We met Markus over 15 years ago. If you know him, you know he is a stranger to no one. Even if he's states away from home, he's bound to run into someone he knows. He's goofy, outgoing, that one guy everyone wants to be around and he loves hard. When he told us about Ashley, we knew she had to be someone special for Markus to choose.
Sure enough...she was.
When we first met Ashley, we knew they were a good match. She's kind, smart and just as goofy as Markus is. She laughs at his quirks, has the same heart he does and is has the coolest kids.
How did you two meet?"We met at a co-worker outing, not looking for anything on both sides, and quickly became friends. Then it blossomed from there."
If you know them both, you know they're simple people. And their wedding was 100% them. It was an outdoor, intimate, reflection of them both. Honestly, those are some of my favorite weddings. It's not rushed because we're behind on the timeline. There's no stress. It's just simple.
I always anticipate the groom seeing his bride for the first time. Will he cry? What kind of emotion will he show? Will he show any emotion? With Markus, he was smiling from ear to ear. When he turned to see his bride, you could feel and see the joy all over his face. He's waited for this day for a very long time. When I see them together, I think back to Solomon...."I Have Found the One Whom My Soul Loves."
Out of all the people in the world, these two found one another and chose one another.
What moment were you most looking forward to seeing in the photos?
HE SAID:: First look!
SHE SAID:: The ceremony!
The ceremony was beautiful. I always love seeing unity ceremonies that the couples choose. Markus and Ashley chose to to do a tree planting ceremony and included her kids into it. If you haven't seen one, it a tree that represents the couple and together, they pour soil in the plant as its first "symbol" as the beginning of growth in their marriage. It represents their family coming together as one.
Tell us about THE dress! It was a simple bo-ho style dress
If you know Ashley, you know this was the most perfect dress for her. It was definitely an "Ashley" dress.
Tell Us About Your First Dance!
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DANCE SONG?: (I’ve had) The Time of my life and Thinking Out Loud
Let. Me. Tell. You. About. Their. DANCEEEE!! These two learned the Dirty Dancing dance and performed it for everyone as a surprise. I LOVE when couples do choreographed dances... I'll tell you why... Not because how awesome it looks in front of the crowd, or the amazing photos that come from it, but because of the moments they spent learning it together.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT SONG?: It was randomly the first song played one night we hung out, not knowing it was one of her favorites, and the other one is a song I have played on the guitar for her before.
Describe the BRIDE on your wedding day! She was perfect, everything that I had dreamed of and more! I’m not afraid to admit I cried a little bit( tears of joy)
Ashley was pure perfection on the wedding day. She was so care free and made sure not to stress about little things. She enjoyed the day and was simply breathtaking. Her lace, textured dress not only fit her to a tee abut it also fit her vibe for the day.
Describe the GROOM on your wedding day! Handsome emotional, beautiful inside and out love of my life.
What was the most EMOTIONAL part of the day and WHY?
HE SAID:: When I saw her walking down the aisle I couldn’t stop smiling.
The longest part of the day always seems to be that one moment that the bride walks down the aisle. All you grooms probably know what I'm talking about. It's that anticipate moment of the entire day that seems to be the longest.
SHE SAID:: When me and the kids were walking toward the future final to the puzzle
What is ONE moment of your wedding you will always remember?The end when we playfully left our ceremony to All You Need is Love, by the Beatles. Knowing we could finally be one and be weird together forever!
Don't forget to stop and enjoy the little moments of the wedding day. Whether it's all the moments of your first look, or the moments after where you're with your closest friends and family. It all goes so fast, and before you know it, you're looking back on your photos reliving the best day of your life.
Favorite Part of the Phocus Experience?
The energy that Tim brings to the table! With a unique gift to bring out the best in everyone!
Check out some of our favorites of the day!