Real Weddings

Ashley and Willow had the privilege of celebrating their nuptials not once, but twice. While the pandemic did put a slight damper on their plans, the pair was able to get married in two different cities. First they had an intimate courthouse ceremony in Austin, TX in the summer of 2020. Then a few months later in September of that year they wed in front of 100 guests, in Tulsa, OK. The couple are self-described “foodies,” Ashley and Willow, work in fintech and cybersecurity respectively, but Ashley is the food and lifestyle blogger behind At Home With Ashley Dawn and the creator of The Adventurous Bartender. She is also a small business owner, running a Tulsa, OK food tour company called Foodie Foot Tours. The couple, who share a knack for having great taste and enjoy pushing the envelope, dreamed up a tropical, beach-inspired wedding theme featuring large palm fronds and orchids, a breezy turquoise-blue, and modern touches. Perhaps this was a subconscious nod to their beautiful cruise vacation to Cozumel, Mexico where they got engaged. Willow was thoughtful in choosing that time to ask Ashley to marry him – on their cruise over the Gulf of Mexico. Ashley was getting herself ready to attend a fancy dinner one night of the cruise, and with her back to her beau, she asked Willow to please zip up her dress. When he did not respond, she got concerned. She whipped around to see him down on one knee, waiting for the moment she would turn around. It was the first moment of the rest of their lives.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Austin, TX and Tulsa, OK

TIME OF YEAR: Fall

WEDDING STYLE: elegant, tropical, foodie

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Tulsa Club Hotel

MENU: The wedding opened with a cake wall to offer petit fours to guests as they arrived. During cocktail hour where the featured drinks were margaritas, hors d’oeuvres included ravioli, crab dip, mini quiche, and bruschetta. For dinner, the couple opted for a buffet spread featuring chicken, brisket, a macaroni and cheese bar, mashed potatoes, salad, green beans, and rolls. The late night midnight snack converted our cake wall into a burger and fry wall filled with food from Whataburger.

DESSERT: A cake wall

FIRST DANCE SONG:  “Plastic” by Moses Sumney

INSPIRATION: Ashley loves the water and the beach so the colors of tropical plants and the ocean were the inspiration

SPECIAL FEATURES: two-part wedding in two different cities due to Covid; they welcomed guests with cake displayed on a cake wall right away; We also had a root beer float stand using A&W root beer in honor of their initials; late night snack was Whataburger hamburgers; bride two dresses one for ceremony and a reception dress; custom wooden bow ties made and each tie had the skyline of the city they were from etched into them; various flavors of olive oils and vinegars as favors

HONEYMOON: Mexico

COLORS:

Vendors

• Photographer: Dani G Photography
• Florist & Wedding Planner: Penelope and Lu
• Videographer: The Modern Day Wedding
• Ceremony & Reception Venue: Tulsa Club Hotel
• Caterer: Tulsa Club Hotel
• Cake Designer: Ludgers Bavarian Cakery
• Dessert: Merritt’s Bakery
• Music & Lighting: Lions Road
• Print Materials: Katie’s Custom Décor
• Make Up Artist: MLB Artistry
• Bridal Gowns: David’s Bridal and Fame and Partners
• Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal
• Groom & Groomsmen: Men’s Wearhouse
• Accessories: Wooden Bowties
• Favors: Conolios