Pretty.Lovely.Things.

This weekend I had the pleasure of photographing some frilly bridal accessories..and spending some amazing girl time with the precious souls who helped me out!! Heres just a glimpse of whats to come…XOXO

tyler - January 18, 2012 - 1:40 pm

ashley, these are FANTASTIC. can’t wait to see the rest.

Nicole Rene - January 22, 2012 - 4:16 pm

Fabulous! I just HAD to pin this! Love the images & bridal accessories! So fabulous!!!! :)

Leah & Ryans Wedding..

I love blogging…I dont get the opportunity to do it as often as I would like..nor with as many events as I would like..but when I do…I get to be the storyteller of some pretty fantastic love stories:) While I know that pictures tell a tale of their own..there is truly nothing better than hearing a snippet from the darling bride who is responsible for dreaming the whole masterpiece up:) Heres a little blurb from my lovely Leah!

“Shortly after Ryan and I got engaged in January 2011, I found myself frequently daydreaming about our eventual wedding day, trying to imagine how it might feel in all the myriad choices of venues. From the very get-go, Ryan and I were faced with a bit of a happy dilemma: I was born and raised in lovely Northern California, and Ryan was a product of beautiful Colorado. 

Carmel-by-the-Sea? The Rocky Mountains? Napa? Western Colorado?! All of these places held sentimental value to us, but despite having so many wonderful, scenic venues to choose from, we found ourselves both drifting back to something decidedly less majestic, but infinitely more home. In what would prove to be the best (and easiest) decision we would make during our nine month engagement, we chose my mother’s backyard to play host to the best day of our lives yet.
Tucked away in a quiet little corner of Atherton, California, the yard would prove to be the perfect site for a whimsical garden wedding beneath beautiful, towering oak trees. Ohhh, the oak trees – something so special and significant that reminded me so much of my years spent growing up in the state. The trees would ultimately provide the backdrop for our ceremony in front yard, and serve as an additional canopy hovering protectively above the sea of Italian lights in the backyard for our reception. After a healthy share of DIY projects, countless days scouring Etsy listings, and seemingly endless hours spent pouring over the tiniest details, the humble yard was transformed into a simply magical wedding venue. Beneath the warm glow of the lights and the cozy embrace of the trees, our evening spent celebrating in the backyard felt like a world unto itself – it was an incredible and indescribable sensation, as if nothing existed beyond that which could be seen; I’ll never forget it!”

SO excited to be photographing these 2 cuties wedding later this year!!!

Leah & Ryan…..hugs hugs and more hugs to you both. THANK YOU for everything!XOXO

Flowers and Partial Planner:
Three Sisters Custom Flowers & Events: Susan Kelly

Catering: Cafe Primavera Catering & Event Planning (Joanna Biondi)

(Seriously everyone…BEST Catering EVER. We have been to a million weddings..eaten alot of food. Joanna and her team will knock your socks off…dont have a caterer for your wedding? Now you do!!)

All Rentals – tables, chairs, dishes, etc: Classic Party Rentals

Cake: Edith Meyer Wedding Cakes

Music: DJ JT & Eddie McGee

Lighting: Got light? Hayley Bramble, lead designer/Jonathan Cox, design manager

Juli - January 15, 2012 - 12:38 pm

Hello:)
In doing research for my upcoming wedding this year, I pleasantly stumbled upon your blog and I have to say you had a most beautiful wedding! So enchanting and elegant, right down to the tiniest of details. You looked just elegant! If you don’t mind me asking where did the grooms suit and ring come from? I am finding it a challenge to find the right suit for my groom to be. We love the vintage with a modern, neo-sophisticate look but are finding it a challenge to find this in Ohio retail stores.
Much appreciation.
:)

Michael - January 15, 2012 - 12:49 pm

Beautiful work as always, Ashley!

Leah - January 15, 2012 - 1:35 pm

Just gorgeous, Ashley! You do such amazing work, we just LOVE each and every one of these!

Susan Kelly - January 15, 2012 - 3:59 pm

Gorgeous, Ashley! Thank you for capturing our work so beautifully.

Frances | Charmed Events Group, LLC - January 16, 2012 - 7:45 pm

What a beautifully well done wedding, I love all the colors, it’s so soft and romantic!

