The White Sparrow Barn Wedding | Ivory and Vine Events | Ellen Ashton Photography

" At the end of each day, I like to acknowledge or jot down a few things that made me smile. On the top of that list today will surely be this slice of garden-inspired goodness from Ivory & Vine Event Co., which ended in THE sweetest real surprise proposal. Fellow wedding lovers, there's even a video documenting it below!—be sure not to miss it after you peruse all of the lovely captured by Ellen Ashton. P.S. Get a load of those Sarah Seven dresses, dreamy right?" -Melissa Baran

From Ivory & Vine Event Co.... This shoot was inspired by the Garden of Eden. We wanted to create an intimate wedding scene surrounded by elements of lush floral, greenery and vibrant pops of color to bring the Garden of Eden to life. The White Sparrow Barn made an incredible backdrop, surrounding us with stunning white walls and a grand space to set the stage.

The vibrant, spring color palette of deep berries, pinks, blush and creams helped to add so much color to the neutral walls of the White Sparrow. Kate Foley Designs created an amazing installation of floral and greenery, climbing the walls of the White Sparrow and evoking the feeling of a lush, hidden garden. From the bridal bouquet to the centerpieces, each element was designed with the intention of elevating natural elements into something elegant.

A few weeks into planning the editorial shoot with our model couple, the “groom” reached out to me asking if I would help plan his girlfriend’s proposal at the end of the shoot. He knew she loved The White Sparrow barn and that she would be getting her hair and makeup done specially for the shoot, and decided that it would be a great opportunity to ask for her hand.

We decided to split the shoot in two different sections, the wedding section and the “day after” portraits which have become popular among many couples. During the day-after section, as the models stood in the center of the room, Jaden got down on one knee and proposed. We opened the barn doors to reveal all of Havyn’s best friends standing there with balloons. She was absolutely stunning as she said “yes” to her future groom!

Ellen Ashton did such an amazing job of not only capturing the intricate details of the shoot, but the emotions of the day as well. Her aesthetic eye helped to bring an entirely different perspective into the space, capturing each intimate moment.

Pink Champagne Paper created a gorgeous stationery suite, with so many fun elements. From the custom map of the White Sparrow hand-drawn on textured paper, to the wax seals and barn drawing, each stationery element helped to tie the concept of the piece together.

We were thrilled to showcase two stunning Sarah Seven gowns. For the wedding portion of the shoot, our model wore the Carlisle gown by Sarah Seven. This piece gave a nod to the Garden of Eden concept through it’s illusion lace detailing and floral pattern design. During the day-after section and real proposal moment, our model adorned a buttery-yellow Sarah Seven slip dress, full of movement.

Whisk Until Sweet provided an incredible cake adorned with fresh floral, dripping chocolate and fruit accents to tie in our concept. This two-tiered beauty was simple, but full of so many fun details.

Each moment of this shoot was so truly unique. This team of vendors put so much thought and care into every detail not only to elevate the design, but to give our couple one of the most memorable days of their lives. It was truly an honor to plan something so beautiful for this couple!

• Planning & Design: Ivory & Vine Event Co.
• Photography: Ellen Ashton Photography
• Floral Design; Kate Foley Designs
• Cake: Whisk Until Sweet
• Stationery: Pink Champagne Paper
• Ribbon: Bellame Ribbon Co. 
• Suit: The Black Tux
• Rentals: Rent My Dust
• Dress Boutique: AandBe Bridal Shop
• Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven
• Jewelry: Trumpet & Horn
• Hair & Makeup: Meagan Bechtel
• Video: Peyton Frank
• Venue: The White Sparrow

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**

Weatherford Texas Wedding Photographer | Bryson and Mandy's Anniversary Photos | Ellen Ashton Photography

"When our lips touch, I can taste the next sixty years of our life together."

I am so very excited to share with y'all this fabulous anniversary session! 

Anniversary sessions are becoming the new "it" things and I absolutely LOVE it! 

It's hard to believe that I have known Mandy for almost nine years. NINE. Are we really that old?!? (insert sobbing emoji face X10). It seems like only yesterday I was a 17 year old kid moving into the college dorms. Mandy was one of the first people that I met at our little campus and she has been a treasured friend ever since.

As I was thinking of what to write, I was reminded of all the many memories and mile stones we have shared over the years. From marrying our spouses, Mary Kay meetings, impromptu Starbucks counseling sessions, hard times and joyous times, business ventures and lots and lots of laughter. Our love for the Lord has always been the heart of our friendship and I am so thankful for that. 

