Ashley Maxwell Photography » Weddings

Briana & Jacks Wedding…

Ashley — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:30:28 +0000

There was a moment at Briana and Jacks wedding, where we were riding a golf cart back up the hill after taking some hilltop romantics..and my husband Jason looked at me, and said..”I think that they get along better than any couple we have ever photographed”..(as Jack and Brianas laughter echoed within the golf cart roof and the trailing wind behind us)… It seems like such a simple statement…and of course couples would get along if they were getting married, right? But there is just something about these two….its like they have already been together for a whole lifetime. They do…they get along. More than just get along..they are like that couple that has been married for 50 years, who are still eachothers BEST friend.. more in love than ever…who would rather do nothing else…than be in eachothers arms….and you find yourself dyyyying to ask them their “secret” to it all. I have loved Briana from the first day I met her in highschool..she has always been so sweet to me…and it made me so happy to see so many dear friends and familiar faces at the wedding…people I know who will support their love….stand beside these two when life gets hard…and to continually point them back in eachothers direction. I just LOVED this wedding.XO

A fun little tidbit about this day as well…Briana is wearing her moms wedding dress from when her mom got re-married (a wedding my mom photographed some years back..small world:)!!

Venue: Mountain Winery in Saratoga Ca./Makeup: Kristina Lima/Hair: Nicole Wasserman/ Desserts: Nikki Trevino/ Flowers: done by grooms mom, sister and aunts:)

Jamie & Brandons Wedding…

Ashley — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:30:09 +0000

There is something magical about our FIRST wedding of a new year. Perhaps its because we are feeling more bright eyed and bushy-tailed after a few months of “hibernating”…. a slow recovery from the previous wedding season that always seems to rob us of more sleep than EVER during the holiday production months…OR because we manage to luck out.. that our first weddings of the year, always tend to happen at venues we LOVE LOVE LOVE. Jamie and Brandon pretty much had us signed and sealed when they mentioned they would be getting married at our favorite Ranch in the Universe. YES…Santa Margarita Ranch near San Luis Obispo.{Are you tired of me always mentioning that??} It is ALWAYS worth the drive for us..and never disappoints:) I was go giddy to meet 2 of Jamie’s darling roomates/bridesmaids that day…who were the reason Jamie found us…they are devoted blog followers of ours..and I was so delighted to tackle them with hugs and officially thank them in person for that!

Jamie and Brandon have this adorable shy & bashful love…that is felt with force… but almost speaks with a whisper….I secretly loved seeing how shy and squirmy Jamie got when I would make them kiss..or when guests would clank their fork to their glasses at the reception. You can tell PDA is not easy for her…and there is nothing wrong with that…it is actually a bit refreshing and precious!:) There is a beautiful reverence they have for eachother..that I can only imagine stems from their amazing faith and love for God that comes first and foremost before anything else:)….Being married for 9 years so far…I have learned a thing or two about marriage…but still.., the BEST advice I can give you guys, as you are heading into a lifetime of new beginnings….and weathering day to day storms together…..is actually from one of my favorite verses in Colosians 3 which says”

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues PUT ON LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity..”

Tina & Marios Wedding…

Ashley — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:52:18 +0000

We moved to Sacramento a little over a year ago…and I remember the day we had fully unpacked..I looked out the window of our second story apartment..and kind of let out a deep sigh. NEW territory. Uncharted territory…and at that very passing moment….scary territory. I had built my entire 11 year business in the bay area… a little over 2 hours away…and while that it not very far on the map…it was enough to make me feel anxious in that very moment. I was afraid that it would take forever to book a Sacramento wedding, because I had no idea of how to even find brides in this new city of ours… and then 3 seconds later….my iphone chimed. New email. from Tina and Mario.for a Sacramento wedding.

God is GOOD:)

From the moment I nestled in my chair at Starbucks…spread out my albums…and met with Tina and her maid of honor..I knew her wedding would be simple and sweet…the best kind there is,in my book:) Tina and Marios wedding party certainly knew a thing or two about having a good time, and kind of made me want to put my camera down for a season and be a resident bridesmaid for any one who needed a fill in:) Mario and Tina…thank you for being my first official Sacramento wedding in our new season of life..and for showcasing the simple beauty of love:) XOXO

Fleur Envy { Bridal Accessories}..

