Kendall + Ashley

How did you meet?

It’s actually a fairly cliché story. I was Ashley’s boxing instructor. She happened upon my class one lucky Saturday in January as a friend had asked her to go with her to a new gym to take a boxing class…my class. The best Saturday of all Saturdays. It took me a few months to ask her out but I finally did. I’m so thankful I mustered the courage to do it…I had a special feeling about her that I couldn’t let go.

When did you know they were the one?

You know when you meet someone and it just feels different? I didn’t really understand that the thing I was feeling was knowing she was my person. So honestly, it was pretty immediate but I’m a Capricorn so it took me a minute to acknowledge my feelings. One of our early dates we sat by a fire, star gazed and snuggled together. I remember looking up at the sky and seeing a shooting star and wishing to feel that way forever with her by my side. It felt like a pretty clear sign from the universe.

What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?-

She has the kindest heart to all beings, she is absolutely hilarious and goofy, and she loves to learn and try new things. She is also wildly smart, thoughtful and forgiving and supports me with every fiber of her being, always. Did I mention she has sweet dance moves?

Who proposed and how?

It’s a complicated story. We are a United States Navy family, so naturally things are fairly unconventional. We always wanted to have the grand proposals and a beautiful ceremony but sometimes with the military, time isn’t really your friend. To make a long and tedious story short, we agreed over the phone that we would have a sweet little ceremony first and then follow up with a larger celebration at a later date with our friends and family. Fast forward through two deployments, we decided to propose properly and it would be a surprise when and where, you know like it should be. HAHAHA! I proposed to her while we were on a walk as we looked at the beautiful snow capped Olympic mountains in Washington State. I picked a few wildflowers and asked to stop and sit on a bench to enjoy the sunshine. I gave her the flowers and snuck out the ring to propose. She proposed to me by again going for a walk…during early Covid in the US the thing was to take lots of walks…we walked to another place to see the Olympic mountains and we stopped at a place where she told me she talked to my late father last and she wanted him to be there when she proposed, so with a gorgeous sunset, in spite of a few raindrops, and with the spirit of my dad, she asked me to marry her…again.

Where did you fall in love with your dress and why?

Ashley and I went to an appointment together at A&Be Seattle. We had intended on getting married in 2019, but as I mentioned the Navy has a way of really messing up plans. So this was well before that day and we had been running late because we caught on the ferry. We were the last appointment at the store that day and I was feeling super anxious that we were going to miss it. I have a very curvaceous body and was feeling even more anxious about finding something that fit well. My appointment was lovely and everyone was so helpful…I had found Harlie and was like, I love this but I don’t know how my body feel about it. My consultant insisted and as she stepped out to let me try it on and even before I got it all the way on I yelled out the door that I had found the one. She laughed and said she had a feeling I might like it. Harlie hugs all my curves in the most brilliant and elegant way. The lace is gorgeous and the hint of sparkle…perfect. I just knew I wanted to wear that gown when I married Ashley. As I walked out of the dressing room door, I saw Ashley’s eyes light up and I knew she agreed too. Side story: I facetimed with my dad while we were at the appointment so he could see the gown. He was very sweet and supportive but as always a fairly stoic man. My mom told me later that he teared up talking about how beautiful I looked in it. He passed of cancer before I got to wear the gown at our wedding and even though I bought the gown four years before I wore it, it was important that that was my gown as it was the only one my dad had seen me in. (I know she is discontinued now, but I could not help but share my love, however late.)

What was the best moment for you at your wedding?

They were all the best moments, but I remember in particular, walking in to the greenhouse and seeing everyone’s eyes light up and hearing gasps of joy. Seeing my friends and family tear up was extra sweet. But it was indescribable what it felt like to stand across from my person and just feel love…like waves of delicious and brilliant love. Even through the sweet tears and raucous laughter of our vows…I just felt so warm and held and cherished. It should also be mentioned that the weather the day before the wedding was awful. Lots of storms and tornados. The day after the ceremony it snowed. The day of the wedding looked like the middle of summer. Bright golden light, a light warm breeze, it made the greenhouse look like an absolute DREAM! Another sign from the universe perhaps?

What were your favourite details?

We wanted jewel toned flowers with pops of blue and orange and our florist thought it might be fun to experiment with seasonal fruit. The arrangements turned out unbelievably gorgeous. And guests got to also take fruit favors home with them. My friend provided honey from her own apiary…it is the most delicious and made perfect favors. We had signature cocktails named after our pets. My mom made all of the desserts-she is a very modest but gifted baker and I have never seen so many people with a cocktail in one hand and a cookie in the other dancing their bums off on the dance floor. Ashley wore her U.S. Navy dress white uniform and I think she looks positively dreamy. I wore my grandparents and parents wedding bands- it felt important to be surrounded by their love even though many of them have passed on. I borrowed a silk flower my mother had made for her own wedding bouquet, of my grandfathers parachute from World War II. I also had earrings made of pearls from my late father’s jewelry collection.

What advice would you tell other brides?

I would say you do you. Does it make YOU happy? What is the most important thing…make THAT happen. And for goodness sake take a pause and appreciate that everyone came together because of love…your love. How absolutely amazing is that?! Also you’re gorgeous so stop fussing.