A Wedding that’s Everything Country, and so Much More

by Wedding Invitation Blogger

HOW WE MET. Chris and I met at the Rhode Island Nature Center the summer before our senior year in high school. I gave tours and Chris took care of the animals in the Center’s education building. We both helped with the children’s birdhouse-building workshops. Chris builds the most gorgeous birdhouses! It’s one of his many hobbies.

Chris and Ashley color palette and lavender wedding invitations

I fell in love with Chris the moment I met him. Our friends and family nicknamed us, The Perfect Couple. I think it’s partly because we get along so well and have so much in common. Chris and I especially enjoy the outdoors, no matter the season. If we’re not skiing or snowboarding, we’re biking or kayaking.

The Old Nipmuc Lodge Scituate, RI

Chris’ Cupid-Shuffle proposal. We were juniors in college when Chris proposed. It was a Friday night and we were at The Red Barn with our friends celebrating – what I thought was my birthday. We were dancing to the “Cupid Shuffle” when suddenly the music stopped and everybody circled around us. I figured everyone was going to start singing happy birthday. To my total surprise, Chris got down on his one knee and asked me to marry him. Everyone burst into loud applause and then gave us a big thumbs-up. Our silly friends had penned a smiley face on their thumbs. Everyone was in on the surprise, including our families who were secretly hiding in all four corners of the room until the big moment.

Rustic Guestbook by Red Heart Creations, Table Setting by Pranzi, Rustic Birdhouses by Hippie Housewife Shop

Wedding Cake Topper by A Life So Simple

Our Rustic Barn Wedding. Chris and I were married on July 25, after our graduation. It was everything I dreamed of, and so much more. We were married in a vintage white barn at The Old Nipmuc Lodge in Rhode Island. It was a picture-perfect summer day – more beautiful than what Chris and I imagined. The sun was shining, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and a soft gentle breeze whisked all the amazing sweet smells from the flowering trees and nearby lavender garden in the air. I felt like a princess. I wore my mother’s lace wedding dress, and a crown of lavender flowers, and carried a bouquet of lavender and green flowers. Chris took my breath away. He looked so handsome. He wore a black tux and the bowtie his father had worn on his wedding day. My beautiful sister, Courtney, was my maid of honor, and Chris’ awesome brother, Ryan, was the best man. Our dear friend, Pastor Evan, married us. Our colors were lavender and moss green, like the colors in the fields around the barn. We used birdhouses Chris built as centerpieces for each of the tables. Our wedding song was “All of Me”. Our last song of the night was the “Cupid Shuffle”. At the end of the song, Chris and I gave everyone a surprise thumbs-up. Before the last song, we decorated our thumbs with a bride and groom smiley face.

Ashley and Chris’ smiley face thumbs.

Ashley & Chris’ Vintage Thank You Postcard by VG Invites

Our Love Story Continues. After our honeymoon out west, Chris and I moved to Massachusetts where we started our new jobs. Shortly after, we became the proud parents of two rescue dogs – Argo and Toby, who love to join us on our outdoor adventures.

Love Story by: Elizabeth Bianco Murphy, LLC

PREFERRED VENDORS: Wedding Invitations by: VG Invites www.vginvites.com Wedding Venue: The Old Nipmuc Lodge www.OldNipmucLodge.com Catering by: Pranzi www.Pranzi.com Wedding Cake Topper by: A Life So Simple www.ALifeSoSimple.etsy.com Rustic Wedding Guest Book by:  Red Heart Creations www.RedHeartCreations.etsy.com Bird Houses by: Hippie Housewife Shop www.HippieHousewifeShop.etsy.com If you would like your wedding featured in our next article, leave a comment below. I will contact you with details. We are only featuring 24 weddings this year and space is filling up.