Aaron +Meg:Saint Louis Engagement

(by Ash-a-ley)

I never know who I am going to meet when I show up to shoot a wedding.   Before I even arrive, I already know I love the bride and groom.  Throughout the day, I meet, interact, and make friends with bridesmaids, groomsmen, officiants, vendors, and yes, even the valet guys.  Fast forward anywhere from 8-12 hours, and I end up leaving the reception feeling like a part of the family.   Last summer I met Miss Meg.   She was a bridesmaid in one of my favorite weddings of the year (HI MARSHALL & AMY!!!).   That wedding was on the HOTTEST day of the year, but you would have never guessed by looking at the pics, because Amy and her girls were troopers.    Here is a flashback of that June day.......

(Amy is on the far right)

Aaron + Meg's wedding will be here on June 1st!   We met a few weeks ago for their engagement session.   We kept the session in Webster, because it is not only where they live, but also where they spend quite a bit of their time.  It made for the most lovely location.  

Kelly & Grant: Engaged

{Ash-a-ley}

There is nothing like seeing a man who knows how to cherish the woman in his life.   A man who tells her she is his world, but he honestly has no need to say a word, because his actions say it all.  This is what I see when I see Kelly & Grant.  I have known Kelly for a long, long time.   Eleven years to be exact.    Knowing her entire family, I know she comes from good people.  Anyone marrying into this big family should know how lucky they are.  I could hear it in Grant's words.   I could see it in his actions.   He knows how lucky he is, and this is one couple I am not only proud to call my friends, I am honored to be there to capture this big love.    September 8th will be here before we know it!!  

Look at these beautiful piercing blue eyes!!!    LOVE! 

Thank you two for trusting me when I asked you to lay down on the concrete basketball court as your neighbor looked at us with a concerned, "Are they CrayCray?" look.   This pic turned out to be one of my favorites of the day. :) 

Then we headed to where Kelly & Grant had their first date, JP's.    If anyone is from around the area, you know it's not exactly the first date spot, it' s more of a hole in the wall/sports bar.....maybe 4th date kind of place.   :)   Long story.....plans got switched around, and somehow they ended up meeting here instead of their original meeting place.   It is a place that will always be special to the two of them, and each and every time they look back on that night fate brought them to JP's instead of whatever fact restaurant they had in mind, they will look back and smile.

Engaged: Sally & Richie

{Ash-a-ley}
Springtime is upon us and love is in the air.   I have been quite the busy bee shooting one engagement session after the next.    The weather has been sheer perfection, and I love love love getting my brides and grooms-to-be super comfy with my shooting style.   I could not be more excited, proud, or happy for Sally.  She is not only a bride, but also a dear friend.  The kind of friend who always has an ear to listen and an un-biased piece of advice to give.   She is the kind of friend you know you can trust and know you would never have a boring night out on the town with.   :)  Richie: I know you already know this, but you have quite the catch with my little Sally from the Valley.   Being in love never looked so good!!!!

one of my faves...

okay....another fave.....

And we had to bring out another big piece of Sally and Richie's life for their shoot......their pups!!!  

Check out more pics on their slideshow HERE.

Save the Date. Amy & Trent

We were asked by Miss Amy to design a Save the Date that will be sent out to all of her guests.   This is what I came up with for Amy and Trent to send out.   On the left is one side of the Save the Date, and when you flip i over....BAM.....even more ADORABLENESS!!!  Not to mention it's my favorite color.  :)     xoxo - Ash-a-ley

Check out more of Amy and Trent's Engagement session HERE. 

Destination Dallas: Engaged.Trisha & Rene

Meet Trisha and Rene.   The moment I met her, I knew she was the kind of bride I LOVE!  The kind of bride that feels like not only a friend of mine, but someone I have known forever.  This girl and I can chit-chat forever!   She filled me in on all of the details of her wedding, then we started talking engagement pics.   As soon as she informed me that they live in Dallas.....I KNEW we had to do their engagement session there!   Dallas holds a near and dear place in my heart.   My mom's side of the family is from Dallas, and I spent every summer vacation soaking up the sun poolside at my MawMaw and PawPaw's house and every Superbowl that involved the Cowboys rooting for them.  I remember as a child, secretly dreaming and wishing that we lived in the great state of Texas.  Dallas holds a near and dear place to Trisha & Rene's heart as well.   It is where they met, fell in love, and started their life together.   To shoot their session anywhere else, simply would not do.         

When Trisha pulled out her Veo at our first meeting, I nearly died laughing.    Veo is this water flavoring stuff.   If anyone were to look into my purse at a given time, they would most likely find a packet of Crystal Lite lemonade powder.   People think I'm crazy when I order my flavored vodka and water, and then bust out my Crystal Lite lemonade.   I'm sure it probably looks like I must be doing some type of science experiment at the bar.....but HEY....it's 5 calories.....AND mostly water!  Keeps me hydrated!!!    I'm glad to see that I am not alone in this Trisha!!! 

Then we headed to a funky little spot I found....Hotel Belmont!!   I love all vintage, retro, and simple....so I knew as soon as I saw a photo of this place, that we HAD to shoot here!    And did I mention the view of the city from this place!?!?!?!  

View their Slideshow HERE.

Trisha- you are going to make one BEAUTIFUL June bride!!!    See you on your next STL visit!!!    

xoxoxo Ash-a-ley

Engaged: Sara and Jared

"Lucky I'm in love with my best friend.  Lucky to have been where I have been."

Lucky.Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillet

Fate, Destiny, Meant to be, Luck....whatever you call it....I believe in the possibility that there may be a predetermined course to the future.  Sure, things may change, get in the way, or life may not work out the way you thought it may....but when it comes down to it....if something is meant to be, it finds a way. 

I also believe in photography fate.  I just made that term up, but sometimes, just sometimes....it is almost as if the stars align and photography perfection happens in such a way that it sends chills down your spine.  Photography fate happened on the afternoon I showed up to shoot Sara and Jared's engagement session.  As we drove around to find the perfect spot to begin shooting.....I see it, I hear it basically screaming my name.   It is not every day that you see an abandoned old pick up truck....oh yeah....a green one left in a field.....during sunset, none the less!  We parked the car....and then it happened.  Magic.    Love. Love. Love. this set of images.   

 A big thank you to Jared for not looking at me like I was totally crazy when I asked him to grab the furniture in his living room and bring it with us for the shoot.   :)  

 Sara and Jared will be tying the knot in Riviera Maya next May!!!!   They blew me away at their e-session, so I am certain they will leave people speechless as they exchange their vows overlooking the ocean!
 Check out Sara and Jared's Slideshow HERE.