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We did our best to host our wedding as a fun and relaxing weekend at the Marriot Ranch in Hume, VA. | |
| Welcome (10/22 -- 3:00pm): | |
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The wedding weekend was particularly wonderful because the ranch has three beautiful homes on the property which act as a Bed and Breakfast. The homes accommodate approximately forty people which allowed us to invite our immediate family and wedding party to stay with us at the ranch for the entire weekend of the wedding. The festivities began with a short welcome reception for the ranch guests in the main manor house. |
 The James Marshall Manor House, main home at Marriott Ranch. |
| Wedding Rehersal (10/22 -- 5:30pm): | |
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Following the welcome, Reverend Turner arrived and the rehersal began on the front lawn. Reverend Turner joked that it was a production authored by Ashley. When it came time for Ashley's dad to answer to "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" He answered, "Her mother and I, and Navy Federal Credit Union do." There were plenty of jokes and laughter all the way around. It was a little chilly and the cattle (who surrounded the house at the request of the bride and groom) were a little loud, but the rehersal went over seamlessly. See pictures of the rehersal in the photo albums. |
 Carl, Ashley, Brittany & Cody practice thier grand exit at the end of the rehersal. |
| Rehersal Dinner (10/22 -- 6:00pm-10:00pm): | |
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The rehersal dinner was hosted at "Western Town", which is a facade of a western town on the ranch. Western Town is located pretty far into the ranch property and is only reachable by 4x4 vehicle or horseback. So, we arranged for a pair of hayrides to take the ranch guests back in the woods. We enjoyed a wonderful meal of ribeye steak and BBQ ribs along with all kinds of western side dishes and topped off by a German Chocolate "Groom's Cake" (Carl's favorite!). Of course, the evening wouldn't be complete without dancing and roasting marshmallows around the large campfire. See pictures of the rehersal dinner in the photo albums. |
 Carl and his siblings (Pam & Robbie) enjoy a beer in front of the facade at Western Town at Marriott Ranch. |
| Wedding Day Activities at the Ranch (10/23 -- 10:00am-3:00pm): | |
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On the day of the wedding, we invited all guests to join us at the ranch for the entire day starting with horseback riding at 10:00am. We arranged to have a gentleman come out to the ranch to throw clays for some Clay Shooting with the Bride & Groom which started around 11am. Following the clays, several folks went fishing where Carl and Cody (the Groom & his son) each caught a bass and we have pictures to prove it! A bunch of other folks relaxed on the porch of the main manor house and around the ranch. See pictures of the activities in the photo albums. |
 Over twenty family and friends of the bride & groom tromp off on a tour of the ranch on horseback. |
| Ceremony (10/23 -- 4:30pm): | |
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God blessed us with an absolutely beautiful day and the ceremony was held between the two one hundred year old oak trees on the front lawn of the James Marshall Manor House. The Reverend Linnea S. Turner, Rector of Leeds Episcopal Church, presided over ceremony which was serene and simple. We were honored to have Ashley's grandfather, John Alvin Eltringham, read from Colossians and Carl's brother-in-law, Buddy Collins, read The Prayers.
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 Ashley & Carl recieve the blessing of the church and are married by The Reverend Linea Turner. |
| Honky Tonkin' Party & Pig Roast (10/23 -- 6:00PM - 10:00PM): | |
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Following the ceremony (and photos), everyone was invited to join us in the Pavillion for an awesome hoedown with Southern Winds Band (undeniably the best country and western band in Northern Virginia). The Pavillion is located a very short walk from the Manor House (about 100-150 yards). Aside from the incredible dancing and music provided by SWB, we enjoyed a BBQ feast of grilled chicken and a pig roasted on a spit served with Ashley's Dad's famous BBQ sauce. Toasts were offered by Best Man Gary Edge and Ashley's Dad with Jose Quervo Tequila. Courtney, Ashley's sister, caught the bouquet and Rick Woolard (groomsman) caught the garter (much to the shagrin of Todd, Courtney's better half, who was paid to be carried off by Ashley & Courtney's Dad!).
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 Carl & Ashley's families joining for a shot of cherry moonshine. Graciously provided by Carl's brother-in-law, Buddy. |
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As you've probably guessed by now, the wedding was a tried and true western affair. The entire wedding party (including Ashley) was wearing boots and the groomsmen were also wearing jeans & cowboy hats. Several family and friends asked us "what do I wear to a western wedding?" For those who aren't not "western" folk and were interested in picking up some western duds, we pulled together a Western 101. This page has some tips on what kinds of clothes to get and a list of western wear stores where you can find just what you need. This page was so popular that we left it up. | |
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