Emily Chastain Photography
Ashley & Gregory
June 20, 2015 | William Paca House, Annapolis | Emily Chastain Photography
Emily Chastain Photography
THE COUPLE
In the winter of 2012, Ashley was desperate to escape a conversation with a man who was hitting on her at a friend’s annual oyster party. Greg happened to be next to her and she grabbed his arm, asking him to talk to her about anything in order to get out of her current situation. By the end of the night, they’d hit it off themselves.
THE PROPOSAL
“Greg’s proposal was perfect and a complete surprise,” Ashley recalls. “We were on a camping trip in Assateague Island and after having a great day on the beach and hot dogs over the campfire, we decided to head back to the beach to look at the stars.” They were all alone on the beach with a clear nighttime sky packed with stars. Greg suddenly pointed up to show Ashley a shooting star to which she told him he had to make a wish. His response was, “I wish to spend the rest of my life with you.” Ashley was too wrapped up in looking at the sky and didn’t understand what was happening so she responded with a joke that he would have to propose to make that happen. Greg response? “What do you think I’m doing right now?”
Emily Chastain Photography
THE LOCATION
“Initially we had been looking to have a waterfront or beach front venue, but also wanted to end the evening in Annapolis since this is our home and where we have built our lives together,” Ashley explains. Everything they looked at seemed logistically challenging and they wanted the whole weekend to be fun and easy for their guests. When they saw the William Paca House, they immediately knew it was the right location. “It allowed us to share Annapolis, our home, with our out-of-town friends and family,” Ashley shares. “It ensured that the wedding was a reflection of who we are as couple.”
Emily Chastain Photography
THE DRESS
Ashley chose a Watters strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline and an A-line skirt. It was the first dress that she tried on in the salon and it fit her like a glove. “It sort of felt like it had been made for me!”
FIRST LOOK
Their first look was on the porch of the Maryland Inn. Ashley and her bridesmaids were getting ready in a suite upstairs and their wedding photographer coordinated for Greg to be on the porch so that they could see each other before they did the majority of their photos with the wedding party. “Greg is a pretty stoic individual, but when he turned around he immediately teared up,” Ashley remembers. “Doing a first look allowed us to shake some of the wedding day jitters and just take a minute to tell each other how excited we were about spending the rest of our lives together.”
Emily Chastain Photography
THE LADYBUG
The couple chose not to exchange gifts. However, Ashley wanted to do something for Greg to let him know that his mother, who passed away several years ago, would be with them on their wedding day. She had loved ladybugs and Ashley found an old antique ladybug pin that she left for Greg with his suit so that he would find it when he got ready. He wore it on his lapel.
THE CEREMONY
Ashley, who is Jewish, and Greg, who grew up Lutheran, wanted to have a secular ceremony that reflected both of their upbringings. Their favorite part of the ceremony was when their wedding bands were passed through their guests and everyone was asked to hold them, bless their union, and bless their future together.
Emily Chastain Photography
THE COCKTAIL HOUR
Two specialty cocktails were served to guests. They also had a variety of lawn games for guests to play including bags, can jam, and bocce ball.
PERSONAL TOUCHES
Ashley and Greg made their own invitations, wrote their own vows, and even the playlist that their band used. They wanted to make sure that every detail of their day was a true reflection of them as a couple.
Emily Chastain Photography
THE DETAILS
Styling: Two Hands Studios
Florist: Carried Away Florals
Band: Mood Swings
Caterer: Ken’s Creative Kitchen
Ice Cream Sundae Bar: Annapolis Ice Cream Company
Bride’s Gown: Watters from Betsy Robinson Bridal
Bride’s Shoes: Jack Rogers
Bridesmaid dresses: Bill Levkoff from Betsy Robinson Bridal
Men’s attire: Jos. A Bank
Bride’s jewelry: Kate Spade earrings and an heirloom bracelet
Engagement Ring: Kwiat
Wedding Bands: Niland Jewelers
Photographer: Emily Chastain Photography
Hair and makeup: April Twigg and Laura Fedale
