Wedding Party

Myra "Bunny" Shah-Chang

Matron of Honor

From the moment they met at an NYU party - Myra and Niki knew... nothing. It was not BFF's at first sight - but it WAS BFF's at third sight, right after they'd both moved back to LA and spent one Epic Night partying on the Sunset Strip. In that one night, their forever friendship was born and frankly, they've been the only children sisters ever since then. Known affectionately as Myra #2, Pickle Myra, and Number 1 of #ThirdWheel, Myra has been there for Niki through thick and thin, through bunny hop workouts, LA County Fair parade floats, pickle trips to Portland, learning how to put on sari's, to now being tasked with giving a lovely MOH speech! Good luck and don't make bunny cry.

Tyler Bittner

Groomsman

- How we met - I was just about to be two years old, but two weeks to the day before that Tyler decided to come into the world. Truth is I don’t remember that day because well, I was two. And because of that I honestly can’t remember a day when he wasn’t a part of my life. - Why he’s here - He is my brother. We are grew up together. We went through all the best, worst, and most awkward moments of growing up together. We shared a toys, a home, parents, friends, and our childhood. He knows me like no other could and I can’t imagine him not being with me on my "un-wedding" day.

Angela "Punky" Lee

Bridesmaid

For the better part of their now 18 year friendship (oh god their friendship can vote!) most people only knew her as “Punky.” Punky's game for anything. She's a world traveler. She's a fascinatingly unique friend that Niki interned with her freshman year of college. She had a real name… but what was it? The first time Niki told her dad that Angela was coming over for dinner - he said... “WHO?!” There are very few adventures that haven’t included Punky in some form or other since they met and for that, Niki is eternally grateful. For someone who thrives in exploring the obscura - having a partner’s hand to hold (especially when it gets scary) is the best gift anyone could ask for. Thank you Punky, Dougie, PDA, Angela Lee for always being there for (and with) me!

Jason Beniot

Groomsman

- How we met - In 2006 I was accepted into the Florida State Film Program. I had decided to pick up my life and move to Florida. Only problem was that I didn’t know anyone and needed a roommate. So I looked on the incoming student roster, found a guy name Jason Benoit and gave him a call. A few weeks later we met each other as we moved into an apartment together. - Why he’s here - Since college we’ve celebrated each other’s achievements & supported each other when we faced hardships. We challenged each other to be better writers, better professionals, and better men. He was my best friend as we transitioned from 20 somethings trying to figure out our place in the world to adults still trying to figure out our place in the world.

Steph Elise Cantu Schneider

Bridesmaid

Being “film people,” we generally strayed away from being friends with those “actor” folk… but once one of them slips through the cracks, they’re absolutely impossible to get rid of. And thankfully so - because frankly, having someone with a flair for the dramatic always keeps life interesting. She's the person who pushes me to go outside of my comfort zone. She constantly presents me with different and challenging points of views that helps me grow as a person. And most importantly, she brings the FUN to every occasion! Steph “Elise” (that’s her actress name) Cantu Schneider is just that friend, and the best part of our friendship is that no matter where we are, or what we’re doing, I know that she is a true sounding board to help me puzzle through any problem in my life.

Amber Sawicki

Groomswoman

- How we met - I was working at Iron Triangle Brewing. Amber came in to interview for a bartending job. Though she did pull a little bait & switch by interviewing with long hair and shaving her head a week after she started, I can honestly say hiring her was one of the best decisions I ever made. - Why she’s here - Makeover aside she wasn’t on the job very long before it was plainly apparent the of kind of person she is; kind, hardworking, loyal, eternally optimistic, compassionate, and pretty much every other characteristic that makes for a good friend. She was a part of the small team that held Iron Triangle together and changed the path of both our careers. She is one of my most trusted confidants & friends.

Melody "Boose" Qiu-Bay

Bridesmaid

It’s very hard to describe an indescribable person such as Melody. She is easily one of the smartest yet daffy, worldly yet naive, seductively classic oxymoron of a human that’s ever existed. I’m honored to have a friend who can transition seamlessly between discussing complex financial graphs, to performing an award winning tango, to failing to understand any form of social media, to articulating the finer details of complex human emotion, to not knowing how to cook an egg. She is a true amalgam and one I’m happy to have called my friend ever since her friend picked up my friend at a bar way back when… This is how we do it in BAMA!

Shawn Witt

Groomsman

- How we met - It was Junior year of high school where we became friends in chess club. Don’t let the name fool you, we were as much a “News Radio” appreciation club as we were a Chess Club, News Radio being a popular TV show of the early 2000s. Why News Radio? Because it aired every day at our lunch time on one of the few channels we could access from school. - Why he’s here - Shawn was there in the final years of my childhood as one of my best friends and confidants at a time where everything was new, and exciting and awkward. We fumbled our way through first jobs, first girlfriends, college applications, and everything else that life throws at seventeen year old’s. After high school we haven’t lived in the same city, but he has always been one of my best friends.

Lindsay O'Brien

Bridesmaid

Easily the best thing that's happened out of a random bar pick-up line... "Can I get your number? But it's not for me, it's for my wife... I think you guys would be great friends." Lindsay is a rare and wonderful spirit who's brought so much joy, happiness, amusement, and dutch blitz to my life. While most of my friends are people who've grown on me over time, with Lindsay it was an instant spark over an impromptu coffee and within minutes of meeting her - I knew this was someone who'd be in my life for a long time. Even if she won't play crazy board games with us.

Karan Shah

Groomsman

- How we met - It was Niki and I’s 3rd date. We were enjoying a few cocktails at the Umbrella Bar and then… the shots started coming... Karan has later said his first impression of me was “Wow!, this dude likes to party”. He was unaware that I was in rare form that evening and was the drunkest I had been in years. - Why he’s here - Myra and Nicole are best friends and by sheer proximity Karan and I were bound to be at least good acquaintance, but over the past few years he has become much more than that. He is a like-minded travel buddy who understands that good Klima is NOT a luxury but a requirement. AND like me, he is also willing to lose friends over a board game. He has become one of my closest confidents, and I so happy he's part of my life.

Jayse O'Brien

Officiant

The aforementioned husband of Lindsay who met Nicole at a bar and picked her up... for his wife. What a swell guy! What started as a fun story of meeting strangers in hospitality blossomed into a fun friendship of occasional hangouts and delicious meals at Alexander's Steakhouse. But what truly cemented Jayse in our lives was when Jayse met Kale. When Nicole met Lindsay it was friendship at first sight. The same could easily be said about Jayse and Kale. Their chemistry was obvious and their love of board games, nerd culture, obscure movies, and comedy made for a lasting relationship. Jayse has now become a fixture in both of our lives and we couldn't think of a better person, or orator, to "officiate" or rather MC our wedding celebration!

Colin Whitman

Groomsman

- How we met – While we officially met in college while attending film school, I’d say that we didn’t really know one another until the first few years after graduating. We were fresh out of collage with a lot of hopes and dreams and not nearly as much money and friends. Colin, Jason, and myself bonded together to become 3 musketeers of sorts. - Why he’s here – In those formative years post college when our lives swung from jubilation to embarrassment to desperation all in a week, Colin a cornerstone friend. A friend who took the initiative to organize events in the good times, and offer a beer and a hug in the less good. Over the years Colin and I have grown closer, and has long been one of my best friends. Someone to lean on, laugh with and challenge me to be a better man.

Richard & Teresa Iizuka

Parents of the Bride

Mike & Cindy Bittner

Parents of the Groom