Wedding Ceremony

Turner Hall

Wedding Reception

Cocktail Hour

Dinner

Party Time!

To give our happy couple and all guests the opportunity to celebrate without having to worry about little eyes and ears, we politely request all children depart from the reception at 8:00 PM.

Our Wedding

So a Girl Walks Into a Bar...

Our love story may not be everyone's idea of a fairy tale, but for us... we were both swept off our feet. It was a night like any other for Blake and his friends, until a girl walked into Top Shooters that he hadn't seen before. I was taking a break from packing for a trip, and decided to meet up with an old friend. Little did I know, that old friend of mine was a new friend of Blake's. I wasn't at the bar long before I heard some guys cheering on their buddy to go talk to some girl. In no time flat, Blake was introducing himself to me. I was speechless. Luckily, Blake was talking enough for the both of us. After telling me all about this derby car he was helping build he invited me to hang out with him and his friends for the night. After a night of drinks and fun, Blake was sad to hear that I would be going out of town for a couple weeks. We exchanged numbers and he made sure to call me at least once a day everyday I was gone. We talked about family, friends, our goals, our heartbreaks, and everything in between. By the end of my trip we were eager to see each other again. To my surprise, Blake made sure he could see me as soon as he could. Seriously. He was waiting for me in my driveway when I got home from the airport!You could say we have been inseparable since day one.

From early on in our relationship, we went to many different weddings. We would always talk about the things we liked and disliked at each one. This opened the talk about marriage up pretty early. We both agreed that we wanted a relationship that had the end goal of marriage and a happy family.

I for one have never been one to do things in the traditional order. Within our first year together we were expecting our newest little wedding date!

The birth of our beautiful daughter Gwendolyn strengthened our love tremendously, if that was even possible!

If seeing Blake being such a wonderful dad wasn't good enough, he also became an incredible father figure to my two boys. Our family felt complete.

Blake started to feel like something was missing. So, September 19th, 2020, he took me back to where it all began... Top Shooters. He surprised me with all our friends, and got down on his knee and asked me to marry him!!!

Now, you are all caught up! We are now beyond excited to be planning our big day! We cannot wait to spend it with all of our favorite people. Join us, April 23rd, 2022 as we display our love in the grandest way possible!

Our Love Story

In ColumbiaStay in one of 77 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.With a stay at Hampton Inn St. Louis - Columbia in Columbia, you'll be within a 15-minute drive of River City Casino and Sylvan Springs County Park.  This hotel is 13.3 mi (21.4 km) from Grants Farm and 15.8 mi (25.4 km) from Tower Grove Park.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.  Sylvan Springs County Park - 12.1 km / 7.5 mi  Missouri Civil War Museum - 13.1 km / 8.1 mi  Triple Lakes Golf Course - 14.7 km / 9.2 mi  Jefferson Barracks Historic Park - 14.8 km / 9.2 mi  Eckert’s Millstadt Farm - 16.6 km / 10.3 mi  Annbriar Golf Course - 16.8 km / 10.4 mi  River City Casino - 17.8 km / 11 mi  Barnes Jewish South Campus - 18 km / 11.2 mi  Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum - 18.2 km / 11.3 mi  Mercy Hospital South - 18.5 km / 11.5 mi  GCS Ballpark - 18.5 km / 11.5 mi  Kindred Hospital St. Louis South - 18.8 km / 11.7 mi  St Anthony's - 18.9 km / 11.7 mi  Sister Marie Charles Park - 19.8 km / 12.3 mi  River des Peres Greenway Trailhead - 20 km / 12.4 mi  The nearest airports are:Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL) - 45.6 km / 28.4 mi St. Louis, MO (SUS-Spirit of St. Louis) - 53.3 km / 33.1 mi The preferred airport for Hampton Inn St. Louis - Columbia is Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL). Don't miss out on recreational opportunities including a spa tub and a 24-hour fitness center.Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Columbia? This hotel has facilities measuring 414 square feet (37 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM.

