Jess Tsuei
The Bride
Jess was born in San Jose, CA to Sheuan-Neng (“Sean”) Tsuei and Yawen (“Zoe”) Cheng. She was raised by her dad for the first 10 years of her life, after which, she moved in with her mom and sister. Growing up, her favorite activities were singing and acting — her dream was to be an Oscar-winning actress. She spent her middle and high school years in Saratoga, CA, where she joined the high school wrestling team to prove that she could do anything.
Jess made the move to Los Angeles in 2002 when she attended UCLA. There, she had the time of her life getting involved with Dance Marathon (a yearlong organization that supports philanthropies combating HIV/AIDS), rocking it as a campus tour guide, and working for the Bruin orientation program.
After graduating with a B.A. in Economics, Jess committed full-time to the university that she loves so much — she spent five years working for UCLA External Affairs. In 2011, she took a break from the job and purchased her first condo in Culver City (thanks, mom and dad!). Following that milestone event, she bartended in Santa Monica for a while and took ninja-training classes for fun, and now currently manages the Alumni Relations program at the American Film Institute.
Jess’s hobbies include EATING, cooking, traveling, anything Harry Potter related, and learning new things. She takes pride in being a little weird. Who likes normal, anyway?!
Jess made the move to Los Angeles in 2002 when she attended UCLA. There, she had the time of her life getting involved with Dance Marathon (a yearlong organization that supports philanthropies combating HIV/AIDS), rocking it as a campus tour guide, and working for the Bruin orientation program.
After graduating with a B.A. in Economics, Jess committed full-time to the university that she loves so much — she spent five years working for UCLA External Affairs. In 2011, she took a break from the job and purchased her first condo in Culver City (thanks, mom and dad!). Following that milestone event, she bartended in Santa Monica for a while and took ninja-training classes for fun, and now currently manages the Alumni Relations program at the American Film Institute.
Jess’s hobbies include EATING, cooking, traveling, anything Harry Potter related, and learning new things. She takes pride in being a little weird. Who likes normal, anyway?!
Brendon Gerisch
The Groom
Brendon was born in Van Nuys, CA to Linda Alexander Gerisch and Alfred (“Al”) W. Gerisch, Jr. Raised in various parts of the San Fernando Valley, Brendon was an active kid from the start. Known to be a “biter” as a young boy, he eventually funneled that energy into sports and artistic passions. He started skiing at the age of three and soon thereafter picked up tennis, both activities he still enjoys today. He learned to play piano and sing — both singing and acting would become lifelong passions, and at one point, part of a professional career of modeling.
While not always the best student though grade school, Brendon applied himself and became involved in sports and music/theater. In high school, he joined the varsity tennis team and played throughout his four years, in addition to cross-country running. Post high school graduation, Brendon moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona where he would stay for only one year in favor of transferring to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he graduated in 2001 with a B.A. in Sociology.
Brendon then moved back to Los Angeles to begin a career in retail management with J. Crew, where he grew his skills and eventually left in 2005 to join James Perse. The years following were a big part of Brendon’s personal and professional growth, and he moved all around SoCal (San Diego, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica). In 2009, he moved into the corporate office environment and transitioned his career from the retail side to the wholesale side, working with the best retailers in the world as his customers.
Moving to Santa Monica in 2009 and adopting his dog Bondi were big changes in his life, kicking off the next seven years. In 2014, he met Jess and in 2016, they moved in together. 2016 was also a momentous year in that Brendon made the leap of faith to pursue the next step in his career and joined Australian Fashion Labels (AFL), where he currently holds the role of Vice President of Sales, Americas.
While not always the best student though grade school, Brendon applied himself and became involved in sports and music/theater. In high school, he joined the varsity tennis team and played throughout his four years, in addition to cross-country running. Post high school graduation, Brendon moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona where he would stay for only one year in favor of transferring to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he graduated in 2001 with a B.A. in Sociology.
