Kendall Wentzel knew he wanted to marry his now-wife Nicole after their third date. The couple had box seats to a Saint Louis Cardinals baseball game, at which their bartender predicted they eventually would marry. The duo dated one year before Kendall popped the question. However, the engagement did not go off without a hitch.
He had planned to propose at a scenic spot in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but every time he tried, he was interrupted. The couple collects shot glasses from their travels, and Kendall later used the occasion of adding a new glass to their collection to ask Nicole to be his travel partner for life.
“It was a good thing he did it, too,” she says, “because apparently everyone but me noticed the ring box in his pocket in all the pictures I posted from that weekend.”
Nicole — an Evansville Day School graduate — and Kendall — a Boonville High School alum — held their ceremony on Aug. 19, 2023, at Evansville’s Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer and invited wedding guests and fellow church members to attend.
Nicole’s father is the church’s senior pastor, but he wanted to be her dad for the big day. So, Nicole’s godfather officiated the ceremony, a sentimental gesture since he, along with Nicole’s dad, had baptized her into the church.
Another special moment was Nicole’s and Kendall’s first look before the ceremony.
“When Kendall cried seeing me for the first time, there was so much love and emotion in his eyes,” Nicole says. “He looked at me the way I always hoped to be looked at.”
The couple hosted a reception for 150 guests at City View at Sterling Square. After a dinner and several moving speeches, guests donned flip-flops and glow sticks to dance the night away. They were invited to share their favorite travel destinations so the couple could build their travel bucket list — and collect more shot glasses along the way.
Vendors included:
• Photographer: Patton Photo
• Hair Stylist: Montana Daniels
• Makeup: Blush Brush Beauty
• Flowers: Zeidler’s Flowers
• Catering/Cookie Favors: Just Rennie’s Catering
• Dress: House of White
• Alterations: Katelyns Alterations & Design
• Cake: Piece of Cake Bakery
• DJ: Premier Entertainment
• Reception: City View Sterling Square
