Veridian Events Center

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Spring

If you are unable to attend in person, we do invite anyone to attend via livestream by going to the "Livestream" tab. The "Registry" tab includes items for our honeymoon fund. Thank you so much for your support!

Add this hashtag to all of your pictures: #mydefender2022

Our Wedding

Nathan and I met at Ouachita Hills College. Our first conversation was at Camp Yorktown Bay. I was so homesick and I told him my family was going to a violin concert that night in Boulder. We talked briefly and I knew he would be a good friend. That February and April, we were both part of a small group who stayed on campus during the canvassing breaks. We became good friends and continued to be throughout college.&nbsp; I’m not exactly sure how our friendship turned into a relationship. We were definitely in denial, since we weren’t allowed to be in an actual relationship, per school rules. A dating relationship consists of several components, one of which being, you know, dates. So, that relationship officially started in May of 2017. We had been best friends for so long, it was nice to finally be able to date and get to know each other on a deeper level.

Best Friends

In July of that year, I moved to Springfield, MO to teach Kindergarten through second grade at Springfield SDA Junior Academy, while Nathan was in the Nashville, TN area doing Bible work and pastoring. We dated long distance for a year. It was hard, but it did allow us to learn many of those valuable lessons you can only learn while being on your own in a place with no previous connections.&nbsp; In August of 2018, Nathan moved to Springfield to attend Missouri State University. He is currently in his last year studying instrumental music education. He teaches band at my school and has lots of private lessons. He is praying he will get a position in Springfield teaching high school orchestra. He is so happy teaching and playing music. I am still teaching, I now have Kindergarten through third grade. It keeps me very busy, but the kids are great. It has been a blessing experiencing life with each other and growing in so many ways. We have really seen how God’s timing is always best.

Dating

On August 7, 2021, Nathan and I went to Bolivar, MO for church. I had the children’s story and Nathan and our friend Neil played all the music. After lunch we left for home, and I called my family to say "Hi." All of a sudden, Nathan pulled onto a side road. He said he wanted to stop to see the Fender Chapel. I didn’t think it was weird since we always point it out when we pass. When we got there I didn’t want to get out since I was on the phone and it was really hot (my mom knew what was going on, but she played it off so well). I took a picture of Nathan and turned to get back in the car, but he said he wanted to go check out a backpack he saw by a tree. I reluctantly followed far behind while telling him not to touch it. He pulled out a box from the backpack and came out from behind the tree with it and knelt down. I was shocked. Neil, who set the backpack there, had gone before us and was filming from a distance. You can’t hear us, but I’m pretty sure it was the longest proposal ever. I was pretty confused. We had waited so long, it took me a while to believe it was real. Nathan got me a hair piece for our wedding from the Ukraine, a ruby keychain from Canada, a Swarovski crystal piece, a handkerchief with our names and proposal date, matching keychains with our pictures on them, and a customized recipe box with our names on it to hold it all. It was so sweet.&nbsp;

Proposal

We are very excited to get married. We plan to stay here in Springfield for at least a few more years. God has been leading so much in our lives and in our relationship, that we know He will lead in our marriage. Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported us through our journey thus far. Love, Amanda. P.S. I asked Nathan if he wanted to add or say anything and he said he would just add more details. So, apparently you got the “short” version. ;)

           

Our Story

2020

2021

Proposal - Fender Chapel - Brighton, MO - Aug 7, 2021 

Engagement - Knecht Photography - Montgomery Bell State Park & Downtown Dickson, TN  - Sept. 26, 2021

Wedding - Knecht Photography - Springfield, MO - May 22, 2022

Photos

Wedding Party

Anna Plank

Adam Plank

Victoria (Tori) Lizzi

Neil Huffaker

Ashly Contreras-Byram

Moises (Moi) Cordova

Crystal Plank

Michael Huffaker

Aubrey Issak

Jon Remitera

Avery Lichtenwalter                                       

Asher Issak

Wedding Participants

Bill & Kelly Plank

Fred & Grace Fender

Raymond & Sarah Sue Bird

Pastor of Springfield Seventh-day Adventist Church

Abel Hagan

Former Missouri State Colleague of the Groom

Lian Ojakangas

Nathan Price

Hannah Wagenknecht

Zoe Barnes

Elise Thierbach

Esther Loya

Carlot Dorvé

Daniel Orellana

Nick & Kirsten Knecht

Michael Downs

Wedding Party & Participants

Parking Garages: (1) 302 E McDaniel St, Springfield, MO 65806 (302 E McDaniel St Garage aka Davis Parking Garage, costs $5, about 1 block from venue, about 456 ft from venue, 2 min walk to venue)<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/zVPfitCFwVBAx7Ye6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Maps Link</a> (2) 409 W College St, Springfield, MO 65806 (College Station Car Park, FREE, about 2.5 blocks from venue, 0.2 mile walk, 4 min walk to venue)<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/6F88FYM4qzHnTPLB7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Maps Link</a> Map of downtown parking: Click <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/560afdb8e4b0b5edb9ee4669/t/562e8ae1e4b0955314e87140/1445890785877/DowntownParkingMap.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a>

The airport here in town is the Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF).Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) - 2 hours away.Tulsa International Airport (TUL) - 2.5 hours away.Kansas City International Airport (MCI) - 3 hours away.St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) - 3 hours away.

