Ashley Dru » Weddings

Midwestern Winter Wedding Ideas

Ashley Swartzendruber — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:17:37 +0000

Last month I had the privilege of working with a ton of amazing vendors on this wonderful shoot. I created a styled shoot for all you Midwestern brides for some inspiration for the dreary months of winter…now you don’t have to be scared to have your wedding in the winter, it too can be strikingly beautiful! Enjoy the photos and be sure to check out the feature on the Ruffled Blog for more information on the DIY projects!

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THESE WONDERFUL VENDORS!!! And thank you to Michael, Margaret, Suzanne, and Deb for braving the cold with me!

Styling: Ashley Dru / Shoot Venue: The Farmhouse Weddings / Wedding Dress: Mignonette Bridal / Cupcakes: Happy Dance Cupcakes / Donuts and Cookies: Rise N Roll Bakery / Scones: Rolling Scones

Erin and Drew // Pittsburgh NYE Wedding

Ashley Swartzendruber — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:40:42 +0000

When Erin and Drew asked me to take their portraits for their New Year’s Eve wedding…I of course said yes! Erin is my sister-in-law and one of the most amazing people I have ever met. When you marry your husband, you marry his family. And I feel so lucky to have married his family. They are seriously some of the nicest, most caring people in the world. I am super blessed. And I am super blessed to have Drew as the new addition to the family, seriously blessed.

Here are their portraits from their blissful wedding day. Love was definitely in the air… no matter how cold it was.

Erin.

Ashley Swartzendruber — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:07:06 +0000

When the bride is getting ready to see her groom for the first time, magical things happen.

2012 // Forever Remembered

Ashley Swartzendruber — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:30:24 +0000

I can”t help but get a little weepy as I write this post…which is not a surprise because I am probably the cheesiest person on the planet. So I’m not about to disappoint with this post :)

Oh 2012… you blew my mind and surpassed all my dreams and expectations. Every single person I photographed changed my life and my business in so many ways and I am so grateful for that. I can’t stop saying how lucky I feel to have such amazing clients and I don’t think I will ever stop saying that…because it is so true! So to all you love-birds out there who make my dream job a reality, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I wouldn’t be doing what I am today without you!

2012 wasn’t always easy and yes being a photographer is a dream job, but there were struggles. There were moments of weakness and there were moments when my heart felt bruised. But there were moments of change and growth and I am so grateful that photography always pushes me in new and unexpected ways. I am so excited to see how I change in the coming year…so very excited!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to all my family and friends who have never stopped supporting me over the last 3 years. AND to all the amazing photographers that I have formed amazing friendships with over the last year, you all inspire me so much and I am so lucky to just know you! And you better believe I’ll visit you all in California, Tennessee, Michigan, Pennsylvania and all the other amazing places you all live!

And to my husband Jordan….my second shooter, my cheerleader, my best friend, and the most supportive man ever! I wouldn’t be doing this without you…you encouraged me to follow my dreams and never once questioned my ability to do so. I can’t wait to travel the rest of the world with you and I can’t wait to achieve the rest of our dreams together. Yeah that’s right….you complete me. (I told you I was the cheesiest person alive!)

And thank you God for blessing me in so many ways. This is all because of You! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13

Now sit back and relax and scroll through tons and tons of photos…I have too many favorites.

Anna and Zac // Goshen, Indiana Wedding

Ashley Swartzendruber — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:13:07 +0000

I love these two. Like seriously, I love them. We all went to college together and they are two of the nicest people I know. Their wedding day was stress free, full of love and joy, and everything that a wedding should be…one big awesome party celebrating love. This was the best wedding to end the season on…one big love party. Love that :)

Enjoy the photos and remember to love and hug your loved ones this Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for! And Anna and Zac, thank you for allowing me to capture your amazing story! May your marriage be the amazing love story I know it will be :)

The amazing vendors:

Ceremony: College Mennonite Church // Reception: The Spohn Ballroom // Florist: Angie Pickrell-Brock at Sautters // Cake: Ella Bontrager // Hair: Brittany Steiner at Shoobedoo // Dress: Stephenson’s // Bridesmaid dresses: Bridesmaids.com // Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse // Catering and Tableware: Elegance in Thyme // DJ: Tim Blaum

Carol and Steve // Wedding at The Old Bag Factory

Ashley Swartzendruber — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:55:08 +0000

Carol and Steve’s big day had no fear. The cold rain threatened the outdoor ceremony, but guests and family selflessly piled into the family home instead. Many happy tears were shed that day as two families became one amazing family of nine.

