Brae Loch Wedding Venue | Dakota and Katie's Engagement Session | Dallas Wedding Photographer | Ellen Ashton Photogaphy

It has been a hot minute since I last blogged, so tonight I'm going  to share a little something with all you lovelies. 

I met Dakota and Katie at a Bible study earlier this summer and I am so glad I did! I had the honor of photographing these two when Dakota proposed to Katie this past July. (Click HERE to see photos).  Katie had the surprise of her life that day and it's still one of my favorite sessions to date. 

Last week Katie, Dakota and I loaded up into a car and drove to a dreamy destination to take their engagement photos. I loved chatting in the car with them as we went adventuring together. I learned so many things about them that made me love them even more than I already do. 

As we were chatting, Katie was telling me that her dad had past away a few years ago, and in honor of his memory Dakota was wearing one of his shirts in their engagement photos. Honestly I cried a little when Katie told me this (not so uncommon if you know me.. Compassion and empathy are my middle name!). 

Hearing how these two met and started dating was truly so fun to listen to! Katie couldn't stop smiling, and honestly, that's one of my favorite things about her- she always has a smile on her beautiful face. Both Katie and Dakota are so full of life and joy. The love they share, the pure excitement and happiness they have about getting married really shines through each photograph. Let me just tell you, all the happy smilies were infectious and I LOVED EVERY SECOND IT. 

I hope you enjoy this precious session as much as I enjoyed photographing and getting to know the people in them. 

Much love and happy belated thanksgiving, 

-E

If you loved the first half of Dakota and Katie's engagement session, then you are going to DIE when we see the second portion. Y'all, they are slaying it. On our way up the mountain we found some awesome foliage that we added to Katie's wild flower bouquet. Honestly, I could go on and on about how amazing these guys are but I'll just shut up now and let the images do the talking. ** insert emoji heart eyes**

Rocky Mountain Wedding | Carbondale Wedding | Patrick and Erin's Wedding | Ellen Ashton Photography

       " I love you to the mountains and back."

Patrick & Erin's Wedding Day

08.27.16

Last October 

I was about to board a plane from Minneapolis headed to Dallas. It was a full flight and as usual, I was looking for kind eyed people to sit next to, because lets face it.. Stranger danger is real and I didn't feel like throat chopping anyone that day. As I was scanning the ocean of people I saw a middle seat open and in the two other seats sat two kind looking women. So, I quickly took the seat. Of course, my massive camera bag did not fit in the cabin above us so the stuartist took my bag to the back. She was extremely rude about a lot of things which in turn got the conversation moving as soon as she walked away. 

Sitting to my right was the ever so sweet Erin. She and I chit chatted over the duration of the flight. In the first ten minutes of sitting next to each other I learned that Erin was newly engaged and was going to be getting married in her home state of Colorado. I inwardly (and probably outwardly) smiled and said "how funny, I am a wedding photographer!" Throughout the rest of the flight was talked wedding day details and Erin told me all about her plans to marry her fiancé Patrick up in the rocky mountains. 

You know when something just feels right? That's how I felt when I met Erin. She truly is one of the sweetest and most genuine people I have ever met. Long story short, I skyped with Erin and Patrick over Christmas of 2015 and they booked me to be there wedding photographer. 

Words cannot express how thankful I am for Erin and Patrick (all my couples really) for letting me be apart of and witness the joining of their covenant in marriage. I can't tell you how many times I teared up during their wedding day. Erin was so smiley and giddy, and Patrick was so filled with emotion every time he looked at her. As a photographer these are things I live for. They literally made my job SO EASY. They lived in each moment as the day passed by, which is clear to see from the photographs. They were relaxed, easy going and just excited to spend forever with one another. Their joy and excitement was contagious in every since of the word.

Erin and Patrick, thank you for allowing me the honor and privilege of being your wedding photographer. Sitting next to Erin on that airplane one year ago was meant to be. I truly believe with all my heart that God doesn't make mistakes, and our divine appointment was no different. 

I am so excited to share these beautiful wedding day with you! 

Some of my favorite memories to capture are the ones immediately after the ceremony. It is not uncommon for me to walk out behind the bride and groom so that I can photograph their sweet reactions of being husband and wife. There is so much joy and emotion in these faces. It's hard not to love everything about love. 

Much love, 

-E 

A HUGE Thank you to Kaylan Robinson for being such an amazing second shooter. You rock, girl! 

Gold Dust Vintage Rentals | Dallas Wedding Photographer | Ellen Ashton Photography

I am so excited to share this weeks Q&A interview with y'all!

As most of you know, I am doing a interview/blog series on wedding vendors in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. 

I am elated to share with you this weeks featured wedding vendor, Gold Rust Vintage Rental Company! 

Gold Dust is a family owned business that provides all types of gorgeous furniture pieces and vintage nicknacks for any type of occasion. Weddings, birthdays, parties, and photo shoots are just a few examples.

Walking into the Gold Dust warehouse was like walking into a fairy tale! They rent any thing from portable bars, settees, chairs, tables, candle sticks, and so much more! Their warehouse is filled to the brim with beautiful inventory to make your wedding day or event look even better than you imagined! 

Meeting the Gold Dust Dolls was an absolute pleasure! They are sweet, sassy, kindhearted and family centered, my favorite kind of people! 

So, lets meet the girls behind the business!

