Ashley + Patrick's wedding day was an elegant, light filled day of celebration. With thoughtful details, from armfuls of peach rose petals lining the edges of the staircase that Ashley descended to the darling portrait "Charlie" cookies of the couple's fur baby. Ashley's warm summer palette of gold, blush, and peach was seamlessly incorporated into the bridesmaids gowns, invitation suite, and florals. The day was captured by Leppert Photography.

Tell us a little about you and Patrick.

Patrick is one of the funniest people I have ever met. His sense of humor is one of my favorite things about him. He's also so caring, so selfless, and such a hard worker. He's always thinking of others which is another thing I absolutely love about him. He's a sports lover, loves a good home cooked meal, and a movie fanatic. He truly is the greatest person I have ever met.

How did you and Patrick meet? What were your first impressions of each other?

Patrick and I met at work! He worked there about a year before me and on my first day my boss walked me to my new seat which was directly in front of Patrick. Other than my boss he was the first person I met there! One of the very first things that stuck out to me about him was how he was always willing to help people with their work, and of course how many jokes he'd tell in a day. We were friends for about 4 months and then secretly began dating.

Tell us about the proposal.

It was pouring down rain! We were headed to meet some of our friends for drinks. I wanted to go home and change because we were all dressed up from a Christmas luncheon we were at. Patrick instead we were fine and we may be a little over dressed at the bar but that it wouldn't be too bad. A few weeks prior we had decided on our very first apartment together. We were scheduled to move in in about 3 weeks! Patrick wanted to drive by our new place since we had finally got the address of where we would be in the complex. As I said before it was pouring down rain and I asked if we could do this the next day. He said no it had to be tonight. So we go.

How were your personal styles reflected in your wedding day?

Personally I always see weddings as a very classy event. I think that definitely came through on our wedding day. Our venue was very elegant and thats something that was important to me. I am all about the little details as well. The colors and fonts from our invitation were carried on through all of the signs and our programs on our wedding day. Everything matched perfectly which was also important to me (I may be a little OCD :))

He pulls into the club house parking lot and I said this is not our address. He opened my car door and asked me to walk with him. I said "I am not getting out of the car! It's pouring down rain!" He asked again if I'd walk with him. I happened to look over to a line of lit candles leading up to a little Christmas tree on the club house patio. I decided that the rain would definitely be worth it so I got out of the car and walked up to the Christmas tree with him. He told me that apartment complex was just the beginning of our lives together but that he never wanted our lives together to end. He pulled out the most beautiful ring and asked me to be his wife. Of course I said yes, and then our friends we were meeting for drinks cam running out of the corner with Champagne!

But thats not where the surprises ended. We headed over to my parents house to tell them the news and there was surprise #2! All of our family and friends were there for an engagement party that Patrick has planned! It was truly one of the greatest nights of my life :)

How did you decide on your venue? Why was it the perfect choice?

I had always heard such amazing things about Cooper Creek but I had never actually been to a wedding there. I had of course looked it up online many times before we even got engaged. A few days after Pat proposed my mom and I walked through Cooper Creek. I feel in love more than I already had just from the online pictures. The venue is stunning. I loved everything about it. The entry way, the white modern and clean feel, and of course the beautiful huge windows in the ball room that over look the golf course. Cooper Creek was the one and only place we physically went to look at for the wedding. I was completely in love. The staff there is also so amazing to work with and so helpful! It was truly perfect.

What was your favorite detail?

Definitely our venue, flowers, and candy bar! We had a year and a half engagement so I changed my mind on the flowers a few times. Our florist nailed my vision for our flowers. They were everything I wanted and more! The colors, the flowers themselves, everything about them were perfect!

The candy bar my mom put together! I told her she could totally start her own business because it looked so good! All the candy matched our colors and the vases were absolutely stunning. She even had other types of desserts so there were more options than just candy and cake! We have a dog named Charlie and she even had Charlie cookies made to go on the candy bar! Everyone absolutely loved it!

Tell us about finding your dress.

I went to Bridal and Formal on a whim because Randy Fenoli was there promoting his new line. I honestly told everyone that came with me that I was not walking out with a dress that day. Randy was amazing and asked what I had always pictured myself in. I told him strapless, some sparkle, and a little flowy but not a full on ball gown. 

He said he had the perfect dress but that someone else had it on at the moment. I tried on 2 other dresses while I wanted for the perfect one. I really liked one of the dresses I tried on while waiting but it wasn't something I would have ever pictured myself in. Randy came walking in with the gown he wanted me to try on. Boy was he right. I put the dress on and I didn't want to take it off. It was everything I had ever wanted in a wedding dress and I fell in love. It was perfect and I felt like a princess on our wedding day! Randy even asked me if I was saying yes to the dress! :)

Describe your wedding day. Is there a particular moment that remains in your memory most vividly?

Our wedding day was beyond perfect - despite the rain! I want to relive that day over and over again. I think the moments that I remember most vividly was when my dad saw me for the first time, mine and Pat's first look, the way Pat cried as I walked down the aisle, and having all of our best friends and the people who care about us most in the same place to celebrate with us.

Which best describes you?

Casual or Formal - Formal Vintage or Modern - hmm a mix of both. But for the wedding probably a little more Vintage Chocolate or Vanilla - Vanilla Roses or Peonies - Peonies Pie or Cake - Cake Lipstick or Gloss - Gloss Diamonds or Pearls - Diamonds Rustic or Urban - Urban

Best part of being married so far?

Being able to call my best friend my husband :)

VENDOR PARTNERS:

Ashley's Dress: Bridal and Formal - Dress: Serena By Randy Fenoli | Flowers: Say I Do Florist | Makeup: Say Eye Do | Cake and other Sweets: A Spoon Fulla Sugar | Venues: Friendship United Methodist Church & Cooper Creek Event Center | Photography: Leppert Photography | Catering: Vonderhaar | DJ & Lighting: Everlasting Sounds | Stationery and Signage: Poeme