Rocking out in the Nation’s Capital would be Ashley + Philip. The two met in Washington, became engaged in Washington and had their engagement photos taken outside of the White House. So there was no better location for their wedding than in D.C. at the {National Museum of Women in the Arts}. This wedding was filled with fun style — Ashley wore a gorgeous {Melissa Sweet} gown and {Jimmy Choo} shoes (hello, lover!). The bridesmaids looked so cute in their {Guess} polkadot heels. And I just can’t get over the save the dates by {Ceci New York} and the invitations, programs, escort cards and menu by Rebecca Shriver. Beautiful! The flowers were done by the {Philippa Tarrant Floral Design}. Taking care of the food and cake would be {Design Cuisine}. For planning, Ashley + Philip went with {Atrendy Weddings & Event Company}. Capturing all the images from this celebration was {Love Life Images}. Check out more shots on the Love Life Images’ {blog}. Happy Friday y’all!
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Phil was in Washington, DC doing some contract work for a major law firm and was in need of an apartment in the city. I was working as a sales executive for a high end corporate extended stay and was referred to him by the law firm since he had been staying at the Mayflower Hotel for several weeks. I had been trying to do business with this particular law firm for quite some time so when the opportunity presented itself I was eager to show him the property! I was told that my appointment had arrived so I began walking the long hallway to the reception area. When I rounded the corner I saw him standing there. He looked so handsome that I skipped a step but tried to maintain my composure. We proceeded to tour the property and he was nice enough to listen to my entire sales pitch even though there was obvious flirting going on. When we returned to the reception area I began explaining the prices to him and before I could finish he said “that is the price right now, but it will likely change when we meet for drinks!” I laughed and reiterated the prices to him as I said “the prices wouldn’t change with drinks.” He left the property full of pamphlets, price sheets and my business card. I was sure that I would hear from him soon! Several weeks passed and we hadn’t connected but I persisted in my sales efforts. My property was sponsoring a law firm reception so I tried once again to get him to the property. With 15 minutes left until the reception was to end Phil arrived! We ended up talking so much that it wasn’t long before we were making plans to meet up for dinner. We had our first date shortly thereafter and the rest is history.
Describe the proposal: I was just settling into our new home together in Denver, when Phil told me that we needed a romantic get-away! He said that we would be flying to Washington D.C. so that we could enjoy the city alone, and not tell any of my friends of our arrival. I agreed that it would be best to keep it a secret since I knew if I told my friends of our arrival, that they would want to see us the entire time, which would completely eliminate our purpose for a weekend alone. Phil and I arrived to the Mayflower Hotel (where we always staying D.C.) and as I opened the door of our suite, I couldn’t help but to notice it glowing! There were candles and flowers everywhere! I began walking in slowly, and as I turned around to see Phil’s face, he was down on one knee! It was amazing!! And to top it all off as soon as I said “yes” he explained that we had one hour until we were meeting a photographer outside of the White House for engagement photos! I didn’t even have a moment to call my parents or best friend! After photos we went back to the hotel, so that I could call all of my friends and family. But to my surprise, Phil had everyone waiting there to surprise me! They not only knew of his proposal but were the ones who decorated our suite!! The night ended with all of us at {Sam & Harry’s}, where we had our fist date!
What attracted me to my husband was: His confidence, humor and smile
Why do you love your husband? Because he makes me smile everyday.
What attracted me to my wife was: Her stunning beauty, sense of humor and intelligence
A date we went on that we’ll always remember: {Sam & Harry’s} where we had our first date. We were talking so much during dinner, that we never noticed they were closing! We literally closed down the restaurant that night.
The weather on our wedding day was: In the high 70’s.
Favorite design element of your big day: My Bridesmaids polka dot stilettos.
Describe your wedding flowers: My entire bouquet was anemones, which became a flower that I incorporated throughout my reception.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Mine was the “photo booth” and our paper products (invitation, program, menu, etc) in which my Best Friend/Maid of Honor designed for us. Phil’s favorite was our signature drink “Aspen Tini” named after our Great Bernese Mountain Dog-Aspen!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Letting go of control and allowing others to take over.
Were there any special family traditions you included in the wedding? No.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Walking down the isle towards my future husband.
Funniest moment? When my Maid of Honor couldn’t find the ring during the Ceremony! It had fallen down her bra!!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Fabulous, elegant and romantic.
