Ashlee and Elmo are known for taking the untraditional approach. They created a beautiful Brooklyn garden wedding surrounded by twinkly lights, natural dried lavender touches, excellent Italian food and lots of love.
The ceremony and reception were held in the beautiful Williamsburg restaurant, Acqua Santa. The ceremony began with the song Love Minus Zero by Bob Dylan and the bride’s entrance to Forever Young by Joan Baez.
Elmo had to ask Ashlee to marry him more than once before he got it right, and planned the perfect proposal. Ashlee shares, “Not being known for our traditional approach, marriage got a bit lost in the shuffle for the two of us. After starting a family the subject naturally came to the surface on occasion. Elmo found ways to ask me for my hand in marriage that seemed less than romantic, thus was denied. A few examples? While nursing our new daughter at the end of a long day, this new mother tired and just wanting to take a shower would hear Elmo (whilst taking a beer from the fridge) say, “We should just get married!” or, Elmo mentioning how silly it was to note her as “girlfriend” on his contact information for work, would state, “Let’s just get married!” Ever the romantic!
On July 5th, 2015, while visiting Elmo’s family in Alabama everything changed. We were taking the annual Ranelli family photos. Elmo, diapering their daughter, Iris, said something about getting a beer and disappeared just when it was their turn for individual family pictures. When he finally emerged with Iris, being carried facing him, I noticed that she was no longer wearing her purposefully selected outfit. Instead she was in a plain white onesie. My reaction was to ask, over and over, “What had happened to her outfit?” as any mother would, fearing the worst, but was given no response. Confused by Elmo’s silence I found myself getting a bit frustrated, until he was about a foot away from me. At that point, he turned Iris around, held her up in the air (Lion King style) and dropped down on one knee. It was at that moment, I noticed the ring painted on the front of her onsie and I heard the simple question that followed from the man I loved, “Will you marry me now!?” Of course, the answer was finally yes!”
Ashlee and Elmo wanted to be surrounded by a small group of the people they loved the most, they wanted to laugh and relax and they wanted lots and lots of good food! Ashlee shares, “We visited Acqua Santa and fell in love immediately. The space already had the magical garden setting that we knew would be the perfect backdrop and the food was amazing. We wanted a day where things seemed natural and easy, the style for the wedding reflected that with dried lavender and touches of sage and wheat and a fall garden with lots of sparkle coming from twinkling lights and candles. It also felt a bit bohemian with a touch of sophistication and class.”
Congratulations Ashlee and Elmo!
Special thanks to the team:
Venue: Acqua Santa
Flowers: Paula Jeans Garden, Etsy
Dress Designer: BLHLDN
Shoes: BeholdenBridal, Etsy
Makeup & Hair: Park Suhyun
Bride’s Ring: Catbird, Groom’s Ring: RobertWBruce, Etsy
Suit Designer: Calvin Klein
Bride’s Earrings, Head Piece, Purse: Pippen Vintage Jewelry
Cake: Baked
Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas
+ COMMENTS
add a comment