Real Brides: Ashley

Photo by McKinley G. Photography

My husband and I met in early 2015. He lived right across the street (literally right across) from the small frozen yogurt shop I was managing at the time. He stopped in often and I just assumed he really REALLY liked yogurt. Until one day, he stopped in twice and I thought “okay nobody likes yogurt THAT much!” We started dating and got comfortable with each other pretty quickly. I actually had zero interest in marriage or children when we first got together, but after falling for him I realized there was nothing I wanted more! He proposed to me right outside that yogurt shop on March 2nd 2019 (the day before my birthday). We both ended up getting sick right after because the weather was terrible. Cold and rainy and just awful! He told me weeks later that his original plan had been ruined because of the weather. Our first date was mini golfing, so his plan was to propose on the same course we had played on. But it was just too cold and wet. 

I bought my dress from Boulevard Bride in Lake Saint Louis, at The Meadows Shopping Center. I knew going in that I wanted something lace with long sleeves, and either sheath silhouette or mermaid. Definitely no ball gowns because I’m too clumsy for that! After trying on all the dresses I had picked out for myself, I was starting to feel a bit drained and bummed out. But the consultant saved the day when she pulled out this Simply Val Stefani gown. It was STUNNING. Love at first sight. The only thing I’ve ever loved more is my husband and my dog! I ended up choosing the ivory lace option with the gold lining. I wanted an antique heirloom vibe, and that’s exactly what I got! People who barely knew me said the dress felt like me and looked like it was made for me. I couldn’t have been happier.