What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding? Enjoy being engaged and planning your wedding! Read as many bridal magazines and wedding blogs as you can and try on every gown you see because you are only a Bride once!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Building a family together.
Congratulations to Ashley + Philip. We wish you a lifetime filled with joy and happiness!
I really enjoyed reading about Ashley and Phil’s wedding! Their creativity and attention to deails makes this wedding stand out among all the others. I am a bride to be so I will take Ashley’s advice to heart! I love the anemones, I too am using these in my wedding to add a modern touch.
Such a small world!!!! Ashley is actually a wedding planner here in Denver and shares a space with us! Ashley – you are absolutely beautiful in these images – and love life – you did an INCREDIBLE job! Love them!!!! and those shoes…so fun!
I really enjoyed really about how they used Washington, D.C. as the centerpiece of their love. I loved the how everything had a city feel even down the travel cases that had "Welcome to Washington, D.C" on them. They really look like a lovely couple and I enjoyed reading their tribute.
Stunning! Ashley & Phil, what a beautiful wedding! I love all the details. I love the lunch boxes with the tags and love, love, love your escort cards. Who did those? Congratulations!!!
Those shoes are FABULOUS!!! What a beautiful wedding!
I love your story! I can tell a lot of thought and love went into your wedding. The photographs from your wedding are beautiful. I wish you both all the happiness in the world.
Being from Washington D.C., this is the most beautiful wedding I’ve seen on here yet. It is definitely what you imagine when you think of a ‘Dream Wedding’. Congratulations, Ashley and Philip!
Those shoes! SO fun.
WOW! Fantastic detail!! It looks like the two of you had a very special day! I want the name of your wedding planner!!
Love it! So Fabulous…amazing details!
I love the personal details of your lives that you have incorporated with the wedding. Totally makes it unique to you and really allows your guests to connect with the two of you. The two of you are a beautiful couple!! Wonderful wedding.
This wedding is beautiful. I absolutely love the bridesmaid’s shoes.
i swear, her wedding is EXACTLY what i have in mind…down to the black and white damask ties! absolutely amazing.
The wedding invitations were absolutely outstanding! so original. How do I contact the company that did them? they were just wonderful!!!!!!!!
This wedding is beautiful! I absolutely love the flowes and shoes!! Just by looking at the pictures, you can see how much attention to detail there was. After reading Ahsley & Philip’s story, it is incredible to see how much meaning D.C. actually had to them as a couple and I love how they brought this into their wedding.
Hi Pat,This is the email address form Rebecca Shriver {becky at print1 dot com} who did the invitations. Didn’t she do a fantastic job? Laura E
I love Ashley and Phil. I have known them both for a while and I knew they would have a fabulous wedding. Ashley takes such attention to detail. I am going to have her plan my wedding. She just wrote an article about a how to have a budgeted wedding under $10,000 in Denver. I feel like I’m going to need her to do something like that for me in the DC area. Good Luck Ash!
Thank you for all the wonderful comments about the paper products for Ashley + Phil’s wedding. They are a great couple and they put together an amazing wedding!If you would like to inquire about design please email at [email protected]. Note: please do not use email address listed above. Thanks again. Best wishes to Ashley + Phil!! Becky Shriver {[email protected]}
Fabulous shoes! Oh how fun. And the photography is priceless…I’m sure the couple is thrilled with their images because from the look of the photos, how could you not want to savor every moment and every memory. Wonderful wedding post as usual.Mary Basnight
I LOVE the shoes and this design is exactly what I am hoping for my October wedding. Where do I find the bridesmaids dresses?
Hello!! This wedding looks like it was fabulous. I would love to know where you all got the vintage suitcases, they are so cute and I would love to use something identical for my placecard table. You can email me at [email protected] – Thank you!
Fantastic post on girls dresses. Well I am also doing this business related to flower girls dresses which is mostly use in wedding and parties and this post will help to make my dresses more effective and fashionable.
I love Ashley and Phil. I have known them both for a while and I knew they would have a fabulous wedding. Ashley takes such attention to detail. I am going to have her plan my wedding. She just wrote an article about a how to have a budgeted wedding under $10,000 in Denver. I feel like I’m going to need her to do something like that for me in the DC area.