I have very few words to describe how I honored I was to be a part of Ashley and Brooke’s wedding. They got married on their tenth anniversary under the oak trees in Magdalen Square, and had the sweetest little ceremony. I asked them both to tell me about the night they got engaged and their favorite parts of their wedding day.
From Ashley: Last summer, Brooke and I were both really busy with work and decided to take an impromptu trip to the beach. We found a condo on VRBO and packed up the car and left! One night we grabbed dinner right off of the beach so we could stay late and watch the full moon. I’m kind of a nerd about full moons and was excited about this particular one because it represented new beginnings. I had no idea going into that night what that would mean for us! After we hung out on the beach for a while, Brooke got kind of awkward and pulled us up from our chairs. I think she got down on one knee. I really don’t remember all the words she said besides, “Will you marry me?” I’m pretty sure I screamed yes and then pulled her up into a hug.
It’s so hard to pick one favorite part of our wedding day because it really was a day I could relive all the time. Our ceremony was absolutely perfect. I remember walking into Magdalen Square to walk down the aisle and being overcome with emotion. It looked exactly as I imagined it and seeing all the people we loved made me so excited. My brother officiated the ceremony and Brooke’s cousin recited a reading. Then we both read vows we wrote. It was all so personal and meaningful that I ugly cried the entire time. I love looking back at pictures of the ceremony and feeling those same feelings all over again. I think my next favorite part was our first dance. For weeks, I told Brooke I was so nervous to dance in front of everyone. But once we walked onto the dance floor, everyone else faded. Even though were surrounded by so many people, it felt like it was only us dancing to our favorite song.
From Brooke: As for the engagement, Ashley and I have always loved the night sky. Her ring, was inspired by the night sky as well. It’s a salt and pepper ring, and when you look closely, it looks like a galaxy. The ring came in the day that we left for the beach. (I was in a complete panic because it was coming so close to getting to me a few hours too late.) Ashley had mentioned to me, that she had never been on the beach at night. I absolutely love having new experiences with her, so as soon as I heard that, I had it all planned. We went to the beach during an eclipse. As she was looking up at the night sky, I asked her to marry me.
My favorite part of my wedding, as cliche as it sounds, was watching Ashley walk down the aisle. Even though we did a first look before the ceremony, watching her walk down the aisle was so emotional for me. It was everything I’ve always wanted and more. Even down to the point where he dad gave me this “Don’t you screw this up” look.
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