Brendon then moved back to Los Angeles to begin a career in retail management with J. Crew, where he grew his skills and eventually left in 2005 to join James Perse. The years following were a big part of Brendon’s personal and professional growth, and he moved all around SoCal (San Diego, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica). In 2009, he moved into the corporate office environment and transitioned his career from the retail side to the wholesale side, working with the best retailers in the world as his customers.
Moving to Santa Monica in 2009 and adopting his dog Bondi were big changes in his life, kicking off the next seven years. In 2014, he met Jess and in 2016, they moved in together. 2016 was also a momentous year in that Brendon made the leap of faith to pursue the next step in his career and joined Australian Fashion Labels (AFL), where he currently holds the role of Vice President of Sales, Americas.
Eugenia Tsuei
Sister/Maid of Honor
Only 14 months apart in age, the bride (“Butthead”) and her older sister (“Poobrain” a.k.a. “Gina”) often act like twins — people tend to get annoyed when hanging out with them because they play off of each other in their own little world. When they were younger, they bonded over Sailor Moon, Nickelodeon shows and creating their own pretend “beauty/potion” line, Leorpa (a play off of “Leo” and “Scorpio”). While they bickered often as teens, they put aside their differences when Gina moved to SoCal to attend UC Riverside in 2001, and they subsequently grew extremely close in their adult years. Jess and Gina share a love for sourdough bread, cheese and fatty cuts of meat… and SHOPPING, of course. What they don’t have in common? Gina doesn't particularly care for singing, dancing and Disneyland. But this nonprofit healthcare policy analyst has her joyful quirks: comic books, dinosaurs, unicorns, mermaids and gnomes.
Karen Glavies
Bridesmaid
Karen has been the bride’s best friend since they met as roommates at UCLA in 2002. She let the bride take the bottom bunk then (just one example of how considerate she is), and they remained roommates for the better part of 10 years, including the time they lived together in the Netherlands for three months when Karen was working on her master’s degree. Karen is an educational specialist (with a focus on students with mild to moderate disabilities) who loves baseball, traveling and above all, beer. She has tried 3,200 distinct beers and counting.
Michelle Hugard
Bridesmaid
Michelle and the bride met at UCLA, where they lived on the same floor in De Neve’s Birch building. They’ve shared many unique experiences together, including being featured as extras in a music video and selling books door to door on the east coast. Stylish, sharp and an amazing party hostess, Michelle is a bad-ass lawyer in Santa Monica. But while you don’t want to end up in her courtroom, she's a great partner in crime at the farmers' market.
Elisabeth Kealy
Bridesmaid
Elisabeth (“Lis”) met Karen, the bride’s best friend, when they studied abroad in Sweden during college. At first only a friend by association, Lis became the bride’s roommate and one of her closest friends when they moved to Culver City. Possibly the sweetest person in the world with a heart of gold, this UC Santa Barbara grad is adventurous, creative and volunteers for everything (part of what is known among friends as "Lis-ing"). Her favorite day of the week is Tuesday, and she REALLY likes monkeys.
Holly Kirth
Bridesmaid
Holly was the bride’s first Asian friend at UCLA — thank goodness Holly can order all of the bride's favorite dishes for her at Taiwanese restaurants! Holly's hobbies include cooking (her Instagram seriously makes everyone drool), baking, binge-watching TV shows, anything Jane Austen related, traveling, dreaming about traveling, and taking long walks with her dogs, Satuski and Ares. Holly works as a psychotherapist... which means she may or may not be a bit crazy herself ;).
Ratika Sadana
Bridesmaid
A world traveler, Ratika has an M.B.A. and works in international affairs. As cultured and fashionable as she is, she’s also incredibly honest and humble. Ratika can always be counted on to try new cocktails and restaurants, and to watch horror movies with the bride in a living room campout. Fun fact: Ratika has a strange dislike for words beginning with the letter “P.”
Lisa Ton
Bridesmaid
The bride met Lisa via Craigslist when Lisa was looking for an apartment and roommate when she moved to West LA in 2007, and Lisa has been a fiercely loyal friend ever since. In the three years they lived together, before Lisa went to UC Irvine for her M.B.A., they enjoyed many nights of drinking wine, eating salami and cheese, and watching “Law and Order: SVU.”
