Blue Hydrangeas and Hidden Halos: Ashley and AJ's Elegant Nuptials at the Epicurean Hotel

Love Story

AJ and Ashley's love story is a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the serendipitous nature of fate. They met in January 2014 at work,where they were placed in the same training program at their company's corporate office in Chicago. As Ashley reminisces, "AJ remembers the first day of work, seeing me talking with a couple of other colleagues before coming over to introduce himself."

While they were in Chicago, they became close friends. “There was a strong and special bond between the two of us but we focused on our friendship,” they admit. In June 2014, AJ moved to Orange County, California, and Ashley relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Despite the distance, they stayed in touch, and in 2016, they embarked on a memorable group trip to Iceland, reigniting their connection.

After the trip to Iceland, they began visiting each other more frequently, and in 2019, they decided to take the leap and prioritize their relationship. As Ashley eloquently puts it, "In our 20s, we prioritized ourselves individually to understand who we were, what we were seeking out of life, as well as a partner, and we felt that we were both ready to commit to a relationship."

The proposal was a romantic and well-orchestrated affair, befitting their love story. As Ashley shares, "My favorite day of the year is when we decorate the house for Christmas." Leading up to the big day, subtle hints from loved ones piqued her curiosity. First, her father asked if she had received a book about Greece that he had given AJ to pass along, leaving Ashley puzzled until AJ admitted to seeing her dad recently.
Then, Ashley's close friend Michelle invited her for a manicure just a week before the couple planned to get their Christmas tree. On the day of the proposal, AJ took Ashley to their favorite restaurant for brunch,where he ordered champagne to toast to an unspecified celebration, adding to the mystery.

After picking out their Christmas tree and beginning the decorating process, Ashley grew weary and decided to take a nap. AJ patiently waited for two hours, which he described as "the longest two hours of his life," until Ashley awoke. As soon as they finished decorating the tree, AJ grabbed an ornament box, claiming there was one more ornament he wanted to show her. “Then he gets down on his knee and proposes.... finally!” shares Ashley.

Ashley and AJ's wedding was a celebration of their love, their journey, and their commitment to one another. “I wanted to fly to Vegas and elope just the two of us, whereas AJ wanted a big wedding with friends and family. We compromised and setting for an intimate wedding with family,where we could treat them to a beautiful day,” Ashley adds.

The bride’s grandparents, who were married for over 65 years, served as the inspiration for their wedding preparations. "Unfortunately, my Grandpa passed away a few years ago, but I was ecstatic that my Grandma would be able to attend the wedding. Our goal was to create a classy and elegant day that everyone would enjoy (from my 5-year-old niece to my Grandmother)," Ashley shared.

The couple compromised on their dream wedding. Their final decision was an intimate affair with 20 guests, held on August 15, 2023, in Tampa, Florida.

Morning details

As the anticipation built for Ashley and AJ's wedding celebration, the morning unfolded with a symphony of carefully curated details, each one a love letter to their journey. One of the first notes in this composition was the exquisite wedding stationery, masterfully crafted by their dear friend Kendall of Bijou Creative. "Our goal for our wedding was to keep it very intimate and intentional, and we knew we wanted Kendall to design our wedding invitations," Ashley reminisced, her voice carrying the warmth of a cherished friendship.

The selection of their wedding rings was an equally thoughtful process, with each band serving as a tangible symbol of their eternal commitment. Ashley's engagement ring, adorned with a hidden halo, inspired her choice of a wedding band that would seamlessly complement its design, creating a harmonious continuity. "My engagement ring has a hidden halo, so I wanted a wedding band that matched the halo to create the continuity. AJ was looking for a silver band, but wanted it to have some design or texture, so that's why he chose his wedding band," she explained, her words painting a picture of timeless elegance.

Bride getting ready

Ashley's search for the perfect wedding dress was a whirlwind of joy and serendipity. While visiting her cousin in Chicago, they made Grace Loves Lace their first stop on their dress-shopping adventure. As Ashley slipped into the 'Mila' gown, she knew she had found the one. "When I tried on my dress, Mila, I fell in love. She has a classic yet elegant look and fit perfectly," Ashley gushed.

For her bridal bouquet, Ashley chose her favorite flower, the blue hydrangea, adding a touch of vibrancy and symbolism to her ensemble. Iza's Flowers expertly crafted the bouquet, bringing Ashley's vision to life.

