Lana Spencer has been the bride’s best friend since 2010 and Finbar’s biggest competition for her love since day one of their relationship. Lana & Emily lived together throughout college and through their first years in "adulthood". They have traveled from the historic sites of Europe to the dusty fields of Coachella together, and can often be found drinking wine and weeping to This Is Us.
When Lana isn't hangin' with her bestie or terrorizing Fin, she can be found in her 3rd Grade classroom teaching our nation's future leaders. She is Emily's only friend that still knows how to add fractions.
She is so excited to be a part of this day!
Mallory is the wiser sister of Emily and married to the best-looking groomsman, Matt (he told me to say that). Mallory (and Matt) have two wonderful children, Miabella (4) and Maverick (2). Right now, Mallory's full-time job is taking care of those two but maybe in the future she would like to start her own Wedding/Party Planning Co. and ask Emily to be her co-CEO? In her free time, she enjoys spending her early mornings at the gym (3 am club) and hanging out with family.
To my sister Emily, now that you are becoming an adult (finally), I am looking forward to being there for you whenever you have questions, concerns, or just to talk and listen. The real duties of a wiser sister.
And to Finbar, my husband is bigger than you, so don’t screw this up!
Amy is Emily’s sister-in-law and married to her big brother, Chad, who is a groomsmen and also mom to Easton & Cassidy. Amy works locally at a bank but secretly wishes she could play Ariel at Disneyland at everyday instead.
Emily and Amy hit it off quickly when they realized they could be drinking buddies at family gatherings. Their friendship grew from there and now they have one very special thing in common, both of their engagement rings have an emerald stone.
Amy is so excited to be a part of this big day for Emily & Finbar!
Calculus 1 taught by an instructor with laryngitis the whole semester builds a friendship that just cant be broken.... Roni & Emily met in their first semester of college and have been friends ever since. Roni is definitely Emily's more calmer half, but with the same sense of adventure, live of music, and weirdness.
Emily was a bridesmaid in Roni's wedding so she is definitly ready to be a part of her big day now!
If you would have told Emily and Aliyah that they would be best friends in 2011, they would have rolled their eyes and walked away! With a gentle nudge in 2013 (thanks to Merrill), Emily and Aliyah became roommates and best friends. From sharing their Hilton and Starbucks adventures every night to now planning weddings and surviving the Texas heat, their friendship has continued to grow over the years.
You can always count on Aliyah to give you the honest truth, come through with the Starbucks coffee, eat all the homemade cookies, and stand by your side no matter what.
Ronan is Finbar’s younger brother who lives near San Francisco. Following in his big brother steps he attended the same college and Fraternity. Both share similar hobbies and have an adventurous side wanting to explore and see new places.
Ronan is a graphic designer and production artist, and loves building things in his free time. His current project is a fiber-optic resin ceiling based off the Orion nebula, which he has been working on for over a year now.
Ronan has been on several trips with Emily and Finbar abroad and has got to see the two enjoy their time together over the years. He is excited for Emily and Finbar to tie the knot and is honored to be asked to be the best man.”
Where to begin...
I first heard of the word ‘Finbar’ my freshmen year at SDSU while rushing the fraternity Delta Sig. My first thought was, “What is a Finbar? What does that nickname even mean?” Later I would find out that it’s wasn’t a nickname, it was actually his real name.
We eventually became roommates and spent a majority of our nights mastering their skills as PlayStation FIFA soccer players for the country of Togo (eventually winning the World Cup after 100s of hours of playing).
The adventures would continue throughout college, most epically with a cross country road trip from San Diego to Atlanta. We drove all that way in largest U-Haul truck possible while also pulling a boat.
And the list of memories go on. But I’m most excited to see Finbar take on his next adventure with Emily as they get married this November. I’m honored to be a part of their wedding day.”
Eric and Finbar met in college at San Diego State. Fifteen minutes after meeting they were asked for the first time if they were related. They bonded over a mutual appreciation of terrible Steven Seagal & Chuck Norris movies and fine middle-shelf whiskeys.
They remained friends by never having lived together despite having lived within walking distance multiple times. Eric eventually moved back up to Northern California and was soon followed by Finbar when he moved up there. And now, shortly after Eric was married, Finbar proposed to Emily.
Eric recently got a screaming eagle tattoo across his whole back, your move Finbar...
