You know, I don’t take on many weddings each year. I only allow myself to include a certain amount into my shooting schedule. I’m so happy that Mike and Ashley asked me to photograph their destination wedding as soon as they got engaged. We had met in passing a few times through mutual friends. However, it wasn’t until we met at a Starbucks over a year ago that I knew I loved them. They were so relaxed with one another, so loving, and constantly making jokes. We spent a good majority of our time together during our initial meeting laughing. We met a few months later at their engagement session and again nothing but belly laughs. They kept me on my toes and kept my wit in check!
Mike and Ashley decided to have a destination wedding in Destin, Florida. So back in April, I packed my bags and made the trek down to sun and sand. Their wedding was such a true reflection of the two of them. It was simple and casual, no bridesmaids or groomsmen, just close friends and relatives. It was small and intimate and so so beautiful. Ashley was seriously the most relaxed bride I have ever seen. She picked me up on the day of her wedding happy and calm as can be. While the girls casually got ready, the boys lounged around the pool and took in the sun. There was no stress, no worry, no anxiety…just pure enjoyment of the clear blue skies and the warm sun. To those of us from the Midwest, it was perfection!
This is probably the longest post I’ve ever done and this is even the shortened version! There are so many images from this day that I love. Mike and Ashley are also amazing in front of the camera so it made my job super easy! There are so many moments from this day that I love as well, but I think the thing I love the most is that the day was truly focused on Mike and Ashely and what they mean to one another. It wasn’t about the wedding favors or the decorations or the band or the food. It was about two people celebrating something authentic and special. Their love is a forever love and I’m so very happy I was there to be able to show them what it looks like…
Mike and Ashley – all my love for your first year as a married couple…and all of the forever years that follow. Thank you for being you.
** Funny and random side note: Mike’s last name is Daley so everyone that knows him actually calls him Daley. This confused me when I first met him as I thought his name was Daley Daley and it made no sense to me. When I tried to remember what his actual name was, I could never remember it. …and then Ashley would sign e-mails, “Ashley and Daley Daley” and I would doubt myself all over again. My biggest fear was trying to call him by his real name and then calling him the wrong real name. Hence, I have told Ashley that to me he is simply “Daley”. Like Madonna or Prince. He’s just Daley. For sake of a proper blog post, we’ll go with Mike on this one. But from this day forward he shall be named Daley. Told you, random. **
Much Love,
Krysta xo
