Oh happy day! Today on our Cocktails with Calluna series, we are featuring one of our most beloved photographers, Ashley Sawtelle! From Saratoga, Wyoming to St. Louis, Missouri and everywhere in between, Ashley captures weddings and events so beautifully! Get to know more of what Ashley is all about below!
Describe what you do!
I collect moments and document how a wedding weekend felt and looked like for my clients. The photographs I create consider the people, the locale, and the stunning details each couple has chosen for their celebration.
What is your idea of a dream project?
Working with couples that want to create a wedding celebration that has meaning to them in a destination that they feel connected to. A one-of-a-kind celebration where the couple can truly be themselves, be present, and lean into the joy with one another. This is a space where I can create the best photographs for my clients.
What is your favorite part of any wedding?
Anytime the couple can experience the day as it unfolds. I love how each part of a wedding day has its own magic – maybe it’s the stillness of stepping back with your partner and enjoying sunset or the anticipatory energy of getting ready. And I always love the celebratory energy on the dance floor!
What does your morning routine look like?
It starts off early with a matcha, packing lunches, and sharing breakfast with the family. Next is a pilates class or a nature walk, which puts me in a great place to dive into work.
What are some of your favorite trends that you are seeing?
I love how couples are embracing a celebration that is based on what they want, not what trends or others are saying to do. It’s also great seeing this grand millennial approach to design. Have fun! Be playful! Dance all night and wear 3 outfits if you want to. The day is yours.
What advice would you give to a younger you?
You’re doing great!
What do you like to do when you’re away from work?
I am a wanderlust at heart. I love to learn about different cultures by just walking around and taking it all in (usually with a film camera in hand). It’s also a dream to be able to take these trips and introduce our children to this big, beautiful world. I love seeing it through their eyes.
What is your favorite cocktail, or what are you drinking tonight?
The Coco Citron is a zero alcohol cocktail served at Lohi’s Noisette. It’s so delicious and I love sharing a conversation with a friend in their dreamy setting.
Thank you so much for contributing to our Cocktails with Calluna series! Here are some of our favorite memories at our colorful english garden party wedding in St. Louis, all captured by Ashley Sawtelle and featured in Over the Moon!
Vendor Credits
As seen on Over the Moon
Wedding Planner | Calluna Events
Venue | Westwood Country Club
Photographer | Ashley Sawtelle
Floral Design | Flora by Nora
Cake Design | Sarah’s Cake Shop
Invitations, Escort Display, + Day of Paper | Knapp Design Co
Rentals | Styled and Staged STL + Aries Company
Escort Card Board | Knapp Design Co + Exclusive Events Inc.
Production, Lighting + Musicians | Contemporary Productions
Band | Fat Pocket Band
Tenting | Traube Tent
Bride’s Beauty | Savanah Summer Beauty
Bridesmaids’ Beauty | Fleur Bridal Styling
Linens | Nuage Designs
Transportation | Best Transportation
Send Off Rolls Royce | Champagne Limousines
Gown | BW Designs Inc
We had the absolute honor of being with Leah + Drew and their wonderful families in St. Louis, MO this year. We first met this beautiful family when planning Leah’s sister Hannah’s wedding in Steamboat Springs, Colorado! Having the opportunity to plan two family weddings is so very special and a privilege. Destination weddings have their challenges but we had the best team of vendors, including some of our Colorado favorites: our photographer Ashley Sawtelle, florist Flora by Nora, and stationery designer Knapp Design Co!
Leah chose Westwood Country Club in Clayton St. Louis, where she grew up, for their wedding and it was the perfect setting to have an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour with a tented reception. Leah’s initial vision was centered around whimsical and colorful butterfly chargers combined with colorful florals for an overall English garden aesthetic. Their chuppah was adorned with gorgeous colorful flowers and both of Leah + Drew’s rabbis married them together, making the ceremony deeply personal and special. The overall aesthetic was a mix of color and eclectic decor with a touch of romance and whimsy. Leah’s vision was executed perfectly and it was a dream day in every way!
