Chris + I got engaged in Charleston, SC in February of 2007. We were visiting Charleston for our 4yr dating anniversary and he popped the question when we were walking around the gardens at The Inn at Middleton Place, where we stayed. 
The huuuge 900yr old tree he proposed under.
Hugging my engagement tree, hehe. I was in my first year of grad school and wanted to wait to have the wedding after graduation. So we set the date for 1yr and 4 months later. The time flew!
The finished ring with wedding band before the wedding. Chris picked out the ring all on his own, and I love how unique it is. He got it from an amazing company in San Fran called Brilliant Earth, who specialized in conflict free diamond jewelry. Their rings are amazing!
I’m including a few wedding prep photos because we did so much on our own. For instance, instead of renting a chuppah [traditional jewish wedding canopy], we made one. I’m not sure if this was a good idea or bad, seeing as how long it took We made this…oh, about 4 days before the wedding!!
It was a full family effort!
I was designing on the fly….and not very well. Structures was not my strong suite during architecture school, hehe.
We even had spectators…
All finished…now I just had to paint the whole thing white, so you couldn’t see the wood under the fabric. This is one of those projects that turned into….”what did I get myself into???” But in the end it was worth it!!
We also made all of the centerpieces, Friday, before the wedding. My Aunt, Jenna, and bridesmaids all came to help. We ordered the roses [coral + cream] from Fifty Flowers and they arrived 3 days before the wedding. We bought all of the vases and stones and saved a TON of money making them ourselves. All 20 centerpieces took a total of 4 hours, which really wasn’t too bad!
I was a little tired here. The bachelorette party was the night before [Thursday of wedding week]. I got to bed late and SHOT out of bed at 6am too excited to sleep any longer. There was too much to do!
All ready to go! The cream roses with the coral center were for the head table.
Rehearsal time! I made t-shirts for the 4 kids in the wedding party.
I remember getting nervous seeing everyone there realizing it was all for Chris + me!!
My mom + uncle [who married us].
Rehearsal dinner
Chris + I broke the rules and stayed together the night before the wedding. I just couldn’t be apart, hehe. I even saw him that morning when they loaded up the chuppah onto this flat bed!
I don’t think seeing him the morning of the wedding made things any less exciting!
Good thing our wedding was only .5 miles away!
Getting my hair done and trying to eat a bagel. I was getting nervous and couldn’t eat much!
After running around, getting the material draped on the chuppah and delivering everything to StoneWater it was time to make my way into the dressing room. Things were a bit chaotic because we did so much ourselves. There were so many last minute things to remember. Luckily my mom, and a few friends + relatives worked their magic to set everything up perfectly.
My cousin Jenna, was my flower girl.
My Aunt Sherie’s niece, Renee, was my maid of honor. We always say we’re cousins, even though it’s cousins by marriage. She had fun driving me around in the golf cart to take photos. I think it was her first time driving one and she was in heels…it was pretty hysterical!
The weather was pretty iffy that day. It rained a little in the morning and then got really nice out. The forecast however, was not looking promising. We wanted the ceremony to be outside but were going to have to play it by ear as the day went on.
Love this one, bunching up my dress!
Renee LOVED fluffing my dress
Loved having the golf course as a backdrop for our photos.
The boyz.
All of the ladies I love the most stood up with my on my wedding day…except for my mom…she was sitting in the front row 
I had 6 bridesmaids + 2 jr. bridesmaids. I found their dresses at Filene’s basement for about $30!!!! Can’t beat that, right??
Matron + Maid of honor
Too cute Chris, with my little cousin Cole.
I bought Chris a handheld Garmin GPS for all of our backpacking and to use on our honeymoon in Ireland. Having a handheld GPS really comes in handy!
I loooooved the dress we found for Jenna.
We said “no gifts” for each other but I knew I was going to get him something. Well, apparently he was thinking the same.
Chris had Renee deliver me a gorgeous and very simple bracelet, that I completely love. He must of known I didn’t have a bracelet to wear that day
Don’t let the sunny skies fool you. The weather was about to get cArazy!
Since we were having our ceremony + reception all at one location, we didn’t have the gap in between to take photos. We wanted to be at our cocktail hour too, so we decided to see each other before the ceremony. I went back forth on this decision but after talking to enough people that said it was the best decision they made, we decided to go for it.
It was amazing! I cried on the long walk to where he was waiting.
It was so exciting and special. We didn’t even notice the photos being snapped.
I loved that we were able to be a part of cocktail hour, instead of taking photos. I still got extremely nervous + excited when it came time to walk down the aisle. Seeing Chris beforehand didn’t take away from the moment at all!
Hi dad!! Things were already starting to get a bit windy. The chairs were set up but the staff was still contemplating moving everything inside.
One of my FAVorite photos! Our guest favor was a pretzel rod rolled in chocolate/caramel/nut, called a “pig stick.” I am all about edible favors! The tables only sat 6-8 which is why we kept the centerpieces nice and small.
