Ashford Estate Wedding Photos: Ashley and Michael

bLOG CATEGORIEs + Search

Fennelli Design lighting at Ashford Estate

Ashford Estate Wedding Photos: Ashley and Michael

I’m so excited to share these amazing Ashford Estate wedding photos with you today! Ashley and Michael were such a joy to work with and I cannot wait to see where life takes them.

Ashley chose to have her winter wedding be a green velvet theme. The bridesmaids wore stunning long green velvet dresses and carried white floral bouquets with greenery – it was breath taking! Ashley wanted a winter wedding all of her life but not a “Christmas” wedding – I feel the route she went was beautiful and timeless – it was perfect for the look she was going for!

Read below to learn more about this amazing couple and to see photos from their big day!

Darling and Pearl wedding stationery laid out

 

brides jewel encrusted bella belle wedding shoes

 

Princess cut engagement ring posed with bride and grooms wedding bands

 

Kate spade wedding sneakers

 

brides jewelry in decorative pouch

 

engagement ring and wedding bands in wife ring holder

 

bride and bridesmaid making funny faces with sleep masks

 

black and white image of the bride getting her lip makeup done

Mike and I met at a dirt race track in Orange County, New York. It was October 2013, my Dad had gotten himself involved in this dirt race car stuff and me – the city girl – turned my nose up to it at first. He kept asking me to come along and watch just once, so finally I did. And that was the first time I met Mike.. When I saw his face I got butterflies in my stomach. We didn’t talk much.. he offered me his jacket as the night went on and it got a little bit colder outside. The night ended and we went our separate ways. The next night he sent me a message on Facebook and we got to talking from there. It was definitely not a fast moving relationship. But, started going to more races the following summer and we started to build a relationship from there. We both look back on that first day we met in October 2013 and can replay the whole thing from start to finish. It was an important day because it was the first day of the rest of our lives together.

bride shedding a tear over a sentimental wedding gift

 

bride helping her mother do her hair

 

emerald green velvet betsey and adam bridesmaids dresses

 

black and white photo of bridesmaids getting ready

 

Lazaro sweetheart cut wedding dress hanging

 

bridesmaids helping bride get into her dress

 

bridesmaids zipping up brides Lazaro wedding gown

 

bride putting her earrings on

overhead shot of the bride

 

brides floral arrangement with locket picture of loved one

 

beaded lazaro wedding dress

 

detail shot of brides silver beaded Lazaro wedding gown

 

bride putting earrings on

 

twisted willow florals wedding arrangement

 

bride with veil over her face

 

grooms wedding shoes

groomsmen helping groom get ready

 

groomsman playfully picking up the groom

 

groom putting a bow tie on

 

groom opening up wedding gift from his bride

 

groom and his groomsmen posing for a picture

 

groom waiting to see his bride

 

groom waiting for his bride for first look

 

groom seeing his bride for the first time

 

first look of bride and groom

 

groom seeing his bride for the first time

 

bride kissing the groom

 

bride and groom at ashford estate

 

bride and groom outside of ashford estates

bride with her bridesmaid in her emerald green leather jackets and shawls

 

emerald green bridesmaid dresses

 

bridal party outside of ashford estate

 

father of the bride seeing his daughter

 

bride shedding a tear while hugging her father

The most important thing to me when planning our entire wedding was the photographer and videographer. Of course, I wanted everything to be perfect and exactly how I was envisioning it all to be, but the photos and video are the everlasting memories of the ONE most important and special day in our lives so far. I knew who I wanted as the videographer for years. I had his name written down in my “wedding inspiration notebook” since someone I know got married in 2012. This was Rob Adams Films. Then it’s finally my turn.. went venue hunting first and found The Ashford Estate (obsessed – want to move in there permanently). So, during the first meeting there, I see Vanessa Joy Photography’s albums on the coffee table and was immediately drawn to the style of photography and the way she makes a bride look. I wanted to be one of her bride’s so badly. When I got home I searched her website and was just about to send in the form on her website to check availability and BOOM… find out she’s married to Rob Adams!! It was a match made in wedding heaven and I know I had the dream team for something that was the most important to me and Mike.