Surrounded by her loved ones, including her cousins, niece, sister, mother, grandmother, and close friend, Ashley embarked on the final preparations, donning a veil from Sarah Sevel, Cole Haan shoes, and exquisite jewelry from Etsy.

Groom getting ready

AJ's preparation for the big day was equally stylish and memorable. He opted for a dapper tuxedo from Suit Supply, ensuring he looked his best for the momentous occasion.
Joined by his father, Dave, his uncle Barry, and Ashley's stepdad, Joe, AJ savored the moments leading up to the ceremony, surrounded by the unwavering support of his loved ones.

First Look

As Ashley approached AJ in the courtyard of the Epicurean Hotel, he was struck by her radiant beauty, and rendered speechless for a few moments. "I felt calm and at peace all morning, until I started to get dressed and prepare for the first look," Ashley reminisced. "The nervousness grew up until the first look. The second I saw AJ, all of that nervousness dissipated and the peaceful feeling took over."

For Ashley, the first look was the highlight of the day, a moment frozen in time when the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in a cocoon of love and wonder. AJ, too, was captivated by the sight of his beautiful bride-to-be. At that moment, all the meticulous planning and preparation faded into the background, leaving only the sacred bond between two souls destined to walk life's path together.

Photoshoot before the ceremony

As the sun cast its warm embrace upon the courtyard of the Epicurean Hotel, Ashley and AJ found themselves immersed in a romantic tableau,where love and beauty intertwined in perfect harmony. It was here, amidst the lush greenery and the charm of aged brick buildings, that their photographer, Sarah, had meticulously crafted a vision to capture the essence of their love story.

Ceremony

The intimate ceremony took place at the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller in Tampa, with only Ashley's cousin, Cassie, and their photographer, Sarah, as witnesses. Cassie's presence held a special significance, as she had met AJ a decade earlier when she lived in Chicago.

"It was special to have Cassie there with us and to sign our marriage license," Ashley shared. As they sealed their union with the stroke of a pen, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them cradled in the warm embrace of their love. In that sacred space, they became husband and wife, two halves of a whole, embarking on a journey that would carry them through the ebb and flow of life's tides, forever united.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

After the ceremony, Ashley and AJ continued their photographic journey, capturing their love in three picturesque locations.

“We chose 3 locations, a park filled with live oak trees, Bayshore Blvd for some pictures in front of the water, and the wine store at Epicurean Hotel. The live oak trees provided us with a great backdrop for pictures and gives off that classic feel. We wanted pictures on the water, so we chose a spot along Bayshore Blvd. When we returned to the hotel, Sarah asked on a whim if we wanted to get some shots in the wine store and we were up for it! I love wine and the lighting was great so it was fun to end our portraits in there. Sarah did our engagement photos so we trusted her instinct and let her guide us around all day for pictures,” the bride recalls.

Wedding Venue & Decor

Ashley and AJ chose a color palette of white, light blue, and silver for their wedding decor, creating an atmosphere of elegance and serenity. Personalized touches, such as champagne flutes, a cake cutter, and a knife, added a touch of individuality to their celebration.

“We chose Epicurean Hotel for our reception with family because it is right across the street from where we were taking everyone to dinner, Bern's Steakhouse. Our day was planned around our dinner at Bern's. We wanted to treat everyone to Bern's because not only is it an amazing steakhouse, but it's a whole experience with a tour of the restaurant, wine cellar, and ended at the dessert room,” the couple adds.

Reception

While the reception was an intimate affair, Ashley and AJ ensured that every moment was cherished and celebrated. Chantilly Cakes provided a stunning wedding cake, adding a touch of sweetness to the joyous occasion. But it was the personal touches that truly made this celebration one for the ages. “There is a picture of my grandparents cutting the cake at their wedding, so we framed that picture and put it on our cake table,” Ashley mentions.

Adding to the sentimental touches was a gift from Ashley's grandmother, a garter that had adorned her own bridal ensemble on her wedding day. As Ashley slipped it on, she was enveloped in the warmth of her grandmother's love, a tangible connection to the past that seamlessly intertwined with the present.

As the night unfolded, Ashley and AJ basked in the love and support of their closest family and friends, creating memories that would forever be etched in their hearts. Each vendor, from the talented bakers to the skilled photographers, played their part in crafting a seamless experience, ensuring that the wedding planning process was smooth and efficient. "Every vendor was amazing!" Ashley exclaimed, her gratitude evident in her words. "They made the wedding planning process smooth and efficient."