Ashley & Ryan got married on one of the hottest days that we had this year, but they kept their cool the entire time! They had all of my favorite vendors, so you better believe their St. Thomas Church & WillowBrooke Barn Wedding was a dream! I wish that we could relive this day over and over again… minus all the sweating! LOL!
How they Met
Ashley and Ryan’s families have been friends for years through various sporting events and activities their siblings participated in. She remembers watching Ryan play football his senior year of high school and developed a crush on him which at the time, she didn’t know would resurface years later.
Years went by while Ryan was off getting his Landscape Architecture degree and Ashley was working toward a nursing degree. Ryan graduated from college and moved back to Billings while Ashley was still in college, returning home for summers and holidays. Their paths crossed often during this time at weddings and other social gatherings with family and friends.
Each time, Ashley and Ryan seemed to carve out time to catch up with each other and share a laugh or two like old friends. It was during these times that Ryan began to not just see Ashley as ‘Justin’s little sister’ and Ashley’s secret crush was revealed once again. However, the timing was never right for various reasons such as living miles apart.
Their Love Story
In 2018, Ashley graduated from nursing school and returned to Billings just in time to attend the wedding of a mutual friend where she and Ryan caught up with one another, just like old times. However, timing wasn’t right once again with Ashley’s plans to move out of state for graduate school, and Ryan was seeing someone else.
After the wedding, it would be over a year before Ashley and Ryan saw each other again. Though they never forgot about each other, they both felt the other was unreachable… that was until they happen to be at the same gym and instantly recognized those smiles and familiar voices. They were brought together once again.
Ryan was grinning from ear to ear after seeing Ashley that day and he told his brother, Torry, “Ashley is awesome. It’s too bad that she is leaving and going back to school.” What Ryan didn’t know was that she was accepted into an online graduate program and was in Billings to stay.
Ashley was equally as excited to see Ryan that day and couldn’t get him off her mind but assumed he was still in a relationship. It wasn’t until the annual Huppert Christmas party that year when Ryan learned that Ashley was not in fact moving anywhere and she discovered that Ryan was not in a relationship. Finally, the timing was right on December 21st, 2019.
WillowBrooke Barn Wedding – Billings, MT
Lastly, a big shoutout to all the incredible vendors that made this day perfect!
Ceremony Venue: St. Thomas Church
Reception Venue: WillowBrooke Barn
Wedding Coordinator: Ramie with Love the Day Of
Florist: Katie Bennett with Mac’s Floral
Bride’s Dress: Martina Liana – Bella Lily Bridal in AZ
Dress Alterations: Geri Brown with Elite Couture Alterations
Hair Stylist: Lynde Johnson – The Braid Maven
Make-up Artist: Kathy Hedges from Aqua Salon
Bridesmaid Dresses: Birdy Grey
Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Wedding Rings: Goldsmith Gallery Jewelers
Decorations & Rentals: Better to Gather, Hutch Events MT, BBJ La Tavola
Cake: Sweets by Sam
Caterer: Blue Line BBQ
Bar: High Horse Saloon
DJ: Andy Smith with Prince Party Productions
Lead Photographer: Sara Nagel Photography
Assistant Photographer: Sierra Williams
Videographer: Shane Fairbanks with PinUp Productions
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