bridesmaid in her betsey and adam bridesmaid dress

 

twisted willow florals bridesmaid floral arrangement

 

bridesmaids surrounding the bride

 

bride standing outside of ashford estate

 

bride posing on her wedding day

 

groom kissing his bride

 

bride and groom kissing at ashford estate in new jersey

 

bride and groom walking into their ceremony

 

bride and groom sharing a kiss

 

bride kissing his groom on her forehead

 

bride and groom embracing outside of ashford estate

 

black and white photography of bride and groom

 

bride and groom holding hands

 

bride and groom kissing outside of ashford estate

 

bride and groom sharing a kiss under a blanket

 

bride and groom sharing a quiet moment

 

bride and groom kissing with their wedding party watching

 

bride and groom front and center with wedding party behind them

 

floral details at alter at ashford estate

 

votive candles at ashford estate wedding ceremony

 

wedding ceremony decor at ashford estate

 

ashford estate wedding ceremony

 

The inspiration behind our wedding theme was full winter and just something different from the norm. I don’t know why, but I always wanted a winter wedding. Ever since I started looking at pictures and Pinterest of course, the photos of a winter wedding spoke to me the most. I knew I wanted winter, but not Christmas. Between my inspiration and my amazing vendors all of my winter wedding dreams came true. The color combination of green, grey, white and black with a hint of rustic flare made for a warm, cozy and gorgeous atmosphere.

black and white photo of wedding procession

 

father giving his daughter away

 

bride and groom at their wedding ceremony

 

bride and groom reciting their vows

bride and groom at their wedding ceremony

bride and groom and officiant

bride and grooms first kiss

view of ashford estate wedding reception

table setting tablescape with candles and florals

twisted willow florals wedding table centerpieces

twisted willow florals wedding flowers

darling and pearl wedding stationery

wedding table place setting

wedding table setting table numbers

wedding menu stationery by Darling & Pearl

ashford estate wedding reception

 

My favorite memory from our wedding is our first dance together. The song we chose, From This Moment On by Shania Twain, just really gave both of us all the feelings. Every word felt true to our relationship and actually gets us both very emotional! After everything was all said and done we both said when we danced to that song in front of our entire wedding we felt that we were standing in that room all alone – just us two, listening to the words and holding each other and just the overwhelming feeling of love.

bride and groom dancing under ashford estate wedding

 

ashford estate wedding reception bride and groom dancing

 

bride and grooms first dance

 

bride and grooms first dance

 

bride and grooms wedding guest watching them share their first dance

 

groom looking at his bride

 

groom dancing with his mother

 

bride dancing with her father

 

bridesmaids having fun at wedding reception

 

maid of honor reading her speech

 

bridesmaid reading her speech

 

bride crying over a wedding gift

 

To my children one day – the feelings that I had on my wedding day from beginning to end were nervous, anxious, happy, completely overjoyed, and then love. As I look back on not just the day itself but the whole weekend celebration the overwhelming feeling is just love. Both of our families love and support throughout our relationship and the whole planning process was amazing. Our wedding celebration was the culmination of all of the love. Even the next morning, waking up with everyone still there was just a wonderful feeling. I cannot wait to show my children our photos and video so they can see what a wonderful family they have.

bride and groom listening to their speeches

 

bridesmaids giving a speech

 

bridal party listening to speeches

 

bride and groom toasting

 

the cake works 4 tiered wedding cake

 

bride and groom cutting cake

 

bride and groom standing in the rain with umbrella

 

Venue: Ashford Estate // Entertainment: SCE Event Group  // Makeup Artist: Beauty on Location, Amy  // Videographer: Rob Adams Films  // Hair: Beauty on Location, Christine // Florist: Twisted Willow Flowers  //
Stationery & Invitations: Darling + Pearl // Wedding Gown Designer: Lazaro  // Bridesmaids Dresses: Betsey & Adam  // Wedding Shoe Designer: Bella Bella  // Grooms Attire: Men’s Wearhouse  Calvin Klein //
Wedding Cake: The Bake Works  // Lighting: Fennelli Design  // Hair Piece: Brides & Hairpins // Transportation: Arrive In Style // Flatware: Kate Spade

About Vanessa Joy

Weaving together moments of intimacy and grandeur to create alluring, romantic, and moving portraits.

Vanessa Joy is a highly sought-after wedding photographer known for her stunning imagery and artistic vision. She is internationally recognized for her exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to her craft. From elegantly composed photographs to a seamless blending of timeless sophistication and modern flair, Vanessa Joy's work has captivated audiences worldwide. 

Let’s Capture Your Unique Love Story