Hello blog friends! Let’s play a little word association, I’ll toss out a few words… Rain boots, glow sticks, striptease, Bollywood. Are you thinking “Wedding. Definitely wedding…” Probably not, but you should be.
It’s Throwback Thursday: Blog Edition! Time to start catching up on some of last year’s awesomeness. So, today I share with you one of my favorite weddings ever- yes, that’s right, you heard me. I said EVER.
Emily and Ashley’s sweet backyard wedding ceremony last September was followed by the most amazing reception at Fremont Abbey. I don’t even know where to start with this one because everything was so fabulous, so I’m just going to jump right in. I met Emily during another fantastic wedding, Aaron and Emily’s courthouse elopement back in 2011 and completely fell in love with her (as well as the rest of their wedding party if I’m being honest). The following year I had the chance to get together with Emily and her roommate/wedding-party-alum Robyn to photograph their pups Buck and Stella and we had a blast! So when she contacted me last year to say that she and her adorable girlfriend Ashley were getting married, I was over the moon! And I don’t ever use that phrase. After meeting the two of them together, I knew they had something super special and would no doubt plan a wedding that would mirror that awesomeness. I was not wrong.
Their intimate ceremony was held in their own backyard. Emily wore a stunning white gown with pink sparkly Toms while Ashley opted for the perfect crisp white suit and blue shirt- I also loved Ashley’s “badass” ring! They exchanged vows and their first kiss in front of close friends and family before rushing off to join everyone for a reception to remember at Fremont Abbey. There were colorful cupcakes (“rainbow gaybies” courtesy of Cupcake Royale), homemade cookies, rainbow water bottles for the kiddos, and tables adorned with gold chevron and turquoise. They asked that in lieu of gifts, guests make donations to Orphans to Ambassadors, a cause close to their hearts. The brides arrived in celebratory fashion and everyone settled in and had something to eat from their tasty vegetarian buffet. Ashley and Emily then shared their first dance to Same Love (as Emily #2 and Robyn blew bubbles) and then the party was on! There was Elsa von Schmaltz the amazing Bollywood dancer, a belly dance by the stunning Fuchsia Foxxx (who incidentally was also Emily’s makeup artist), Striptease by the incomparable Sydni Deveraux and sexy burlesque courtesy of The Heavenly Spies. So many amazing performers all in one place, it was like dinner and a show! After the professional dancers were done, the floor was opened and immediately filled with dancing, laughter, glow sticks and house music courtesy of DJ Disco Vinnie that lasted deep into the evening.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to Emily and Ashley for sharing your day with us, I could not be happier to capture the first official day of your married lives. Your friends and family are always in my heart and I cannot wait for our next adventure together.
XOXO, Amy
PS.. a special extra-big hug goes out to Emily (#2) and Aaron for caring for my ankle that evening after I sprained it the week before in Sicily. I have a great photo of you wrapping it for me. You guys ROCK.
reception venue: Fremont Abbey
Cupcakes: Cupcake Royale
Catering: Figtree Catering
DJ: Disco Vinnie
Florist: Maxine’s Floral
Linen & Chairs: Abbey Party Rentals
Entertainment: The Heavenly Spies, Fuchsia Foxxx, Sydni Devereaux, and Elsa von Schmaltz
