Port Gamble Weddings is now one of our absolute FAVORITE wedding venues in the state of Washington.

We absolutely adored Ashley & Drew from the moment we met them (ok, technically we met Ashley when we photographed one of her best friend’s weddings, but we loved her then, too!) … and knew this day was going to be amazing. We had no idea HOW amazing, and we were blown away when we arrived. The stunning details and floral, the beautiful personal touches throughout the day, and the way every person there felt the presence of Ashley’s father all day long.

One of my favorite moments on this wedding day was a surprise that Drew and his Dad had planned for the reception. As Ashley’s father had passed, there was no father/daughter dance planned – and they’d have none of that.

I’m sorry, I’m sitting here sobbing as I type this.

Drew’s Dad asked important men in Ashley’s life to share a dance with her as a tribute to him and how they’d watched over her in his place. When it was Drew’s Dad’s turn, you could hear him whisper that he will always be here for her in her ear as they spun around the floor. It was a moment I don’t think I will ever forget.

My second favorite moment was when we did first look and coordinated a surprise NERF gun war for Ashley & Drew… and I’m thrilled to say that Ashley won. Patience pays off! Pro-tip: Don’t empty your entire clip within the first minute 😉

Now on to the fun stuff:  Drew & Ashley took turns answering a few questions for me about how they met, the proposal, and their Port Gamble Wedding day – and don’t forget to scroll to the end, we included Ashley’s “Real Bride” review.

How did the two of you meet?
From Drew’s perspective: We met on eHarmony, I had only been on the site for a couple weeks when I was matched with this cute girl from Puyallup WA on October 6, 2017. One of her profile pictures was of her trying on a taco costume at target and her tagline was that she loved movies, building blanket forts, pizza and fake British accents. I was hooked! I had to get to know this girl. So instead of using the canned questions provided, I decided to write up three questions of my own. I nervously re-read them a ton of times wanting them to be good ones and then sent them off! She made me wait a whole day before she replied, and from there we just clicked! After a week of messaging it was Ashley who blindsided me with suggesting that we meet! I freaked, but said yes! That Saturday October the 15th we met for the very first time at Mox Boarding House in Bellevue. Its a really cool restaurant and board game store where you can play games while you eat! When I saw her walk across that parking lot as I waited to meet her, I was floored and knew I wanted to keep this girl in my life for a long time!  There’s a funny story about this day that Ashley insists I tell over and over… So a few weeks before the date, I had cracked a tooth on an M&M blizzard. Well on the day of the date, the remaining piece of tooth that was still there decided to come a little loose. I was super nervous about it heading into the date. So we picked out our board games, then sat and ordered food. I, being nervous, just ordered the same thing as her, a club sandwich. Well unbeknownst to me, this sandwich was to come on the crispiest bread known to man. It was delicious, but no joke, first bite I feel a “POP” and then tasted blood in my mouth. I thought I was sweating before… now I was downright pouring. Without her noticing, I grabbed my napkin, and said, “that’s really crusty bread” and spit out the bread and tooth, then transferred it to my pocket. Ashley didn’t even notice, I continued to have to deal with the bleeding in the mouth while keeping my composure through the date. I must have been doing well because we continued to laugh and play games. We then headed over to Starbucks for some London Fog lattes and talked for hours until the coffee shop closed. From that day on, we continued to grow as best friends.

