Ashley Maxwell Photography

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

Leah & Ryans Wedding..

Ashley — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:41:05 +0000

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

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

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

Ashley — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:31:11 +0000

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

Haneul & Ilans Engagement Session..

Ashley — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:31:49 +0000

When Haneul was a little girl living in Korea, she often worried that she would never find her soul mate because he might be somewhere across the world…Little did she know..that across the Ocean in Israel…was a little boy names Ilan..who would grow up…and be the boy who changed her existence forever.

I got quite the geography lesson while I tried to follow all the places that Haneul and Illan charted in their lives leading up until this very day of their engagement session. Its crazy to think that 2 people who were once separated by vast continents….could coincidentally end up sharing a “negotiations” class together at USC in College. Destiny right? After “negotiating” against eachother in class…and spending a bit of time together…it was pretty clear to both of them…that this “WAS IT”..At the time, Ilan was an exchange student from the Netherlands, where he had then been living..and had to go back after the semester was over. After a few months of visiting eachother back and forth..Haneul decided it was ALL OR NOTHING…and she moved to the Netherlands to finish her Masters at his university there. After a year of being there and graduating, they moved back to California…and each found amazing jobs doing what they love…but unfortunately…Ilans was in London, and Haneul…in San Francisco..and that is where each of them are living these days….While the every day absence of eachother is enough to make any relationship unbearable and crazy at times….these love birds just make it work:) Afterall….they beat incredible odds of even finding eachother in the first place, right? They are truly my hero’s. Nine months of my engagement to Jason was “long distance” but that was only from San Jose Ca. to Las Vegas….and let me tell you…there were many many days that I just wanted to hop on a plane, elope..and be his wife already so we could be together:) But he was SOO worth the wait…and I know Haneul feels the same about Ilan:) Before they know it..they will getting married in Korea…and will be nestled in a gorgeous little flat in London where they’ll be living together after the wedding..*SWOON* Someone paleeease write a script about this darling duo!!

Haneul and Illan…I feel equally as lucky that you found me in the vast sea of photographers in this world. How do these things happen??Such an incredible blessing meeting you both. What an adventure you two will continue to have!!!….May your love be as full as the pages of your passports:) XOXO

They kinda have a “thing” with stuffed animals..and often sent them to eachtother when they were living worlds apart from the other.

Laura & Brendens Wedding {Villa Montalvo}

Ashley — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:01:51 +0000

This wedding was so polished and elegant…..and reminded me how beautiful SIMPLICITY in a wedding can be. Laura and Brenden have impeccable taste in fashion and this overall collected ease about them…I learned this very fast at their engagement session..my camera couldnt get enough of them:) In the short time I have known Laura, I have been so blessed by her sweetness, and the amount of people she has referred to me…It is people like her that keep our business going:) We are so immensely grateful for that kind of support:)!! I loved every inch of this well tailored-glam-yet-graceful wedding…how she frolicked in her Vera gown..and how he gently pulled the hair out of her face when the wind blew. Reminded me that there is truly, truly, NOTHING more exquisite than the look of LOVE. XOXO.

Kelsey & Dans Engagement Session…

Ashley — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 01:39:01 +0000

I was fortunate enough to meet the ever-darling Kelsey through a mutual dear friend..and came to realize that she has 2 equally charming younger sisters…one who helped work at our wedding & accessories store we had open last year…and the other, who helped babysit some of my best friends kids. I grew up with 3 brothers…but if I had to be transplanted into another family..and be forced to share bunkbeds and closets with 3 sisters…the McDowell family would be my first choice. Hands down:) Kelsey is getting married in a few days… on my birthday…snuggled in her parents house with only a handful of family members and close friends…such a great wedding to end our busy year on:)

Kelsey wanted to do some of her engagement pics at a Christmas tree farm..which was completely refreshing to shoot somewhere new…during Christmas time…I felt 6 again. Even though our family never cut down our own tree..we did the Home Depot parking lot kinda thing…you still feel like a small child when you are skipping between rows of tall Christmas trees:) We finished their session at a quirky little diner where they met… I loved sitting in the booth across from them…watching them light up over milk shakes, french toast…and EACHOTHER:)

See you LOVEBIRDS soon!!!XOXO

Merry Christmas!!!

Ashley — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:58:29 +0000

A huge THANK YOU to our fabulous friend Ellie Grover for taking our family pics this year. Such a gift..XOXO