ashleigh & chad

Written By jason monroe

How and where did you meet?: We met at work in Charlotte. We both had just start at our entry level positions at ESPN. When we started, we were always in the office pre-COVID, and all the new production assistants sat together. We hit it off and here we are!

What was your first impression of each other?: Seeing as we are the biggest rivals in college sports.....not great. Just kidding! There was mutual respect and just so many similarities between our journeys of getting to ESPN, playing college sports, mutual acquaintances from our lives, and our family dynamics that immediately we knew we were going to be really good friends. But Ashleigh's big crush on Chad's big blue/green eyes made sure it became more than that :)

When did you know your partner was the one?: Ashleigh: I knew fairly quickly Chad was the one. He has the biggest heart in the world and right from the start made feel so happy, supported, and just made me start to become a better person. I used to be fairly "intense" and Chad was really able to open my heart. I actually remember the exact moment - we were taking out his roommates Weiner dog, and it had gotten super chilly out. He made sure I had a coat to wear and it was so simple, but just second nature for him to make sure I was taken care of. Chad: I knew fairly early based on our family values and lifestyles, but I knew it was a for sure thing when we survived our first sports rivalry test. Ash grew up in Michigan, and our first Thanksgiving together (6 weeks into dating, that's a funny story) Michigan beat UNC by a LOT. It was a precursor to what we were going to face with our Duke-UNC rivalry.

Tell us about your engagement moment.: It was perfect! It was 75 and sunny on a Wednesday evening in Charlotte. We went on our favorite walk we always take our golden retriever, Dash, on, and at the top of the trail it overlooks the Charlotte skyline. Chad popped the question at the top, in a private little area and Dash was the most perfect pup the whole time!

In what ways are you most alike/different?: We have very similar values in terms of family, career, loyalty and respect. We are both very driven, hard working and competitive. We are different in that, I say Chad is the golden retriever of any room he walks into. Everyone wants to be his friend, and he's just so warm, loving and caring. I'm more like a german shepard. I can come off a little "intense" or introverted, but I just take a little bit to get to know people, and don't always open up my heart until I can fully trust or invest in you. The best example is - Chad is the person who talks to the uber drive and will learn their whole life story. I'm the one who prefers to sit in silence haha.

What music or genre do you like the most?: A lot - early 2000 hip hop, R&B, current pop and hip hop. Regardless of living in North Carolina, we strongly dislike country, and aren't crazy EDM people. A little tropical house, sure - but no rave vibes from us.

What was your favorite vacation or trip?: We spent 3 weeks in Spain this past summer, and it was the best trip ever! Valencia was probably our favorite spot...but it's hard to decide.

What are you looking forward to the most on your wedding day?: Ashleigh - first look/sweethearts table at dinner - just to have that intimate time with each other on our special day. But close second is the dance floor! Our families are big dancers. Chad - the genuine joy from everyone, and the moments we get to share just the two of us.

What do you like about our style? : You guys have tons of creative shots in terms of framing, angle and focus. The combination you guys use through your editing is beautiful. You truly tell a story with the videos, it's not just throwing together the day. You tell a story of the relationship, which makes it even more special.

Asheligh and Chad first crossed paths while they were both working at ESPN in the vibrant city of Charlotte, NC. Given that Ashleigh graduated from Duke University and Chad proudly identifies as the biggest fan of the Tar Heels, one might assume that such contrasting loyalties would spark tension or rivalry. However, in their case, there are absolutely no cynics allowed here, as their relationship flourished despite, and perhaps even because of, their differing allegiances.

This lively reception truly dictated the unique style of editing we carefully chose for this feature film. Ashleigh and Chad were absolutely mad about partying on a warm and sweaty summer night in Chicago. To reflect this energy, we decided on incorporating a series of snapshots in quick succession, aiming to thoroughly capture the essence of fleeting moments in time. Given that both Ashleigh and Chad are professionals working in the realm of visual media, we wanted to deliver a product that was a bit avant-garde compared to a typical wedding video, ensuring it would perfectly fit their creative vibe. Ultimately, we believe this approach added a special touch of production value that enhanced their story.

jason monroe
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