Ashleigh + Patch had the sweetest sense of what they wanted their day to be all about. Low-key, with lots of love, they put focus on what mattered to them: enjoying time with friends + fam and honoring their union in a homespun celebration. Ashleigh says, As a wedding photographer myself I had an elevated sense of what weddings can be / what they don’t have to be / and what we wanted our day to be about. I of course wanted it to be pretty, but more importantly we wanted time to celebrate with our friends and family, an event that made folks feel included, and a focus on our love!
If joy is contagious, get ready to have a pretty great day. Ashleigh + Patch have got to be one of the happiest duos we’ve seen, and when you flip through these beautiful images by Love is a Big Deal you just might agree…
Ash: Patch and I wrote our own vows, and listening to his promises while I totally lost it, tears streaming, nose sniffling, was by far the best moment from the day.
Patch: Ash's long walk down the hill with her Dad to the alter was the most memorable for me.
A + P’s recessional was ‘Promontory’ from the film Last Of The Mohicans.
The newlyweds spent some post-ceremony time with Meg + Josh of Love is a Big Deal to capture some sweet memories on camera.
We love the bohemian feel to Ash + Patch’s celebration. Get this fun look by shopping their day below:
More about the day from Ashleigh, We chose to celebrate on the family farm of Patrick’s Aunt and Uncle, a gathering place for past holidays and parties, nestled in a valley in Southwest VA. His uncle raises cattle there, so naturally we used their Ellett Valley Beef for dinner. We had family play during our ceremony, and enlisted the help of anyone who offered to create things for the day. Patrick’s dad brewed us beer + smoked delicious hams, his mom and aunts built our centerpieces, and filled them with flowers the day before. My mother created gorgeous pottery pieces to serve food on, my sister drew the illustrations on our invitations and made my necklace, my dad sang the most beautiful song to us in lieu of a toast. Patrick’s brother and Uncles helped me build the tables and benches using reclaimed pallet wood. We camped on the farm, which afforded us lots of hang out time with dear friends late into the night. The whole day was magic.
Ash: Come to an acceptance with the fact that this will hopefully not actually be the best day of your life. Try to focus on the marriage that follows, and know that even when it rains right when the sun goes down that it is okay, know that when dinner gets cold because people are laughing and talking that it is okay, know that if you forget things at home, or things don't go as planned, that those mishaps are not a reflection of your love, and that you have a whole life ahead of each other to celebrate and have amazing days.
Patch: Budget budget budget then update and rebudget.
photography: Love is a Big Deal // wedding dress: Trunk of Dresses // hair stylist: Meaghan Hobson at Katie Blue Salon // cake: WPA Wellmade Pastry Alliance // music: Goodfellers // location: Ellett Valley Beef Co. // wholesale bulk flowers: Vogue Flowers // vest: vintage // boots: vintage // wool kimono: Hackwith Design House // patch's Suit: J.Crew // pies: WPA Wellmade Pastry Alliance // dinner: Friends, DIY // invitations: DIY // tables: DIY // benches: DIY
I love the autmnal feel, colours and flowers, so pretty and so warming. Beautiful wedding. x
AH! Thanks so much for featuring our wedding! Love is a Big Deal did such an amazing job telling the story of our day! So much fun to look back on it here.
This is so gorgeous, the bride is stunning! The reception is so perfekt with the bon fire, a dream!
Oh wow this wedding is like a dream come true! Love everything about it!!
What a fun wedding. I love how spunky this couple is!
Looks like a great wedding great photos ;)
How did you make the benches?
This wedding is so beautiful- I love the relaxed vibe. Just wondering if you had elderly relatives there and if people were cold? I’d love to eat outside, but I’m a bit nervous about the unpredictable weather!