Wedding Party
Omar Abdi
Best Man
Omar and Yaovi met freshman year of high school and quickly became friends through their passion for soccer. After playing fall soccer, Omar somehow convinced him to run track which started as a wild idea but ended up being one of the greatest decisions. They grew up playing soccer and running track all 4 years of High School before heading to college. Although they then lived 1430 miles away, they stayed good friends. Ask him about that time he ran for Somalia at the Track & Fields World in Russia!
Lauren Gallagher
Maid of Honor
Lauren and Ceara have been the best of friends since they were 2 years old! Growing up, Lauren lived one house down from Ceara and there was rarely a day they weren't together. From ballet class to high school dances, college visits, and studying abroad they did just about everything together. As an honorary sister and forever member of the Tavares family, we couldn't imagine this day without her by our side. Ask Lauren about the time she got proposed to in Rome!
Ahmed Ali
Groomsman
Ahmed and Yaovi also met in High School! They met freshman year, played soccer and ran track together. Although they separated ways in college with Ahmed going to Providence and Yaovi to Holy Cross, their friendship grew stronger once they both moved back to Boston. They spend most of their time hanging out with close friends and enjoying life. Ask Ahmed about his trip to Tanzania!
Erica Tavares
Bridesmaid
Erica is Ceara's oldest sister and currently lives in San Francisco. Growing up with a 5-year age gap was fun, especially for Erica who had her own personal servant at her beck and call. But seriously, Ceara emulated everything Erica did and was always happy to follow in her footsteps. Today, the age gap feels nonexistent and Ceara feels so grateful to have a built-in best friend for life. Ask Erica about her love of running and the Impalas!
Henry Amoah
Groomsman
Yaovi and Henry met at Holy Cross! Over the years, they have gotten to know each other a lot better and have shared many amazing memories together. They are not called "World Travelers" for nothing! Henry & Yaovi and their partners traveled around France last May and look forward to more world travels in the future! Ask Henry to show you some of his art!
Adria Tavares
Bridesmaid
Adria is the middle sister of the family and growing up she was Ceara's playmate and partner in crime. Always willing to be silly and goofy with Ceara during dance rehearsals, long car rides, and everything in between. Adria has always been a role model and has exceeded expectations in all that she does. Ceara couldn't be happier to have her as a sister and friend. Ask Adria which aisle any item is at Market Basket, she'll know the answer!
Anthony Almanzar
Groomsman
Yaovi And Anthony met their freshman year of college and have been great friends since. From Holy Cross to San Francisco, from DC to Punta Cana they have shared great memories. Ask Anthony about his necklace from freshman year of college!
Marlene Jondoh
Bridesmaid
Marlene is Yaovi's youngest sister and wise beyond her years! She offered such a warm welcome to Ceara into her family and is always willing to translate for Ceara at family gatherings (very much appreciated). Marlene is an amazing cook, a wonderful host, and possibly the craftiest person Ceara has ever met! Ask Marlene about her puppy, Ollie!
Dave Brown
Groomsman
Yaovi and Dave met through Omar! Dave ran track at Umass Lowell and they met while Yaovi visited Omar Senior Year. After college they both lived in Boston and became great friends. Over the years, they have created lifelong memories celebrating many Boxing Days at Phoenix Landing, and even traveling together in Nice, France. Ask Dave what his go-to Mcdonald's order is!
Hannah Fayne
Bridesmaid
Hannah and Ceara met in college while working at their beloved summer job, Oyster Harbors Club (sarcasm intended). They were also roommates in Brighton together for 3 years. Between long hours at the club, nights out at the Fox Hole, and surviving the pandemic attached at the hip, their friendship became pretty solid. Hannah and Ceara still work together at a local brewery, and they still get yelled at for yapping too much. Ask Hannah about her experience diving with sharks!
Ryad Bencheikh
Groomsman
Yaovi and Ryad met in high school through track and became close friends through their love of soccer and their rivalry, as Yaovi supports Barcelona FC and Ryad supports Real Madrid. Drinks on me if you can convince Ryad to be a Barcelona fan!
Rachel Amoah
Bridesmaid
Ceara and Rachel first became friends through Yaovi and Henry (see left side) but quickly realized they didn't need to have the boys there to hang out. They bonded over their love of dogs and the beach and will never say no to an espresso martini (even when they probably should). They've taken trips together to the Cape, Newport, and even France! Rachel and Ceara have also been known to play hooky and go to the beach, which they both agree is an important quality in a friend. Ask Rachel about the time she and Ceara stole a purse in France!
Amanda Zinck
Bridesmaid
Amanda and Ceara were roommates in college (Go Wildcats!) and have been best friends ever since. They survived many late nights in the library, closet-sized rooms, and maybe a party here and there. Junior year their room was so small they could reach out and hold hands from their beds. They've created lifelong memories together from UNH to Hawaii; Ceara is forever grateful UNH brought Amanda into her life! Ask Amanda about her trip to Thailand!
Colleen Lyons
Bridesmaid
Colleen and Ceara became friends freshman year in high school, earth science class. Although college took them states away from each other, they always remained close. Colleen was even nice enough to host Ceara at her apartment in Dorchester nearly every weekend during the summer of 2017 when she was living in Manchester, NH and was miserable. From Mary Lou's dates to Margarita dates, Colleen has been a constant in Ceara's life. Ask Colleen to recite the opening line from The Holiday (it's her favorite movie)!
Rachael Araujo
Bridesmaid
Rachael and Ceara were random roommates freshman year at UNH and little did they know that they would hit the roommate jackpot and continue living together all 4 years! Their friendship grew post-college, making memories together at concerts, trips to the Cape, nights out in Boston, and of course, Rachmas! UNH was onto something when they paired them up in 2012, and Ceara is so happy they did! Ask Rachael about her love of cooking and her favorite dish to make!
Mara Carton
Bridesmaid
Mara and Ceara *technically* met around age 3 in dance class but wouldn't reconnect until high school when they rekindled their friendship. Mara is that friend who can get along with anyone and carry on conversation with complete strangers. From jazz class to the Embargo dance floor and everything in between, Mara is a friend you're always happy to have around. Ask Mara about her interview for her first job out of college, it's a hilarious story!
Nurta Ibrahim
Officiant
Nurta has been Team Yaovi + Ceara from Day 1! She welcomed Ceara into the family with open arms and has been a close friend since then. She is someone you can always count on to be there for you but also someone you can count on to be the life of the party. Nurta can strike up a conversation with anyone and become their new best friend within minutes. When Ceara and Yaovi began to think about who to ask to officiate their wedding, the decision was very easy. It had to be Nurta and no one else! Ask Nurta about her favorite reality TV show!