Jade is the second oldest child of the family and the one to steal Chelsey’s 5 year thunder! Jade and Chelsey were 2 and 7 years old when their parents separated and spent every other weekend visiting their dad in Toronto while living in Brampton with mom. They were inseparable until Chels started high school, when Jade and Josh moved to California to join their dad, who had been working there for 4 years at that point. Chels remembers one birthday her siblings and parents called from California to sing the complete Happy Birthday song over the phone. She cried from sadness and joy as she missed her family so much! Chelsey always saw Jade as her baby sister because they’ve always been in different schools and social circles. It wasn’t until recently, Jade moved back home from being away at University in Waterloo. They had only seen each other for holidays and birthdays. Although the age difference and living a part for most of their lives, Jade’s always been a constant support system for Chelsey. Anytime she needs anything, Jade’s there to offer advice and support. Their friendship has grown over the years now that they’re both adults. She’s the perfect MOH and Chelsey wouldn’t have it any other way.

Debbie and Chelsey first met 11 years ago when they were both young and 18 working a summer intern position at RBC. Debbie was the first person that Chelsey met as she was her trainer and later became her first work friend. One of Chelsey’s earliest memories of their first encounter was Debbie saying “mmm, it’s pretty casual here. You don’t have to wear dress clothes.” Haha. Chelsey knew immediately that this was going to be the start of a very long and beautiful friendship! Their mutual love of sushi, shopping and all things Harry Potter kept them close and little did they know it, but Debbie actually lived two blocks from Chelsey’s Mother’s place; which made sleepovers and late night coffee dates a whole lot more frequent! Debbie’s one of Chelsey’s closest confidents and she couldn’t imagine her special day without her.

Vanessa is Chelsey’s cousin and one of her best friends. Well technically, Vanessa is Chelsey’s aunt, (Vanessa’s mom and Chelsey’s grandfather are siblings. Confusing, we know). When they were just wee gals, Chelsey made Vanessa cry because she refused to call Vanessa "auntie". Vanessa has since forgiven her.  During their university years, they partied a ridiculous amount, and Chelse generously housed, fed, and nursed Vanessa back to health after parties, pub nights, and life crises. Vanessa would also  learn to endure the painful odours of Chels’ pets while they were being house trained.   

Vaness has become one of Chels’ closest confidants, one that she trusts and loves. Vaness has been there for Chels through every milestone and even the small moments; birthdays, puppy-picking, helping Chels move to 353462 different apartments, doctor appointments,  exams, make-up shopping, and diet fads. Now it’s wedding planning, and then prepping for Dev and/or Chels junior! Vaness was slated to be Chels’ Bridesmaid twenty plus years ago, and now the time has come! 

Jan and Chelsey are childhood friends from their parents friendship. They have a ton of family connections, even though they’re not blood related. Jan and Chelsey’s families have known each other from when their parents were in high school! They stopped attending family parties when they were teens and didn’t see each other again until their mid 20s when they met again at work! They’re the only two females at their office and they see each other more than they see their own families! Their friendship is stronger now than ever and Jan was there at the beginning to help Chels ‘weed out’ the early Match weirdos. Lol. She was the first to meet Devon too.

Mary Anne is also Chelsey’s “aunt” but they tell everyone they’re cousins! Like Vanessa, Mary Anne’s mom is also a sibling of Chelsey’s grandfather and are super close in age. They both attended the University of Toronto but at different times. Chelsey looked up to Mary Anne growing up. She was the cool cousin who hung out with the older cousins and Chels always wanted to be included too!  MaryAnne would even help Chels with her art homework. She got the super creative ‘asian’ genes! It got easier in their late teens. They were both old enough to start going out alone, away from family parties. They really got to know each other. She too has always been there for Chels through the tough times and the good. Dog sitting, brunches, shopping, diet fads, the parties and also helping each other “weed out” their online dates. Haha. MaryAnne was also a super important person who played a special role in Chels’s early 20s. For those who have known the bride long enough knew there was a short period of super unhealthy choices and her weight gain was getting out of control. MaryAnne is the one who pushed Chels to make healthier choices and to join the gym with her. Before they had cars, they’d trek to the other side of the city in the snow to get to a hot yoga class! She really pushed Chels to get that sweat in! If it weren’t for MaryAnne, Chels wouldn’t have strived to lead a healthier lifestyle and eventually help others too when she became a Personal Trainer. Chels has a lot to be thankful for, and she owes a lot of that to her amazing cousin. She too earned a spot on her bridal party over two decades ago!

