My sister is HITCHED! | Columbia SC Family Photographer
July 22, 2010
Yes, I am alive! I don’t think I have ever been away from my blog for this long before and I promise to really really try not to ever let this much time go by without a post again! It has been a wild few months with workshops and business developments and a fun-filled amazing wedding week at Folly Beach. But before I go there….just a few things I need to let my friends, clients, would-be clients, and general blog stalkers know about.
I want to thank all of my clients and all my supporters for spreading the word about Ashley Ward Photography. I am so thrilled with the growth in my business since returning to Columbia a year ago. It has been amazing and I am so very grateful. At this point, I am actually having to decline some sessions because my calendar has filled up so well. I hate to turn away any client who appreciates my work and wants me to document their family, relationships, celebrations, and happiness. But to be fair to the clients I already have scheduled, I have to be careful not to overbook. I am starting a waiting list for session inquiries for appointment from now through mid-September. If you are interested in a session during these times, let me know as soon as possible. I currently have 2 spots available in late September, 2 in October, and 1 spot for any kind of session in November. That is only 5 more spots for family sessions until the end of the year! However, I have a couple more spots for newborn and baby session in November and December each, provided no prints or products are required before the holidays. If you need a session in a certain time frame, please contact me as far in advance as you can. For newborn and baby sessions, early bookings are extremely important.
Now for the good stuff:) So, my sister married an amazing man on July 10th at my mother and step-father’s home on Folly Beach…..a man I am so happy to call my brother-in-law. My daughter must have told me a hundred times how happy she was that “Mr. Mike” was now “Uncle Mike”. Amy and her new husband were surrounded with the love and support of family from both sides, and a great many of their close friends who traveled from New York (where my sis and Uncle Mike call home) and LA and lots of places in between. I know there were many more who were there in spirit and who sent their love and best wishes in all kinds of ways.
The celebration of this union was truly special. Despite the heat and the spells of rain that put a few things on hold, it was a beautiful wedding. The bride wore a pink lace Betsy Johnson frock, some killer shoes and a petite crown, and carried a lovely bridal bag that was hand-made by and borrowed from her dear friend Robin. The groom was so dapper in his seersucker suite. The flower girl and flower girl/ring bearer were precious in their gray and pink dresses – even if the smaller one made a rather quick (but precious) retreat from the spotlight! The ceremony took place in front of the little tea house in the Folly House back yard and was highlighted with readings from the groom’s mother and bride’s father and music from friends.
The celebration afterward was fabulous. I have no doubt everyone enjoyed all the sinful southern dishes and incredible entertainment. Amy and Mike started the entertainment off by singing and playing to friends and family and were followed by their fabulous friends who performed their own musical tributes to the couple. Some even wrote songs just for the occasion – tender or hilarious! Everyone was really treated to an amazing show of talent and friendship. The show was followed by decacent desserts, including the surprise delivery of gelato trucks by a dear friend who was unable to attend. Yummy! Then, dancing, photobooth mania, sparklers, hot tub soaking, pool……it was crazy fun.
I am not a wedding photographer. But I was honored to be asked by Amy to document the joy. Just sharing a few images from that week and the blessed day itself:) I hope they can relive some of the emotions and beauty of the day when they see these. I love you guys!
(oh – and I have to add a thank you to my husband, Jeff, who worked so hard helping me and who I never could have done this without:)
Kari Wright posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 4:40 pm.
Who says you’re not a wedding photographer? This looks like the most fun wedding EVER. I love the pink dress too!
Shelby posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 6:01 pm.
What a fun wedding! You captured this special even perfectly! Oh, yes…definitely KILLER SHOES! Love them!
Dawn Kitley posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 6:59 pm.
Wow, Ashley, it looks like it was such an amazing and fun occasion. LOVE the one of you and your daughter on the chair!! Yes, LOVE the shoes.
aseel posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 7:30 pm.
omgosh. those are so much fun! It looks like an awesome wedding. LOVE!!!
Fiona Colvin posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 8:09 pm.
Ashley these are fun and colourful and I think really capture the day so beautifully. It looked like a great party. Oh and you’re daughter could so easily be your sisters, they’re so alike
Kimberly Kyle posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 8:11 pm.
What an awesome, colorful and fun wedding! You did a great job. What perfect memories.
Jason posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 9:06 pm.
I’m SURE she loves these!!! You did an amazing job! I really like the pictures at the beach…
lara posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 9:24 pm.
holy cuteness. could they be more adorable??!!!!? FABULOUS work Ashely!
Kris posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 9:24 pm.
