Ian and Ashley first met in 2014 years ago through close mutual friends in Austin, TX. After running into each other often at events and friends’ get-togethers around town (and inexplicably sitting next to each other during Ian’s birthday dinner every year), Ian asked Ashley to go on their first date. They connected over a love for travel, being outdoors, and cooking together.How and when did you two meet? When did you know he/she was “the one”?

Ashley: I knew Ian was the person for me when he started feeling like “home.” I couldn’t imagine anyone protecting my heart and livelihood more than Ian. Through our various trips, adventures, and day-to-day life. Everything clicked into place when I realized how well he fit in with my family and how loved, cared for and supported he makes me feel. Ian is incredibly devoted and true to his family and his passions, and I knew that I would always be safe with him.

Ian: One of my favorite things about Ash is how she supports and encourages my own interests, and never seems to get bored of me talking to her about ships and aircraft and the other somewhat random and specific things I’ve always been interested in. We’d known each other for a while, consistently running into each other every few months prior to dating, and she always struck me as the “perfect girl.” I would always joke with her friends that “Ash is the one” – funnily enough it actually turned out that way!

Do you have a super romantic proposal story or engagement memory?
During a trip to Europe in December 2017, Ian surprised Ashley by asking her to marry him in front of Rembrandt’s work at the Musée du Louvre in Paris. Ashley grew up overseas (mostly in Holland), so it was extra special for this to happen in front of one of the Dutch Masters.

What are your day jobs/hobbies?
Ian and Ashley live in downtown Austin, TX on Lady Bird Lake and they both work within walking distance of their home. Ian is a technical project manager at a global mobile app delivery company, Digital Turbine, and outside of work he’s a historian and designer passionate about navy history. By day, Ashley runs marketing and communications at a healthcare IT company, NarrativeDx. The couple really enjoy cooking, traveling and hiking together, and are looking forward to their honeymoon in Hawaii shortly after the wedding!