What started out as a friendship evolved into love, a proposal and an incredible $42,000 Ultimate Wedding Giveaway. Jesse and Ashley met during the summer of 2002 at a local park in their hometown of Abilene, Texas. They were both there with friends, and they struck up a conversation and ended up exchanging phone numbers.

"Looking back on this now, I realize that I must have been crazy giving my number to a stranger ... but I don't regret it for one second," laughed Ashley.

At the time, Jesse was working as a lifeguard at a local state park where Ashley and a friend spent a lot of time. Gradually, Ashley and Jesse built a close friendship.

Midway through Ashley's senior year of high school, though, things began to change. Her activities, dance team and the senior musical, took up most of her time and she and Jesse grew apart. After graduation, Ashley moved to Lubbock for college. As destiny would have it, though, Lubbock didn't work out for her, and she moved back to Abilene to attend college.

By this point, Jesse and Ashley had lost all communication with each other. Then, one fortunate night, Ashley went out with a couple of her old high school friends. As the girls were walking up to the door of a bar through a crowd of people, Ashley heard someone say her name. She looked around, surprised, and there was Jesse. After a period of catching up again, they discovered that the connection was still there. They officially began dating in December of that year.

"Over the past four years [since we reconnected] we have learned so much about each other, and grown so close," said Ashley.

Jesse proposed on December 13, 2008, in Ashley's apartment in Austin, Texas. They were getting ready to go Christmas shopping, and Jesse knew that Ashley always put her jewelry on last. When Ashley was out of the room, Jesse opened her jewelry box and removed the Tiffany's promise ring that he had given her a couple of years before and that she wore every single day, and replaced it with a gorgeous engagement ring. When Ashley finally got to putting on her jewelry, she opened her jewelry box and screamed in shock. Jesse got down on one knee and said, "I've already talked to your dad. Will you marry me?" Of course Ashley cried, "Yes!"

A close friend and co-worker of Ashley's found out about the engagement and immediately bought her a copy of Austin WeddingDay magazine so that she could begin planning the wedding. As Ashley began looking through the magazine, she saw an advertisement for the bridal show that Austin WeddingDay was hosting. She and her mom attended the show and had a wonderful time visiting all of the booths, tasting all of the amazing treats and seeing the beautiful wedding dresses.

The highlight of the show was to be a $42,000 Ultimate Wedding Giveaway, chosen at random from the names of all the brides who had registered. At the moment of the drawing, Ashley's mom leaned in toward her and said, "Wouldn't it be nice if they called your name?" Ashley just laughed and said, "Yeah, right!" 

When the announcer reached into her basket to pull out the name. She called out, "Ashley Spivey!" Ashley had to cover her mouth, she was screaming so loud! Her mom started to cry.

"It was all so surreal at that moment," said Ashley. "I couldn't believe this was actually happening to me!"

Winning the giveaway simplified the task of choosing between the many wonderful vendors at the show, because they were pre-chosen as part of the giveaway agreement.

"We had such an exciting time meeting the different vendors, getting to experience wonderful cake and food tasting, picking out jewelry and then having the opportunity to take dance lessons," Ashley said.

It wasn't hard for Ashley to choose her wedding colors because her favorite colors, pink and green, went beautifully together. The bridesmaids wore dark pink dresses that were custom-made by Linda Asaf, while the groomsmen wore sage green vests and ties from Tuxedo Junction. Both of these colors emphasized the stunning ivory gown from Belle Saison Bridal worn by the bride, and made her sparkle.

Angel Springs Event Center hosted the ceremony and reception. The ceremony was held outdoors, with a picture-perfect view of the meadow, right before an amazing Texas sunset. The reception was marvelously arranged in the ballroom, with gorgeous centerpieces in an assortment of heights, and a wonderful buffet skillfully presented featuring the most delectable food that had guests talking long after the wedding. 

During the appetizers, the guests were treated to a slideshow of photos of Ashley and Jesse when they were growing up, dating and engaged, created by the bride's aunt. The newly married couple entered the ballroom and danced their first dance to "I Wanna Be Your Everything" by Keith Urban, choreographed by Go Dance. Next, the bride tearfully danced with her father to "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman.

The groom's best man, Dan Southall; the matron of honor, Traci Poynor; and maid of honor, Jessica Spivey, made the toasts. These speeches not only made everyone laugh, but also brought tears to many eyes.

To make it a true Texas wedding, the DJ then played "Cotton-Eyed Joe" and "Cupid Shuffle." The guests had a great time on the dance floor. As the end of the evening approached, the guests were escorted outside to view a spectacular fireworks show presented by Austin Fireworks.

"They were absolutely amazing," said Jesse.

"I thought it was a fairy-tale way to end such a breathtaking experience," added Ashley. The guests prepared for the send-off by lighting long, gold sparklers. With huge smiles on their faces, the couple walked down to a white stretch limo that drove them to their honeymoon suite at the Vintage Villas.

Jesse and Ashley want to thank Austin WeddingDay magazine and all of the vendors that graciously donated their services for this dream come true.

"We deeply appreciate everything and we were so blessed to be given such a wonderful opportunity that will be a memory for the rest of our lives," said Ashley. 

Austin Resources

Crave Catering:
provided catering for the wedding day reception

Benold’s:
provided a shopping spree valued at $5,000

Light Wave Photo:
provided C&R photography 

Angel Spring Event Center:
provided the venue for the ceremony and reception

Austin Wedding Fireworks:
provided the fireworks display

Royal Prestige:
provided a registry package

Embassy Suites Arboretum:
provided hotel rooms

American Party Rentals:
provided rental equipment

Johnny Fins:
provided a pre-nuptial party

Blooms of Cedar Park Florist:
provided the reception flowers

Casa Blanca on Brushy Creek:
provided the rehearsal dinner 

Flowers Flowers:
provided the ceremony flowers

Bella Occasions:
provided the wedding consultant 

Belle Saison Bridal:
provided the wedding gown

Go Dance:
provided dance lesson package

Bill Bastas:
provided engagement picture

Linda Asaf:
provided the bridesmaids’ gowns

Austin Wedding Jookbox:
provided an entertainment package

Inviting Affairs:
provided the invitations

Royal Prestige:
provided a honeymoon package

Just Desserts:
provided the groom’s cake

Blue Note:
provided the bride’s cake

Vintage Villas:
provided the honeymoon suite package

Arbonne:
provided a skin care package

Cynthia’s Manhattan Limousine Inc.:
provided the limousine

Tuxedo Junction:
provided tuxedos

Berry Creek Country Club:
provided a golf package

Custom Map Design:
provided the maps for invitations

Austin WeddingDay magazine:
provided the Distinctive Organized Bridal Collection