What a fun wedding! Amazing pics!
And a side note, I know where Folly Beach is and have been there.
Amber posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 9:24 pm.
LOVE these Ashley! The wedding looked like so much fun and you captured it perfectly!
EmilyC posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 9:25 pm.
I love the personalities that you have captured…that is what makes the memories!! Great, great job. LOVE them all. You should do more weddings:)
amy posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 9:38 pm.
Man oh Man do I wish I was a fly on the wall for this wedding.. Way to cute.. Love them all.
Congrats to the new bride..
love the dress.
Tiffany Bender posted the following on July 22, 2010 at 9:53 pm.
These are so much fun….I felt like I was right there- or wanted to be!!!!!! Awesome work
stephanie beaty posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 8:39 am.
I know you don’t typically shoot weddings..but you should! These really capture the spirit of the day and are infused with such personality! I hope she loves them!
Jen Reif posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 9:14 am.
This looks like such a fun wedding! Huge congratulations to the gorgeous bride and groom!! You can tell that they are madly in love
Jamie Siever posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 9:25 am.
Wow. This is amazing – the colors, the love, everything about the day/s. Gorgeous! And, I agree w/Kari. Weddings seem to suit you!
Kara Layfield posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 9:50 am.
Oh my gosh…what a fun wedding!! I love the brides funky pink dress and shoes that ROCK!! This looks like a good time and the bride couldn’t have been prettier. Those photbooth shoots are super cute!
Belle posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 10:13 am.
these are so cool! congrats to your sister!
Nichole Van posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 10:18 am.
Love these! Seriously! And some amazing flash work too . . . . love love love!
desi posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 10:18 am.
these are really great!
i especially LOVE the first lot.
well done
lindsay posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 10:23 am.
flippin’ awesome my dear!!
Katie posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 11:22 am.
ahmazing!!
Ashley posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 11:42 am.
Thank you all so much for the lovely comments! I am all smiles reading them and I know my sister will enjoy them too:)
In case you didn’t know – the lady in the middle on the second to the last row of images with the crazy pink hair……that’s me – bestowing love on my little piece of sunshine:)
StephMay posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 3:37 pm.
WOW, you rocked this session!! Really, this is about the coolest, most fun wedding photography I have EVER seen. These are great!!
Michele (Pinkle Toes) posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 5:02 pm.
Oh shut up! These are incredible! I love the sweet softness of the ones under the pier, too!!!!
nancy posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 8:00 pm.
CANNOT believe you worried about being the wedding photographer–these are AWESOME!!!!!! (of course, I expected nothing less!)
btw, LOVE the turquoise chair and NEED those shoes!
Carrie posted the following on July 23, 2010 at 9:47 pm.
Oh my goodness what a super cute and fun wedding! It makes me wish I was there enjoying all the fun! Great job girly!
Brandi-lee posted the following on July 24, 2010 at 2:02 am.
Wow, girl, these are great. They all look so full of joy in every shot! Love the photo booth!
brandi posted the following on July 24, 2010 at 2:48 pm.
whoa! what an awesome surprise! i haven’t seen amy in years, and this is the best way to get to see her after so long. she looks madly in love with the world. you are such a fantastic photographer. all my best to the happy couple. also: flans and goldwasser? adorable.
Jen Gasper posted the following on July 24, 2010 at 4:29 pm.
These look like so much fun! Oh my goodness! I love the colors and would have loved to have been a guest!
Sylvia Borgo posted the following on July 25, 2010 at 3:58 pm.
Great captures. The images of the bride and groom by the water are dreamy!
Amy Miles posted the following on July 25, 2010 at 5:56 pm.
Yes, I am the luckiest sister in the world. I knew Ashley was an incredible photographer, but I am still blown away at how these pics turned out. She really captured the energy there and was just amazing!!! Love you Ash!!!!!
Kevin posted the following on July 26, 2010 at 11:35 am.
Amazing photos that capture the joy and overwhelming emotions of a wedding.
Danielle posted the following on July 28, 2010 at 7:03 am.
Ashley!!! These are amazing!! It looks like SUCH a fun party and you captured that beautifully!!! Congrats to your sister! I know you have been looking forward to this event for a while!
Leya posted the following on July 30, 2010 at 7:20 pm.
puhlleaase girl. fantastic as always…and you know it!!! seriously, your sis must be over the moon!!
Samantha Proctor posted the following on October 12, 2010 at 8:23 pm.
omg.. you and your sister look so much alike! what a beautiful wedding and beautiful pictures! loved her shoes too