Ashley and Ryan Lanam Club Wedding
Ashley and Ryan were married on October 8th, with a ceremony and reception at the Lanam Club.
I was introduced to Ashley and Ryan through their friend Ashley (yes, her name is Ashley, too). She is a fellow photographer and friend of mine. Ashley (my friend) was in Ashley’s (the bride’s) wedding party, so she introduced me to Ashley and Ryan in the hopes they would hire me to be their photographer. Which they did-- hooray! It’s always wonderful to be recommended to a bride, and it’s even more special when the endorsement comes from a photographer who knows her stuff.
Ashley and Ryan met while working a “terrible job selling copiers—yuck.” They both said it was the worst job ever, but it was also the best decision they ever made, because it led to their meeting.
These two are so laid back and genuine, and their proposal story reflects those traits as well. Ryan proposed at their home after making Ashley her favorite dinner and dessert, complete with champagne on ice. They sat on the couch relaxing with their dog, Chief, and then Ryan asked Ashley to spend the rest of her life with him. It was fitting that Chief was there, since they call themselves “The 3 Best Friends: Ashley, Ryan, and Chief.”
On the day of the wedding, I arrived with my favorite second shooter, Vanessa Walsh, to scout out first look locations and to photograph the bride and groom as they were getting ready. I particularly liked the custom-made Chuck Taylors that Ashley wore. They were gold, sparkly, and gorgeous.
For the first look, Ashley and Ryan had decided to write letters to each other and read them while standing back to back before turning to see each other. This was a smashing success. They both wrote small novels, so needless to say, it was an emotional moment for both of them.
After some formal photos, it was off to the ceremony, which was filled with love, laughter, and plenty of tears. And from there, it was party time—big time. I loved that the couple opted for a popcorn bar instead of a cake. It was totally addicting!
Ashley & Ryan, thank you so much for letting me capture your incredible day. It was a blast. Oh, and thanks for letting me help you plan all your dining experiences when you get to LA.