Before you watch what might be the sweetest three minute film we’ve ever come across, scroll right below and read the backstory behind the love. It’s a beautiful narrative of life after loss, complete with a T-6 Warbird flyover commemorating the bride’s late parents. Eric Staples captured Chris and Ashley’s day with such craft and care, reminding us of what a wedding is really all about.
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From the filmmaker, Eric Staples… I’ve never witnessed a couple more in love than Chris and Ashley. Truly. There had been an overflow of emotions from the past couple years of hurt and healing, but joy is what found them on that warm, tranquil day south of Birmingham, Alabama. They were beaming every minute. We all were witnesses. But they may as well have been there alone, lost in each other, devoting their lives to one another. I’m blessed to now call them friends and am constantly inspired by their real, wonderfully messy and passionate love.
Ashley’s entire family are pilots, they live near a runway in Alabama and grew up flying. They each have a heart for adventure; it’s evident in Ashley’s eyes. In March 2010, her parents were flying a T-6 Warbird together off the coast of Florida when something went wrong and crashed into the waters. They were killed instantly. Ashley’s two brothers steadily walked her down the aisle to Chris. At the reception, Ashley had her Dad’s best friend and wingman, Billy Strickland, perform a flyover in a T6 Warbird to commemorate her parents, which you can see in the film.
I am so grateful for opportunities to capture stories like this. Stories of hope and perspective.
From the Bride, Ashley… I think one of the main reasons I have experienced so much joy in knowing and loving Christopher is because I have experienced the depth of pain in losing the two people I love the most on this earth. As Kahlil Gibran wrote, “The deeper sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” We wanted to acknowledge both joy and sorrow on this day because the two are inseparable.
Cinematography: Eric Staples Video | Venue: Alexander City