Tina & Bens Wedding…

Tina and Bens wedding took place at two of the most  gorgeous little properties in Kellseyville.. (which is nestled a few hours past San Francisco.) The ceremony was held at a friends ranch…which was dripping with beautiful antique finds left and right…( I felt like I was on “American Pickers”…I wanted to see if the owners would sell me anything!! haha…) The reception was at Bens family property…which is a nut farm that over looks the whole valley. YES. SWOON GALORE:) Jason and I were scheming about how we can come back and do engagement shoots in both of their backyards:)Tina and Ben are the warmest kids in town….and are pretty much just overflowing with love for their family and friends….when you are with them..you ARE family.

I asked Tina and Ben what their favorite part of their day was..and it was unanimously ….the ceremony. While some couples like to make it quick and to the point…Tina & Ben really spent time to make it personal. It was such a labor of love for them.. there was an abundance of guest participation, readings, songs, their wonderful dear friend Jane officiated…. even the snafus (like when the wedding recessional didn’t play, which gave them opportunity to kiss…and kiss again…and yet again!) Like everything that day…It was simply, perfect…

This was my first time ever encountering “Chinese Door Games”…where the groom and his groomsmen are blocked at the front door by the bridesmaids. The groom is not allowed to see his bride until he and the guys pass all the “tests” set by the ladies. This is to the grooms chance to show he is truly worthy of her hand in marriage…and well…its just hilarious. Lets just say there was a lot of bartering..singing..yoga..and an iron chef challenge. Now THAT was a “first moment” like any other:)

  • Graphics (invitations/save the dates): Gerri Groody
  • Hair/makeup: Lisa Schur
  • Ceremony Venue: Big Oak Ranch
  • Reception Venue: The Grooms family property
  • Flowers: No Drama Mamas
travis holt - January 14, 2012 - 7:01 pm

Mighty fine photos friends! Really wish I could have been there. Miss ya’ll!

Tina - January 14, 2012 - 9:18 pm

Ashley & Jason, I’ve looked at these photos no less than a hundred times! Thanks for your amazing job at capturing all those special moments for us!

Lisa Schur - January 19, 2012 - 7:33 pm

These photos are fabulous! You guys need to submit this to Style Me Pretty, stat!

Kelly Klarich - January 20, 2012 - 8:48 am

T — these are honestly the most stunning wedding photos I have ever seen. Beautifully capturing a magical day.

Travis & Andrea’s Engagement Session {Napa}..

Sometimes the greatest thing about photographing weddings is seeing the people who attend the weddings. The reception is a great time for us to people watch…see the people who are bringing their Dance Revolution moves from their living room to the dance floor..the groomsmen that intake a little too much magic juice and suddenly become a teensy too brave and suave for their own good….seeing the 2 people who awkwardly catch the garter and bouquet and are forced to nervously smile at snap a photo together like they are “next”….but the best….is watching REAL love form between 2  strangers. Its fun to try to make predictions as we watch people on the dance floor and those mozying around in cocktail hour…the passing glances we see people give eachother at weddings…we see everything, trust me…it is our JOB to see everything:) There are a million random places to meet your soulmate…but how beautiful of a thing to have it happen at a wedding? Andrea and Travis actually met..in Mexico…attending a wedding for each of their friends. After a bit of time getting to know eachother, they realized their lives were a bit more parallel than they thought…their moms worked together back home. Small world..

We feel SOO blessed that Travis & Andreas wedding coordinator Jennifer Hocker {from Allure Event Designs} referred us to them!!! (We love you Jenn!) We fell in love with these two the second we jumped out of our car to meet them for the session. They even stuck around with us after pictures to eat our favorite roadside burgers in St. Helena….total keepers!! A&T–thank you for being so easy going..and rollin around in the grass for us…beautiful things can happen when you dont mind gettin a little mud on your heels:) Cant wait to see you both again!!..and Andrea..I drink coffee out of my Anthro mug that you gave me..everyday…..you know how to win this girl over:) XOXO

Katie - January 11, 2012 - 1:28 am

Absolutely beautiful, as always! Do you know any ugly people? I adore her lace dress, would love to know where it’s from???

kelsey weaver - January 11, 2012 - 11:14 am

WOOOOOWWW – so so amazing – beautiful couple, beautiful photos, just LOVE!!!!!

Brenda Whitesides - January 11, 2012 - 1:04 pm

What a beautiful couple. Wishing you all the happiness in the world. Very excited for your special day. Much love.

Kathryn Efird - January 11, 2012 - 1:52 pm

Unreal! LOVE LOVE LOVE! You both looks so happy and in love! Love you both and can’t wait for the big day!!!

debbie - January 18, 2012 - 8:35 pm

What beautiful pictures, you look so cute together. So happy for the both of yous..