Ashley and Michael at the Ashford Estate

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Ashley and Michael at the Ashford Estate

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How did you meet?
Michael and I had known each other since we were young. He played soccer with my older brother Colin growing up, my dad was even his coach at one point, but we grew up going to different middle schools and once we reached high school, he was a senior when I was a sophomore. When I was 21, almost turning 22, I was out for my friends 21st Birthday and he happened to be at the bar as well. We started talking that night and exchanged numbers. My birthday was 2 days later and I told him my friends and I would be going out to celebrate, two days later he showed up to celebrate my birthday and the rest is really history. We were together for 8 years prior to getting engaged. We decided to first purchase a home together and a few months later bought our fur baby, an English Bulldog named Mac. While it was untraditional, it was what we both wanted to do first. I also knew buying a house was going to postpone an engagement a bit, but we really wanted to live together first and get settled.

How did you get engaged?
Christmas Eve 2015, we woke up to begin what I thought was going to be a day full of cleaning as we were hosting our very own Christmas the next day with our families. I was procrastinating getting out of bed and Mike was telling me we needed to get up because we had a lot to get done that day. I finally listened and made my way downstairs in our house. What I first noticed was our Christmas tree was turned on, and there was one single present under the Christmas tree. Presents under the tree before Santa brought them Christmas morning is a big no no for me. I grew up with parents who made Christmas so magical that I still made Mike, and still make him put my presents under the tree after I go to bed.

Mike and Mac were in our kitchen at this point and I asked him why there was a present under the tree. He told me it was something he wanted to give me early. I had picked out a scarf that I told him I may want to wear Christmas eve, so just assumed it was that. As I began to open the present, I noticed it was a robe I had pinned on Pinterest to wear on our one day wedding day. I really didn’t have many things pinned at this point, and was also confused how Mike knew as I didn’t even know he knew what Pinterest was at this point. As I was finishing opening, Mike and Mac (our English Bulldog) began to walk out of our kitchen (very slowly as Mac is pretty lazy), and I noticed Mac had a chalkboard sign around his neck that said “Will You Marry My Daddy?” Mike got down on one knee and proposed!

Details of the day!
I would describe our wedding day as classic with an airy whimsical touch. The guys were dressed in Black tux’s with black bow ties, along with Mac our English Bulldog. The girls wore Nouvelle Amsale dresses in the color “Sand.” I absolutely love flowers so had specific flowers, especially Peonies that I wanted included in mine and the girls bouquets. Our flowers were a mix of whites, creams, very pale pinks, and greens that were more organically put together and not so structured. I really wanted that whispy romantic feel.

Why did you choose your venue?
I had found The Ashford Estate online probably a year or so BEFORE we got engaged. I remember showing friends at work and them saying “you have to get married there one day.” I remember emailing it to Mike and he loved it as well, but of course, we had to wait to actually be engaged. Once we got engaged they were my first call to make appointment. Mike and I visited first just the two of us and it was the very first venue we looked at. We absolutely fell in LOVE, there was nothing not to love about it. We saw 2-3 other venues that day and none compared. I remember calling my Mom as soon as we were pulling out and she said, “well, what did you guys think.” We told her how much we absolutely LOVED it and thought it was the one. We took my parents back and Mike’s dad the following weekend to see it for themselves, and to also talk to the wedding coordinator for Merri Makers Catering, Laura. Mike kept telling me to not get my hopes up in case we weren’t able to make it work. After visiting themselves, my parents knew quickly why we loved it so much. We placed a date on hold, May 12th, 2017, while my parents went home to talk about it. A few days later my parents sent the deposit in, and The Ashford Estate was set to be the beginning of our new journey together as Husband and Wife.

What was on your menu?
Preview
Burrata Salad Carved Burrata presented over young Arugula and Focaccia Crostini Topped with Heirloom Tomato Salad Basil, Oil and Aged Balsamic Reduction ~ Served with a Paremsan-Crusted Artisan Bread Stick
The Main Entree
~Guests Choice the Night Of ~ Chateaubriand Medallions of Sliced Beef Tenderloin Pinot Noir Demi-Glace ~ Or ~ Citrus Glazed Mahi Mahi Fresh Mango Salsa ~ ~ Accompanied By ~ Smoked Gouda Potato Souffle Roasted Asparagus.
Indulge
~ Tiered Wedding Cake – Lemon cake with a raspberry filling or a Coconut cake with a Mango filling.
~ Cookie & Milk Shooters ~
Donut Station Freshly Made Donuts Accompanied by a Variety of Dipping Sauces & Toppings
Ice Cream Pop Bar Vanilla and Chocolate Pops Dipped in Chocolate and Rolled in Toppings