Hampton Inn St. Louis - Columbia

In WaterlooMake yourself at home in one of the 45 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. 40-inch LCD televisions with satellite programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and hair dryers. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards, and housekeeping is provided daily.With a stay at Super 8 by Wyndham Waterloo in Waterloo, you'll be 18.1 mi (29.1 km) from River City Casino and 19 mi (30.5 km) from Grants Farm.  This motel is 21.1 mi (34 km) from Busch Stadium and 21.4 mi (34.4 km) from Dome at America’s Center.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.  Missouri Civil War Museum - 23.8 km / 14.8 mi  Eckert’s Millstadt Farm - 24.4 km / 15.1 mi  River City Casino - 29.1 km / 18.1 mi  Grants Farm - 30.5 km / 19 mi  Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site - 31.4 km / 19.5 mi  Gateway Arch National Park - 31.9 km / 19.8 mi  Willmore Park - 32.2 km / 20 mi  Old Courthouse - 33.5 km / 20.8 mi  Suson Park - 33.5 km / 20.8 mi  Kiener Plaza - 33.7 km / 21 mi  Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - 33.9 km / 21.1 mi  Busch Stadium - 34 km / 21.1 mi  Casino Queen - 34.1 km / 21.2 mi  World Aquarium - 34.2 km / 21.3 mi  Laclede's Landing - 34.2 km / 21.3 mi  The preferred airport for Super 8 by Wyndham Waterloo is Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL) - 56.3 km / 35 mi Enjoy the recreation opportunities such as a fitness center or make use of other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access.Featured amenities include a business center, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle for a surcharge, and free self parking is available onsite.A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily from 6 AM to 10 AM.

Super 8 by Wyndham Waterloo

Aviator Hotel and Suites, BW Signature Collection

Travel

Things to Do

Nicole quickly became one of Amanda's best friends after meeting Blake. She has played a very active role throughout our relationship.

Nicole Newman

Mallory has been a best friend since middle school! She is now a mother of 4 and is happily married to our groomsman Corey.

Mallory Embrich

Sam is one of the many friends made during our relationship. She is a mother to a sweet little boy and is currently engaged to our best man, Zach!

Sam Tayon

Sabrina and Amanda met through Nicole and became fast friends. She is currently expecting her first child!

Sabrina Carroll

Natasha and Amanda are two peas in a pod. Despite their very hectic schedules, they have remained close friends for almost 8 years! 

Natasha House

Zach and Blake have been friends for 13 years! Through good times and bad Zach has always been there. He is now a father to a little boy and engaged to our bridesmaid Sam!

Zach Walsh

Kyle is an incredible friend to both the bride and the groom. He has become a brother by choice and is considered part of the family for life.

Kyle Timpe

Anthony and Blake have been friends since they met on the soccer field as kids. He is now a father to our handsome ring bearer, Brady!

Anthony Polka

Corey and Blake became friends quickly thanks to Mallory and Amanda, bonding over being dads and their love of grilling. He and Mallory have been married for almost 7 years now!

Corey Embrich

Jake, otherwise known as Taco, has been friends with Blake since high school. We couldn't imagine our day without his fun, and unforgettable personality.

Jake McGowan

Gwendolyn, or Gwennie as we like to call her, is our beautiful little girl! She is a spitting image of her Daddy but is her Mommy on the inside! 

Gwendolyn Patrick-Byrd

Brady was our no hesitation pick for ring bearer since he and Gwennie have been friends since birth. His dad is our groomsman Anthony.

Brady Polka

Lincoln is Amanda's youngest son. His bright smile will be a great part of our big day!

Lincoln Blevins

Logan is Amanda's oldest son. The day wouldn't be complete without her first love.

Amanda & Blake

Amanda & Blake

A&B

Wedding Reception

4:00 PM–5:00 PM

Cocktail Hour

5:30 PM–6:30 PM

Dinner

6:30 PM–10:00 PM

Party Time!