Cory met Finbar at San Diego State University where they enjoyed countless athletic victories over their alleged cross-town rivals USD. During their time at SDSU, they were fraternity brothers and roommates at a quaint little property known as the Dude Ranch. They have since remained close friends here in San Diego and have been lucky enough to travel together both domestically and internationally. One of Cory's favorite memories was when Finbar engaged in a dance-off with an 80 year old man in the middle of a Vegas nightclub. The winner of the dance-off was not conclusive but video evidence of the scene will be available for anyone to view at the wedding next year.
Chad is Emily’s big brother (literally & physically). He and his wife Amy have two awesome kids, Easton (3) & Cassidy (11 months) who keep the two of them on their toes 24/7.
Chad is a high school teacher at Xavier College Prep and a football coach at Palm Desert High School as the quarterbacks coach...Go Aztecs!!! He has been teaching and coaching kids for a combined 19 years and enjoys every minute.
During the off-season, Chad enjoys watching movies, cooking and spending time with his family whether that be going to museums, zoos/aquariums, Disneyland, camping, or just hanging out with other friends and family members. Chad is a huge Green Bay Packers fan and loves to watch them while drinking his favorite beverage , a cold refreshing margarita.
Chad holds Emily to the highest esteem. He believes there is nothing in life Emily cannot achieve. He is grateful that his relationship with her has grown closer and closer with every passing year. Chad is also excited to have Finbar become another member of the family. Having grown up with only sisters, it will be great to have another brother in the family.
Chad wishes nothing but the best for Emily and Finnbar!!
Matt is married to Emily's sister, Mallory. They have (2) awesome kids, Miabella, 4, and Maverick, "aka Meat", 2. who will both be in the wedding as well!
Matt works at the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens as the Sr. IT Manager which coincidentally is where Emily & Finbar are getting married! Matt has been a huge help in the planning process and will hopefully help Em & Fin get some amazing photos with the animals on the big day!
When Matt is not hanging with the giraffes and camels, you can find him with his family, surfing, wakeboarding, and snowboarding. He is looking forward to teaching his kids how to shred as well.
Emily is like the younger sister Matt never had. Even though she can be a brat, and Matt can get tired of listening to her "Millenial" ideology, there isn't anything he wouldn't do for her if she needed me too (except rooting for the Packers). And Finbar, there isn't a nicer guy (Matt has never heard him cuss?!?- is that right?) and he seems like the perfect puzzle piece for Emily.
Matt is looking forward to these two getting married and enjoy a long life together!
Miabella is the leader of the pack! As the oldest of Auntie Em's nieces & nephews, she ready to lead her cousins down the aisle on Auntie Em & Uncle Fin's wedding day.
Miabella is 4.5 years old and in her second year of preschool. We should expect to see her winning her first Tony in the next few years as she is a star in her dance and theater classes. Auntie Em is doing her best to convince Miabella's parents (Mallory & Matt) to put her on the show "Dance Moms"!
Maverick, named for everyone's favorite pilot, lives up to his name. He is 2.5 years old and is always on the move. He is shaping up to be the Kobe Bryant of his generation and loves watching Toy Story on repeat.
Although, he hasn't quite figured out how cool is Auntie Em and Uncle Fin are yet they are hoping that this special job at their wedding might just to the trick!
Maverick is excited to wear is first suit in November and because he will be 3.5 years old by that time, he promises that he can be trusted to walk down the aisle with the wedding rings.
Easton Prest is Auntie Em's oldest nephew at 3.5 years old and son of Chad & Amy (also in the bridal party). Easton comes to this wedding with some previous Ring Bearer experience and his ready to perfect this skill. He will be available for hire as a professional Ring Bearer after Nov. 2020 for all of you that are interested.
When Easton is not carrying around expensive jewelry, you can find him playing with monster trucks & tractors, reciting every type of shark species, and climbing up the walls like Spiderman.
Fun Fact: Easton & Emily have the same initials (at least for now), "EMP". When the time comes, Auntie Em will be happy to pass on her "EMPrestWithMe" moniker to her sweet nephew.
Cassidy Prest is the youngest of our helpers at only 1 year old! Even though she is just learning how to walk, she as promised her Auntie Em that she will be ready to walk/run/skip down the aisle by Nov. 2020.
Cassidy always has a case of the giggles especially with Auntie Em's dog, Pax! She is so excited to make her debut as a Flower Girl in a few months!
