Wedding Party
Let's get this party started.
Huei-Jane and Michael Lai
Bride's Parents
Angela's parents. How does one even begin introducing parents, really? They raised me. They're pretty groovy. I'm glad they decided to move us to southern California instead of some other part of the US. I wish there were more pictures of them in formal attire, perhaps...
Anne and Veli-Matti Torikka
Groom's Parents
Tommi's parents. Also hugely supportive. Also just as hard to introduce. Luckily, that will be Tommi's job.
Kari Heino
Best Man
Tommi's maternal uncle and godfather. Has always been there when he needed help... or an extra player for a quick game of soccer/football. Also, this might actually be the only picture of him in existence where he is not making a funny face. No, seriously, we had to put out a call for help to a few different people before this surfaced.
Nina Torikka
Maid of Honor
Tommi's younger sister and a greatly supportive friend. Sure, she turns just legal enough to drink this year, but she's also hugely helpful, knowledgeable of the area, and has fabulous taste. She's the younger sister I always begged my mother to have.
Keva Williams
Bridesmaid
Once upon a time in the land of Southern California, teenaged Keva and Angela met at a mutual friend's party. Somewhere amongst the snark, giggling and sparkly music videos, an instant friendship was born. Several cross-country trips, countless concerts, a handful of apartments and one turtle later, we still manage to tolerate each other. Even if there are ugly homemade orange hats involved.
Eva Kis
Bridesmaid
Even further back in time, a newly-graduated Angela met an incredibly peppy Floridian high schooler named Eva, who happened to love the same sci-fi TV series that she did. Several fandoms, cross-country treks and crazy adventures cemented the friendship. There might have also been fake IDs and roller coasters involved. I can never see a Starbucks frappuccino without thinking of this girl.
Morgan Kopaska-Merkel and Maria Wikström
Bridesmaids
They come as a set! I wouldn't have been nearly as comfortable with the move to Finland and subsequent adjustments if it wasn't for this lovely couple. I met them on my first trip out here through the introduction of a mutual friend, and they have since been wonderfully supportive and helpful in more ways than I can begin to explain. Plus, they are adorable and entertaining, all in one sparkly package!
