Erica & Karls Wedding…

Sometimes you meet a couple….and there is just this magical goodness about them, that you just cant quite put your finger on. From the very first time Erica emailed me..I knew I just had to have her:) She was this spunky little burst of personality…and had this infectious radiance about her when she spoke of her fiance Karl..and their adventures together. You all know..Im a sucker for the “Story” in every couple…Jason sometimes tells me to stop interrogating people when I first meet them..because I ask SOO many questions right away…I guess it can be intimidating:) But I am just a Nicholas Sparks kinda gal…and every detail that leads up to chance meetings…fallin in love beneath the trees….marriage and babies…is worth knowing to me:) While Erica and Karl have quite a story…the “Proposal” chapter is my favorite…..here is a little snippet from Erica..

The Proposal.

“In January of 2010, Karl and I went to a local jewelry shop to look at a ring I had seen and fallen in love with a few weeks prior. The owner of the shop kindly came out to speak with us about the ring. After talking for some time, he mentioned a “high-tech” scavenger hunt that The Vault (a jewelry shop)was going to put on. It was to be held on February 13, 2010. The clues were to be delivered via text message, and the participants were to use nearly any mode of transportation that was not motorized (i.e. walk, run, skateboard, bike, etc.). The prize: a diamond engagement ring. He advised that we apply for the scavenger hunt, and if we won, perhaps he would allow us to trade in the prize ring in for the ring I wanted.

To apply, couples had to submit a short story about themselves and their partner. The day before Valentines Day the scavenger hunt took place. For 2 hours and 15 minutes that day, Karl and I rushed around Santa Cruz on our bikes, being sent back and forth with each clue we received, obtaining as many points as we could. When the time was up, 300 couples piled into a local restaurant; sweaty, exhausted, and hopeful that they would hear their name at the top of the winners list.

Winners 2 through 10 were called up by name, receiving a variety of prizes. To recognize the first place winner, the announcer read the story that was submitted by the participants. It began with “Hello… Karl and I………” We had won!!! We had miraculously won the scavenger hunt and were about to receive first place prize; a diamond engagement ring! With tears rolling down our cheeks, and trembling hands, we walked to the front of the crowd to accept the ring in disbelief. Standing at the front of the crowd, all eyes were on us, including my mom, little brother, and a few friends throughout the crowd. We hugged, kissed, cried and laughed, all at the same time. And in that surreal moment, Karl bravely got down on one knee and proposed.

It was the most amazing day of our lives.

And of course, the inevitable… we traded the ring we won for the ring I had fallen in love with.”

They got married on a sweet sunny day in September…that was filled  with more family, friends,DIY projects, and beautiful moments than a girl can ask for:) The table numbers were a collection of vintage clocks that Karl’s father had collected over the years prior to his passing, and an Oreo cookie and milk bar in memory of her father’s parents who years ago had also passed. But in the end, the focus of the day was about uniting their lives as one…and becoming their own little family of two. Erica + Karl….ahhhhhh! We just love you guys. Cheers to your adventures to come! XOXO

Ceremony & Reception Location: Hollins House at Pasatiempo

Floral Arrangements: Fiona Floral

Photo booth: Magnolia Booth

DJ: Nick Handley

Hair: Laina Welsh

Cake & Cupcakes: Edith Meyer

Dress: Victoria Nicole Style #616 Champagne Satin & Ivory Lace

Brides Shoes: Something Bleu Bow-Topped Slingbacks in Ivory

Bridesmaid Dresses: Butter by Nadia Signature Jersey in Black

Groom’s Suit: Jack Victor/Men’s Warehouse

Groomsmen Suits: Kenneth Cole/Men’s Warehouse

ETSY VENDORS:

Mustache Letterpress Coasters: Etsy.com Seller: ruffhouseart/ Crepe Paper Carnation Poms: Etsy.com Seller: TreasuredEditions