4 tier vanilla cake with lemon, chocolate, or raspberry frosting on the inside. We had a family friend bake our cake and it was some of the best cake I’ve ever had. The frosting was rich + creamy and not overly sweet.
This is another favorite photo. I just love that we’re surrounded by all of the green. My mom had a bit of a panic when she saw that I was bending down to sit on a dirty bridge All she could picture was me standing up with a brown butt, before the ceremony!
Such a ham my little cousin is! I was not a fan of how my bouquet turned out unfortunately. I even gave the florist photos..oh well!
My fam
I miss the huz!!!! <3
We’re standing in a sand trap here!
Oh yah!! We had a bag piper playing outside when people arrived at the golf club. I remember getting SO exciting when he started playing!
The sun vanished.
We decided to have 3 different food stations for dinner:
- beef tenderloin carving
- italian station with pasta, chicken parm, veggies, couscous, and a bunch of other things
- sushi station!! tons of sushi and asian noodle dishes
The stations were such a fun idea! I’m always a fan of sampling a lot of little things, which is why I wanted all of this variety!
Goofin’ around
The main area of the reception room. To the left was the bar and in front + on the sides were the food station tables. The long table by the fireplace was the head table. Everyone sat in the open rooms to the left + right of the food tables. Later this was the dance floor.
And this concludes recap ONE. Yes, there is more!!
I just arrived back in Colorado, picked up the dogs at Pat + Nat’s house, ate a bowl of cereal and some anniversary cheesecake from Ann and now I’m off to bed!
Chris left me an awesome surprise on the kitchen table when I arrived home…I was very excited, hehe
Ashley
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Your wedding was so beautiful! You looked absolutely gorgeous! I can’t believe that you did the flowers yourself. They all looked professional!
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 1:09 am
Thank you!!!
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Wow!! There’s too much here to comment on individually, but EVERYTHING looked so stunning! The proposal setting, the ring, your dress, the cake…seriously, wow! I think you hadmy dream wedding
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Thanks Freya!
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How beautiful are these pictures, especially you!!!! I love that you did everything yourself, I think it makes the day much more special and your own.
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You looked beautiful on your wedding day! Your dress is stunning and so is the backdrop of all your pictures. I am just starting to get thrown in the mist of wedding planning… my engagement party is Saturday and we are getting married July 22, 2011… I cannot decide on anything haha! I love your choice in colors, I wish I could make a decision! Did you always know what colors you wanted to go with for your bridesmaids and flowers? Or did you have a hard time picking too? Any advice when it comes to deciding on colors?
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Hmmm, it’s hard to give advice on choosing colors. I think at first I had a much bigger palette including more colors. I originally wanted soft yellows/blues/browns/pinks but then really found that I loved the color Coral and that it went really well with a warm chocolate brown. It should be something that speaks to you + your husbands personalities. Do you want a bright + bold wedding or a softer + more mellow feel? Just think of what you want your wedding day to be and pick colors that help represent that! It’s also helpful to check what flowers are actually in season!
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I just love these wedding recaps! There are so many times when I go back through my album and just melt over the memories! Your centerpieces are gorgeous! (As are you my dear!!!)
We got married on a golf course too and have so many of those great golf cart photos!
Happy Anniversary!!
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I can’t even begin to tell you how gorgeous you look! Just stunning! And your ring is incredible.
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Thank you lovely lady!!
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What a beautiful ring!
And a gorgeous wedding, you looked stunning!!
xo
Kris
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I love your wedding pictures! Soooo cute, and you look absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful wedding….
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Can’t believe you did all that work yourself! But I’m sure you’re glad you did. OOhh, do we get to hear what he got you??
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Yes, I will be posting soon
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You look so happy in these pictures.
And, OMG, that last picture is GORGEOUS – what a beautiful place!!!
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Wow – thank you for sharing this with us! Such a gorgeous bride and a beautiful wedding. I also really love your band. As someone newly engaged, I’m excited to do something unique with my band to compliment my engagement ring!
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The one with you and the boquet is absolutely STUNNING. I don’t think I’ve seen that one. My favorite of the whole bunch. L, Dad.
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Thanks dad!
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LOVED this post. What a gorgeous wedding! I may or may not have gotten a little teary reading your post. Um, is that weird? haha!
Happy happy anniversary! I’m sorry you two are apart but I hope the time flies without him!
<3
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Aww, hehe..not weird at all
The time is flying for sure…sad to be w/o him but in the grand scheme of things it’s not a big deal!
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Gosh – I have so much to say about this post! You were such a beautiful bride! And the venue with all the wood beams and stone!
I love that you guys did a lot yourselves – saves a buck or two AND makes special memories!
Can’t wait for part II…
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LOVE the wedding recap! Can’t wait to read more! Your dress is GORGEOUS and I absolutely love the centerpieces, they’re so pretty!!
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I love the groomsmen’s suits!! They look so dapper.
