How did you meet?
Our story began through mutual connections. We both grew up in the same area [Tri-Valley] and were both involved in the sports world, so our circles had overlapped for quite some time. While we had known of each other for a while, it was not until we reconnected later on that something truly clicked. From there, everything unfolded naturally and the timing felt meant to be.
Tell us about your engagement.
We got engaged on Thanksgiving Day in 2023, in Seattle, WA, right on the Seattle Seahawks football field. We had field passes before the game, and while we were taking it all in, he surprised me with the most unforgettable proposal. With the energy of the stadium around us and with holiday season, everything just paused for a second — and our next chapter began right there. What made the moment even more special was that the game was Seahawks versus Niners. My dad, who has passed back in 2018, was a lifelong 49ers fan, and being there felt like he was with us, sharing in the celebration.
#WeddingGoals
While planning our wedding, we were committed to creating a perfect day—especially with Ashley’s perfectionist nature. From the start, we envisioned draped pergolas and navy blue lampshades as focal points, aiming to evoke an upscale, timeless sense of sophistication. At the same time, we knew that flexibility would be essential, as unexpected circumstances can always arise. For example, although we initially didn’t want a clear tent for the celebration, choosing a clear-top tent turned out to be a wonderful decision due to the surprise weather. It allowed us to host the reception on the driveway while still offering expansive views, enhancing the overall experience at Black Oak Mountain Vineyards. Amy (our planner), Elissa (our floral designer), and the entire vendor team did a phenomenal job adapting to the changes and seamlessly integrating the tent into the landscape in a way that still reflected our original vision.
How did planning go?
Planning went incredibly well, thanks to our phenomenal planner, Amy with Amy Varain Weddings. She provided a clear timeline, guided us through each step, and helped us build the perfect vendor team. Honestly, working with Amy was one of our favorite parts of the entire process. We spent hours on Zoom calls discussing ideas, logistics, and design options—not only was it productive, but it also became a truly memorable and fun experience.
Ashley especially enjoyed using her limited spare time to gather inspiration and design the wedding landscape using Canva. It became a creative outlet for her, allowing her to build a visual guide that included pieces from our vendor team—like specific furniture rentals, floral design elements, and layout ideas. Sharing this document with Amy made the collaboration seamless, and she did an amazing job bringing our vision to life.
The most stressful part came the week before the wedding. We had to make the difficult (and expensive) decision to add a clear-top tent due to the weather forecast. It wasn’t something we had originally planned for, but in the end, it was absolutely the right call—it gave us peace of mind and ensured our guests stayed dry. The hardest part was simply the anxiety of watching the rain forecast roll in, but everything came together perfectly in the end.
Biggest Challenge?
One of the biggest challenges was being able to envision how everything would come together and making sure it felt cohesive. It’s one thing to have individual ideas, but bringing them all into a unified look and experience was overwhelming at times. Thankfully, our incredible vendors gave us reassurance and guidance throughout the process. Their expertise helped turn our ideas into a beautifully executed reality.
Another challenge was figuring out our priorities. When you only have one day to bring everything to life—and a budget to stick to—it can be difficult to decide where to allocate your resources. We had to be really intentional about what mattered most to us and focus on those elements, rather than trying to do everything.
How was the Ceremony?
Our ceremony was really special and personal to us. It was officiated by Ryan’s fire chaplain, which meant a lot since Ryan works for our local fire department. The chaplain has officiated other firefighter weddings before, so having someone who understood that part of our life made it feel even more meaningful. One unique part of the ceremony was having our two witnesses—Ryan’s fire chief and deputy chief—sign our marriage certificate during the ceremony itself. It was such a cool moment and made us feel so supported by those who impact us each and every day.
We also included special touches to honor Ashley’s dad, who passed away in 2018. Each bridesmaid dropped a bouquet in remembrance of him during the ceremony, and each one had a flower from Ashley’s own bouquet. It was a really emotional and beautiful way to keep his presence close on such an important day.
Did you have any special cultural features to your wedding or factors that celebrated the heritage of you or your family?
Yes, one of the most special moments of our celebration was having TengFei Lion Dance perform during our reception. They brought the “Lucky 8” lions, with the number eight holding great significance in Chinese culture as a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.
The traditional Chinese lion dance is believed to chase away evil spirits and bring blessings, happiness, and luck to the couple as they begin their life together. Including it in our wedding was a meaningful way to honor cultural heritage while bringing vibrant energy and depth to the celebration.
Our guests were absolutely captivated by the performance. It was more than just a show—it was a symbolic and powerful moment that added joy, tradition, and purpose to our day. It meant so much to us to share that piece of culture with everyone who came to celebrate.
Any funny or unexpected wedding moments that happened throughout the day?