I felt so honored to be there, to witness the amazing vows of two people madly in love with their children standing close by. Nothing quite compares. And with a joyful reception at The Old Bag Factory here in Goshen, smiles were contagious, laughter and drinks were shared, and the love of Carol and Steve was celebrated by all. What a wonderful, wonderful thing.

THE DRU BOOTH strikes again!!!

The amazing vendors:

Ceremony: Family home // Reception: The Old Bag Factory // Florist: Wooden Wagon // Dessert: Bread and Chocolate // Hair: Maria at Nicholas J Salon // Makeup: Camellia Cosmetics – South Bend // Bridesmaid dresses: David’s Bridal // Tuxes: Louie’s Tux Shop // Catering: Bread and Chocolate // DJ: The Music Place // Harpist: Anna Hagen

Jill and Peter // Wedding at Fernwood Botanical Gardens

Ashley Swartzendruber — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:20:12 +0000

This wedding is a special one for me…special indeed. Jill and I went to college together, laughed together, cried together, and celebrated life together. So when I’m asked to capture one of the most important days in her life…I can’t help but laugh, cry, and celebrate all day. Jill and Peter’s amazing day took place at the beautiful Fernwood Botanical Gardens with touches of autumn all over the place and since Jill was a biology major in college, air plants and beautiful landscapes played a strong part in the day. Amazing is what that is. I can’t really even begin to express how amazing the day was as a whole. The bitter cold air didn’t effect a single spirit and the day was definitely a beautiful representation and celebration of the amazing relationship Jill and Peter have. Seriously….these two are probably the nicest and most amazing people ever :)

Man oh man am I lucky to have people like this in my life….and man oh man isn’t love the most amazing gift of all time!?

I sure think so…

And watch out people….this blog is a doozy.

Instead of doing your average 1st dance, Jill and Peter and their closest friends surprised all the guests with a flash mob. It was epic my friends. Epic.

Guests rocked The Dru Booth… they rocked it hard.

THE AMAZING VENDORS:

Ceremony and Reception: Fernwood Botanical Gardens // Florist: Airplants were ordered online from family // Dessert: Kimberly Friesen decorated the root-beer keg // Hair: Caitlin Helmuth // Makeup: Jenna Grubaugh // Dress: Affair to Remember in Middlebury, IN // Bridesmaid dresses: Chosen by bridesmaids // Groom’s Suit: Express // Music: The Pine Street Pickers // DJ: Tim Blaum

Elizabeth + Marko // Wedding at The Lakeside Inn

Ashley Swartzendruber — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:41:00 +0000

Coins thrown on the ground. Homemade bourbon. Whistles and stomps. Roasted pig. Hand holding. Circles of dancing love. Shot-gunned beers. And a whole lot of love.

Elizabeth and Marko had an absolutely amazing day. With Serbian traditions at every turn and a whole lot of love and celebration from their friends and family, the first day of Elizabeth and Marko’s marriage was the definition of a “party.” There is no doubt that these two were meant to spend the rest of their lives together….

Nothing better than ending the night with a bonfire on the beach…

The amazing vendors:

Ceremony: St Archangel Michael Serbian Church // Reception: Lakeside Inn in Lakeside, MI // Florist: Tara Florist // Dress: Macy’s Bridal Boutique // Tuxes: Formally Modern Tuxedo in Chicago // DJ: DJ Risky

Jameson + Suzanne // Camarillo, CA Wedding

Ashley Swartzendruber — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:26:54 +0000

The first time I met Jameson and Suzanne was in the winter of 2011, but my husband Jordan went to college with Jameson way back in 2005. Yeah they were the buddies who played endless hours of video games in their underwear in each others dorm rooms. So they go way back… but when Jameson and Suzanne moved to Goshen last year…I’m pretty sure we were destined to be friends. And then one day when Suzanne and I dreamed about the possibility of Jordan and I shooting their wedding in California…that was destined to happen as well.

