Erika & Ali: Married

Her mother adorned her wrist with a bracelet that she was given.  They fought back tears. It completed her look.  Perfectly.

Upstairs Ali’s boys were getting him ready.  Straightening his suitcoat.  Adjusting his tie.  Giving him that final slap on the back.

Their ceremony was a perfect blending of two lives becoming one, of two cultures joining.  Erika’s father and brother-in-law conducted the ceremony while Ali’s family took part in en Ethiopean song during the lighting of the unity candle.  Two girls dressed in traditional robes sang as they carried the two flaming candles and joined Erika and Ali in the lighting of their candle.

And the reception?  It came with a WARNING:

Survival Guide for the Night:  How to eat Injera (Ethiopean flatbread) and Wat (Ethiopean soups/stews), along with a few helpful phrases.

To Erika and Ali for allowing me to be a part of such a unique and beautiful day? Ameseginalehu!

Dan & Brionne: Married

Gracious and kind, she knows no stranger.  Everyone who comes across her path is mesmerized.  With her kindness, grace, and beauty.  Bri, you truly are one of the most stunning brides, both inside and out, I have EVER had the privilege to work with.  You give of yourself completely and are loved beyond measure in return.  Dan, your love for Bri is heart-warming and apparent.  You make every girl believe that there is a prince-charming out there for her.  I pray God’s blessing on both of you.  Thank you so very much for allowing me to be a part of your amazing day!

Emily + Philip = Hitched

It harked back to the mid-1800’s – to the time of Jane Eyre.  Philip, a theater major, and Emily, lover of antiques, wanted their wedding to reflect their interests and personalities.  Well, I think they did a smashing job.

Every detail was pined over, planned, and prepared with such attention.  Emily’s bouquet (made by her mother) was composed of heirlooms from important women in her family.  Philip’s pocket-watch will forever hold the time they were united in marriage, 11:34 a.m.

Adorning the head table was the first thing Philip ever gave Emily.  A house built of acorns.  And it still stands strong.  I believe it’s a pretty perfect representation of their relationship.  Strong, stable, simple.

Emily and Philip,

I pray you have many wonderful years of love and happiness to share.  May God Bless you richly.

=)  Ashley

Tyler + Tiereney = Married

He saw her.  He liked her.  He immediately knew she was the one he wanted to marry.  Well, that’s their story in condensed form.  AND, it’s pretty accurate!

“Mom, is it o.k. if I just run up and hug him when I get to the end of the aisle?”  Being his Mrs. the only thing on her mind that day.  Tyler and Tiereney wanted nothing more than to be married, but they got so much more.  Personal touches everywhere made this day so special.  Close family and friends laughed and stifled tears as a slide show reflecting their journey commenced the ceremony.  There was a hush as the groom wiped away a tear as he saw his bride walk down the aisle for the first time that day.  Surrounded by the most important people in their lives, they gave their vows, committing to a life together.

Tyler and Tiereney,

I was so blessed to get the opportunity to capture your wedding day.  I adore the way you treat one another with such care and compassion always putting the other’s needs before your own.  I pray you have a lifetime full of love and laughter, wherever your journey takes you!

With Much Love,

Ashley

p.s.  Your M.O.H. gave the “rockin-est” (if that’s even a word!) toast ever.  Kudos Kristen!

Leonard, MO: Jordan + Laden = Married!

The groom’s mother-in-law-to-be called him to let him know that a photographer would be at his home soon to take pictures. “You’re already in your suit?” she asked.  We’ll meet him at the church, I told her.  Soon after, a letter was delivered for the soon-to-be Mrs. Force from her groom.  Read before the wedding were the only directions given.

One thing was apparent.  Laden was ready to make Jordan (or George, so I’ve learned =) his bride. And why wouldn’t he be?  She exudes generosity and radiates beauty both inside and out.  And she is loved. You could just feel how much she was loved.  By her groom.  Her mother, sister, father, and all those around her.  She’s loved.

Jordan and Laden’s country wedding was as simple and sweet as they are.

To the Forces (I had to use your last name somehow, I am utterly jealous that you have such a great last name!):  Thank you for letting me capture your memories on this most momentous occasion.  I was blessed just by seeing your love for one another.  It’s simply pure.  I pray abundant joy enters your marriage in the years to come.

