There is nothing I love more than a personal, heartfelt, handmade wedding. Most everything in or about this wedding was special to the bride and groom, created or gifted to them by family and friends. There are so many things I love about this wedding (a true labor of love), photographed beautifully by Briana Moore Photography. The blue-gray shades of the groomsmen’s vests and mismatched bridesmaid dresses, the handmade boutonnieres, the wildflowers gathered in mason jars, the bunting, the signs, the twinkle lights. But what I love most are the love letters. James and Ashley spent a year of their relationship dating long distance, and they frequently corresponded through handwritten letters. These letters were all over the reception, both in beautifully wrapped bundles, as well as the backing paper in the frames scattered around the tables. It was such a beautiful, special touch that made my heart simply swoon. I hope yours does too.

James and Ashley met one day at church. She’d arrived early to a church event and had unknowingly sat in his usual place. He had just returned from living in Costa Rica and so decided to sit beside her. They were introduced after the service, and because his old friends were her new friends, spent much of the following summer together.

On their first official date, James and Ashley went to one of their favorite coffee shops, Alta, in Newport Beach, CA. They talked for three hours, and after their tea was long gone, a barista came out and told them it was time for them to close. James quickly got out a piece of paper and began writing down things to do on it. “Go to the beach”, “Get a beer”, “Drive 100 miles up Highway 1”, “Go home”, and other things were on the list. They walked out to their respective cars and tore all the options into strips, folded them up, and tossed them into the street. “Now we have to choose one without looking” he said. The one they chose read, “Go home”. So they went down to the beach and watched the waves go in and out.

At that point, James was moving to San Antonio, TX in just three weeks. In that time, they managed to complete almost every item on the list. The morning James left, he stopped by Ashley’s house for an early breakfast. As he was leaving, he told her to close her eyes, that he had a present for her. He took her face in his hands and kissed her. Then he drove away. Sigh. Sounds just like a movie, doesn’t it?

They talked a little on the phone after James moved to San Antonio, and about a week later, his first letter arrived in the mail for her. Because Ashley and handwritten letters have a deep friendship, James all but won her over right then and there. That first letter started a full year of writing back and forth. Sometimes they were six pages long, other times they would send poetry. Either way, Ashley checked the mail every, single day.

He came to visit for Christmas that year, and Ashley thought she knew in the weeks leading up to that visit that she was in love him and that he loved her too. Things he would say or do gave it away. And then, one evening, she asked him what he was thinking. And he said, “That I love you.”

When it came time for James to propose, Ashley honestly had no idea he was about to do so. Even ten minutes before it happened, she still hadn’t guessed. It was the day his brother was married. He took her down to the harbor, where his uncle had a boat docked. This was actually one of the things on their original todo list.

They sat up in the captain’s seats, and watched the sun go down over the harbor and he brought out a bottle of champagne. She was still clueless. Then he got out a bunch of little folded pieces of paper and said, I have some more things for us to do”. He threw them down and Ashley chose one that read, “The grandest of all adventures.” He then recited from memory a poem by Pablo Neruda that she loved, and got down on one knee. He said beautiful things, and she cried as he put a ring of her finger.

{From the Bride} My favorite details about our wedding were the people we shared it with. After our rehearsal dinner, our huge family and bridal party hung around and played ridiculous card games. So many people came to help us set up, and all the people we love dearly were present for our wedding. It meant the world to us. I loved watching all of my decorations and plans come together into one event. I had my doubts about the party details at time, but it all worked great. 

I remember our day well, the details stand out still but I am so grateful for Briana’s pictures, they help. In all of the craziness of that day, the moments I had with my father are the most vivid. When he came into the room after I was ready, drove me from place to place, and walked me down the aisle. I adore my dad and because he lives on another coast, the time together with him was sweet to us. James and I did a first look, and it was fantastic. We had time to ourselves to enjoy the day, relax and have fun together before our ceremony.

So many things did not go as I had planned, but in the end, what I planned wasn’t good enough. Each time something began to deviate from my original intent, it ended up turning out better. Was the day everything I dreamed of? No, it was more than that. I would live that day forever if i could.

{Advice for Couples} Firstly, make sure your relationship is built on solid ground. Living in different states for over a year, all James and I could do was communicate. Spend more time talking and less time watching movies. Also, find someone to do marriage counseling with. We were able to work through issues before they caused tension between us. For brides to be: start planning today. No one will think you are crazy for starting early. Get a calendar and give yourself small deadlines along the way and keep them! Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Lastly, plan to have everything done one week before your wedding day, so you can relax and enjoy the week prior. Lastly, have fun. It’s not about how it looks, or what anyone else thinks. It’s your day.

Congratulations, Ashley and James! We wish you so much love and luck in your future together. Thank you so much for sharing your love story with us. A very special thank you to Briana Moore, as well, for sharing their very special day with us today! xoxo