Ashleigh & Zachariah
Our People
Ashleigh
Bride
Hey, I guess I am the bride, that is a weird thing to say. I have been having so much fun planning this wedding down to every last detail. I am a complete perfectionist and am hoping to somehow let all that go on our wedding day, because I get to finally marry the man I love!! We will see how that goes.... Anyone who knows me is probably rolling their eyes right now. The good thing is I am an ultra planner and will most likely have a back up plan for everything with lots of color coded notes to reference, so I am confident I will be stress free! I cannot wait to celebrate with our closest friends and family and waiting the almost 12 years for Zach to propose was well worth the wait. Don't expect a lot of tradition, because that's just not our style. Let's celebrate!!
Zach
Groom
Hey It's Zach, yup, I'm the groom! If you have read my amazing fifi's bio already, you will quickly realize that I didn't have many tasks to do, to prepare for our special day! Over the past year Ashleigh and I have had some amazing experiences starting our new life as fifi + fifi. Cant wait for 2'sday so we can spend the rest of our lives as hubby and wifey!
Taylor Derby
Maid of Honor
Taylor is Ashleigh’s little sister and Zachariah’s favorite sister (he had no choice he got stuck with me). When our parents wanted to get rid of me they dumped me on them and they became rent-a-parents without consent. I appreciate all the times we’ve experienced together – bailing me out of jail, chambong tournaments (Ashleigh never spills), rummy (great way to test out Zach’s math skills), wearing our prom dresses all day, creating the best quarantine bar crawl, and cheesecake brownies. With that being said…you’re doing great sweetie!
Colton Dorr
Best Man
I am the brother of the groom & have the honor of being his best man. I give a lot of credit to Zach for the person I am today. We never had the chance to grow up in the same house, that didn't deter us from staying close. Over the years his passions & hobbies have influenced mine. We bond through our love of sports. However, there are some differences between us. In football he's a Bears & Hawks fan & I root for the Vikings & Huskers. On the mountain he snowboards & I ski. In our hockey beer league, I score goals & he's a certified bender. I look up to Zach & Ash a tremendous amount. I constantly learn from their work ethic & their relationship. They perfectly exemplify the phrase “Work hard, play hard”. I am very blessed to be apart of their lives, & be with them on their special day.
Rachel Waters
I Do Crew
Ashleigh & Zach are family to me. I've known Ash since we were 11 & Zach since he came into her life 13 years ago. They are always up for anything-any adventure we conjure up, we follow through. Ash & I have been nearly inseparable for 20 years & the boys never complain that we need to see each other frequently. These two had a significant role in our wedding & we literally could have not gotten married without them. I love you two more than anything & cannot wait to celebrate your amazing love!
Wes Waters
I Do Crew
I've known Ashleigh since she was in the 8th grade! We have been friends for quite sometime! When Rachel entered my life so did Ashleigh which only made our friendship grow! There is a reason everyone calls her "Mom." I couldn't imagine having a better friend! I can't put an exact date I met Zach, but once we did meet we found we had plenty in common: motorcycles, bicycles, skiing/snowboarding & golf. Basically anything awesome people do! I can say he has become one of my best friends we are quite the tight knit group!
Kagan Derby
I Do Crew
I know Ashleigh and Zach because they are the Aunt and Uncle to my children, so yeah they are family. (HA), but for real they are more like Mom and Dad when they are around, and I get to thrive as one of the kids. Ashleigh and I have shared a lot of memories together, most we do remember. One of my favorites being the fact that we love to travel and meet up on vacation!! We live for a good time together. Luckily, we have Zach around who always knows the best tunes to play for our dance parties.
Austin Derby
I Do Crew
We came from the same womb, and I have known you [Ashleigh] longer than anyone else in the wedding. Also I am your favorite brother. Always have been, and always will be. Oh Ya, Zach's cool too.
Josh Kane
I Do Crew
Hi, I’m Josh Kane. Derby and I throw it all the way back to middle school, (except for fresh/soph year when us underclassmen didn’t exist to the pretty girls in our class!) Zach and I met in ‘06 at Summit in Iowa City after Jake introduced me to him and Ty and then vanished for the night. The three of us did a lot of shots that night. From middle school bday parties, to graduation, and all living together with Wes, we’ve been through a lot and I’m honored to be part of their day. Cheers!
Wes Gast
I Do Crew
Wes is Zach & Ashleigh’s oldest son and former roommate. We have been on many crazy adventures together over the years. They range from traveling to Iowa football & Chicago Cubs games, Pancheros pizza, bailing me out of jail, to Zach almost dying in a foreign country and an unforgettable birthday night with Evan Williams. But you know what they say, what happens in Vegas!
Tyson Allen
I Do Crew
Zach & I met during our childhood in Belmond. I remember in grade school wanting to spend time with Zach. Which would require a rule infraction of some sort, visiting him in the principal's office or sitting against the wall at recess. Our path as friends through college followed this similar theme of always testing those rules. Whatever Ashleigh shares this is what caught her attention, Zach was trouble & a project. If you've spent much time with Zach you quickly learn he enjoys extreme sports, something we have in common. This created little hesitation in perfectly calibrated decision making. This takes me to what draws people to Zach, you're always going to be having fun, there's not much he will say no to, which leads to creating some lifelong memories that you'll carry with you.
Jordon McLaughlin
I Do Crew
Jordon is Zach’s cousin. Originally from Belmond, he now lives in Clarion, Iowa and works for Wright County Secondary Roads, and enjoys coaching football and wrestling for Clarion-Goldfield-Dows high school. Jordon and his wife Sarah have a daughter, Murphy who is almost 2 years old.
Grant Furman
I Do Crew
Grant was introduced to the group when he was hired as the cheap, male "talent" for an adult pinata party. When he arrived we quickly understood why he was still available on such short notice. Two shots of patron later he was throwing up in the driveway instead of dancing. He ended up passing out on Zach & Ashleigh's couch. They haven't been able to get rid of him since.
Jake Barnes
Officiant
Basically, Jake takes all the credit for Zach and I being together... So this is his time to shine!! *Considering he couldn't get his bio in on time, I am not too confident in our decision to give him such a important role at the moment.
Kinsgley Derby
Flower Girl
Kingsley is Ashleigh & Zach's niece. She went from sweet to sassy over night, but we always love spending time with her. It does not take long to realize that Uncle Zach is Kingsley's favorite and Auntie Ashleigh isn't bitter about it at all (yah right!) The biggest challenge on our wedding day will be getting her to wear a dress that's not pink.. Wish us luck!
Hayden Olivia Derby-McLaughlin
Flower Girl
Hello, my name is Hayden, my mom is typing this for me, because, well... I have paws!! I am so excited that my parents are finally getting married! I never thought this day would come and especially since my dad did not fill me in on the secret or the plan. It's not like I could have told mom about it. Thankfully my parents found a venue that is dog friendly, so I will have a very important role at the wedding! I will also be wearing a gorgeous dress of some sort! Please feel free to give me lots of pets, kisses and take a lot of photos! My one goal for the day is to steal the spotlight, because this is really my day, not theirs! Pictured above is my actual reaction to finding out my parents got engaged.