I am beyond honored to have captured this monumental years of marriage for Mandy and Bryson on their cozy acreage out in Weatherford, Texas.

My husband came into my office while I was editing and the first thing he said was "wow, they looks so happy and in love." 

As a photographer I document moments, laughter, loving glances and precious memories that last a lifetime. I feel like being a photographer/memory keeper is my "life calling" and it brings me so much joy. As I was photographing Bryson and Mandy my heart just wanted to explode! I love that they wanted this time in their lives to be documented on their land, the place that they call "home". Just the thought of them always having this amazing spot to come back to for anniversary pictures gives me goose bumps! Years from now, they can see how their love and family grew via photographs. What a beautiful thing to have! 

The love that these two have shared over these past eight years has been a beautiful thing to watch. 

It's a little early, but Happy Anniversary, Bryson and Mandy! Y'all deserve to all the happiness in the world. 

Much love, 

-E

Kimbell Art Museum | Shannon Rose Event's Photos | Dallas Fort Worth Wedding Planner | Ellen Ashton Photography

Hi Friends! 

Last week was a bit crazy for me and I am still trying to recover. Obviously I didn't post a DFW wedding vendor interview last Tuesday because I simply didn't have the time. BUT it's a new week and I am back in the saddle again! 

I am so excited to share this weeks featured wedding vendor from Shannon Rose Event's! 

MEET SHANNON! 

I met Shannon a few months ago and I am so glad I did! Shannon is a very talented wedding planner and is a total rockstar at what she does. What I love most about her is that she is a down to earth, fun loving and genuine person. She is an amazing wedding planner who would be an asset to any couple who hires her. 

When I met with Shannon to take a few images for this blog we ended up sitting and chatting for over an hour. I very much enjoy her company and you will too! Her sweet spirit and funny sense of humor will make you adore her even that much more! I truly believe these elements are what make her a darn good wedding planner!

I am so very impressed with Shannon's good attitude and quick thinking skills. I am telling you guys, you will love having Shannon be apart of your wedding day! She is a true gem inside and out!

I have a special place in my heart for wedding planners because they do SO much for each couple to make the wedding day happen. Most of the time the things that they do are way above and beyond and 9 times out of 10 we never even see all that they do. They work long and hard before the wedding and after. Wedding planners do their very best to make sure that every couple has a smooth and worry free day. Who wouldn't want that?!

I can't wait for you to get to know Shannon through her interview, so lets get started! 

THE INTERVIEW

Ellen Ashton: Why Did you start your business? 

Shannon: When I first graduated college I had trouble finding a full time job in architecture and being an event planner was always something I had in the back of my mind.  After a few weeks I was able to find a random graphic design job and an internship with an event planning company in Dallas.  I knew I wanted to do this full time when I could not sleep the night before an event because I was so excited to get to work the next day and I was not even getting paid ( It was crazy I was driving one hour to her office and one hour back through $10.00 tolls and working 10-16 hour days and still loved every minute of it without making a dime). To be honest I really don’t know exactly why I decided to start my own business it just felt right at the time.  After my year internship ended  I started working for an Architecture firm and I was miserable working (55-60 hour weeks and not enjoying what I was working on) and my husband (a business owner as well) told me…”Why are you working all these hours working for someone else it is obvious you are meant to own your own business and do something you love” and then I decided to save money and just do it.  It was as simple as that!

Ellen Ashton: How did your first client find you? 

Shannon: My first client was someone I worked with at my old job.

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

Shannon: Both 

Ellen Ashton: Best advice you could give a bride and groom looking for a wedding planner?

Shannon: Find someone that you feel like you can “gel with”. The wedding planning process is not only stressful for some, but it also involves a lot of trust.  You need to find someone you can trust, let go with, and maybe even have a few laughs with (it is a fun time after all!).  .  This will help relieve some of the stress and you can feel more at ease once you begin the wedding planning process.  You can’t do it all, and the more you let go and trust your wedding planner the more you will enjoy the actual day and all the weeks leading up to the big day.

Ellen Ashton: How do you survive the wedding day? 

Shannon: Coffee, LOTS of Coffee & breakfast burritos in the morning

Ellen Ashton: What is your favorite 2016 wedding trend? 

Shannon: Pops of bold color with soft tones in florals

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

Shannon: Dusty Blue! I love how it be romantic and modern. 

Ellen Ashton: What is your favorite show at the moment?  

Shannon: Bachelor & Bachelorette!

Ellen Ashton: Wine or Ice-cream? 

Shannon: Wine

Ellen Ashton: What is your most favorite package you offer to couples? 

