Christine and Joseph Kraemer

Christine Ginter, 28, grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri, and graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a degree in business management.

Joseph Kraemer, 28, graduated from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, with a degree in finance. Joe and Christine reside in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, with their dog, Wade.

Joe and Christine attended the same middle school in Blue Springs, Missouri, and spent time with mutual friends. While they attended different high schools, Christine and Joe went to their freshman and sophomore year homecomings together. They then graduated high school and went their separate ways. During their senior year of college, they were reunited by the death of a great friend, Jake Cavanaugh. Jake served as the honorary Best Man in their wedding.

After almost five years of dating, Joe popped the question in the company of family, which was important to the couple, on November 27, 2015. “Joe arranged for our parents to be at Brio’s on the Plaza but secluded from our view when we arrived,” shares Christine. “Our parents came early and set up a private room upstairs filled with roses and candles. When we arrived, Joe excused himself to use the restroom, giving him time to run upstairs and get on one knee. The wait staff took me up to the private room and when the door opened, Joe was on one knee. Our parents joined us shortly after for dinner and celebrating. It was a special and joyous evening!”

The blissful couple tied the knot on December 3, 2016, at Redemptorist Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri, with 450 guests as witnesses. The bridal party included nine bridesmaids, nine groomsmen, three junior bridesmaids and three junior groomsmen.

“Family is very important to us, so the ceremony involved all of our 30-plus cousins and nephews,” Christine relates. “The bride’s party and the groom’s party took photos separately, so Joe and I didn’t see each other until the doors opened at the church. The reception was at Arrowhead Stadium, which was completely transformed. Some guests described it as a scene out of a fairy tale. The stage was set, the band was in place, twinkling lights and snowflakes seemed to drift down from the ceiling, and flowers that looked like snowballs adorned tables draped with emerald green glitter tablecloths. A special treat was my family’s staple, Italian cookies baked by my aunts and friends.

“Our guests were greeted with champagne and then ushered to the photo booth with life-size cutouts of the bride and groom. The atmosphere was incredible and magical! From morning to the big event, the day was absolutely remarkable, a day that will never be forgotten and we wished could have lasted for hours longer. We wanted time to freeze just before midnight, in a magical fairytale where Cinderella got her Prince Charming!”

The bride’s family surprised the couple at a luau shower, during which the bride’s mom, Nani, Pampa and her nine siblings gave them the gift of a Hawaiian honeymoon. ■

Bridal Gown
Nolte’s Bridal

Bridesmaids’ Gowns
J Crew

Groom/Groomsmen Tuxes
Men’s Wearhouse

Hair Styling
Bella Capelli Salon and Spa

Videography
Wirken Films

Florist
The Fiddly Fig

Band
Atlantic Express

DJ
Entertainment to Go

Caterer
Levy

Cake
Sweet Bliss Cakery

Venue
Arrowhead Stadium

Wedding Coordinator
Michael Nolte