Real Weddings: Ashley & Derick

While there may not be consensus on exactly how Ashley and Derick’s relationship started to form, there’s definitely overlap. Basketball is what brought these two into each other’s purview. Ashley played on the women’s team, Derick on the men’s for McMurray University in Abilene, TX. After seeing a lot of one another during practices and on long bus rides to away games, and after months of eating together in the dorm cafeterias, the duo realized they were falling for each other. Currently, Derrick is an operations specialist for the US Coast Guard while Ashley works for the Department of Homeland Security. After ten years together, Derick was ready to put his proposal plan into gear. The couple planned a trip to the beautiful Maldives islands to usher in the new year. On the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, Derrick and Ashley enjoyed a couple’s massage, snorkeling and fishing, and an exclusive cruise. On New Year’s Eve, the hotel threw a huge shindig complete with fireworks. Derrick coaxed Ashley away from the crowds to a secluded area of the island where they could privately watch the fireworks go off. As soon as firework entered the sky, Ashley stood up, though she looked over, as Derick was not standing up with her. He was down on one knee with a ring, proposing to his girl. In front of 75 guests, the couple exchanged their vows. Ashley was wearing a long-sleeved, high-neck, mermaid-style gown with a train that was completely covered in Swarovski crystals. The romance-themed wedding featured over-the-top touches of grandeur and was a true testament of the pair’s personalities and love for one another.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Houston, TX

TIME OF YEAR: Winter

WEDDING STYLE: extravagant, glamorous, chic

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: The Bell Tower

MENU: Hors d’oeuvres included bacon-wrapped chicken stuffed with jalapeños and served with sweet chili sauce, Southwestern egg rolls served with chipotle sour cream and crab and roasted corn chowder. For the main course, a filet mignon stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon and topped with a port wine mushroom sauce, or chicken roulade Florentine, stuffed with mozzarella cheese, spinach and artichokes served with an Alfredo sauce. Alongside the entrees were sautéed mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes with garlic and mascarpone cheese.

DESSERT: Cake

FIRST DANCE SONG: “Die with You” by Beyonce

INSPIRATION: Pure romance and red roses

SPECIAL FEATURES: firework pyrotechnics for the newlyweds’ reception entrance; a 360-degree photo booth; fog machine for the first dance; high school classmate sang the bride down the aisle; the décor for the ceremony was the total opposite of the reception to give the guests a shock factor; a mirrored aisle at the ceremony; a quartet played for the ceremony; favors were customized masks and hand sanitizers; the guest book was a journal-style Bible where guests were asked to highlight their favorite Bible verse and sign next to it; customized dance floor that was all black with red roses

HONEYMOON: A trip to Greece and Africa has been postponed due to Covid

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