Date: Sept. 4
Her story: Ashley Jaffa, 29, grew up in Parkton. She works at Berman McAleer, a financial services firm in Baltimore. Her parents, Carolyn and Sam Jaffa, live in Parkton.
His story: Travis Wilkinson, 30, grew up in Parkton. He is employed by Baltimore County public schools as a diesel mechanic. His mother, Deborah Wilkinson, and stepfather, Basilio Scalzo, live in Parkton.
Their story: The two met in 2002 when Travis transferred to Hereford High School from Kennard-Dale High School in Pennsylvania. Even though Travis asked Ashley several times for a date, she always found a way to get out of it. The two only hung out together in groups with friends.
It wasn't until after Ashley graduated from college and returned to their hometown in 2008 that she finally agreed to pursue a relationship.
"I just wasn't interested in high school. I just wanted to be friends," she said. "When I came back home from college, I thought 'What the hell.'"
The couple agreed that after their first date at a friend's "typical Hereford" bonfire party that "the rest was history," she said. They live in New Freedom, Pa.
The proposal: In April 2014, the day the two moved into their new home, Travis popped the question. The couple were busy moving into and outfitting their new home. While their families helped move them in, Travis gave Ashley a large, rectangular gift.
"I thought that this was going to be something to put on our wall," she said.
As she unwrapped the gift, she discovered a large framed photo of their Australian cattle dog, Zoey, wearing a sign that read, "Will you marry Dad?"
When Ashley turned around, Travis was down on one knee.
"I was shocked by the way he did it," Ashley said. "Of course I said yes."
The picture now hangs above their fireplace in their living room.
Venue: Two hundred guests attended the ceremony and reception at Pond View Farm in White Hall.
Flowers and decor: The couple chose an Irish theme. Family friends Holly Frisch and Marguerite Kuzo used bells of Ireland, Queen Anne's lace, hydrangeas, sage, lavender and garden roses and more to make Ashley's bouquet.
Ashley's father made a rustic wood base that supported lanterns containing floral bouquets and candles, which sat on each table. Small burlap bags containing Hershey's Kisses personalized with the couple's names and wedding date identified each table.
Her dress: Ashley wore a Chesney by Maggie Sottero gown from K&B Bridals of Bel Air. She also wore a a Swarovski crystal jacket atop the strapless lace gown.
Bridesmaids dresses: Bridesmaids wore long mint-green chiffon dresses from K&B Bridals.
Men's attire: Travis wore tan pants, a vest and bow tie from Men's Wearhouse. His boutonniere was made of thistle, lavender and sage. Groomsmen wore tan pants with mint-green vests and mint bow ties from Men's Wearhouse.
Music: Jenny Z Mobile DJ, featuring DJ Boomer, kept guests entertained throughout the reception. The couple's first dance was to "Better Together" by Jack Johnson.
Food and dessert: Pond View catered the dinner, which included pit beef, pit turkey, a whole smoked pig, a macaroni-and-cheese bar, fresh green bean almandine and salad. Graul's Market in Hereford made the wedding cake, which included lemon and almond pound cake with buttercream icing.
Special touches: Ashley's "something borrowed" were her mother's wedding shoes and a lace sleeve from her mother's wedding gown. The sleeve was used as a wrap for the bride's bouquet.
Ashley walked down the aisle to Ingrid Michaelson's version of "Can't Help Falling In Love," which was the first dance song from her parents' wedding.
For dessert, Ashley's uncle made pizzeles (chocolate and vanilla), and her aunt and uncle made traditional Italian cookies using the recipe of Ashley's great-grandmother. The cake toppers were two hedgehogs decorated as a bride and groom made by family friend Marguerite Kuzo to acknowledge the couple's pet hedgehog, Harold.