Right after the cake cutting, we surprised everyone with a special treat—a grand reveal of one of our favorite vendors, VolksWaffles. Terry, the owner, was serving up mouthwatering Belgian waffles topped with sugar crystals, fresh strawberries, chocolate, and ice cream. Guests lined up excitedly to customize their sweet treat just the way they wanted. The funniest part? Ryan’s fire chief, without hesitation, sprinted to be first in line, making everyone burst out laughing. It was such a lighthearted, unexpected moment that perfectly captured the fun energy of the day.
Memorable Moments
Our reception was not only visually stunning—it truly brought our vision to life—but it was also packed with unforgettable moments. One of the most fun and unique parts was something our DJ and our planner encouraged us to include: a tradition called “a dance to dinner.” Each table was assigned a specific song, and when their song played, the entire table had to get up and dance their way over to us before heading to the buffet. It was such a fun and interactive way to kick off dinner and brought so much energy into the room. Guests were laughing, dancing, and cheering each other on—it completely broke the ice and turned a routine part of the evening into something memorable. Even better, it gave us a quick, joyful moment with each table. Since the night moves so fast, having those small interactions meant a lot and made our reception feel even more personal and connected.
Special Dances:
First Dance: I’m Gonna Love You by Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood
Last Dance: Lights by Journey
What was the best part of your day?
Besides the obvious best part—getting to marry each other—it was really hard to pick a favorite moment. We actually tried to come up with separate answers, but ended up sharing the same highlights.
One of the best parts was getting ready and spending time with our pup, Maggi on our big day. We had the help of Dog of Honor Weddings & Events, an amazing dog concierge service, who took incredible care of her throughout the day. They made sure Maggi’s floral bandana stayed picture-perfect all day long. In the morning, Maggi got to hang out with the bride’s crew while getting ready, and later she was with Ryan and his best man as they prepared for the ceremony. Having Maggi so seamlessly included in these special moments made the day feel even more personal and unforgettable.
Another unforgettable moment was the reception reveal. It was just us and our vendors—the incredible team we had been working with for over a year—in the quiet stillness of the space, with no one else around. Taking in the stunning tablescapes, the breathtaking hilltop view, and the overall atmosphere was so moving that tears started to fall—not only from us but from some of our vendors as well. It was a deeply emotional moment of gratitude and awe, right before the celebration truly began.
Favorite Detail
Honestly, there wasn’t just one favorite detail—we were so meticulous about every aspect of our wedding, from the menus and seating charts to the customized blankets and personal matchboxes we gave our guests. We poured a lot of love and personal touches into every part of the day, making it truly our own. One especially memorable moment was the reception reveal—seeing the space come together exactly as we had envisioned, with all the décor and details in place, was absolutely breathtaking. It’s hard to pick just one favorite because all those elements came together to create the perfect experience for us and our guests.
Looking back, what do you think your guests will remember most about your wedding?
It’s hard to pick just one thing because there were so many memorable aspects of our wedding. We think our guests will remember the stunning tablescapes that our vendors brought to life, the breathtaking views at Black Oak Mountain Vineyards, the energetic lion dance performance, and of course, the delicious VolksWaffles that were a sweet surprise for everyone. Each of these elements combined had created a truly unforgettable experience for our guests.
#VendorRaves
Working with our wedding planner, Amy from Amy Varain Weddings, was one of the best decisions we made during our wedding planning journey. From the very beginning, Amy went above and beyond to make sure every detail was just right—not just for the event itself, but for us as a couple. Her warmth, professionalism, and deep experience gave us so much confidence every step of the way. What truly stood out was how much time and care Amy put into making our wedding uniquely ours. She never rushed us, never pushed an agenda—instead, she listened, supported, and worked tirelessly to bring our ideas to life in the most beautiful way. Her attention to detail and dedication to making the day special were nothing short of extraordinary. Thanks to Amy, our wedding wasn’t just an event, it was an experience we’ll treasure forever. We can’t recommend her highly enough to anyone who wants not only a beautiful wedding but a planner who genuinely cares.
Advice from the Couple
Make a list of what matters most to you and your partner for your wedding day. Whether it’s the florals, the guest experience, the DJ or band, or anything else—identify your top three priorities and focus on those. For us, prioritizing the guest experience was key. It helped create a day that was not only meaningful and fun for us but also enjoyable and memorable for everyone who attended.
What would you have done differently?
Honestly, the only thing we might have wished for was better weather. While we knew it was beyond our control, we are so grateful that everything worked out in the end without any issues. Looking back, we also wish the day could have slowed down a bit because it truly flew by too fast. There were so many special moments we wanted to savor longer, but we are thankful for every second of it.
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