Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Stephen and I met the spring semester of 2006 at College of the Ozarks.  More specifically, we met outside the steps of Keeter Gymnasium.  That spring was my first semester at College of the Ozarks and Stephen and I had accounting together.  Throughout the rest of our college career we continued to have classes together and attended Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Our friendship bloomed throughout the years.  It was the day after Stephen’s graduation and I ran into him at the Quiktrip in Ozark.  We both knew then we didn’t want things to change.  So shortly thereafter, Stephen and I started making trips back and forth from College of the Ozarks and his hometown for visits.  It was March 2008 when we made our relationship official.

Our favorite moment on our wedding day was saying our vowels to each other.  We were ready to make a lifelong commitment to each other in front of God, our family, and friends.   It was surreal being on the church alter saying words you had only dreamt of up until that moment.  Another favorite moment was the horse and carriage surprise!  Neither one of us had any idea about it…it was awesome…I’m so thankful I have pictures of my face when I first looked out the door and saw a beautiful Clydesdale pulling a carriage!  

Stephen:  When I first saw Amanda I just kept thinking I am so blessed to be marrying the most beautiful, wonderful, woman in the world.

The best decision I made…well there were many.  First, was choosing to get married at the Hawthorne House.  The staff, coordinators, DJ, and chef where all in incredible, but the venue itself is just breathtaking!  Second, I wanted a great photographer.  It was important to me to have pictures that would tell Stephen and I’s story on our wedding day.  I haven’t seen the pictures yet, but I know they will be awesome.  I’m thankful to Mike Freeland for his hard work; he was everywhere he needed to be to get that perfect shot!  I had several people at my wedding compliment me on him.  Third was choosing Nolte’s Bridal for my bridal gown!  I want to wear it every day : ) And fourth, was picking a florist.  I couldn’t be happier with the way everything turned out!  Thanks Dana at Village Gardens!   All of these vendors made our fairytale come true!

I found my wedding dress at the second bridal shop I went to.  I probably tried on 10-15 dresses at the first store, but nothing seemed right.  My mom and I drove straight to Nolte’s and I explained what I was looking for and Ashley from Nolte’s pulled the most gorgeous dresses.  The first one I tried on is the one I bought.  It was the one that matched all my magazine cut outs…it matched the image in my mind of what I had always wanted.

I wouldn’t have changed much of anything about the wedding.  Everything truly turned out so wonderful!  I do however, wish I would have told friends or family about pictures I wanted to take...for example, certain pictures with family.  It’s a busy day and it is impossible to remember everything.  So to have a few people in charge would have helped.  

Stephen and I spent our honeymoon in Nassau, Bahamas.  We stayed at the Sandals Royal Bahamian resort.  This trip was a continuation of the perfect week and weekend.