Tell me all the awesome proposal details.
From Drew’s perspective: It actually started back in November of 2018, due to work I was not going to be able to fly back to Colorado with Ashley for thanksgiving with her family and she was really bummed out about it since i was able to go the year previous. Without her knowing, I wanted to fly back to ask her mom and sister for her hand in marriage in person. It just was important to me to do so. Ash had been kinda pushing me to just call her mom but in person was the only way to do it. Well the last week of October I was up late looking to see if I could find a flight and up popped a crazy deal for a flight and rental car for a quick 2 day trip! I quickly booked it and then a week before thanksgiving I flew out to see them. I arranged for Ash to think I was working an insane amount of overtime and that our usual communication would be cut short. I preplanned snapchat pictures to make it look like I was at work and had some solid alibis should the need arise! It was a great time and I got to hike and work with Mama Spooner while asking to marry her daughter. I then had to ask them to do the hardest thing ever! Wait and not tell Ashley anything until I proposed! I didn’t give them the date I was gonna do it, they had one heck of a time keeping that big of a secret! I kept up the rouse of wanting to ask mama in person and still not having done it through the holidays. But I had it all planned out! I was going to do it on new years day! The year previous we had spent the day driving to our favorite beach out on the Peninsula, Kalaloch Beach 4 and read our promises and prayers for the next year together. This beach is a magical place, you can see nothing but horizon for miles, the waves are huge and crashing, the sunsets last forever and the sky is painted with colors that are so beautiful that you’d swear you were looking a a painting. This is where I wanted to propose, I knew it the first time she took me there, and with every trip we took out there I just knew that this was the spot! So I planned another day trip out there on new years day. That day I was a mess… I was nervous the entire 4 hour drive out there, cracking dumb jokes. Tapping goofy beats on the steering wheel, randomly honking the horn. I couldn’t really keep a decent conversation and was sweating like crazy. I had the ring (from the 1930s which her mother had given to me from her Great Great Aunt, I had another band added to the set) tucked in my pocket as we got to the beach parking lot. I had to be sly, to keep her from seeing the box shaped lump in my pocket as we hiked down the trail to the beach. At the bottom of the trail there is this driftwood bridge that spans a little stream to the beach. To was at the end of this bridge I knew I was gonna pop the question. We got down and it couldn’t have been more perfect!  We had the bridge and the beach all to ourselves! We sat down at the end of the bridge to listen to the waves and take in the beauty of it all. I was still a nervous wreck, trying to piece all the words together in my head and praying that I wouldn’t drop the ring when I asked her. Then the moment came, she stood up and dusted herself off and asked “Hey love what do you want to do next? Sit here some more or hike up the beach?” I reached into my pocket, and dropped to one knee and said “Actually, I want to do this…” and pulled out the ring. I honestly don’t remember much of what was said after that, I do know I asked her to marry me, and then the waterworks started for both of us. I remember the look of absolute joy and shock on her face and then her saying YES! followed by her saying… “Wait! Is that my great great aunt’s ring?!? How’d you get that?!?” I then had to come clean about asking her mama. We then walked the beach for what seemed like only minutes but was actually a couple hours, we watched the sunset and talked about how excited about the future we were! we laughed lots and cried lots and I was honestly in my opinion the best day ever!

Is there a reason you chose your Port Gamble Wedding venue?
We went to a wedding expo early on in our engagement which really overwhelmed us with venue options. We were open to most ideas, but we both had always kind of wanted to get married in a cute little church. When we came across Port Gamble, we got really excited and arranged a visit for the following weekend. The historical nature of the town is so charming and  the little church is just a dream. The water-side pavilion is a gorgeous bonus too!

What inspired your clothing choices for your Port Gamble wedding?
We chose our color scheme because we thought everyone would look good in navy and gray, and the colors will go well against the lighter blue wall at the front of the ceremony space. We added whites and pinks to soften the navy and gray a little bit. We were aiming for timeless and classic.

What special moments do you have planned for the ceremony?
We will have a portion of remembrance towards the beginning of the ceremony. Ashley’s dad passed away 6 years ago, and after her mom walks her down the aisle, our officiant (one of Ashley’s dad’s best friends) will lead the congregation through a special moment to acknowledge his absence. We are both strong in faith and will have two moments with worship songs, one at the opening of the ceremony and then another after the changing of vows when we take first communion. There will also be a reading of a passage from the book Les Miserables by family member of Drew’s. The walk out song will be fun and upbeat.

What are your most anticipated moments of your wedding day?
Drew- Mine would be two actually, Since we are doing a first look before the ceremony, I can’t wait to see Ashley for that first time in her dress. And the second will be that moment she comes down the aisle. The song she picked out, is probably gonna have me crying like a baby, and that’s when it all becomes very real. That the beginning this journey together is about to take flight!
Ash- I am so excited to do our first look pictures, to have an intimate and private few moments to ourselves before the chaos of the day escalates. I am looking forward to every aspect of the ceremony, then I’m so excited to dance with my family and friends to celebrate!

If we ran in to you on a relaxed weekend, what would you be doing?
If we are at home, you are likely to find us watching a favorite show (The great Rritish baking show, Friends, West Wing) a movie or playing a board game, maybe cooking or grilling. If we are feeling adventurous we are usually on the road headed for a new hike in the mountains, on the peninsula, or on an island reached by ferry.

Port Gamble Wedding Vendor Team

Venue:
Port Gamble Weddings & Events

Coordinator:
Amy, cousin of the bride

Officiant:
Tom Moore, family friend

Ceremony Musician:
Jack Moore

DJ:
Raines Media

Baker:
La Liath Bakery

Bartending:
Tipsy Gypsy Bartending

Catering:
True North Catering

Wedding Dress:
For The Luv of Bridal

Groomswear:
The Black Tux

Photography:
GSquared Weddings Photography

Port Gamble Wedding Vendor Team

Venue:
Port Gamble Weddings & Events

Coordinator:
Amy, cousin of the bride

Officiant:
Tom Moore, family friend

Ceremony Musician:
Jack Moore

DJ:
Raines Media

Baker:
La Liath Bakery

Bartending:
Tipsy Gypsy Bartending

Catering:
True North Catering

Wedding Dress:
For The Luv of Bridal

Groomswear:
The Black Tux

Photography:
GSquared Weddings Photography