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Feature Wedding
Ashley & Miles
By Monica Young
May 23, 2010

Ceremony & Reception The Penn House
Officiate Pastor Riley Puckett
Photography One Shot Photography
Wedding Director Wayne Draughn
Invitations ExclusivelyWeddings.com
Gown Cardinal Bridal & Formal Wear (Designer: Maggie Sottero)
Bridesmaids Dresses David's Bridal
Hair Sarah Edwards with Rituals Boutique & Day Spa
Formalwear  VIP Formal Wear
Flowers Ellington's Florist & Greenshouses Ltd., High Point
Catering Carol Drye
Rehearsal Dinner Pepper Moon Catering at The Penn House
Cake Maxie B's
Music/Entertainment Triad DJ Service
First Dance Song Close Your Eyes by Dave Barnes
Accommodations Holiday Inn Express
Honeymoon/Travel 4 Moons Travel; Sandals, Negril, Jamaica
Favors fans from Beau-Coup.com

When Ashley Baker was a seventh grader at Archdale-Trinity Middle School, her eighth grade boyfriend broke up with her to reunite with his former girlfriend. Luckily, his best friend stepped in and rescued Ashley. Their middle school romance blossomed into the real thing, and eight years later Ashley Baker married Miles Martin.

“I see little girls that are about the same age and think, ‘Oh my, I was just 12,’” says the new bride with a laugh, recognizing that she and her husband really did grow up together.

Miles, who works in the IT department at Old Dominion Freight, proposed at Ganache in Greensboro after the pair had gone out to dinner with friends last spring. They ended up on the rooftop patio for dessert, and Ashley noticed that one friend had brought a gift. Puzzled, she wondered whose event it was and worried that she did not have a gift as well. Instead, Miles handed her the gift and told her it was to celebrate their seventh anniversary of dating.

Ashley opened a travel bag (which she discovered later was a “free” gift with purchase for Miles!) and sat it down next to her. Another friend asked if there wasn’t something inside. Ashley, a sports medicine major at UNC-Greensboro, found a small clutch with a box holding her ring.

The childhood sweethearts chose to marry almost eight years to the day that they officially declared themselves “girlfriend and boyfriend” to the world. As they began planning their wedding, Miles and Ashley attended bridal fairs and met with their vendors together as well. They chose to marry at an outside ceremony at the historic Penn House in Reidsville. They searched many outdoor venues before finding the Penn House.

“We wanted a colonial feel. Being outside definitely added to the experience for me. It was just beautiful, just gorgeous and at a very good price for our budget, too,” says Miles.

Thoughtfully, they chose to use fans that served as both wedding programs and favors to give their guests both a keepsake and some comfort.

“These were a big hit. I definitely recommend these for outdoor weddings,” says Ashley, whose something old and borrowed was her late great-grandmother’s watch pinned under her strapless Maggie Sottero gown with a intricately encrusted bodice designed with seed pearls.

Lush, rich red bridesmaids’ dresses from David’s Bridal made for a stunning wedding party against the historic brick home and green lawns. Photographer Kathy Miller of One Shot Photography created fun, memorable images, including several of the wedding party jumping for joy with a laughing bride perched on the side.

Their caterer, Carol Drye, added decorations by creating palm trees and birds from vegetables used as part of their reception food. This helped set the theme for their all-inclusive honeymoon to the Sandals Resort in Negril, Jamaica where the couple enjoyed a life of luxury that included being pampered by two butlers.

Ashley and Miles chose to dance to Close Your Eyes by Dave Barnes, a song that they have been dancing to together for several years. Triad DJ Service provided an unforgettable event for the Martins.

Even though the pair had a year to plan for their perfect wedding, Ashley realizes that planning and organization kept everything on an even keel.

“My advice is to start early. That and hiring a director made it all work,” says Ashley.

Miles cautions that extravagant does not always mean the best choice.

“Be smart with your money. You can have a nice wedding without going overboard,” says Miles.

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