“We grew up together in love!” The beginning of Ashley and Arthur’s wedding story began with his intimate dinner proposal. “Once I stopped hugging him and crying, he asked if I would officially make him the happiest man in the world by being his wife. Spoiler Alert, I said YES!”
Arthur and Ashley’s intimate photoshoot, which was captured by My Touch Weddings, combined their very specific aesthetics of business, glamour, and chill. Ashley shares, “We completed the session in Detroit because although we live in Chicago, my entire family lives in Detroit and it’s the city that raised me.” Having their session at the Detroit Institute of Arts and Beaux’s Arts building evoked Ashely’s childhood connection to her hometown.
Their photographer Kyra evoked the multi-faceted nature of their relationship with artful intentionality. Scroll down to view more charming photos from the lovable, college sweethearts.
- Couple: Arthur Young and Ashley Parham
- Occupations: Student Affair Specialist / Owner of @enjoyacorn Gourmet Popcorn
- Wedding Date: April 24, 2021
- Wedding Location: Auburn Hills, Michigan
- Location of Engagement Shoot: Detroit Institute of Arts
How did you meet?
We were college sweethearts.
What did you do on your first date?
Our first date was at the beginning of our second semester sophomore year. We both returned early from break and professed our love over fries at Denny’s, still one of my favorite moments in life!
She said Yes! Tell us about your proposal story.
My proposal was intimate and perfect! We have been together off and on since college so we have a lot of history. We grew up together in love. We travel a lot and one of our favorite places to visit is New Orleans. We’ve been going there every year for the last five years. During our most recent trip, we did a cooking class and learned all of the traditional dishes of New Orleans. Fast forward to a random Tuesday (Taco Tuesday) I came home to a surprise dinner. Instead of tacos, Art had cooked all the dishes from our cooking class! He cooks all the time, so I thought it was nice, but didn’t think anything of it because it was normal for him to cook. I was just excited to eat! After dinner, he left the dining area and I was so distracted on my phone that I did not even notice he returned and was on one knee! I immediately got down on the floor with him and embraced him and said yes before he even finished his sentence lol! Once I stopped hugging him and crying, he asked if I would officially make him the happiest man in the world by being his wife. Spoiler Alert, I said YES!
When did you know Arthur was “the one”?
Arthur and I met the first week of college and honestly when we met it was like we had known each other our whole lives. He truly has always been my best friend. Within our friendship, we fell in love naturally but I didn’t know for sure that I would spend my life with him until much later when my family experienced several emotional hardships through the loss of loved ones. I can’t even explain the amount of support he provided to me and everyone that I loved. It was clear that he loved them just as much as I did and watching him I knew I could never be with anyone else. He was my family.
Describe your engagement session.
I wanted our session to represent us! We completed the session in Detroit because although we live in Chicago, my entire family lives in Detroit and it’s the city that raised me. Arthur is very business-oriented, in college he sold computers and urban wear to our peers and he now owns a thriving business so it was important to have that represented in our suit shots. I wore a suit simply to match his fly lol In addition, we are a very laid back couple so I wanted us to also include relaxed clothing and just “hang out” for pics! My Touch Weddings provided all the direction and they created magic! It was exactly what I wanted and more.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
We love to travel and cook!
How has wedding planning been so far?
I literally have the best wedding planner. Without bposhevents I would have gone mad. First my venue closes down and Brandi finds another venue. Next Covid happens and she worked with all the vendors to postpone. The experience has been one that Arthur and I will never forget
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on your wedding day!
I am looking forward to looking absolutely amazing and having the time of my life with my husband, family, and friends!
Vendors
- Photography/Video: @mytouch_weddings
- Brides Makeup: @j.remusmua
- Wedding Planner: @bposhevents
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