Jameson and Suzanne’s wedding was the one of the most unique weddings I’ve ever had the privilege of attending…and in the most amazing way possible. They threw away the wedding rule book and everything about the day completely and wholeheartedly embodied Jameson and Suzanne as individuals and as a couple. They celebrated their love in the best way possible…exactly the way THEY wanted!

All weekend, friends and family gathered in Camarillo, California. On the morning of the big day, the couple got ready at different locations while friends and family gathered at The French Bulldog in Camarillo, California. Laughter was shared, breakfast hors d’oeuvres were eaten, and the most amazing rally for love started to form. So if you know Jameson and Suzanne at all, you would know that politics have a strong presence in their relationship and their lives in general. So the two wanted their wedding to be more like a political rally. You are probably thinking, a political wedding? How in the world does that work?

But when you are rallying for love…there are no sides. There isn’t a debate…no hate…it was completely the opposite of what I think a typical political rally would be like. It was a rally/campaign for one of the most precious gifts that we have the privilege of giving and receiving… LOVE. So the whole day was full of red, white, and blue, campaign signs, buttons with the couples faces on them, blow-horns, and a whole lot of awesome people rallying together for two people’s love.

So flippin’ amazing…..

Then around noon everyone marched across the street and joined in a flash-mob/rally/pop-up wedding ceremony…complete with chanting and signs held high into the sky. It was one of the most magical things I have ever seen. The day ended with everyone socializing over amazing food and drinks at The French Bulldog….magical I tell ya…magical.

So thank you Jameson and Suzanne for trusting us with your big day and for inviting us to celebrate your love with all your loved ones…we will truly never forget any of it. And thank you for celebrating your love the way YOU wanted…there is nothing more amazing than that :) Enjoy the magical photos everyone!

At the end of the evening, we took some photos outside the beach house that Jameson and Suzanne stayed at all weekend which is also where we stayed. That place was amazeballs.

Seth and Laura // Wedding at Tippecanoe Place

Ashley Swartzendruber — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:06:23 +0000

Seth and Laura’s wedding was bliss. Lawn games, cupcakes, photobooths, old cars, super old buildings, friends, family, and most importantly…love. Everything about the day was so beautiful and so…them. Which if you know Seth and Laura, you would know that they are both super relaxed and care-free…so to say this this wedding was super relaxed and care free would be an understatement! I loved experiencing every moment of this day and feel so blessed that I even got the chance to! Thank you Seth and Laura for being in love and for choosing me to capture it…you both seriously had a fair-tale day and I know the rest of your lives together will be AWESOME! Congrats you two!

I also want to give a shout out to my husband…who through thick and thin and even though wedding photography is not his dream has shot almost all of the weddings with me this year. You are helping me live out my dream and I can’t thank you enough for that. His photos are amongst the ones below and he really is a rock star! And thank you Jordan for being the star in my own love-story….you rock. Enough of that mushy stuff…enjoy the photos folks :)

Advice for all couples looking to do sparklers: Don’t use a blow torch to light them. It turns into a smoke fest and the bride and groom can’t breathe and almost light on fire! Just thought you should know :)

The AMAZING vendors:

Ceremony: Elkhart Mennonite Church // Reception: The Tippecanoe Place in South Bend // Florist (Bouquets): Mom & Me Floral in Wakarusa // Floral Arrangements: Lela Haines // Cupcakes: Mini Delights // Hair: Brandi from Salon Nouveau // Makeup: Jill Tyler from Mary Kay // Dress: From Stephenson’s (Designer: Allure) // Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal // Tuxes: Louie’s Tux Shop // Catering: Tippecanoe Place // Rentals: Aay’s Rental // Videographer: Josh Kidd