Photos by Juliana Noelle Jumper

If you’ve been a reader of Show Me The Ozarks Magazine within the last 6 years, you have probably read an article or seen photos taken by Savanah Mandeville. Well, we are so excited our very own team member got married this past summer to her soulmate, Coleman Bandy. We visited with the new Mrs. Savanah Bandy to learn about their love story and breathtaking wedding day.  

How did you meet?

We were friends for a long time before we started dating. I always say we have a story a lot like When Harry Met Sally or Jim and Pam from The Office. We actually met for the first time because of Show Me The Ozarks. I was taking photos for Faces and Places at a Rhinestones & Rawhide event in December 2016, and Coleman was emceeing the event with his dad. After that, we started running into each other everywhere and became friends. I even got him to do SMTO’s “Singles in the City” a couple of times! We started dating officially in October 2019, and he proposed nine months later. 

How did Coleman propose?

I’m a big fan of architecture and retro design, so Coleman planned a romantic weekend at the Frank Lloyd Wright hotel in Bartlesville. He got down on one knee in our hotel room. It was just the two of us and very sweet and special. 

When was your wedding?

We got married July 3, 2021, which is also Coleman’s parents’ and grandparents’ anniversary. We wanted to keep the tradition going because it seems to be good luck! 

What was the style or theme of your wedding?

The first time we said “I love you” was one evening after watching the movie “Call Me By Your Name.” We used the song from the movie –  Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens – as our wedding song. A lot of our wedding aesthetics were inspired by the movie. I think the theme can be summed up as “Old World European.” 

Where did you get married?

We got married at Twin Hills Country Club in Joplin. The overall look and feel of the venue fit our theme really well, and it helped that the food and bar was already included with the venue. The food was phenomenal, and we got so many compliments on it. Also, shout out to Sharon Royle. She was our coordinator at Twin Hills 

What was one of your favorite parts of your big day? 

Oh man, that’s hard because there were so many amazing moments! We didn’t do a first look so walking down the aisle was a really big moment. And then probably the dancing! Everyone was on the dance floor, and it was such a blast. Coleman said his favorite part was the dancing and partying with everyone at the reception, too. It was so nice to see everyone and be with friends and family, especially coming out of the pandemic. We got really lucky with our timing – it was right before COVID-19 spiked up again. Many of our family gatherings had been canceled the previous year, so in a way our wedding was like a big family reunion, too.  

What’s something unique about your wedding?

I think my wedding dress is kind of unique. It’s a 1987 Christian Dior gown I ordered off the internet. I knew I wanted an off-the-shoulder puffy sleeve dress, but I couldn’t find one anywhere. That’s when I set my sights on vintage ‘80s wedding dresses and found it. It was a big risk buying it online but as soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one.  

What is a wedding planning tip you have for soon-to-be newlyweds?

Take it one step at a time. We followed a month-by-month to-do list (check out the SMTO Wedding Guide to find it) and just focused on getting one thing done at time. And let your friends and family help. They are happy to take things off your plate, and I can’t express my appreciation to them enough.