Elisabeth & Daniel
Wedding Party
Rudolf Merson
Father of the Bride
From Moscow to New York City, this Renaissance man has been a photojournalist for Pravda, a wedding photographer, a senior computer programmer, and an artist, and he has traveled every corner of Russia and been all over the world. But his most important role ever is coming up - walking his youngest daughter down the aisle!
Olga Merson
Mother of the Bride
She carried Liz for 9 months which deserves an award, but this gorgeous fashionista is a conservatory-trained classical pianist who is excited to serenade our guests. You could've caught her playing for American Ballet Theatre, Broadway Dance Center, or recording a CD, but her most recent appearance will be walking her daughter down the aisle.
Miriam & Michael Mescon
Mother & Father of the Groom
Miriam and Michael are absolutely thrilled at the upcoming marriage of their son, Daniel, and his bride-to-be, Liz. For two such wonderful people to have found each other is a true blessing. We wish the new couple all the joy, peace, and fulfillment that life has to offer.
Tania Schwarzwald
Matron of Honor
She shares 50% of the bride's DNA, and as her sister, has contributed so much effort to help with planning this wedding! The happy couple is so grateful to this awesome planner, smart cookie, and amazing mom. Liz and Tania have a super special connection despite their 13 year age gap, bonding over their shared bossiness and divulgence into Long Island accents when angry or excited, their shared hair color, their love for obsessive organization and Excel spreadsheets, snarky memes, and, you know, deep conversations.
Alla Zhelinsky-Denyer
Matron of Honor
Alla and the bride met at age 15 and now text back and forth 24 hours a day, mostly sarcastic and really hilarious, frequently helping each other through their troubles and celebrating each others' successes. Their apartments are across the street and therefore they love frequent walks around Forest Hills. This mom and psychologist will be taking a break from picking you apart and partying it up at the wedding.
Jennie Mescon
Bridesmaid
Daniel’s sister and his original partner in crime. Well, not crime so much as Super Mario Bros. and Taco John’s. Jennie has been Daniel’s friend, his teacher, his tormentor, and his protector, and she’s a pro at each and every role. He wouldn’t trade a minute of his time with her for anything; and Daniel is sure she feels the same exact way (minus that time he slammed into her with a go-kart).
Emma Schwarzwald
Bridesmaid
This force to be reckoned with had a Shakespeare quote up in her room for years that describes her perfectly: "though she be but little she is fierce." A budding entrepreneur and business magnate, Emma is taking time out of her college freshman orientation to be in this wedding. Now a young woman who is frequently a diplomatic voice of reason, and a spunky and hilarious social media presence, Liz still remembers the days when Emma would jump into her arms and scream LEEEEE-ZZZIIIIEEEE!!!! whenever she would see her, and try on all her shoes and makeup. That practice paid off because Emma's makeup skills now surpass Liz's, however the love between them remains just as strong. Liz and Daniel are so lucky to have such an amazing niece!
Glenys Hernandez
Bridesmaid
This brilliant beauty queen and Liz met in PA school, where they spent every waking moment studying and stressed. However, it is after PA school that Liz and Glenys found themselves both single but wanting to travel the world, and became great travel buddies, going on a medical mission to the mountains of Guatemala, hiking Macchu Pichu in Peru, shopping in Lima, glacier trekking and horseback riding in Argentinian Patagonia, ziplining in Iguazu Falls, dancing the tango in milongas in Buenos Aires, and much more. These two trouble makers once got yelled at on an airplane for being too loud! Liz and Glenys became great friends, and when they're not saving lives, they continue to meet for delicious dinners that last for hours as they discuss life over drinks.
Chris Lynch
Best Man
You might get a “surfer/tech bro” vibe from this west coast family man (it’s mostly the hair), but…well…I guess he must be able to surf because he literally does everything else well. And he DOES work at one of the world’s hottest tech companies. So yeah, pretty much a pro all the way around. And, little known fact, Daniel credits him with introducing him to “Seinfeld.” (Probably the most pivotal moment of Daniel’s life up until this wedding.)
Dallas Terry
Best Man
This salt & pepper prankster has roots in Big Sky country, but has friended his way around the world…in way too many languages to count. Equally at home on the soccer pitch, the slopes, and the front lines of the sustainability movement. If you’re lucky, maybe you can get him to brew you a cup of chai from the top-secret Terry family recipe. He’s also possibly the only person who loves “Tommy Boy” as much as Daniel.
Nick Juskewycz
Best Man
Ask him what the point spread is on next year’s Iowa-Purdue game. Sorry…I mean the year after that…or the one after that! Prepare to be amazed at what’s thrown at you. Half of his and Daniel’s banter comes from late 90s and early 2000s-era Nintendo games. And Daniel wouldn’t have it any other way.
Evan Schwarzwald
Groomsman
You can try to catch Evan in between patients, but he's probably faster than you. This pillar of his community is always saving lives and answering medical questions, even on his days off. Liz's brother-in-law plays a crucial role for Liz, commiserating with work frustrations and offering sound advice, but he plays an even more crucial role for Daniel, easing him into the transition of marrying a Merson woman! After all, he has over 20 years of experience. From drinking Dom Perignon to celebrate their engagement, to long chats at family get-togethers, Evan is a brother from another mother that Liz and Daniel need and are super grateful for!
Michael Schwarzwald
Groomsman
Liz's handsome, smart nephew with a heart of gold, Michael always has a hug, some kind words, and encouragement, and makes everybody's mood instantly better. Now the man about town in Florida where he goes to college, he still graces the family with his presence in NY frequently and truly makes Florida feel like the sixth borough. While Liz still clearly remembers baby Michael's love for playing "tickle monster" and board games for hours on end, always with an infectious laugh, he is now an adult who will be old enough to drink at her wedding, and is in the wedding party despite having to move into his college apartment the next day. We are so blessed that he is able to be in our wedding and so lucky to have such a wonderful nephew!
Andrew Mescon
Groomsman
This new father with a heart of gold paved the way for all the Mescon kids. And don’t tell him, but Daniel’s cousin did a sensational job. Just don’t try to share orders of dumplings with him. You won’t get any.
David Mescon
Groomsman
This human lightning bolt possesses more crazy stories than anyone reading this. No contest. Daniel secretly wishes he could do all the nutso things his cousin has, but he’ll settle for living vicariously through him.