Ashley & Damien — The Day it All Began

"Will you marry me?” Those four little words are the start of the adventure of a lifetime.

This week Ashley & Damien share the day it all began...

Photo Credit // RTW Photography

6/5/22

"Damien invited me to "tag along" with him to a photoshoot for new professional headshots after getting his braces off, which he had during quarantine. He offered that I join him for the photoshoot to "take a few" shots together.

Leading up to the "photoshoot," everything that could have deterred us, did. The photoshoot/proposal was supposed to happen on Saturday, June 4th but a tropical storm swept through and pushed us back by one day. We came into town for the photoshoot that night and I asked him if we could get my favorite restaurant for dinner, The Cheesecake Factory. He replied that he wanted to eat something light in preparation for the pictures the next day.

On Sunday, June 5th, it was showtime and we had the absolute perfect weather. We made our way to our photoshoot location, and unbeknownst to me, Damien caught a glance of both of our families in a completely different hidden parking lot than was planned, due to some unexpected construction. All in a frazzle, thinking the surprise was ruined, he had to make a 3-point turn on a very small street with high curbs and essentially hit every curb possible. Once away from our families, he also hit the parking cement block. He was a nervous wreck!

Damien took some solo photos first and we eventually made our way to the chapel where we could take some couples shots together. I was asked to stand in front of Damien and then to turn around, where he was down on one knee. I notoriously said, 'Are you serious?' (because, are you, truly, serious with me right now?) and, of course, said yes! Both of our families surprised me by coming from the parking lot across the street who had witnessed the whole thing.

Afterwards, our families celebrated with lunch reservations, at the one and only Cheesecake Factory. It was truly a perfect day."

Photo Credit // RTW Photography

Photo Credit // RTW Photography

Every wedding starts with a great proposal, and we're helping couples celebrate the day they said “yes”! If you're interested in sharing your proposal story, visit here.