Garter: Etsy.com Seller: PoshBridalCouture/ “Drink Me” Straws: Etsy.com Seller: bbond0520

 

 

Elizabeth & Bergs Wedding…

Elizabeth & Berg tied the knot in a darling little town in California called Murphys. Larraine Winery had some of their favorite wines..and is pretty much the most gorgeous little property..it was an easy decision to visualize their “I Do’s” nestled between the vineyards ..overlooking the sunkissed valley below. Elizabeth is a crafty soul..and it was very important to her to do lots of DIY goodies because she was SO thrilled to marry Berg ..that she wanted to put together something that would reeeeaaallly express their feelings for each other.  She wanted it be stylish, very personal, sweet & shabby chic… and most important, FUN!FUN!FUN!
Her and her girls made: the satin fabric pomanders, napkin rings with vintage buttons (which can be used after for bracelets, rings, accessories or brooches for the guest..) table number frames, fabric bunting, the seating chart, and pretty much everything else!! My favorite of these things was the Jar of BBQ sauce for Favors…(totally wanted to steal one!!)

Berg’s signature sauce is one of his specialties and people LOVE it so it was the first thing they thought of for favors.  They gave it out at Christmas last year and it was a huge hit.  Berg made a giant 8 gallon pot of it! Berg’s nephew Asher (the tiny ring bearer )started calling him “Uncle Bergie” and a few of her friends actually call him Bergie too so she had to call it “Uncle Bergie’s signature bbq sauce:)

Elizabeth and Berg..Thank you for your sweetness…& letting us be your paprazzi all day!!…& also a huge thank you to my second shooter and amazing friend Bri for sharing this day with me! XOXO

Venue- Laraine Winery

Catering (dessert included)- Lila and Sage- (Murphys)

Florist- Botanica floral designs (sacramento)

Officiant- The Honorable Patrick Tondreau

DJ- Jeremy Seaton

Dress- Maggie Sottero

Bridesmaid dresses- Alfred Sung

Her sash was custom made from Etsy along with the bridesmaid necklaces.

Melissa - December 20, 2011 - 7:33 pm

i LOVE her style! girly and shabby-chic “ish”… my fav!!! amazing job on the pics Ash.. as always :)

Sovanny - December 22, 2011 - 4:22 pm

Just wondering if you could tell me where the bride got her shoe. I’m getting married on 9/08/2012. Thank you for your help.

Marlana - December 31, 2011 - 6:30 am

Beautiful work!

Amy - January 4, 2012 - 11:35 pm

i’m in awe with this wedding. perfection.

Jenn & Andys Wedding….

LOVE.LOVE.LOVED THIS WEDDING.

As the store manager of Anthropologie…as well as being an avid vintage collector with Andy…Jenn & Andy knew they wanted their wedding to be ECLECTIC. They left it open..no specific colors.. (They told wedding vendors that their colors were “the rainbow”) no formal bridal party..just friends..no bouquet toss, just a loose theme that allowed lots of interpretation. They searched for a “non wedding” wedding venue..and stumbled upon the amazing Coloma Country inn…and their wedding started to feel like “them” rather than a wedding out of box:) Jenn wrote the ceremony herself..they boogied down the aisle to “Putting All My Eggs in One Basket” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong…danced through pom poms on the way out…and pretty much stole our hearts with every spectrum of the day.

I think I want to move in to the Coloma Country Inn. I felt like Alice in Wonderland walking through this place…well, my kind of Anthro Wonderland I guess:) I was so proud of Jenn and Andy for going against the grain…and for doing their wedding exactly how they wanted. It was such a beautiful reflection of their quirky sense of style…and best of all..their undying LOVE for one another. Every corner of this site had pretty little things to look at…and stories to back them up:) We felt SO blessed to have scored front row seats in seeing these two become a Mr. & a Mrs!!! XOXO

Just had to grab a quick pic with the sassy bride before I either fell in the pond or…or put my trainwreck “reception hair” up in crazy bun by hour 8 of the day:)

