Ashley and Robbie officially met at a Bocce Ball tournament—not your usual outing, but they both worked for a adventure non-profit in Washington, and it was their fundraising event. They were both ‘Bocce Officials’ and Ashley “needed” to borrow his tape-measurer many times that day. They had some friends scheming behind the scenes that they didn’t know about, but turns out they were just an accessory. Ashley and Robbie hit it off on their own terms—and now they’re planning their wedding!
Give us the details! When? Where? How?
Robbie took me on a hike that morning in Boulder and out to breakfast at one of my favorite places in Boulder called the Chautauqua Dinning Hall. After breakfast he slipped me a card that stated he loved everything about me and knew I had been very busy, so he arranged for me to get my hair & nails done! The whole works! He had also arranged for one of my closest friends to join me and paid for her hair to get done as well! At the nail salon a group of us had decided to go together (little did I know he had arranged that) and he paid for all of us there as well! Now I really should have known something was up at this point, but over the years Robbie has done many wonderful and extravagant things for me. So I still didn’t assume anything.
It was supposedly our friend’s birthday party that evening, and I thought he was just pampering me before the event! Then I got home and a beautiful dress and earrings where waiting for me on my bed… I kind of started to freak out, but my roommate slyly convinced me that he was still just being sweet. There was another note that read “I’d be honored if you wore this dress and accompanied me for a drink after the birthday party…” Completely gullible. I took the bait hook, line, and sinker! Didn’t assume a thing.
I hopped in the car with my roommate and her boyfriend intending to meet Robbie at the swanky backyard birthday party. When we got there I walked through the empty house towards the backyard, turned the corner, and nearly collapsed when I saw him down on one knee. He was completely surrounded by our close friends and I was shocked. I knew the day would come, but I did not think it was that day! I accidentally gave him the wrong hand when he asked for it, but quickly corrected.
You have to chose joy daily in life, and that is our hope.
He told me that he’s always wanted to marry me and knew how long we’d know each other down to the minute. I said yes and he put the prettiest Vintage diamond/platinum ring on my finger from the 20s that another one of my closest friends had helped him find. All of the sudden we were covered in confetti from our surrounding friends, drinking our favorite cocktail and feasting on Cedar Plank Salmon in honor of our home state of Washington. It was a great engagement celebration that I will never forget and would never change.
What has been your favorite experience planning the wedding?
Picking our venue in Telluride, Colorado!
How do you stay sane under the pressures of wedding planning?
Friends, good wine, and good TV shows.
What is your favorite part of using Joy for your wedding?
The back end is very user friendly and easy to change and navigate.
What piece of advice would you give couples to ensure that they use Joy to its fullest potential?
Utilize all the features and pages Joy offers, especially the online RSVP!
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy should last forever. What does that mean to you?
Our wedding will be a celebration of Robbie & my decision to love and live life together and we hope it is a great celebration! But the true and lasting joy will be what we chose to do with the days and years that follow our wedding. You have to chose joy daily in life, and that is our hope.