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Awww, this is so special. Thank you for sharing with us! I can just hear in your words how special your day was and how much Chris means to you. I love that.
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Stunning!!
That’s the word that was screaming in my head the whole time reading this beautiful post! I’m speechless and a little teary-eyed!
But can’t wait for the next post!!
Looks like you definitely had a dream wedding!!
And what a gorgeous bride you were!
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Aww, you are too kind..thank you!!
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I have not been reading your blog for very long – but the passion in some of those pictures almost made me cry. Congrats!
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you look beyond beautifl!! i love that picture in black and white on teh bridge when you are walking towards him
I had no idea you were jewish! thats so cool you guys made your own chuppah! i bet my dad will want to do that for me
im a little choked up reading this!!!
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Thank you!! Yes, I was raised Jewish [but my dad was not jewish so we celebrated all of the holidays] and I even had a Bat Mitzvah! We incorporated a lot of different traditions into our wedding..so fun!
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I love wedding recaps! And I absolutely love the picture of you reading Chris’ card…there is such joy in your face. I also love that you stood in a sand trap & sat on a bridge in your dress.
James and I saw each other the day of the wedding, too. I think I would’ve been a nervous wreck if he wasn’t around. I loved taking all our pictures before the ceremony…James and I had this great alone time together since we were getting all the pictures of the two of us taken. Welcome back to Denver!
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Glad someone else broke the rules
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I JUST TEARED UP!!!!!!!! lol. soooo beautiful you are. Every picture is stunning. Happy anniversary again to a beautiful couple. Cant wait to meet the other half.
PS_ Love that picture of the table setting from above
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
I’m tearing up reading these comments!! I want to blow up the table photo and hang it on my wall! I can’t wait for you guys to meet chris either! One of these days…
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Great pictures! Awe, I love weddings.
It gets me all excited to go to the wedding Saturday (though I’ll be flying solo). We did a lot of our own work too, center peices, even the cake (MIL made cupcakes as our cake), we even made our own backdrop behind the head table (blown up pictures of each member of the wedding part and the bride and groom). Congrats! 
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p.s. can’t wait to hear what the surprise is that Chris left you.
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1) Your ring is amazing. I love the shape of it!!
2) You were a gorgeous, gorgeous bride!
3) We had food stations + hors d’oeuvres at our wedding too, and it was definitely a hit. Can’t wait to get to do a recap of my own.
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Thanks Julie!
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I have goosebumps! Thank for sharing your day with us. WOW, how amazing and beautiful. You literally had your hand in so much.
You look gorgeous. You can just see the glow!!
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Yes, we really did…it was fun but made things chaotic..although I wouldn’t change a thing! And thank you!
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You look gorgeous and your ring is absolutely stunning!
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This is such a beautiful recap Ashley! Like Teri, I actually became somewhat emotional while looking and reading all of this…it must have been such a special day!
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OK, i started crying reading this…you guys are so cute, and i’m so glad you shared your wedding photos with us!
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So, so, so beautiful!
You looked stunning, and all of the decor, location, details were just fab. Happy anniversary!
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Thanks for sharing this special event with us – what a beautiful beautiful day. That golf course setting is something else. Can’t wait for Part II!
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your ring is beautiful, your dress is beautiful, your centerpieces are unique and beautiful, YOU are gorgeous!!
thanks for sharing… looks like an amazing day… made more so because you were involved in much of it yourself…
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:24 pm
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LOVE this post! You make a beautiful bride. Happy Anniversary!
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Literally one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen. GORGEOUS.
Happy Anniversary! I wish you could spend it together, but I really admire what Chris is doing. You guys are just fabulous.
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Aww, thank you…that really means a lot!
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Isn’t it fun to remember? We just celebrated our 4th wedding anniv. on the 17th and I loved looking through our wedding album… Our cake was amazing so we have the bakery make us a mini version every year: lemon cake with two fillings – fresh raspberries and lemon curd – topped with vanilla buttercream. I dieee for it!
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:23 pm
GAH! That cake sounds amazing!!! What a cute idea to get it remade every year…i love cake!
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i loved this recap! it’s so awesome that you had so many unique touches on your wedding. beautiful
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WOW…you are gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! My favorite picture is the one of Chris holding your face….oh my gosh that is priceless!
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wow this post was absolutely beautiful, starting with that majestic tree, that gorgeous ring, and finally you in your wedding dress! loved all the pictures. =)
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Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! I love seeing these glimpses of the past!
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Awww beautiful!! Love your dress and the wedding colors. You are so crafty when it comes to doing things on your own to save money!
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I love that you made your centerpieces and chuppah! And, I’m not that into jewelry (thrift store necklaces, anyone?), but that ring! I’d so wear your ring set. So gorgeous. I love how much thought you put into your entire wedding; down to the pretzel favor (so you!). These recaps have been great, I almost feel like I was there
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Your wedding was absolutely breathtaking! I officially teared up! So pretty and I can see the love on your face.
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Ashley Reply:
January 18th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Thank you Julie!!!!
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