Ryan Gerisch
Brother/Best Man
Ryan (a.k.a. Ryry, Rhino, Magoo, Goop, Rytron) was a small pain in the ass as a younger brother. Three and a half years apart in age, the two had a lot in common, but Ryan was commonly more athletic, competitive and “passionate.” They didn’t always get along and could often be found roughhousing or having heated battles of tetherball and basketball. However, in the midst of their parents’ split, they were there for one another, looking for guidance, while at the same time, giving it. They worked together at Camp Sharwood, an experience that increased their bond as they grew into adults. Like Brendon, Ryan also attended UCSB. In 2009, they moved into an apartment together in Santa Monica and adopted Bondi, something Brendon believes cemented their brotherhood into what it is today. Ryan is a successful advertising executive and venerable mover-shaker, and always makes time for his loved ones. Coincidentally, Ryan followed his brother’s lead again in 2014 when he, too, met the love of his life Amanda while swiping right just a few weeks after Brendon — the Tinder love bug had struck again! Ryan and Amanda plan to be married later in 2017.
Jacopo Carminati
Groomsman
It all started when this guy came over from Italy in 1992 speaking two words of English and the rest is history. As a foreign exchange student who at the time was only three years older than Brendon, Jacopo quickly became a close member of the family and a second brother to the groom as he traveled to the states yearly. With shared passions for fashion and food, the groom and Jacopo have a lot in common, but Jacopo definitely wins with the loudest laugh. Jacopo is well known for being one of the most caring and compassionate people and will always step up to lend a hand. He looks forward to moving to the United States and transitioning his career here while spending more time with his second family.
Joshua McCrow
Groomsman
The groom met Josh "Fruity Pants" McCrow through what some would say is a very seedy website, Craigslist. While Josh was trolling for a hook-up (er, roommate), he came across Brendon’s ad to share an apartment in Santa Monica. When Brendon met Josh, he was skeptical — not sure what to make of the supposed Englishman who had a far better tan than him. They hit it off though and decided it was an ideal fit; Josh quickly became the groom's BFAM (Brother From Another Mother), and while living together over the next two years, they both also found love — Josh met his wife Gaynor while flying back to LA from London after a winter holiday, and Brendon swiped right to meet Jess the very next summer. Despite having separate pads now, Josh is one of Brendon’s best mates and cannot be trusted near any sort of booze or burgers.
Dan Piumpunyalerd
Groomsman
As the groom's older cousin, this guy was always showing Brendon the ropes. From learning how to play poker and blackjack, staying up late to watch scary movies, learning about “girls” and 21st birthdays, Danny was there to lead the way. Though it didn’t come without some tough love — pink bellies were his specialty, and he always challenged his younger cousins to be fun, cool guys. Danny and Brendon share a love for the finer things in life, from the best new cars on the market to the best new electronics and clothing. A young and wild guy in his 20’s and early 30’s, he found his way when he met Brenda, his better half, and is a proud husband and excellent father to his son Tyler.
Zoe Cheng
Mother of the Bride
Zoe is quite possibly the cutest mom in the world. Bubbly in nature, she is thoughtful and always generous. A single parent during the bride and her sister’s teen years, she devoted as much time and resources as she possibly could to ensure they would feel supported and empowered to lead happy and successful lives. Violin and trumpet lessons (and piano, flute and French horn lessons for Gina), singing lessons, dancing lessons, horseback riding lessons, tennis lessons, art lessons, Chinese school, tutoring... no activity was spared to educate her daughters and expose them to the arts, culture and the world. After working in the Silicon Valley for many years, Zoe moved to Taiwan to work in fashion distribution when Jess moved away for college. Zoe currently enjoys retirement life and travels — something she absolutely loves to do — as often as she can. A kind spirit and young at heart, she is adored by everyone she meets, and is known by the bride’s friends as “Moomoo” and “Mama Zoe.” She loves classical music, Disney and animated movies, bunnies, flowers and the color yellow. And she thinks Mark Harmon (NCIS) is pretty dreamy.
