Ashton and Josh’s Timeless Blus and Sage Tate House Wedding

When Ashton and Josh began planning their wedding, they envisioned a celebration that felt timeless, joyful, and unmistakably personal. They found the perfect setting at Tate House, where the venue’s historic pink marble mansion and expansive grounds provided a beautiful backdrop for a day filled with Southern charm and thoughtful details. Inspired by Ashton’s custom blush gown and love of classic design with a few unexpected twists, the couple created an elegant fall wedding featuring an intimate garden ceremony, romantic florals, exceptional cuisine, and a lively evening of dancing beneath the glass pavilion. Every element reflected their desire to honor tradition while creating an experience that felt uniquely their own.

How They Met: Like many modern love stories, Ashton and Josh’s journey began with a little help from a friend. A mutual friend who worked alongside Ashton and had attended the University of Georgia with Josh thought the pair would be a great match and introduced them. Her instincts proved to be spot on, as that introduction sparked a relationship that grew into a lasting partnership and ultimately led to their wedding day.

 
How He Proposed: Josh planned the perfect surprise proposal during a Fourth of July getaway to Charleston in 2023. Telling Ashton they were headed to the historic Middleton Place Gardens for a tour and picnic, he carefully disguised his true intentions. As they explored the property, Josh suggested taking a walk down to the waterfront. There, overlooking the scenic landscape, he got down on one knee and presented Ashton with a stunning sapphire engagement ring.

With a smile, he asked, “So, you wanna do this forever?” After five and a half years together, Ashton’s answer was an enthusiastic yes. In fact, she later joked with the Tate House team that she “put the ring on before he could blink.” The newly engaged couple celebrated with champagne, lunch on the property, and photos captured in the summer heat. And in true Josh fashion, the day wasn’t complete without a tour of one of Middleton Place’s historic homes—a detail Ashton said was a very fitting ending to their unforgettable proposal story.

Looking back, the couple can laugh about a funny moment that happened the night before the proposal. While enjoying dinner at a restaurant in downtown Charleston, a reservation mix-up led the staff to believe Ashton and Josh were celebrating an anniversary. They were escorted to a prime table, and Ashton was even presented with a rose to mark the special occasion.

Meanwhile, Josh was quietly panicking. Knowing he was planning to propose the very next day, he had to excuse himself to the restroom for a moment to regroup and make sure the surprise wasn’t accidentally spoiled. As if the situation couldn’t get any more ironic, the couple whose reservation had been confused with theirs turned out to be friends of Josh’s brother. Despite all the hints and unexpected attention, Ashton remained completely unaware of what was about to happen. The mix-up made for a memorable story then, but it became even funnier after Josh’s proposal the following day.

How They Chose Their Wedding Date: When choosing their wedding date, Ashton and Josh selected October 18 with a little hope that it would fall during one of the University of Georgia’s bye weeks. As Ashton shared, “Josh is a tried-and-true DAWG and we had our fingers crossed that this was the bye weekend, but it ended up being one of the biggest games of the year.” Fortunately, because their celebration took place on a Friday, they were able to fully enjoy the wedding weekend and host a watch party for guests the following evening. The perfect ending? The Bulldogs won, making the weekend even more memorable for the couple and their guests.

Why They Chose Tate House: When it came time to select a venue, Ashton happily credits two people with finding the perfect fit: Josh and her mom. “Josh and my mom chose it—props to them,” she shared. “It proves how well they both know me.”

The couple was drawn to Tate House for its ability to offer a variety of distinct spaces throughout the property, allowing guests to experience the venue in its entirety throughout the celebration. Their ceremony took place in the picturesque back garden, followed by cocktail hour at the front of the estate. Guests then moved into the ballroom for dinner before ending the evening in the glass-enclosed pavilion, where live music and dancing kept the celebration going well into the night. By utilizing multiple locations across the property, the wedding felt dynamic and immersive, with each part of the day unfolding in a beautiful new setting while maintaining the seamless flow that made the celebration feel uniquely theirs.

Overall Wedding Vision: Ashton and Josh envisioned a wedding that felt joyful, welcoming, and distinctly personal. Their goal was to create a celebration that balanced timeless Southern elegance with unexpected details that reflected their personalities. As Ashton described it, the overall vision was simply “fun, with a few funky vibes mixed in, along with classic Southern pieces.”

Throughout the day, traditional elements were thoughtfully paired with fresh design choices, creating an atmosphere that felt both sophisticated and relaxed. The result was a celebration full of warmth, personality, and Southern charm—one where guests could appreciate the beautiful details while feeling encouraged to let loose and enjoy every moment.

Wedding Color Palette: The wedding’s color palette was inspired by one very special detail: Ashton’s custom wedding gown. Designed by Christopher’s in her hometown, the blush-toned dress featured romantic puff sleeves adorned with embroidered florals that echoed the floral motifs throughout the celebration.

“We based it off my dress,” Ashton shared. “I had a custom dress from Christopher’s in my hometown that was blush, and I added puff sleeves with embroidered florals on the sleeve to match the ones on my dress.”

As the design plans came together, the couple realized the palette also beautifully complemented Tate House’s iconic pink marble exterior—a happy coincidence that made the venue feel even more perfect for their vision. Soft blush pink, sage green, and ivory became the foundation of the wedding’s aesthetic, creating a romantic and timeless look that felt elegant, fresh, and perfectly suited to both the season and the setting.

Traditional vs. Making it Their Own: Throughout the planning process, Ashton and Josh were intentional about honoring meaningful wedding traditions while also creating a celebration that felt authentic to who they are as a couple.

“I think I wanted a balance between traditional and still being us,” Ashton shared.

One of the ways they accomplished this was by reimagining the ceremony experience. Rather than hosting all of their guests for the ceremony, the couple opted for a smaller, more intimate gathering on the back side of Tate House, allowing them to exchange vows surrounded by their closest family and friends. Meanwhile, additional guests enjoyed champagne punch and mingled on the front lawn, creating a relaxed and social atmosphere before the larger celebration began.

Ashton also put her own spin on bridal fashion traditions. While she embraced sentimental customs like carrying something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue—and even tucked a sixpence into her shoe for good luck—she chose to forgo a veil altogether.

“It wasn’t my style,” she explained. “I felt like I put so much effort into creating my dress, I wanted it to be the centerpiece.”

Instead, her custom blush gown took center stage, complemented by a pair of playful feather-adorned shoes that perfectly reflected the wedding’s blend of classic elegance and personality-filled details. The result was a celebration that felt timeless, but unmistakably their own.

Memorable Details: One detail that continues to stand out in guests’ memories is the incredible dining experience. Long after the wedding weekend ended, friends and family were still talking about the food—a testament to the exceptional catering and hospitality that helped make the celebration so memorable.

“We didn’t hear a single complaint about the food,” Ashton shared. “People are still talking about how amazing it was.”

Beyond serving a delicious meal, the catering team also went above and beyond to accommodate guests with food allergies and dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone felt cared for and included. It was a thoughtful touch that reflected the couple’s desire to create a welcoming experience for every guest and contributed to the warm, hospitable atmosphere that defined the entire wedding day.

For more Tate House real wedding inspiration, head here to see more couple interviews.

Photography: Andrea Hudson