Thanks to Ashby and Parker for this wonderful wedding Wednesday story!
It all started at the end of my senior year of college. I never considered being single at the end of my college career a sign that I should find my future wife, but when the woman of your dreams knocks you off your feet, you don’t get up and run away. From the beginning, vineyard vines played a role.
Once we both finished graduate school, I knew I was in a good place to seal the deal. From the very beginning, we both knew this day was coming, so I had to make it special, and more importantly, I had to make it a surprise. A few short months after we started dating, Ashby suggested a vacation to a place that typifies VV attire- in Charleston, SC the men seem to wear pastels to fit in rather than stand out. We had such an amazing time in that romantic little city that I knew, even five years later, it was the perfect place for our engagement.
Parker and Ashby on their first trip to Charleston!
After much consultation with my parents about the best way to pull it all off, I decided to take Ashby on the biggest scavenger hunt of her life. As cover, my parents pretended to be sending us to an undisclosed destination for a weekend getaway. We received in the mail a package of envelopes to be opened at various times and locations. For example, the first envelope was opened at home a few days before the trip, suggesting to us what sort of clothes to pack. We also had envelopes to open at the airport, so we knew what airline to take, and envelopes at our destination to lead us to the right hotel and restaurants. Ashby didn’t have a clue what was going on, but she was having a blast.
Following an afternoon walking around Charleston, we took a rest at a park bench near the water. Ashby tore open the next envelope to see where we would be going to dinner. As she read that we would be going to the same restaurant we loved years ago, I got down on my knee and told Ashby about her best qualities and how much I love her. The ring was on her finger within seconds and we were both tearing up, but beaming more than ever.
Going all the way back to 2005, when Ashby and I first started dating, I remember being intrigued by that little blue whale on her polo shirt. I liked it. Six wonderful years later, we were only a couple months away from our wedding, and we turned to vineyard vines to add the creativity our wedding needed. In an intimate gathering under a tent at Ashby’s parents’ farm outside Baltimore, everyone had the time of their lives! Thanks VV for giving our wedding that splash of fun we were looking for!
Tying the knot- 5 years later!
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