All about your gown!
I knew going into wedding dress shopping that I always saw myself in a fuller ball gown, however, I was open and tried on many different styles. After the first few stores of not finding anything, I started to get discouraged that I wasn’t going to find “the one.” I started searching Instagram and fell upon a dress that I LOVED on many different people that I saw it on. I didn’t look to deeply into the designer etc, but it was the picture moving forward that I was showing bridal salons when I arrived as my inspiration. After a failed trip to Kleinfelds, as we were driving home, my best friend, and Co-Matron of honor said to me “Why don’t you find out who the designer is of this dress that you love?” After spending the whole drive home stalking Instagram, I came to find out it was Hayley Paige’s dress called “Londyn.”

I began searching placed who may have it to try on and after a few calls, was successful in finding that Philly Bride had it. I made an appointment and just my Mom and I went to try on this dress among others. This was the very first appointment we had that it was just the two of us. Up until this point, my mom hadn’t cried or felt that any other dresses were “the one.” Upon arrival I decided to try this dress on first, and I would try others on after. I knew as soon as I put it on that it was THE ONE! I came out and my mom instantly started crying and said “that’s it!” I FaceTimed both my Sister-in-law and my Best friend who were my Co-Matron of Honor’s and they both agreed. We tried on the other dresses just to be sure, but quickly came back to this one. It was THE ONE, and we purchased it that day. Now that I look back, I didn’t understand the significance of that moment then, as I do now.

We purchased that dress in June 2016, and I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that my mom wouldn’t actually be there in person to see me in my dress on my wedding day. I am so very grateful that Jen at Philly Bride asked us that day if we wanted pictures of my mom and I with me in my dress, they are the only pictures I have of the two of us in my wedding dress. My mom passed away suddenly on September 28th, 2016 after a almost 16 year battle with Breast Cancer, just 7 1/2 months before our wedding. I didn’t know how I could possibility continue on with our planning with out her, let alone how I was going to get through the day without her there. We did many things to honor her that day in ways that I knew I would be able to keep it together. Her dress which had already been purchased was still hung next to mine as I got ready. We had a sign and her flowers on an empty seat during our ceremony next to my dad. I had a charm on my bouquet that had a picture of the two of us and charm that said “Missing you as I walk down the aisle.” We had an entire table of pictures of her and us on display during our cocktail hour. I had a ring of hers reset that I wore on my right hand on our wedding day and we had a song dedicated to her at the end of the reception that we asked everyone to join us on the dance floor in a circle to honor and remember her.

What was your favorite moment?
Mike and I decided since we already did a lot of things untraditionally by purchasing a house, and living together first, that we wanted to keep the tradition of seeing each other for the first time as I walked down the aisle. While I knew it would be a lot easier to do a first look for pictures sake, this was something very important to us that we emphasized to all of our wedding vendors. I was so calm the entire day, but I remember waiting outside of the doors and my heart racing knowing, this moment, that I had waited my ENTIRE life for was about to take place, and I was about to see my soon to be husband for the very first time. My heart raced down the entire aisle as I ugly cried, but that is a moment I am SO happy we had, and got to share with all of our friends and family. They were all able to witness that very special moment, and its one we will never forget.

One detail you couldn’t live without?
Our English Bulldog Mac. He is our child, and everyone that knows us, knew he had to be a part of our day. While it took some logistical figuring out, The Ashford Estate allowed him on the property and in the barn where we got married, just not inside of any of the buildings. Mike’s brother and Best Man walked him down the aisle in his Tux, he absolutely stole the show! We were able to get pictures with him immediately following our ceremony before his babysitter took him home for the evening. Our signature drinks were named after him and we had other English Bulldog aspects sprinkled throughout our wedding.

Did anything go wrong?
Absolutely nothing! We ran a little behind with makeup that pushed back the girls getting some pictures beforehand that I wanted, but we were still able to squeeze some in, just not as many as I had hoped and not in all of the locations I had hoped.

First dance song?
James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go

Any advice for future brides?
Pick the things that are most important to you and put the most emphasis on them. At the end of the day, that is what makes your wedding unique and special to you.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We first stopped in Napa for two nights then traveled to Maui and Kauai for the remaining two weeks.

the details

Hometowns

Yardley

Ceremony Location

Ashford Estate

Reception Location

Ashford Estate

Photographer

Kay English

Officiant

Father Jack Ryan

Bride’s Gown

Hayley Paige

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the details

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