Vendor Credits
As seen on Over the Moon
Wedding Planner | Calluna Events
Venue | Westwood Country Club
Photographer | Ashley Sawtelle
Floral Design | Flora by Nora
Cake Design | Sarah’s Cake Shop
Invitations, Escort Display, + Day of Paper | Knapp Design Co
Rentals | Styled and Staged STL + Aries Company
Escort Card Board | Knapp Design Co + Exclusive Events Inc.
Production, Lighting + Musicians | Contemporary Productions
Band | Fat Pocket Band
Tenting | Traube Tent
Bride’s Beauty | Savanah Summer Beauty
Bridesmaids’ Beauty | Fleur Bridal Styling
Linens | Nuage Designs
Transportation | Best Transportation
Send Off Rolls Royce | Champagne Limousines
Gown | BW Designs Inc
We are over the moon excited to be featuring one of our favorite weddings at Brush Creek Ranch today! Hampton + Michael first met on a blind date that his friends set up for him, while they were both living in London. The two instantly hit it off and five years later, Michael proposed to her in a gondola filled to the brim with gorgeous flowers in Sun Valley. To this day Hampton + Michael wait to get on the same gondola chair that he proposed in whenever they’re in town!
Hampton + Michael had always dreamt of an intimate destination wedding where their loved ones from near and far would gather to celebrate and they both fell in love with Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming for its glamorous western chic appeal. Over the course of the weekend, guests enjoyed a variety of fun activities such as horseback riding, archery, fishing, and more as well as a Western themed welcome party where they took turns riding the mechanical bull, an elegant candlelit rehearsal dinner in the wine cellar, and of course a beyond beautiful and memorable wedding day!
Bold colors danced through the bride + groom’s wedding day, with the ceremony + reception dripping in lilac and dusty blue florals with pops of pamplemousse and buttercup citrus tones and greenery created by The Perfect Petal. Florals kissed the aisle as Hampton walked towards Michael arm in arm with her father to the tune of “Conversations in the Dark” by John Legend, a true vision in her Ines Di Santo gown with a gorgeous cathedral length train and veil that fluttered behind her as she floated across the aisle.
After they said I do, the darling newlyweds led everyone to cocktail hour and then reception in the Cheyenne Club. Guests found their seats with custom shot glasses hand calligraphed by CCR Calligraphy, and so the party began! Warm wood tables were adorned with cream lace chargers, the sweetest vintage floral dinner plates, and a color burst garden of florals! All indulged in the delicious multi-course meal and the peaches and cream wildflower wedding cake!
Hampton + Michael got the party started with their first dance to “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates. “My favorite part of the reception was when everyone started grabbing these purple wildflowers from the arrangements around the stage and there was a sea of purple-puffed flowers in the air and the entire room felt like magic thanks to my wedding planner, Spice, who had what felt like hundreds of these flowers for our guests to hold!”
As the reception neared the end, the bride + groom ran through a tunnel of sparklers and hopped into their vintage, electric blue Ford pick-up truck to make their way to their after party where they danced the night away! Be sure to take a peek at all the magic below from Hampton + Michael’s wedding at Brush Creek Ranch!
Hampton + Michael | Wedding at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, WY from Aflātis Films.
Western Chic Welcome Party + Activities + Rehearsal Dinner
Vendor Credits:
Wedding Planning | Calluna Events
Venue | Brush Creek Ranch
Florals | The Perfect Petal
Photography | Steve Stanton Photography
Videography | Aflatis Films
Rentals | Colorado Party Rentals
Stationary | Julie King Studio
Calligraphy | CCR Calligraphy
Hair + Makeup | Lucas Magnum
Ceremony Music | Taylor Pace Orchestra
Reception Music | DJ Nate of TH Entertainment
Bridal Gown | Ines Di Santo
Bridal Shoes | Amina Muaddi
After Party Gown | Eisen Stein
Featured On | Over the Moon