Shannon: My full planning package, it is my largest package I offer and it assures I am able to be more involved in the process.  I assist with design, budget, vendor meetings, timelines, hotel blocks…etc. (you name it and I include it in this package). 

Thank so much for reading Shannon Rose Event's interview! Make sure to follow Shannon on her social media handles! 

FACEBOOK: Shannon Rose Events

INSTAGRAM: @shannonroseevents

PINTEREST: Shannon Rose Events

WEBSITE: www.shannonroseevents.com

Much love, 

-E 

Oh Deery Floral Photos | Ellen Ashton Photography | Dallas Wedding Photographers

Happy Tuesday, everyone! 

I am so excited to share with all you lovelies the wedding vendor interview of the week! 

As I'm sure most of you have already gathered that I am interviewing all types of DFW wedding vendors! I have so enjoyed showcasing a little bit of what they do and of course allowing all you darling people to get to know the talented faces behind the brand. Click HERE to read last weeks featured vendor.  

Todays Wedding Vendor interview is with Briley, from Oh Deery Floral! 

MEET BRILEY 

I actually heard about Briley's business "Oh Deery Floral" several years ago and have been following her on social media ever since. When I decided to do this blog series I knew that I for sure wanted to interview Briely and show y'all how crazy talented and sweet she is. 

I met with Briley in her quaint little studio and we sipped on La Croix's and chatted for hours! I knew that when she had La Croix's in her fridge we were going to be great friends! 

I really enjoyed getting to know Briley! She is sweet, kind and a has the heart and mind of a crazy talented, creative entrepreneur.

I loved hearing Briley's passion about floral design and the services she offers to her clients.

As we talked it became very clear that Briley takes great care in providing her clients with beautiful and unique floral creations.

After I saw and heard Briely describe her work the thought came to me that Oh Deery Floral is not just a floral arrangement shop for weddings, but a place that create gorgeous pieces of art work with flowers. I am truly amazed at the outstanding services she offers her clients. If you are a bride looking for a florist, you should highly consider investing in Oh Deery Floral, you will not be disappointed! All of your guests will rave about your florals! 

Let's get to know a little it more about Briley and her business! 

OH DEERY INTERVIEW

Ellen Ashton: How did Oh Deery Floral start?

Briley: I always knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur from a young age. I started my "first business" in 8th grade selling vintage necklaces and tried a handful of things before I ended up in college needing an internship and landing one with a floral designer. Honestly, one of the best experiences of my life! The first day there, I was literally just processing the flowers (taking off leaves, thorns, bad petals, etc.) but fell in LOVE and knew that I had to work with flowers. They called my name! I grew a lot there and was so privileged to work with someone who was so willing to teach, share knowledge, and invest in me and encouraged me to continue practicing floral design. Long story short, she had a baby and slowed down a bit with business so I had the opportunity to branch out and do my own thing and the rest is history. I continually feel so lucky that my business has grown and developed the way that it has in just 3 short years!

Ellen Ashton: How did you come up with the name Oh Deery Floral?

Briley:  In college, when I was experimenting with one of my many business ventures (with my best friend and business partner at the time) I needed a name but had no clue where to even begin to come up with one. One of our roommates took all the letters from our names and came up with several different words and phrases and Oh Deery was one of them! It just stuck and here I am - five years later, ha! 

Ellen Ashton: What do you love most about working as florist?

Bailey:  Hands down the flowers and color combinations. There are endless combinations and varieties and I still have moments when I see new color palettes that just stop my dead in my tracks. Finding those colors that just work together and make your heart flutter are what it's all about for me. 

Ellen Ashton: Where do you find the most inspiration? 

Bailey: My favorite place to find new inspiration is walking around plant nurseries! I find that it's the best place to see new unexpected color combinations, shapes, and movement. It breaks up the norm of wedding flowers and gives me new ideas for how to change up what I'm doing with my arrangements. If I'm stressed out during busy work seasons, I'll usually find an excuse to go take at least a 5 minute walk through a nursery. Something about it just relaxes me! I always think that I'll end up working at a nursery when I retire. I'll be the lady with a visor and hose talking to the plants!

Ellen Ashton: What is your favorite flower?

Briely: It changes with the seasons but right now it's spirea.

Ellen Asthon: What is your favorite 2016 wedding trend?

Briley: Dusty blue! I love LOVE blues and greens and have been waiting for the moment that blue would be in!

Ellen Ashton: What is your favorite wedding season?

Bailey: SO hard to choose! But you just can't beat the springtime flowers. Everything is so fresh and happy in the spring!

