Marmaros Productions

Mar 22, 20235 min read

Ashton & Jay

Updated: Mar 23, 2023

10.15.2022 | Barn South

How We Met

Ashton & Sarah first met on the classic zoom introduction meeting. Ashton had heard about Marmaros via her venue Barn South (one of our favs) and reached out to get us to organize her wedding day!

Love Story

We LOVE hearing how our couples met one another and fell in love! Here's Ashton and Jay's love story from Ashton's point of view:

"Who'da thought we'd ever meet our soul mate in a random bar in Athens? Not us!

One Friday, I was sitting alone on my living room couch, when my sister approached me to invite me to tag along with her and her then-boyfriend to her friend's birthday party in Athens. I guess she felt sorry for me. I had nothing better to do, so why not? Karaoke is going on at the party, I'm having a great time, and I had been filling myself with steady amounts of "liquid courage" throughout the night. As I stopped to talk to my sister and her friends by the bar, I look across the room and it's like a tunnel of light opened to a very attractive man, pulling me towards him. I set my drink down and said, "I'm talking to HIM."

Upon approaching him, he had a look of confusion on his face. It got worse once I said the first words I had ever spoken to him: "Are you gay?" - I had to be sure since so many people in that bar for that party just so happened to be gay there that night, a totally warranted question in my opinion. After he responded "no" to my very forward question, I knew it was game on. We continued talking the whole night, and he of course did not say goodbye without getting my number.

At dinner that night with my sister and her friends, Jay finally asked me to go out on a date with him the next Saturday. Of course, I said yes. The date started with his car battery dying in my driveway, continued with his mom and stepdad crashing our date at Nofo Brewery, and ended with us dancing and sweating our butts off in a smoke-filled bar to a live AC/DC cover band. I had never been on such an eventful, but fun date in my entire life. After that, I knew it was the start of something special.

A year later, we went to Savannah to celebrate being together for one year. As we were walking down River Street, Jay kept denying all the places I was wanting to sit - "no, let's move over here, I don't like this, etc"-, he was completely flustered for some reason. Finally, I made the executive decision to sit down on a bench looking at the river. As I was people-watching, I looked down to see he had whipped out a shiny ring stashed in a wooden box - I was so shocked, I thought I was being punked. How I did not see a dip can-shaped ring box poking out of his pocket the whole time I will never know. After dinner where my shock kept me from eating most of my dinner, we went to a spirited dueling pianos bar. For the second time together, we danced our little hearts away all night, this time as fiancés."

Down to Business

Ashton & Sarah met multiple times via Zoom to discuss the vision for the big day. When Sarah first asked what she wanted most for the day, Ashton said “I just want to party.” Ashton & Jay were so passionate about having a great time with their friends and wanted to center their plans around maximizing the party time. Ashton & Sarah also met in-person with Ashton’s mom Suzanne and Zhana from Urban Blooms to talk through the details such as table runners, ceremony music options, and the style of the flowers for the wedding. It was so cool to see those decisions come to life on the Big Day!

The Big Day

Sarah & Chandler arrived onsite at Barn South and checked in with the bridal party as they got their hair and makeup done by Beauty by Breland! It was a beautiful fall day outside and the team got to work setting the tables with beautiful table settings while Urban Blooms set the centerpieces and finished the bouquets. Cake Envy brought a gorgeous cake. Ashton stepped into her stunning gown from David's Bridal and the ladies put on their dresses from Revelry. Sarah Bell Photography arrived to begin taking photos of the bridal party and groomsmen, including a first look with Ashton & her bridesmaids! Julia Watkins arrived to play pre-ceremony music; she specializes in modern music on the violin (according to Ashton, they “vibed” when they spoke). Julia also played during cocktail hour, and it was so cool to hear songs like “As It Was” by Harry Styles on the violin! Once everything was set up, we tucked the bridal party away to get ready for guests!

Ashton & Jay got married on the lawn of Barn South under a beautiful blue sky! Their family & friends walked down the aisle to “Better” by Khalid and then Ashton made her grand entrance to “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” by Elvis. Ashton’s bridesmaids looked gorgeous in rust-colored dresses, and Jay’s groomsmen looked so dapper in their suits from Men’s Warehouse. Ashton & Jay wanted a short and sweet ceremony so they could get the party started, so as soon as they said “I Do,” their guests were invited to the patio at Barn South to begin cocktail hour.

Guests enjoyed drinks poured by Xclusive Bartending and appetizers from The Fresh Truck while listening to more amazing violin stylings from Julia. Once the reception started, the guests enjoyed more delicious food from The Fresh Truck before the real party started. After some beautiful toasts by the maid of honor, the brother of the bride, and a friend of the groom, the bride & groom enjoyed their parent dances followed by their first dance as a married couple. The guests had a great time dancing to some throwback punk pop music before having a sparkler send-off!

Something Spectacular

Ashton & Jay really wanted to be the ones to kick off the party with their friends, so they did their first dance right before opening the dance floor instead of at the beginning of the reception. They danced to an acoustic cover of “First Date” by Blink-182 before merging the song to the real version and lowering the lights to party!!

Happily Ever After

It was such a pleasure to get to know Ashton and her family during the planning process– Sarah & Ashton are already planning on grabbing drinks soon! We are so thankful for being able to be a part of such a fun and love-filled day. Cheers to the Helveys!!!!