Diane's Bride: Ashley & Jonathan

1 day ago
4 min read

Diane's Bride Ashley & Jonathan's November wedding day was the kind that feels deeply rooted in love, faith, and family. The two met at church, so it was only fitting to say "I do" at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, surrounded by the people who mean the most to them. Ashley made every moment intentional, from sentimental custom hankerchiefs to emotional first looks with both her husband and her dad (tissues were required). She found not one, but two dream dresses at Diane's: one perfectly timeless for the ceremony and another made for celebrating at the reception at Bridge Street Gallery and Loft. A day full of love, meaning, and unforgettable moments? Consider us obsessed!

The Diane's DRESS!

Ashley found TWO perfect bridal looks for her special day. Her bridal style was classic elegance for her ceremony, and she wanted a WOW factor for her reception.

Her ceremony dress provided all of the beautiful, timeless elements that she was seeking. Her Alana Rose ballgown was adorned with lace, complete with sleeves and a touch of sparkle. I felt like a beautiful princess on my wedding day.

My reception dress was also a dream because it was a "WOW Factor"! The style of the dress was not something that I usually wear, so I knew that it would be a shocker, and it definitely was! Even now, over a month after my wedding, when I see people who either attended the wedding or has seen photos, they talk about how stunning I looked in both of my dresses.

Ashley's Diane's Experience

"My dress shopping experience at Diane's was wonderful! Katherine was an AMAZING consultant, and she helped me to find my DREAM ceremony dress and reception dress. The care that was shown to me made me feel that I was the staff's top priority every time I visited the dress shop."

Tell us about your Love!

Jonathan is the most amazing man! We initially met online, but during our first conversation, we realized that we both attended the same church, but attended different services and sat in different locations in the church. The next Sunday, we attended the same service and met for a quick chat after church. After our initial phone conversation in October 2023, we have literally talked to each other every day since then.

Jonathan's proposal was so special! We planned a date night at Uptown Jazz Lounge in Birmingham to hear The Connection Band, just like on our first date. Before entering, Jonathan suggested we sit on "Our Bench" in City Walk, the same spot where we talked for hours after that initial date. At the bench, he started telling me how much our time together had meant to him and how his life and his son's had changed since meeting me. Then, he got down on one knee & proposed! Afterward, he gave me a custom baseball jersey with "Tarrant" on the front and "Mitchell" on the back, incorporating my Dad's baseball numbers, making it extra special.

The Wedding Day!

Our wedding day was wonderful! I loved being pampered with hair and makeup, and spending time with my mom, aunt, sister-in-law, maid and matron of honor, and cousins. Although there was light rain throughout the day, the cloudy skies provided a perfect backdrop for outdoor photos.

One highlight was presenting my mom, aunt, and sister-in-law (representing my husband's mom) with custom handkerchiefs embroidered with lace from my wedding dress, along with my and my husband's initials and our wedding date. These handkerchiefs were crafted by another aunt, making them even more meaningful.

The first looks with my Dad and my husband were also unforgettable. As an only child, I'm truly a Daddy's girl, so having a first look with him was crucial for me. He hadn't seen my dress, so the expression in his eyes when he first saw me was incredibly special. Similarly, my husband had no idea what my dress looked like, so his reaction upon seeing me for the first time was priceless.

As a special surprise, my husband didn't know I had a second dress for the reception. I surprised him with a white dinner jacket to change into when I switched to my second dress. He was amazed by the reception dress and appreciated the dinner jacket, which completed a second look for him as well! It was truly a special moment.