Abi and Tom Pandolfo

Abi Pandofo, 29, attended University of Missouri, earning a bachelor of journalism with an emphasis in strategic communications through the Missouri School of Journalism. After graduating, she dove into public relations and is currently a senior PR strategist for a local agency.

Tom Pandolfo, 29, also attended University of Missouri, earning a bachelor of science in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. He works in insurance as a commercial management liability underwriter.

“It was the last semester of my senior year in college. Soaking up every last moment, my friends and I headed to our favorite bar,” Abi recalls. “While everyone went to the bar to grab another drink, I stayed back at the table, and noticed a guy sitting at the table trying to get a buffalo sauce stain out of his white Ralph Lauren polo. I knew I had to give him some trouble. I walked over to jokingly let him know how ridiculous he looked and how the stain wasn’t going to come out. He informed me that his friend was a biochemist and that he said lime would work. I slid into the booth next to him and we talked for hours. As the bar closed, Tom offered to walk me home; we were surprised to realize we lived in the same apartment complex, three floors separating us. After graduation, we went in different directions but committed to making a long-distance relationship work.”

Tom took his time and planned his proposal out perfectly. “He even had me thinking it was my idea!” Abi smiles. “I received an Instagram message one morning from local photographer Jillian Bode, who asked if Tom and I were available over the weekend; she wanted to check out a new location. Unbeknownst to me, he had reached out to her to scheme this entire plan.” Abi thought he might propose, but after taking photos in several locations, still no proposal. Her mom texted that they were grilling at her grandparents’ that evening and asked if she and Tom wanted to go. “I asked Tom; he casually replied, ‘Sure, we don’t have anything else going on.’ Just like that, all my hopes of being proposed to had faded. I was a little cranky after that but still put on a smile for the photoshoot,” Abi laughs. Finally, Tom suggested a particular place. “You would think that Tom taking an interest in the location of a photo would have been a dead giveaway but I was too annoyed to notice. As we were wrapping up Tom grabbed my hand and got down on one knee. I wish I could tell you all the sweet things he said but to be honest I completely blacked out. It was the easiest yes ever.”

The blissful couple tied the knot August 13, 2022. Bridesmaids were Sammy Rivera, Abbey Waddell, Mackenzie Ruybalid, Bailey Calloway, Katie Pandolfo, Caitlin Chen, Dani Sureck, Mika Liceaga and Hanley Pandolfo. Groomsmen were Mike Weber, Matt Landolt, Will Hormberg, Carl Pandolfo, Tyler Reeves, Nick Cowley, Bobby Lacker, Jacob Rhodes and Gavin White. Family members and long-time friends came from as far away as Miami, New York, Washington, D.C., and Denver to celebrate with Abi and Tom.

The couple honeymooned in Riviera Maya, Mexico, relaxing by the beach with a margarita in hand.

Photography
Jill Caren Photo

Bridal Gown
True Society

Bridesmaids’ Gowns
Bella Bridesmaids

Grooms Suit/Tuxedo
Men’s Wearhouse

Hair Styling
Sese Tockman

Makeup Artist
Samantha C Beauty

Venue
The Oliver Building

Florist
Solstice and Sage
Flower Company

band
KC Flo

Caterer
Garozzo’s

Cake
Billie’s Grocery

Dessert
Dolce Bakery

Jeweler
Shane Company

Videography
Ribbons and Reels