Cara and Joseph

Cara Nichole (Tamburello) Baeres, 25, is a graduate of Rockhurst University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in business communication and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. She is now employed with Cerner. In her spare time she enjoys DIYing and hosting gatherings for her family and friends.

Joseph Baeres, 25, is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and is also a graduate of Rockhurst University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is a commercial lender with Academy Bank. In his spare time he is a hunter, fisherman, mechanic, carpenter and anything else that gets his hands dirty. Cara and Joe live in a house divided during baseball season, due to his roots, but Cara has made him a Chiefs fan the rest of the year!

Cara and Joe met at Rockhurst University, where they began dating their freshman year. On their five-year anniversary, Joe demonstrated his romantic nature by taking Cara back to the park where they had their first date.

“He said he was in the mood to grill out at the park and let the dog run,” smiles Cara. “I should have been suspicious when he insisted on going in the cold rain in late November. It was getting dark and I was looking up at the sky when I turned around and he was down on one knee with the most beautiful custom ring he had made. It was perfect.”

The blissful couple tied the knot September 12, 2015. Lauren Wiemer served as Maid of Honor, and bridesmaids were Francesca Leber, Carol Anselmo, Antonina Anselmo, Mary Louise Balano, Maria Bruno, Julie Morrissey and Lisa Charleston. Best Man was Jon Bedenikovic, and groomsmen were Steve Reed, Dave Baeres, Jeff Charleston, Peter Tamburello, Frankie Tamburello, Jim Vavak and Jim Sacks. Serving as ushers were Anthony Mendolia Jr., Nick Caloroso, Andrew Clements and Kurt Rohan. The miniature bridal party consisted of Nicolas Danner, Maddie, Alex and Michael Charleston; Lucas, Maria, Nora and Ben Baeres; and Grant Reed.

“Since I come from a typical big Italian family and Joe has a big immediate family, our bridesmaids and groomsmen were our brothers, sisters, cousins and closest friends! All the kids are our nieces and nephews and we couldn’t imagine not having all of them in the party!

“We had great traditions with our wedding,” Cara continues. “The church we were married in is special to me because my parents, maternal grandparents and maternal great-grandparents were married there and my brothers and I were baptized there. True to Italian wedding tradition, along with our wedding cake, made by the same woman who made my parents’ cake 28 years ago, we had a cookie table! It was large enough to feed all of Italy; my mom, grandmothers, aunts, cousins and dear family friends made the cookies!”

Cara and Joe honeymooned in Cozumel, Mexico. Cara is a certified diver, and gave Joe SCUBA courses as a wedding gift. They dove every day of the trip and enjoyed every minute of it. ■

Bridal Gown:
Mia’s Bridal

Groom’s Suit/Tux:
Men’s Wearhouse

Groomsmen Suits/Tuxes:
Men’s Wearhouse

Hair Styling:
Nina Munizza

Florist:
Unique Design Florals by Gloria Marie

DJ:
Carl Guastello

Caterer:
Café Italia

Cake:
Rama Sola

Venue:
Club 1000

Jeweler:
Balano Fine Jewelry