Venue: Coloma Country Inn
Day of Coordination & Rentals: Inncredible Events and Celebrations
Cakes: Sweet Cakes by Rebecca
Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co.
Carmel Apples: Danville Chocolates
Flowers/DJ: Wylie Weddings

Invitations: Sleepy Dreamer on Etsy
Love Letter Box Ceremony: Amazon
Catering: Beth Sogaard Catering
Dress: Wtoo by Watters
Birdcage Veil: Dolly Couture                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    More info on: www.foundinfebruary.com

Kym - December 6, 2011 - 9:14 pm

Totally anthro wonderland! I love every single detail they had!! Amazing day

Jailyn - December 6, 2011 - 10:44 pm

Amaaaazing!!!! I love it!!

Linda Brown - December 6, 2011 - 11:46 pm

Ashley your pictures brought tears to my eyes. I will cherish the pictures always. Thank you for giving us these wonderful memories to remember in your pictures.

Kristy Copperfield - December 7, 2011 - 1:02 am

OMG, the best wedding EVER!!! I love, love, love this so much!! Great job Ashley and Jenn!!

Malia - December 7, 2011 - 1:03 am

You LOVED LOVED LOVED this?! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it tooooo!!!! This is beyond AMAZING. I’m totally in love!

Olga - December 20, 2011 - 8:35 pm

I just went to a wedding at this same location in Oct. Fell in love with that place! You guys captured it perfectly, lovely lovely photos!

Nilde Lima - January 23, 2012 - 10:18 pm

Maravilhoso!!!

Mia & Drews Wedding….

Some little girls lay in their beds at night and dream of someday becoming a professional ballerina, a veterinarian, a dancer on the Mickey Mouse club, a doctor, a teacher, movie star…..anything and everything that meant they are “30 flirty and thriving”..{Yes-13 going on 30 quote for you movie goers out there:} While Mia had dreams like this for her own…her biggest dream was to be a wife. I have known Mia for about 10 years now..and I think she has been praying for her future husband for all her life. On the day of their wedding, Mia gave Drew a husband Journal that she has been writing in for several years…pouring out her heart for the one she had been holding out for all these years….what a treasure, right??? You can read a little more about Drew & Mia from their engagement post…to hear more about how they have know eachother since they were kids:) PRECIOUS! We have such a soft spot for Mia and Drew..we keep trying to convince them to move closer to us in Sacramento so we can spend more time with them!! Totally not gonna happen..since they are all cozy in their newlywed cottage in the bay area…but a girl can dream right? Mia and Drew..cling tightly to the words that you spoke to eachother on your wedding day. In a world that has made vows and promises seem nothing more than empty, fleeting words…..CHOOSE to LIVE those promises. Commit each and every day to serving and loving one another. CHOOSE EACHOTHER each and every day…LOVE YOU BOTH!!!!

Jenica Hilgeneck - December 6, 2011 - 4:59 pm

Beautiful!%20You%20captured%20the%20Italian%20feel%20so%20well!

Jenna Scolinos - December 6, 2011 - 11:05 pm

Amazing photos Ash and Jason!! Mia you look stunning!

Doris Johnson - December 17, 2011 - 4:58 am

Every aspect of the day, as well as you two — beautiful! I’ll never forget it! Love you both!! Nana

The Kjellesvigs - December 23, 2011 - 4:15 am

How beautiful. So enjoyed seeing those.

May God bless you both always.
xxoo The Kjellesvig clan.

