Ashleigh and Kevin met in 2011 at a church conference. Kevin decided to reach out to Ashleigh to ask her to join him for dinner. Ashleigh had no idea that their dinner was really a date–she thought they were there to discuss church business and doctoral programs. However, after dinner when Kevin asked for a second date, Ashleigh gladly accepted. "Never will I forget the smile that came on her face when I asked for a second date! I have to admit that her acceptance of the invitation made me smile as well," recalls Kevin. 30 days after their first date, Ashleigh and Kevin became an official couple. Two years later and the two love birds are still all smiles and ready to make their union permanent. Check out their awesome aviation themed engagement shoot, captured by one of our favorite photographers Sophia Barrett of Sophia Barrett Studios.
Bride: Dr. Ashleigh L. May, Epidemiologist
Groom: Rev. Kevin R. Murriel, Pastor/Author
Place of residence: Atlanta
Engagement Shoot Location: Delta Airlines Heritage Museum in Atlanta
Wedding date: 10/5/13
Engagement story ( from the Groom- to-be):
Our families have been very supportive of our relationship and have both fallen in love with Ashleigh and I as well as one another. Our families were aware of the pending proposal. I had already met with her parents and asked for their blessing and her hand in marriage and I had the blessing of my family as well. We became engaged on September 7, 2012 at a private dinner in the gardens of the Historic Green Manor. When the big day arrived, Ashleigh had no idea what was about to occur. Friday nights are usually our date nights, but we had missed a few weeks given our hectic schedules. I promised her that I would make it up to her. I had already worked with the staff at the Green Manor to have them prepare a private dinner for us under the gazebo in their gardens complete with our own personalized menu and hidden photographer! As we strolled through the gardens after dinner, I proposed to her on the bridge and the rest is history. It was a wonderful moment shared and remembered by just the two of us.
What makes your love special?
With certainty it is our love for Jesus Christ, which is the basis of our love for one another and makes our love special and uniquely our own. We view and treat our love, pending marriage, and all that is to come as a ministry for other couples and a testimony to just how amazing God is. – Ashleigh
In the time since we have met, dated and became engaged, we have both grown even more in our individual spiritual relationships with God and as a couple. There has not been one moment that I have not been at peace, joyful and grateful with one another and our relationship. – Kevin
What was the theme for your engagement shoot?
We gave careful consideration to the location of our engagement shoot. We like to think outside of the box. As such, we did not want to do the usual park setting as our engagement photo backdrop. I cannot really say that we focused on one particular theme, but instead wanted our shoot and the resulting photos to be timeless, fun, classy and a true depiction of who we are as a couple. We also wanted a major wow factor that would be memorable for us and others. Our photographer’s suggestion of the Delta Airlines Heritage Museum brought all of these elements together and made for an awesome photo shoot.
What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?
I am so excited about the very moment when the doors of the church open and I see my beautiful bride walk down the aisle. Family is important to both of us and we are also looking forward to the amazing experience of uniting our families together and celebrating our union with all the people we love. One of many blessings about our special day is that Ashleigh’s parents were married 35 years ago at the very church where we too will exchange our vows. This is a very meaningful opportunity that few people have. – Kevin
Vendors:
Photographer: Sophia Barrett– Sophia Barrett Studios
Wedding Planner: Mary Scott– A Royal Affair, Inc
Curated by our Wedding Features Editor, C.K. Alexander. C.K is the owner and founder of Love Ink. Keep up with C.K. on Twitter here: @Love_Ink
