Ashley & Elisha

May 4, 2019 at Arundel Estate

Wedding Vendors & Their Instagram Handles: 

Photographer: Emily Knuth Photography - @emilyeknuth
Makeup: COR Beauties - @corbeauties
Wedding planner: Jaclyn Fraser, At Last Weddings - @atlastweddings
Venue: Arundel Estate - @arundelestate 
Florals - chicken shed primitives - @chickenshedprimitives

Bridal Finery Stylist - Roberta

TBF: Where was your first date?

Bride: Oh gosh... we dated on the down-low for quite a while before our first real date - lots of late night beach trips and cocktails at The Guesthouse. I believe our first real date was Coopers Hawk then the sling shot on I-drive. Elisha always got in a good “thrill” no matter what we were doing:)

TBF: How did your partner propose?

Bride: He proposed on a sunset cruise in Key Largo. According to him, he carried the ring around everywhere he went for 2 months, waiting for the perfect moment. We decided on a Labor Day weekend getaway to the Bahamas and Key Largo. It was September 2, 2018 and we really wanted to do the Catamaran sunset sail at our resort (Playa Largo Resort & Spa). The winds weren’t good for sailing that evening though, so they gave everyone the option to go on a non-sail boat, or to reschedule. Everyone rescheduled except for us, and they let us go out with the captain alone. It ended up being a private sunset cruise, and it was a beautiful night! I don’t think he planned it, but right at sunset we had a champagne toast and he got down on one knee at the front of the boat. It was the perfect moment! It was very “us” - private and special, and on the water :)

TBF: What was your dress experience like?

Bride:  I went to 3 shops before walking into my appointment at the Bridal Finery. I was with my parents and beyond confused at this point. I was ready to be done for the day and just go home and rethink what I really wanted. We decided to go to my last appointment of the day, and just go from there. From the moment I walked in to the Bridal Finery, the experience was completely different. I was the only person in the boutique and we were greeted as if they had been looking forward to us coming all day. They got us drinks and personalized the music playlist to whatever we liked. It was such a warm, comfortable and inviting environment.
I tried on 2 dresses and immediately loved both. But when I put “the dress” back on, my parents and I both knew that it was the one. Suddenly, the confusion was gone, and it was super clear! It felt so much like me and it was exactly what I had been saying I wanted.
The whole process from then on was a breeze! I worked with Roberta from start to finish - picking out the dress to the very last fitting. The fittings and alterations were always so detail oriented, and it was clear that Sarah really cared and wanted everything to be perfect. Even after I dropped the “Surprise - I’m pregnant!” bomb! They made my dress PERFECT for my baby bump. I couldn’t have been happier!

TBF: What wedding planning advice do you have for other brides?

Bride: Feel comfortable and confident when you’re making decisions- if it ever feels difficult or confusing, take a step back. I used this advise the most when picking out my dress and make up artist. 
Also, do NOT skip the planner or even just a day-of coordinator. I planned every aspect of my wedding by myself, and loved every second of it! I had spreadsheets and budgets and every small detail accounted for. But I still had a day of coordinator, so I could relax and enjoy the day. And honestly, I may not have even had a wedding without her! There were so many issues that came up, from weather to my DJ walking out before the ceremony. The day turned out to be NOTHING what I planned, but it was still absolutely perfect. My planner, Jaclyn, didn’t even tell us about the issues until after the fact - she just handled it all and FIXED everything. I never worried and was perfectly calm all day.

TBF: Where was your honeymoon?

Bride: Mo’orea, French Polynesia - an island off of Tahiti and Bora Bora.

Best Wishes to Ashley and Elisha! We cannot wait to meet the baby!