Thankfulness…{& Sneak Peeks}

One of my favorite things about tucking our kids into bed at night, is getting to pray with them…..our kids have grown quite accustomed to it, and occasionally mommy gets into trouble if I “forget something”. While we dont always pray for the exact same thing every night…now and again I will finish the prayer, kiss their foreheads and walk out of the room…just to hear one of them say “MOMMY! YOU FORGOT TO SAY HOPE THAT I HAVE SWEET DREAMS!” This usually comes from Hayden, since he explains the reason he comes into our bed EVERY single night is because of “the dark…and bad dreams”…but Kyla on the other hand…tends to let me know every time I accidentally forget to say “THANK YOU FOR OUR BLESSINGS”…its like she is waiting for it in her prayer, like its her favorite line from a Justin Bieber song or something. I think it is so cute that she hangs on every word of that….and she should…because God has given us so many beautiful blessings..in big things, and in small. I am totally guilty of sometimes rushing through life…and forgetting to stop, and be thankful for everything we have. I love the quote, “What would you do if you woke up today, with only the things you thanked God for yesterday”…..

This year..I am thankful for SO many things…but the word that keeps coming to my mind that is stitched to the very fabric of every area in my life is..PATIENCE. I am thankful for Patience. I am thankful that my husband is patient with me when I get so “tunnel visioned” with work and projects that I forget to tell him I love him as much as he deserves to hear it….I’m thankful for my kids who are patient with me when I tell them to wait a few minutes longer to read a book, because I am on the phone… Im thankful to my family and friends who are patient with me, when they have to call me 2 or 3 times before I call them back…because Im in “hibernation” mode trying to plow through editing and emails…I’m thankful to my Lord and Savior for being patient with me…as I am so prone to have a wandering heart…to find other things to fill my time, than to spend a few minutes reading my devotional book, or spending a moment to pray….& the last….I’m thankful for our amazing clients who have been SO PATIENT with us in our busy season. We have been so blessed these last 2 years with such growth in our photography business…but with that, comes growing pains…new expectations…more expectations…more work…less sleep. We are continually learning the balance between work life, and home life…and how to do the best jobs we can in both roles. Its humbling to wake up and realize you  are not superwoman….and that being everything to everyone is really….hard and overwhelming at times. Im so thankful for everyone who has helped give me encouragement to power through those moments when I am feeling I dont have the energy to finish everything on my plate. We are so incredibly blessed for each and every person who has helped support our business..whether it is an encouraging email from an aspiring photographer in Canada..a mother of bride leaving a kind comment on our blog….or one of our darling brides who waits that extra bit of time for her wedding photos. We are so grateful, so immensely THANKFUL for your patience and love for us…

I wanted to post a few “Sneek Peeks” of some of the weddings and sessions we have not been able to blog yet, since we are feverishly trying to edit as many weddings we can before Christmas time…Hope you enjoy them! Happy Thanksgiving!

Malia - November 24, 2011 - 10:02 pm

Happy Thanksgiving, lovely! My oh my, you’ve been busy! Beautiful as always ;) xo!

Angelica - November 29, 2011 - 7:25 pm

Thanks for posting these Ashley! I know you must be SO busy these days with the season coming to an end. I hope you are able to take some time to just relax and enjoy the holiday season with your precious family!

BTW
When I brought my dress to the cleaners I was proud to show them how dirty I had gotten it lol (anything for a great picture) :-)

XOXO

jasmine - November 30, 2011 - 2:47 am

Oh you and your teasers Ash! This all gets me so excited for all the new stuff coming up!

Erica - December 2, 2011 - 5:56 pm

That was beautiful, Ashley! Thank you.

Julia - December 2, 2011 - 8:48 pm

Wow!!! Ashley!!! AMAZINGGG as always!!!! So excited to see all you have been working on! Woot

Jenn Gentrup - December 5, 2011 - 5:07 pm

Oh Ashley, love the sneak peek!! They’re all so fun! So excited to see the rest!

Jesse - December 5, 2011 - 10:48 pm

YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!
All of these are beautiful. Sooooo beautiful. Can’t wait to work with you again! You guys are the best!

Jesse
Sandbox Love

Winter Wedding Fashion | Heart Love Weddings - November 29, 2011 - 8:03 am

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