Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Spring

Our Wedding

Jake and Ashley first met while on a Virtual Mentor Training for Teachers after they were paired in a group together. Fast forward to the following school year and here they came face to face again at meet the teacher night at Forest Hills Elementary. Upon returning from Christmas Break that school year they were both forced to teach virtually for a week. During that time Rylee made a funny comment on the virtual meet, as first graders tend to do, that sparked a “Funny Things Students Say” Facebook post. Jake happened to see this Facebook post and immediately knew which student was being talked about. Jake sent a message laughing about the comment, and that message was the start of a great friendship. Little did they know what God had planned for us. Fast forward to June of 2022, school ended and a week later the two decided to go on a first date. Jake drove all the way from Walterboro to Edisto just to pick Ashley up. Jake drove Ashley to Downtown Charleston where they had dinner at The Watch and then walked around for hours. Ashley agreed to a second date and the rest is history. In December 2023, Jake, with the help of Ashley’s family and friends pulled off the ultimate surprise. Ashley, being the Disney lover that she is, drove down to crash her parents’ annual Anniversary Trip. What she did not know, was that Jake, along with her sister, Melissa had already flown down. As Ashley drove to Disney, no one would talk to her long on the phone, her best friends wouldn’t pick up their phones, Jake was “searching for a deer” and her parents were at dinner. Her friend Lonnie answered but apparently does not remember a word of the conversation due to his fear of slipping up and exposing the big secret. Ashley arrived at Disney with no knowledge that her soon to be fiancée was just 3 floors below her. The next morning Ashley and her parents headed off to her favorite Disney Park, Animal Kingdom. Their first stop was the safari. After the safari Ashley went to check out the trading pins while her parents went to the restroom. Taking her sweet time, and finding more than one trading pins location, Ashley had no clue why her mom was so eager to get to Mount Everest. As Ashley, her mom and her dad made their way to Asia on the back side of the tree of life, Ashley looked up and standing there was Jake. (With Melissa hiding in a bush on the other side of the walkway) As Ashley walked over to Jake wondering how he could really be there, that’s when Jake hugged her and she realized what was happening. The next thing you know Jake was down on one knee and Ashley was ugly crying and shaking her head yes. Everyone was relieved and excited that the perfect surprise had been pulled off.

The Story

Our Story

Photos

Ashley’s built in best friend since 1999. Melissa is Ashley’s Gamecock Football Game Day Bestie and is the only person who can score Ashley’s extra football ticket over Jake. Melissa and Ashley may be opposites in a lot of ways, but their love for each other is unmatched. 

Melissa Whaley

Rachel and Ashley have been best friends since 3rd grade. Being the only 2 girls in their class from 3rd-6th grade they formed a special bond that includes way too many inside jokes and countless adventures. 

Rachel Riley

Emily and Ashley have known each other since 9th grade. Emily was the first person Ashley met when she transferred to First Baptist. In 10th grade Emily would introduce Ashley to a new restaurant every Friday before football games because she was appalled after learning of all the places Ashley had never tried before. Their friend group from High School stayed close throughout college and are still close to this day.

Emily Botzis

Kaitlin and Ashley cheered and played soccer together in high school. They really bonded at USC where they roomed together all 4 years of college. Throughout college they went on countless adventures and Kaitlin endured Ashley dragging her to multiple sporting events. Even after college their group of friends has remained close.

Kaitlin Altman

Carlisle and Ashley played Basketball and Soccer together in High School. From rooming together on that first 9th grade trip to Boston to Basketball Trips and Soccer bus rides. Carlisle is also the only other person out of their friends to truly understand the love of Duke’s and why it has to be Walterboro Duke’s. Even though Carlisle went to that other school in South Carolina, they continued to be close friends and their group of friends is still close to this day.

Carlisle Hiott

Lauren came into Ashley’s life after she offered to help Ashley coach Cheerleading. Countless nights on the phone that would start about cheer and then end with an hour long conversation about everything else, evenings at practice, Friday Nights on the sidelines, and sleep deprivation at Cheer Camp caused them to form a lifelong friendship.

Lauren McCollum

Haley has been Ashley’s best friend for too long to count! Even though Haley moved away in 3rd grade they still have remained super close throughout the years, lots of letters, phone calls, texts and visits in between.

Haley Achenberg

Jill and Ashley have some of the best Edisto memories, and now share a love of teaching and Disney to add to that. Just like Haley, even though Jill moved away when we were little we have stayed close throughout the years.

Jill Achenberg

Chapin

Teagan

Wedding Party

Q + A

In Edisto Island (Ocean Ridge)Make yourself at home in one of the 220 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchens with refrigerators and microwaves. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and washers/dryers, as well as phones with free local ca

Club Wyndham Ocean Ridge

The wedding will be on Edisto Island. If you are traveling to join us, we do not have any hotels on Edisto but there are many vacation rentals. You can book through Edisto Sales and Reality or Vacasa. There are also other various rentals on the beach. The closest hotels are located 45 minutes away in Charleston, SC.

Ashley & Jake

Ashley & Jake

Photos