A Soulard Wedding: Abby + Kurt = Hitched

It had been raining for weeks.  Literally.  But there wasn’t a cloud to been seen in the sky on their wedding day.  It was pure sunshine.  The perfect day for a wedding.

Abby and Kurt surrounded themselves with their closest family and friends as they pledged their vows to one another.  The ceremony was incredibly personal and intimate as the only attendants were the bride’s sister and the groom’s life-long best friend of 32 years.  And I am sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as the minister conducting the wedding, Abby’s father, gave his blessing and united them in marriage.

Abby and Kurt.  I am so incredibly honored that you allowed me to capture your day.  Abby, you were a simply stunning bride.  Kurt is so blessed to have you as his wife.  Kurt, your love and affection for Abby is beautiful and so visible.  I wish you all the love and happiness that a family can have throughout a lifetime.

The wedding and reception were held at the Soulard Preservation Hall, one of  The Knot’s, preferred wedding venues located in the eclectic Soulard district of St. Louis.

The first look was just right around the corner…

The bride’s Badgley Mischka shoes, were her something blue.  Something fabulous.  Loved them!

There were two incredibly important guys in the wedding, but I think Jack stole the show with his Michael Jackson style dance moves for the camera!

The ring-bearer’s pint-sized Converse shoes were equally as great. So. Darn. Cute.

Savannah + Kirk = Hitched!

The story’s simple:  country girl meets country boy.  They fall in love.  AND get married. So what could be more  fresh, beautiful, or honest for this couple than a simple country wedding?  NOthing.

She could be someones muse…well, she probably is Kirk’s 🙂  The fall day was GORGEOUS!  Upper 70s, cool gentle breeze, & leaves falling in the background as she walked out to where her groom awaited her with the Boston Jazz playing in the background.  Her dad lifted her blusher & gave her away.  They said their vows & that was that.  Married.  A cocktail hour & delish Italian feast followed.

Savannah & Kirk,

 I couldn’t have been more honored than I was to capture your wedding day.  I wish you a lifetime full of happiness & love and God’s continual blessing on your marriage.  You make a gorgeous couple. Congrats!  

With Much Love,

Ashley

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Old Hickory Golf Club Wedding: Sarah + Scott

It was seriously the hottest wedding ever to be held at the Old Hickory Golf Club.  Not only was the July temperature scorching that day, but Sarah and Scotty (as he’s best known by his close family and friends) were as well. On more than one occasion people commented how “incredibly in love that couple looks.”  And it’s true, I’ve never seen a couple so into each other that as they danced their first dance I’m pretty sure all 400+ guests in attendance completely disappeared.  Their love is so apparent that even one of Sarah’s elementary students personally created a “happy marriage day” letter with strict instructions to: “not open until marriage day!”

Sarah walked around in her summer cotton dress and flip-flops helping her mom get ready while her bridesmaids slipped into their classic black attire.  Scotty waited calm and collected on the veranda for Sarah as they saw each other for the first time on their  wedding day.  And their story is a simple as they are:  down-home country girl meets incredibly laid-back city boy and the rest is history.  They marry and Scotty whisks Sarah off to the Caribbean for her first time out of the country and stay on the ocean side.

Sarah and Scotty, thank you for entrusting me with such an incredible honor to record the most important day of your lives.  It was truly a blessing to see two individuals so in love share their day with friends and family.  You are both the most authentic, kind, and genuinely sincere people who I’ve ever known.  I wish you both the absolute best in whatever life holds for you. 

 Best, Ashley

Thomas – Henderson Wedding 05.30.2010

I was honored to be Kim Ginn’s (of Sweet Potrayal Photography) second shooter for this funky chic wedding in downtown St. Louis.  Yes,  a wedding can be chic & funky at the same time – especially when the bride and groom have more pizzaz and class than any couple I’ve ever seen. 

They are GORGEOUS! 

Hope you enjoy catching a sneak-peak of their day.  I sure did!

Smith-Bauer Wedding 05.15.2010

Rain, on this parade?  Not a chance!  Well, actually the weather forecast called for a 90% chance, but the skies cleared up just in time for this perfect day. 

Bride = beautiful.  Groom = classy. 

Day = Perfect!