Ellen Ashton: How far in advance should one book a florist for their wedding?

Briley:  For me, 6-8 months is comfortable for planning for floral. 

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

Briley:  Taylor Swift! I feel like we'd have a lot to talk about and have a lot of fun.

Ellen Ashton: Kim, Kourtney, or Khloe?

Briley: Khloe! I want to be her friend!

Ellen Ashton: Favorite tv show?

Bailey: Game of Thrones!

Ellen Ashton Cupcakes or ice cream?

Briley: Fudgy chocolate ice cream :)

Thanks so much for reading this weeks interview and getting to know Briley of "Oh Deery Floral"! Make sure to check her out and follow her on social media! You will love seeing all her pretty creations! 

WEBSITE: www.ohdeery.com 

FACEBOOK: Oh Deery 

INSTAGRAM: @ohdeeryfloral

PINTEREST: Briley Studdard

As always, 

Much love and many blessings, 

-E 

Whitney Bailey Owner of Engaged Events in Dallas | Dallas Texas Wedding Planner

IT'S FINALLY HERE!

I am so excited to share with y'all a little project I have been working on these past few weeks.

For a while now I have been thinking of doing several blog posts featuring wedding vendors in the Dallas & Fort Worth area. 

So, that's just what I am going to do! 

For the next few weeks I will be posting blogs with Q&A style interviews of wedding professionals in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. 

Kicking off our blog series is the lovely and oh so talented, Whitney Bailey. 

Meet Whitney! 

Whitney is the owner of Chic Fleur Weddings and Event's in Dallas, Texas.

Whitney welcomed me to DFW with open arms and I am convinced that her warmness and fun loving spirit is what makes her a top notch wedding planner and coordinator. 

One of the things that I love about Whitney is her genuine heart and amazing organization skills! 

It's clear to see that Whitney loves what she does and because of this she provides her clients with phenomenal services.

Whitney is most certainly an assist to any bride and groom who hires her! 

So, lets get to know Whitney! 

Ellen Ashton: Why Did you start your business?

Whitney: I’m a firm believer in “do what you love” and that is exactly what I did! With a background in design and the love for people and hospitality, I thought I would give weddings a try. I love the idea of creating an event that brings two people together and is one of the most special days in their lives. 

Ellen Ashton: How did your first client find you?

Whitney: I think my first client found me on theknot.com. I was also very lucky to have family and friends support me and refer me to anyone they knew was getting married.

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

Whitney: We will travel wherever our bride wants to get married. A majority of our brides get married in Dallas but we do have some Fort Worth brides. We also have a few destination weddings on the books for 2016/2017 and we are so excited for this!  

Ellen Ashton: How do you survive the wedding day?

Whitney: With the perfect timeline, some fantastic vendors and a Venti coffee I am good to go! 

Ellen Ashton: What is your favorite 2016 wedding trend?

Whitney: My favorite 2016 trend is the “garden look”. I am all about a lush floral garland for your head table and lots of greenery. 

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

Whitney: I am loving the combo of lavender ivory and greenery. 

Ellen Ashton: What is your favorite television show?

Whitney: I am a huge Grey’s Anatomy fan and The Bachelor fan!  I have been watching both shows since the beginning so I will forever be a far. 

Ellen Ashton: Wine or Ice-cream?

Whitney: For sure wine (specifically a good Cabernet). Although what’s this I hear about ice-cream wine? I need to try this! 

Ellen Ashton: What is your most favored package you offer to couples?

Whitney: My favorite package is of course our Full Planning in addition to our Design Package. I love getting to know the couple and being able to insert pieces into their wedding that resemble them. With a huge passion in design I love to help create an unimaginable experience for both the couple and their guests. 

Wedding planners/coordinators work hard behind the scenes before and during the wedding day. They keep you on budget, find you good deals and hustle months before and during the wedding day. They insure that you get to experience your dream wedding and get to soak up every special moment with your family and friends. Who wouldn't want this?! 

 Let me just tell you, it takes a village to make a wedding day happen and a good planner like Whitney is key for a smooth wedding day. 

Each and every wedding vendor is SO IMPORTANT. I hope this blog series will help brides of all kinda find the perfect vendor for them! 

 Follow Whitney! 

Website: chicfleurweddingsandevents.com

Instagram: @chicfleurweddingsandevents

Pinterest: Chic Fleur Weddings and Events

Facebook: Chic Fleur Weddings + Events

Thanks so much for visiting the blog and reading about our featured wedding profession, Whitney! 

Stay tuned for next week! 

Much love, 

-E