Sean Tsuei
Father of the Bride
A former martial arts and wrestling champion and an avid collector of unique items (e.g. crystals, statues, antiques), life is never boring with Sean. Growing up under his roof through grade school, Jess got to also live with 14 cats, rabbits, hamsters, snakes, parrots and iguanas… and of course, the hundreds of giant koi fish in the backyard “pond” (it’s more like a large, deep pool). In those years, Sean took on a more "hands off" approach to parenting, giving Jess an early sense of independence and the freedom to be creative. A Silicon Valley computer engineer for many years, he eventually changed career paths and currently works in real estate appraisals. Practical as he is ambitious, simple as he is eccentric, Sean is an unforgettable character. He lives in San Jose with his wife, Bihong, and their two kids, Jack and Jimmy.
Linda Alexander Gerisch
Mother of the Groom
Linda is best known to most as someone who loves her children unconditionally and always strives to put family first. She spent many years working in banking and later in law as a paralegal, and then willingly chose to be a stay-at-home mother to raise her two children, which to her was the most important job of all. She supported Brendon’s love of the arts and sports and often drove him to auditions and acting and modeling jobs throughout childhood. She, too, shared the love of the arts, and throughout the years has successfully launched a variety of small businesses creating custom goods for resale such as baby products, beauty and jewelry. She also shared and cultivated the love of travel and exploring new places with her children — early family vacations included trips to Hawaii, San Diego and Carmel. In 1992, Linda took her sons to France and Switzerland for the summer, setting the tone for a travel-filled future for Brendon that opened his eyes to the big world. As the family grew older, they traveled to the Bahamas, Mexico and Italy. Brendon will always thank her for this gift, as he has continued this passion for travel into his adult life and hopes to one day instill this upon a family of his own.
Al Gerisch
Father of the Groom
This guy is as solid as they come as fathers go, always supportive, always showing up, and never compromising when it comes to his kids. The groom could always count on Al to drive him to distant tennis tournaments (even though Brendon would mostly lose) and credits his dad for teaching him the game of tennis. He instilled the love of collegiate sports and camaraderie as he shared his alma mater USC with his boys — there was no 'SC football game to be missed. In the spirit of a true father, Al could be often found teaching Brendon how to maintain a proper workbench, change a sprinkler head, measure pool chemicals, and many other essential “man” skills during his childhood. Following in his father’s footsteps, Brendon has taken a page out of his father’s book on passion for his profession. Where Al managed to start and finish a career in law at the same firm, Brendon, too, has found that sense of loyalty with his career and employers. Brendon also is said to possess many of the same mannerisms and past looks as his dad, something that does not go unnoticed by most who know the two well. Check the photo albums — it's a bit crazy and quite amusing to most.
Evanne Levin Gerisch
Stepmother of the Groom
Evanne came into the groom’s life when she and the groom’s father met and eventually married in 2006. A constant supporter and participant in all of Brendon’s successes and challenges along the way, Evanne can be credited with being a good friend and confidant, and also a kick-ass Scorpio much like Brendon. Her passion for life and experiencing it to the fullest is shared with Brendon, and she has become an integral part of the family and partner in crime to the groom’s father as they embark on the retirement life.
Bondi
Ring Bearer
Rescued by the groom while having lunch in Malibu in 2009, Bondi is a happy, energetic Chihuahua mix that loves walks, snacks, tanning, and snuggling under blankets. He prefers people over other dogs, and he's never met a lap he didn't like. Questionable whether he likes children or not... I guess we'll find out. He did say he can’t wait to be a part of his mom and dad’s big day!
Lily
Flower Girl
The fur baby of the bride’s sister, Lily is a Cavachon who loves ice cream, crunchy vegetables and carbs. She has incredibly expressive eyes, and she is as sweet as they come; however, she is a particular woman who knows what she likes... that is to say, she's very picky. Nonetheless, she’s so excited for Auntie Jess and Uncle Brendon!