Raychel is another one of Chelsey’s cousins, on her dad’s side (well second cousins); their grandmothers in NYC are siblings. They spent a great deal of their childhood together. They’re three years apart, and went to the same elementary and high school in Mississauga. At one point, they lived together for a short period of time in the 90s. Most of their family on their fathers’ side lives in New York, so they travel there often to visit family, shop, enjoy the endless choices of restaurants and Museums. They’re both the oldest sibling with teen parents and so it was just Raychel and Chelsey for a long time, plus our younger siblings. Chelsey remembers Raychel having the best birthday parties growing up. She’d always have a piñata, loot bags and scavenger hunt, not to mention all the best games and toys in the world! They were two peas in a pod. Their mutual love of Harry Potter fuelled their friendship in school, even until this day. Raychel is one of Chelsey’s confidants and long time friends. Chelsey is very lucky to have her in her life.  

Irene, the Jr. Bridesmaid! She’s Chelsey’s youngest sibling, a whole 16 years apart! It’s almost the same age difference between Chelsey and her mom of 17 years. Irene’s father is Chelsey’s wonderful stepfather Tom, who came into Chesey’s life at just 10 years old! Everyone calls Irene, Chelsey’s mini-me. They look a lot alike and have the same exact stubborn attitude. Haha. They also share a mutual love for animals. <3 Albeit Chelsey acts a bit more like Irene’s parent than her sister, she couldn’t imagine her special day without Irene by her side. Chelsey loves watching Irene grow into a smart, beautiful and talented little lady. At 13 years old, she’ll make the perfect Jr. Bridesmaid!

Kevin first met Devon at Rouge Valley Centenary hospital in Scarborough in 1983. Immediately, they both knew what was in store for each of them. The world could not contain them both. There could only be one. This, was Highlander...

But seriously, Kevin is Dev’s older brother, best man and best friend. They’re two years apart, almost to the day. It was only the two of them growing up, and Devon always looked up to his big brother. When they were just tikes, their dad wanted to put them into ice hockey. Kevin signed up as a goalie, and Dev insisted he didn’t want to play. It wasn’t until Dev saw Kevin play on the ice for his first game that he told their dad he wanted to play hockey too. It was Kevin who inspired Dev to play and learn his love for the sport too. Kevin taught Dev how to drive when he got his G1 permit, helped him study for tests and get into college. They’ve always had a rivalry between Superman vs. Batman and the New England Patriots vs. The Green Bay Packers. Kevin loves Devon so much that he put on head-to-toe Pats gear to wear to Dev’s first Pats game in Boston to show support; but if roles were reversed Dev wouldn’t cheat on Tom Brady for Kevin. Haha. Anything Dev needed help for he could always lean on his big brother, even to this day. It was a no-brainer when it came time to pick his best man. There’s no one else in this world Dev would want standing next to him the most important day of his life.

Carlos and Devon have been friends since 1994; it was a simple time back then before the smart phone evolution and kids used to go outside to play floor hockey, tag, handball and manhunt. Great times where 90's music spoke actual words that you could understand. Haha. They met in Grade 5 music class where Devon taught Carlos how to blow into the clarinet piece once and all Devon said after that was "that's it, I can't teach you anything else." Haha. It was a 5 minute lesson that turned into a lifelong friendship where they shared memories going through high-school and life together and becoming brothers (separated by the universe). Friends like Carlos are rare; he’s there for Devon through tough and good times. He couldn’t picture his special day without his best friend.

Josh is the baby of the family, before Irene came along and the only boy. Josh and Devon are both gaining another brother in this union. Anyone who knows Josh knows he’s sweet, gentle and grounded. Even though they’re all adults, Josh will always be Chels’ bald baby brother with a head of steel. There was one incident when Josh threw a temper tantrum as a small boy and broke their mother’s car windshield with his head! You’d think he’s need medical attention but it’s the car that got the brunt of it! Chels gets pretty excited when she sees Josh as he’s only around for major holidays. At one point, they only saw each other a few times a year since Josh lives away in Ottawa for school. After his first year away at college, he came back a more confident, assertive young man. Everyone’s very proud of the person he’s become and one day (hopefully much later than now), Chels and Dev will be standing next to him at his wedding.   

Amar is one of Chels’ old friends from Shoppers World Brampton! She worked at Customer Service and he worked as the mall security intern when they were 16 years old.  She didn’t think much of his goofy jokes back then, but somehow she realized he was genuine and work friends turned into a lifelong friendship. From 6am spin classes at the YMCA, dog-sitting Koivu, pro-line lotto playing, car-shopping and helping Chels move a million times, Amar’s always been there for her. He too helped weed out her creepy online dates. They can go months without talking and pick up the phone without feeling like any time had passed at all. She couldn’t imagine Amar without her side.