Our church member friend works for Ashure Travel, so to get the best airfare rate, email <a href="mailto:fenderwedding@ashuretravel.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fenderwedding@ashuretravel.com</a> with:1.&nbsp;Full legal name and date of birth of each passenger2. Where you are traveling to and from3. Preferred date and time of arrival and departure

For out of town guests, we have reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate at the Hampton Inn Springfield South, 3232 S Glenstone Ave, Springfield, MO 65804. Click <a href=" https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=SPRSOHX&amp;groupCode=CHHFEW&amp;arrivaldate=2022-05-20&amp;departuredate=2022-05-23&amp;cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&amp;fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a> to get the cheapest rate online or ask for the Fender Wedding discount over the phone. The group code is “FEW.” The room rate is $106/night.

-Wonders of Wildlife -Branson Zipline Canopy Tours at Wolfe Creek Preserve -Creation Experience Museum -Fantastic Caverns -Dickerson Park Zoo -Getaway Golf -Discovery Center of Springfield -Relics Antique Mall -Smallin Civil War Cave -Springfield Conservation Nature Center -Tons more in Branson, MO (about 30 min away)

Q + A

Friday, May 20, 2022

7:00 pm - Vespers at Springfield SDA Church Springfield Seventh-day Adventist Church702 S Belview Ave, Springfield, MO 65802<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Springfield+Seventh-day+Adventist+Church/@37.2007285,-93.2489155,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87cf7cdac50ab3ed:0x3d63dac8fdbdd6d9!8m2!3d37.2008483!4d-93.2466668" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Maps Link</a>

Sabbath (Saturday), May 21, 2022

9:30 am - Sabbath School at Springfield SDA Church10:50 am - Church Service at Springfield SDA Church12:30 pm - Haystacks Fellowship Lunch in the school gym (across the parking lot from the church) Springfield Seventh-day Adventist Church702 S Belview Ave, Springfield, MO 65802<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Springfield+Seventh-day+Adventist+Church/@37.2007328,-93.2489155,702m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87cf7cdac50ab3ed:0x3d63dac8fdbdd6d9!8m2!3d37.2008483!4d-93.2466668" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Maps Link</a> 3:30 pm - Walk at Nathanael Greene Park Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park2400 S Scenic Ave, Springfield, MO 65807<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nathanael+Greene%2FClose+Memorial+Park/@37.1709351,-93.3294827,17.51z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87cf63f985f69657:0x3f0c07ec3c22f092!8m2!3d37.1710283!4d-93.3286231" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Maps Link</a>

Sunday, May 22, 2022

If you are unable to attend in person, we do invite anyone to attend via livestream by going to the "Livestream" tab. The "Registry" tab includes items for our honeymoon fund. Thank you so much for your support! 3:00 pm - Wedding &amp; Reception to follow at Veridian Events (Music Prelude starts at 2:45 pm) Parking Garages:(1) 302 E McDaniel St, Springfield, MO 65806 (302 E McDaniel St Garage aka Davis Parking Garage, costs $5, about 1 block from venue, about 456 ft from venue, 2 min walk to venue) <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/302+E+McDaniel+St+Garage/@37.208102,-93.2932964,702m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87cf6302898070a3:0x8f34fd399cb30b1e!8m2!3d37.2081002!4d-93.2911076?shorturl=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Maps Link</a>(2) 409 W College St, Springfield, MO 65806 (College Station Car Park, FREE, about 2.5 blocks from venue, 0.2 mile walk, 4 min walk to venue) <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/College+Station+Car+Park/@37.2080371,-93.2947816,91m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x87cf6301dd9e2675:0xd35a8a90f9a4d2a9!8m2!3d37.2083353!4d-93.2947807?shorturl=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Maps Link</a> Map of downtown parking: Click <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/560afdb8e4b0b5edb9ee4669/t/562e8ae1e4b0955314e87140/1445890785877/DowntownParkingMap.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a> Wedding/Reception Location:Veridian Events Center309 South Ave, Springfield, MO, 65806<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Veridian+Events/@37.2074337,-93.293572,16.56z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87cf630210dc2e63:0x2adc251b21fbf15!8m2!3d37.207871!4d-93.2924386" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Maps Link</a>

Weekend Schedule

Please join us on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 2:45 PM CDT to witness the marriage ceremony of Nathan & Amanda!

Nathan & Amanda's Wedding

You can also watch on Facebook Live!Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/musicalfender" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a>