Ashley — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:42:23 +0000

I had the pleasure of photographing some lovely accessories for a bridal collection called Fleur Envy….you know I have a sweet spot for frilly hair pieces..so this was quite a treat. There were so many pieces in the new collection, that I had to break the shoot up over 2 days..and I just chose a few favorite pieces of mine to highlight in this post:) Any brides looking for something fabulous to adorn on your wedding day…check out the website HERE for more info:)

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all the darling girls who helped model for me…who endured outfit changes in the middle of fields…frolicking around in the freezing cold..wearing heavy eyelashes….haha..

For Part 1…an immeasurable THANK YOU to Priscilla Francine Makeup, hair by Danielle Derskson of Salon Mona Lisa…bouquets by the genius hubby and wife duo at Asiel Design…and my sweet friend Jailyn Cannon for all your assistance with BOTH shoots!!

Part 2: Gorgeous Makeup by Kristina Lima….thank you my sweet friend!!!!

Kelsey & Dans Wedding…

Ashley — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:58:57 +0000

It wasn’t just another wintery Wednesday in December…..It was my birthday…and the day that 12 people huddled in a cozy living room to witness 2 darling souls cling tightly under a mistletoe….to say some “I Do’s”. I have done quite a few “backyard” weddings…but this was definitely my first “front room” wedding:) Kelsey and Dan will be doing a big reception this summer for the rest of their family and friends..but they chose to keep their nuptials simple and sweetly quaint in the comforts of her own home. We lucked out by having a beautiful property right down the street from her for pictures…that was somewhat of a winter wonderland of gorgeous light:) Kelsey reminded Jason and I of Snow White with her fair skin and dark black hair…and there were moments when her and Dan were playfully adoring another between the trees… in that hazy afternoon glow…that ironically, the word “Fairytale”….seemed to be the only word to rightfully captivate the essence of what we were watching behind our cameras:) It was all very fitting. Kelsey and Dan…it was a blessing to share part of my birthday with you…Thank you for letting me run around in my lime green birthday tights and be one the few to watch the moment a very beautiful marriage began…XOXO..

Courtney & Taylors Wedding…

Ashley — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:29:31 +0000

It started with a pair of boots. A rodeo…and well, a pick up line:)

In 2008 Taylor was playing for the San Jose Giants and the guys had an off day.. and were planning a night out at The Rodeo Club in San Jose to see Tracy Lawrence in concert. Taylor had no idea who he was and was not too excited about going…but the guys kept telling him he would have fun and there are always hot girls at country concerts!!:) Courtney had a night planned with the girls to go to The Rodeo Club as well. She went there with 5 other girls and immediately scouted her way to the bar to get the first round of drinks before the concert. As she was sneaking between people to reach the bar she got a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw 2 guys behind her. One of the guys (Taylor) asked if he could ask her a question. She answered “yes” and proceeded to be asked “Do you wear those cowboy boots all the time or just to country concerts?” She gave the look like “you have gottttt to be kidding me” and answered “uuuummm only to country concerts”, then turned back around and laughed to herself. As she was grabbing the drinks and passing them back to her group of girls… Taylor tried to get her attention again and started to ask her what her name was. She turned to him and in the nicest way possible and told him that she was there for “a girls night out” and wasn’t trying to meet any guys and she was sooo sorry and not trying to be rude…but was JUST there to hang out with her friends. He said “not a problem” ….and she thought that would be it…..but as she turned around to join the rest of her group , she saw every single girl chatting with a guy!! Taylor came up to her side and said…. “I guess youre kind of stuck with me tonight, because those guys are ALL my friends”. They ended up hanging out all night…

Fast forward a few years to today…and she has never wanted to be stuck with anyone else more than him:)

From the moment that Jason and I sat down to have coffee with Taylor & Courtney for the first time…we were kind of nudging eachother under the table…like “please oh pleeeeease let this work out…this is a phe-nom-enal couple!!” I remember that particular day leading up to our meeting, was a verrry bad day…a horrible, stressful day that I would never want to re-live again…..but the moment I hugged Courtney and we nestled into our chairs, coffee grinding in the backround…getting lost in conversation for a few moments….my day suddenly turned a corner. Something about watching T&C finish eachothers sentences, re-telling a little bit about their story..love & baseball…long distance friendship….and all the little events that lead up to picking out a little white dress..and planning a life together….was SUCH a pivotal reminder that life is so beautiful..and that even though our job is incredibly stressful at times…we are so fortunate to have this tiny window into peoples lives with photography. Courtney & Taylor got married at one of our favorite wineries in Livermore CA. called Concannon Vineyards. Inevitably, a breathtaking day…Courtney & Taylor…it really doesnt come much sweeter than you two..Thank you for everything..and being so wonderfully YOU..

