I'm Michele

When Ashley and Eric asked me to fly to Texas for their engagement session, I was so excited. Initially, we planned to shoot in Austin, but a few weeks later, Ashley called and asked me if I’d mind traveling to San Antonio instead. Of course, I said yes!

First of all, I just have to say, San Antonio is such a beautiful city — so romantic, and the perfect destination for an engagement session!

We had the most wonderful time exploring Brackenridge Park, which has to be one of Texas’ hidden treasures! We had such a great time laughing and spending time together, and Ashley’s mom came along too — so fun to get to know her (plus she made sure Ashley’s hair was always on point!). Despite the heat and humidity, this was the most dreamy destination engagement session location, and I’d travel here again to do it all over again!

Ashley and Eric are one of the sweetest, most genuine couples you’ll ever meet. They met each other through mutual friends in college. They didn’t spend much time together initially, until about a year later, when they ended up living in the same apartment complex and running into each other frequently. They started studying together and developed a beautiful friendship.

They were friends for six months before going on their first date. Eric was patient and persistent in convincing Ashley that he was the one for her. Finally he invited her to a concert, but Ashley still didn’t consider it a date. She went home to visit family over the summer, and when she came back, they had their first official date — October 23, 2012 — and they haven’t looked back. “It was simple, just like we like it. BJ’s Restaurant will always be our favorite,” says Ashley. “And to this day, Eric can still remember what I was wearing!”

Ashley and Eric first realized they wanted to marry each other when college started to get tough, and they started to work through life’s challenges together. They couldn’t remember how they got through life so far without each other — and they wanted to be there for each other forever.

On December 22, 2017, Eric proposed to Ashley in front of the Christmas tree. It was three days before Christmas, and Ashley wore her Christmas sweater to work that day (another outfit Eric remembers). A few days before, they had gone last-minute Christmas shopping and Ashley asked if they could peek at rings — just to be sure he knew what she wanted when the time came, three or six months down the road. Imagine her surprise when only three days later Eric proposed!

When Ashley walked into their house after work, Eric was waiting for her next to their Christmas tree, wearing his Christmas sweater also. She was so overwhelmed by his love and surprise proposal that she threw her head into her hands and sobbed for so long that Eric eventually had to ask if it was a good cry or a bad cry. Ashley, still crying, nodded and walked over to him to say yes to the best and easiest question she’d ever been asked.

Ashley and Eric love being outdoors, floating the river or taking their dogs to swim or hike. “But sometimes, just a good hang-out-at-home day is great too,” says Ashley. They also love spending time with their family.

They are looking forward to their Estes Park destination wedding in Colorado this spring, “to celebrate us, and how much we’ve grown as a couple!”

When I asked what is most special about them as a couple, they said they’ve worked hard at their relationship and have grown to truly understand each other through some really tough times. “We’re at the point now where there is no question — we are each other’s person. We laugh when no one else laughs and finish each other’s sentences. We just understand that we’re in this together and are ready to face the world as a unit. We compliment each other very well.”

When I asked Ashley what she most admires about Eric, Ashley told me (and I believe it!) that Eric has so much joy, and he wants to make everyone around him happy. He is such a genuine, kind man, who takes the kindest care of Ashley and their household.

Eric treasures Ashley’s ability to keep him balanced. Eric is very creative and a go-getter, and he would probably never stop to rest if Ashley didn’t insist on it. She also has a way of challenging Eric by keeping him grounded, while at the same time encouraging him to strive for his dreams.

I cannot wait for Ashley and Eric’s Colorado destination wedding at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park this spring. These two were made for each other, and I know it will be the most beautiful wedding day in every way, but mostly because they will be in it!