow became one of the best people Max knows.