For their gifts to eachother…they both were surprised to know…they had each gotten eachother bikes. From the same shop. Now THATS love.

It was also Taylors birthday that day….such a sweet deal for a guy….never forget an anniversary:)

Jessica & Jeremys Tahoe Wedding…

Ashley — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:33:41 +0000

There were many incentives for Jason and I to move to Sacramento a little over a year ago….a fresh start….being a bit closer to family and a handful of dear, dear friends….a bit of a” slower pace” than the bay area……OKKKK….and being closer to TAHOE was definitely shuffled in there amongst them:) Before a crazy snowboarding accident right before Jason and I met.. snowboarding was his life…and his job…so he pretty much followed the snow year round…so naturally..Tahoe is like a little piece of home to him. While I was never really a “snow bunny” on the mountain growing up..or a “spend the summer at the cabin” type of gal…there is something so idyllic and beautiful about Tahoe…that takes my breath away every single time we make the drive over there… makes me feel like I could just pack up my family and set up shop in musky cabin nestled in the forest somewhere….buuuuuut then I realize Im terrified of bears, being cold, and being more than a 10 minute drive from a Starbucks… so who am I kidding???? BUT….I DO LOVE photographing weddings in Tahoe…and I think it is truly one of the most romantic places you can choose for a somewhat “local-destination” wedding.

I was thrilled to meet darling, chipper, ray-of-sunshine -Jessica..and her quiet, yet giddy fiance Jeremy….and to learn they would be saying their I-Do’s beachside beneath the trees…*SWOON* . Jessica and Jeremy have known eachother for sooo long..that you could tell they have already been a part of eachothers families… for what seemed like decades. My absolute favorite thing about Jessica and Jeremy..which is so simple…yet so imperative in any relationship…is their LAUGHTER together. I feel like they were these little kids who were whispering and giggling with eachother all day….they arent afraid to be goofy, or feel the need to edit who they are when they are around eachother. What is more beautiful than that? J&J–THANK YOU for being so transparent with us and letting your love shine through in these!!…& on a totally-tangent -sidenote… Jess: I have been dying to photograph a red head for like 8 years..thank you for making me one happy girl! XO

Kate & Scotts Wedding {Minnesota}…

Ashley — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:12:13 +0000

Jason and I got married when I was just barely twenty….I had started my photography business a week out of of highschool..did a 2 year design program immediately following…..got married a week after graduating….and shortly after, started having kids. Somewhere in there, I had dreams of traveling the world…but with our new little family and a business that was trying to take flight..it just wasnt realistic. We shot every wedding locally…and our only travel was within a 50 mile range . Many years later, with the rise of the internet, social networks and wedding blogs, we have been soo blessed to have these incredible brides from all over the U.S somehow find us. This last year, Jason and I finally got to live out our inner travel bugs..and that is all because of weddings!! One of our favorite states we went to was Minnesota..We fell in love with Kate and Scott last year when they flew us out for their engagement session. We were smitten by the beauty of St. Paul…the freezing crisp air, beautiful trees..historical homes that look like they belong in story book pages…. Kates family welcomed us into their home both times…showed us around town…gave us recommendations for local thai food:) Every single person in their lives is so inviting & charming…like you have just known them your whole life:)

Kate and Scotts Wedding wedding was so classic and elegant…which is no surprise if have ever met Kate. She is truly lady….a breathtaking wonder with her simple beauty and poise:) These two have such an authentic love..and we feel so immensely fortunate to have spent a few days in their beautiful hometown!!

Pretty.Lovely.Things.

Ashley — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:05:06 +0000

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

Tina & Bens Wedding…

Ashley — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:51:06 +0000

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