Amanda & Jonathan

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Ceremony location: St. Cecilia Cathedral
Reception location: Joslyn Art Museum
Bridal Gown: Henry Roth from Suburban Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses: Mackenzie Michaels at Suburban Bridal
Tuxedos: After Hours Formalwear
Hair/make-up: T'eez Salon
Rings: A. Jaffe, Borsheim's
Floral Design: Debbie Pitt, Flowers for Special Occasions
Caterer: Hap Abraham
Cake: Karen Brophy, Passion for Pastry
Vocalist: Heidi Joy
Harp and Trumpet: Mary and Craig Bircher
Reception Music: Pam and the Pearls
Photography: A Thousand Words
Transportation: VIP Limousine
Invitations/programs: Emily Edson Design
Rentals: AAA Rents & Event Services
Travel Agent: Enchanted Honeymoons

High school sweethearts Amanda Shafer and Jonathan Scholtes met at a sand volleyball game about 10 years ago. Even though they went separate ways in college, they kept in touch.

In October 2004, they were reunited. After a year of dating, Jonathan proposed in a private room at Liberty Tavern at Hilton Omaha.

"As soon as we were seated, I knew something was going on," Amanda said. "We had ordered dinner like normal, but about half way through he started asking me all of these questions about our future and our love for each other. All of a sudden he backed up his chair, got down on his knee and pulled out the ring. My heart was racing and I got this warm feeling that went from my toes to the tip of my nose. He said, 'I love you, Amanda. Will you marry me?' All I could say was, 'Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Yes! Yes!' I was so incredibly happy and excited."

A limousine whisked the couple to the Reel Martini bar where friends were waiting. "Everyone knew before me. Even my mom who is never able to keep a secret," the bride said.

The couple exchanged vows May 26, 2007, at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha. A reception followed at Joslyn Art Museum.

"Our wedding ceremony was very traditional. We had a Catholic Mass. Heidi Joy sang. The notes she hit during 'Ave Maria' made people cry. The long aisle in the church and the old architecture added to the traditional feel we wanted."

Their colors of Tiffany blue and cream, accented with pink, purple, orange and green flowers, looked stunning against the backdrop of the museum's Art Deco atrium.

The head table, large enough for the entire wedding party and their guests, was the focal point of the room.

"It was important to have our attendants' guests sit with us at the head table because we were all friends," Amanda said. "We wanted everyone connected with the wedding party to be included on our special day."

Three tall floral centerpieces, votives and flower petals graced the head table while shorter floral arrangements and tall candles and flower petals decorated guests' tables. The linens were bluish green with gold accents.

The bride's cake had five layers, off-white icing and a fondant bow at the top. The groom's two-layer chocolate cake was covered wtih chocolate shavings.

To shake things up, Amanda and Jonathan surprised their guests with a tango for their first dance. They spent a year taking dance lessons at the DC Centre to prepare. "We wanted our first dance to be very elegant, but with a twist," the bride said. "After learning a little about each type of dance, we decided to learn a choreographed tango."

The couple danced to a song from the movie, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." It took about seven months for the couple to smooth out the kinks and get the dance exactly the way they wanted it.

While Jonathan was dancing with his mother, Amanda left the room to change into a gold tango dress that would show off her fancy footwork. After the dance, she changed back into her Henry Roth strapless silk gown.

After honeymooning at the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa in French Polynesia, the couple are making their home in La Vista, Neb.

"Our wedding was everything I ever wanted it to be and so much more," said Amanda. "Not one thing went wrong. I love looking at our pictures just so I can replay everything. Honestly, it was the most magical day of our lives."