THE GOLD DUST SISTERS

Gold Dust is made up of two sisters who make a pretty kick butt team! Seeing their family dynamic work in their business is absolutely amazing and inspiring.

We sat on this adorable settee for a good hour just talking about life, business and everything in between. These thoughtful women are hard working, professional yet relatable moms who rock at being both lady bosses and super moms. 

Anyone who rents from Gold Dust will walk away feeling energized, excited about their event and feeling like they made a new friend. That's how good Gold Dust's services are! 

Let's get to know the girls a little more!  

MEET MEGAN! 

Megan is the oldest of the Gold Dust sisters and she is truly full of life and one of the funniest and sweetest people you will ever meet! Something that I truly admire about Megan is her dedication to her family and her work. It's not easy being a mom and business owner but this girl does it with such grace and ease! 

MEET RACHEL! 

Rachel is the middle sister of the Gold Dust girls, and just like Megan she possesses the same funny bone and genuine heart. Something that I love about Rachel is her eye for design. Rachel is the one who came up with this adorable settee and side table set up in these images and it's absolutely to die for! She can definitely help you pick just the right pieces to make your event sparkle!

THE INTERVIEW 

Ellen Ashton: Why did you start your business?

Gold Dust Girls: We started Gold Dust on a whim after getting a gentle nudge from one of our favorite planners, Lucia Bitnar. Rachel’s father-in-law built and designed Aristide in Mansfield and we ran the business for 3 years so we had already been in the industry before Gold Dust was created. We have always been antiquers with a knack for parties and southern hospitality and realized there was a need for vintage rentals and styling. 

Ellen Ashton: How did your first client find you?

Gold Dust Girls: Since we were already in the industry we had several “friendors” that were very helpful in referring Gold Dust and spreading the word. Joining several organizations and being from the metroplex also helped us grow. 

Ellen Ashton: Do you service Dallas, Fort Worth or Both?

Gold Dust Girls: Gold Dust will travel around like the Clampetts to anywhere your heart desires! 

Ellen Ashton: What is your favorite 2016 trend?

Gold Dust Girls: We love how you can mix vintage into so many looks and that creating a juxtaposition of glam, industrial, modern and elegant is totally perfect! 

Ellen Ashton: What is your favorite color palette for weddings this year? 

Gold Dust Girls: All day, every day, anything with Gold is going to make our hearts flutter! It’s basically a neutral that gives a huge impact and can go modern but will always have a timeless look. 

Ellen Ashton: If you had to pick a celebrity to be stranded on an island with, who would you pick and why? 

Rachel: well how hypothetical is this,  am I married? If no then Ryan Gosling if I am then someone scrappy like Chelsea Handler

Megan: Reese Witherspoon—she just seems so fun! But really I need to think about it! 

Ellen Ashton: Which Real Housewife show is your favorite?

Gold Dust Girls: Do we have to choose? We are such suckers for every single one—although Dallas better step up their game. Squad Goal: Lisa Vanderpump’s closet!  

Ellen Ashton: Wine or Ice Cream

Gold Dust Girls: Hands down wine—unless we drank too much wine and we can only handle ice cream! 

If you want to know more about Gold Dust, or want to book their services, make sure and check out their website and follow them on social media! 

WEBSITE: www.golddustvintage.com

FACEBOOK: Gold Dust Vintage Rentals

INSTAGRAM: @golddustvintagerentals

PINTEREST: Gold Dust Vintage Rentals

Thank you so much for reading about the Gold Dust girls today! If you want to check out our other featured vendors, click here and read about last week's DFW wedding vendor! 

As always, much love and many blessings, 

-E 

Dallas Texas Fine Art Engagement Session | Ellen Ashton Photography | Dallas Wedding Photographers

I am so excited to share with you all Daniel & Amanda's downtown Dallas engagement session! 

I met Daniel and Amanda when we were all poor little college students. I was thrilled when I heard these two got engaged and am so honored to have been able to photograph this special time in their lives. 

As most of you know, I adore all things pertaining to love and weddings so of course this downtown session was right up my ally! 

I hope you enjoy this sweet session as much as I enjoyed taking it.

As always, much love and many blessings

-E

Y'all have absolutely no idea how overjoyed I was when we snagged this dreamy roof top location. It was really a dream come true and I am so thankful for the people who helped us get into this location. It literally made this shoot 10 million times more special. 

Enjoy Workshop 2016 | Ellen Ashton Photography | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer | Whimsical Barn Wedding

Holy smokes! I am absolutely in love with this "Enjoy Workshop" styled wedding shoot! For the past three years I have attended the three lovely Enjoy workshops hosted by the lovely and oh so talented Erin Johnson. 

Workshops are so wonderful for lots of different reasons! They are awesome because we get to kick back, relax and get creative without having the pressure that can sometimes come on the wedding day (not that I am complaining, I LOVE real weddings and everything that comes with them!) None the less, photographers need creative days like this... Over the years I can honestly say that I have walked away from these workshops  refreshed and happy from the sweet fellowship of other amazing creatives. 

Here is a little taste of some of the images I captured at this dreamy workshop. 

Of course I just had to get some shots of myselfwith my photographer friends from the Enjoy workshops over the years! Wish I could have snapped one with Nicki! 

Venue: Historic John P. Furber Farm
Enjoy Workshop
Vendors//
Styling & Rentals: On Solid Ground Vintage Rentals
Floral: Grace Klein Designs
Cake: Enticing Icing    Hair & Makeup: Hayley Sachs Artistry