Oh my goodness – where do I start with Ashley and Kurt?! I had been looking forward to their wedding ever since Ashley told me that it was going to be a garden wedding taking place at her family’s home on Lake Geneva… the same place where her parents were married years ago… the same place where Ashley was a flower girl as a young girl… the same place where Kurt proposed to Ashley last July… the same place that has been in Ashley’s family for 5 generations. (How amazing is that?!)
And then – just when I thought I couldn’t get any more excited about this wedding – I finally got to meet Ashley and Kurt in person at their engagement session. As I told you before – I immediately liked these two. They are just the kind of people you know are genuine, and good to the core. The kind of people you want to be friends with immediately. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times throughout their wedding day Kurt came up to check on how we were doing, when that was the last thing that should have been on his mind! I was blown away by how kind and welcoming they and their families/friends were to us… making sure we were fed, that we were doing okay, that we had water… everything.
Over and over throughout the day James and I kept looking at each other and couldn’t help but smile because something about this wedding felt strikingly similar to our own. The lake home that Ashley and her bridesmaids got ready in reminded me SO much of my Grandma’s house. The little trinkets, the glass door knobs, the sheer curtains… so many things made me nostalgic for my childhood… every room, every thing had its own story to tell, and held meaning for them on this very important day – which I think is just such a beautiful thing.
They were married on the lawn in front of the lake (much like we were), and friends and family came from all parts of their lives (childhood, high school, college, and beyond), and from all over the country to celebrate the official start of their life together. And it was clear at the end of the night that all their guests meant business – because when James and I were done – the party was still going strong, and more than ever before I wished we didn’t have to rush home to let Chloe out – because I wanted so badly to stay and dance with them and their friends!
Anyway – I’ve clearly been talking way too much, when in reality – this wedding can speak for itself. The personal details that all held meaning… friends and family from all over the country… a destination feel… a beautiful garden wedding on a lake… cocktail hour on a boat… a love story that dates back to senior year of high school… all of it… I just loved.
Ashley and Kurt – I can’t thank you enough for welcoming James and I into your lives to witness and document your beautiful wedding day. You two are perfect together and if you continue to treat each other as well as you do those around you – I know your life will be full of so much joy and a love to last a lifetime! xoxo
I absolutely loved this room Ashley got ready in… so much beautiful light!
Just STUNNING Ashley!
Heading down to the pier where Kurt proposed for the First Look!
He got choked up – it was absolutely adorable…
Before the ceremony they met with family back in the house for communion…
Can I have a lake house like this someday, please? I loved this wall of photos full of generation after generation of memories! Just beautiful.
The guests arrived on a boat right before the ceremony! I love the shot on the right James got of the bridal party hiding out behind the bushes, watching the guests arriving…
Then we rolled right into the ceremony as soon as the guests were seated!
Married!!!
One of my favorite moments of a wedding day is right after the ceremony when the bride and groom have a moment alone to savor the moment. So sweet.
Then everybody boarded the boat for cocktail hour, which took us over to Lake Geneva Country Club for the reception!
I just died over these details, especially the florals!
Ashley & Kurt hand wrote a note for each of their guests on the inside of their place cards… how awesome is that?!
And then we snuck out for some photos at sunset… a great chance for them to have a moment of quiet alone to soak in the day… (my favorite!)
Ah! LOVE!
So so adorable… aren’t they?! Congrats again you two!! xoxo!
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