Katelyn and Stephen

Katelyn Montisano, 26, attended the University of Nebraska, Omaha, on a softball scholarship and earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Rockhurst University. She is passionate about world missions and has been on three mission trips to Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Stephen Montisano, 25, went to Longview Community College and Avila University on a baseball scholarship, earning a bachelor’s degree in sports marketing and management. Stephen enjoys playing guitar and banjo and being creative with building things.

“We met at a Bible study/nerf war that Stephen and his friend ran for their college baseball teammates,” shares Katelyn. “Stephen’s buddy’s parents were the hosts and they always thought he and I would be a great couple. So they invited me and didn’t tell either of us it was a setup. We flirted a lot, started texting each other constantly and became the best of friends. Stephen swears I fell in love the night he hit me in the eye with a nerf bullet!”

“I wanted to propose on a nature trail that we walked often,” Stephen relates. “I wore my WeWOOD watch she gave me; I told her I was going to take it off and put it in my pocket. When we reached a spot on a cliff with a giant rock, I took the watch out and started jacking with it so she would see that I had it out. The next day I skipped church with the excuse of coaching a baseball game, but I really had to get to that spot and get ready to propose. I texted Katelyn, telling her I had lost my watch and to please go look for it. When she arrived, I was there, playing my guitar and singing “My Best Friend” by Tim McGraw, with a ring box on the rock beside me. She started crying and I finished the song and proposed.”

The blissful couple tied the knot on October 22, 2016 at Eighteen Ninety in Platte City, Missouri. The bride’s Maid of Honor was her sister, Danielle; bridesmaids were Alissa, Shandal, Katie and Molly. The groom’s Best Man was his brother, Mark; groomsmen were Joe, Ryan, Jared, Ben and Alex. Flower girls were Alissa’s daughter, London, and Shandal’s daughter, Dailyn; Deagen, Shandal’s son, served as ring bearer.

“Our wedding day was sunny and beautiful, perfect for an outdoor wedding. The leaves were in classic Midwest orange, red and yellow autumn colors,” Katelyn describes. “My high school softball coach, John Gage, and his wife, Trish, had played a big role in my life, hosting our team Bible study and getting Stephen and me together, so we asked him to be our officiant. He did an amazing job of making it personal and God centered. Guests told Stephen that it was the most beautiful ceremony they’d ever attended. That was cool for us; we wanted our guests to understand that our love is a gift from God and that He was the director of our love story. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful and fun day!”

Katelyn and Stephen honeymooned in Maui, Hawaii, enjoying the beauty of the islands. ■

Bridal Gown:
Ivory & Lace Bridal Boutique

Bridesmaids’ Gowns:
Ivory & Lace Bridal Boutique

Groom’s Tux:
Tip Top Tux

Groomsmen Tuxes:
Tip Top Tux

Hair:
Danielle Hinton

Makeup:
Jami Roth

Florist:
K & S Event Design

DJ:
Icon Event Group, DJ Ray

Caterer:
RJ’s Bob-Be-Que Shack

Cake:
Three Women and an Oven

Venue:
Eighteen Ninety