Every element of this couple's big day resonates with their love story. From the jaw-dropping florals to the thoughtful, personal touches around every corner, you've got to see this romantic Memphis wedding!
North meets South in this couple’s sweet story. Life-long Memphian Ashley Vogel moved to Chicago in 2018. During the 2020 lockdown, mutual friends set her up on a blind date with Illinois-born-and-bred Sam Teper — and the rest was history. Take a look inside this couple’s love story and their fabulous fall wedding complete with jaw-dropping floral and light displays, extravagant food and drink, and plenty of PINK!
PinOn November 11, 2023, Ashley Vogel and Sam Teper enjoyed their first looks on the rooftop of The Peabody. They tied the knot at The Kent, surrounded by 300 happy guests. Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
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The blind date was more blind-ish. “Okay, we may have seen pics and vetted one another!” admits Ashley.
But the pair hit it off, and two years later, Sam orchestrated a beautiful plan to ask Ashley to be his wife. He kept the event a surprise by disguising it as a work outing — a summer happy hour that just so happened to include significant others. He even went so far as to have his office send out a calendar invite for him to forward to Ashley! Sam also coordinated the arrival of family and friends to celebrate.
“Sam made sure all my family and friends who were traveling to Chicago, who I had on “Find My Friends,” changed their location over to a device they kept at home,” says Ashley. “I was truly surprised.”
Pin“I was born and raised in Memphis and moved to Chicago in July 2018,” Ashley says. “Sam is from the northern suburbs of Chicago (Northbrook, IL), so it was fun to bring his family and friends to Memphis for the wedding.” Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
On July 23, 2022, the two got engaged on the rooftop of The Robey Hotel in Wicker Park. After Ashley said yes, both families had dinner where the couple had their first date — but the surprises didn’t end there.
“We headed to another one of our favorite restaurants after dinner for a cocktail, where friends and more family from near and far gathered to celebrate us,” Ashley adds.
PinThe Kent provided the perfect backdrop to allow Ashley’s vision of an enchanting, magical evening to shine! Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
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After such a lovely engagement, it’s no surprise that the wedding was filled with thoughtful, magical touches. Sam and Ashley chose The Kent because it provided a classic, clean, blank slate that would allow the couple’s creativity to shine. Ashley wanted every element of the wedding to resonate with the couple’s story, creating an atmosphere that would immerse their guests in joy and magic.
PinThe bridesmaids looked stunning in varying shades of pink. Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyPinThis is one handsome, happy groom, and he’s dressed to perfection in formalwear from Suit Supply. Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
“It was important to me that each detail contributed to a memorable celebration, allowing everyone to feel the enchantment of the day,” says the bride.
To bring the wedding to life, the couple worked with Sheril Greenstein of Shindigs by Sheril. Flowers from Southern Bloom played a significant role in establishing the event’s emotional and visual feel. Ashley wanted lots of greenery for a whimsical feel and a color palette of all shades of pink.
PinAshley worked with Kelly Freeland of Southern Bloom to create a captivating floral backdrop for the event. Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
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Ashley didn’t have a specific vision for her dress. However, she had always admired Israeli bridal designers and wanted to try to find a special dress by one of them. “Bella Bianca carries a beautiful array of dresses by Israeli designers, so I started there,” she said. “When I put on the beautiful, delicate, sparkly Birenzweig dress — I knew it was the one.”
PinAshley is the definition of a beautiful bride in this Birenzweig creation. Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
Three hundred guests arrived at 5:30 p.m. on the big day for cocktails. “I’ve always believed that life is more fun outside the box, so we wanted to lean into our creativity for cocktail hour,” Ashley says.
Mission accomplished! Guests enjoyed a cool, unique living champagne wall and a bourbon tasting. A creative sushi station featured tasty morsels on painter palettes with paint brushes to dip in little “paint cans” of soy sauce.
PinHow cool and fun is this living champagne wall? Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyPinWhile Ashley and Sam had an intimate ketubah signing ceremony with their closest family and friends, their guests enjoyed cocktails and an artistic sushi bar. Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyPin“We had a pink phone booth set up throughout the night as an audio guestbook,” Ashley says. “It was a fun experience but also an amazing opportunity to always have a file with the voices of loved ones.” Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
While their guests enjoyed the cocktail hour, Ashley and Sam had an intimate ketubah signing ceremony with only their closest family and friends present. “It was one of the most special and meaningful services I have been a part of,” the bride tells us.
PinThe signing of the ketubah is a beautiful Jewish wedding tradition that takes place before the ceremony. Ashley and Sam participated in this meaningful service, surrounded by loved ones. Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
The couple then had a traditional Jewish vow service led by Rabbi Micah Greenstein before their guests.
The day held a bittersweet note as well. “A month before our wedding, the Israel war broke out, so it definitely felt like a strange time to be celebrating,” says Ashley. “However, we understood the importance of Jewish Simchas (celebrations) and wanted to recognize the tragedy within the moment. We draped an Israeli flag under the chuppah.”
PinThe look of love! Ashley and Sam had a traditional vow service under the chuppah. Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyPinFlorals and delicate lighting provide a captivating backdrop. Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyPinThe new Mr. & Mrs. exchange a big kiss! Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a seated meal with plated stations. Guests craving Mediterranean flavors dined on grilled eggplant with whipped feta and marinated tomatoes, lemon herb couscous, and roasted, multicolored carrots with tahini and mint.
An Asian option offered seared tuna with wasabi mayo served with vegetable spring rolls and Thai noodle salad. Last but not least, pasta lovers feasted on spinach ravioli with sundried tomatoes, olives, basil, artichoke hearts, and pesto olive oil, served with parmesan-stuffed baby portabellas and garlic green beans.
PinThe reception kicked off with a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. The lovely seating arrangements perfectly accompanied plated stations of Mediterranean, Asian, and Italian menus. Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyPinThe delicious wedding cake had four layers of flavors. Tier one was vanilla with Oreo frosting, tier two was chocolate with raspberry and chocolate, tier three was strawberry, and tier four (saved for the happy couple’s first anniversary) was funfetti. Ashley also surprised Sam with a golf-themed groom’s cake — and since it was also her father’s 60th birthday, Ashley surprised her dad with an ice cream birthday cake. “Love cake and love surprises!” she says. Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyPinImagine dancing the night away under this stunning display dripping with florals and twinkling light fixtures! Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
Next up – dancing. But with a unique twist.
“Our venue had an 11 p.m. noise ordinance, so my mom (who was the best, most supportive, and helpful partner in planning our wedding) had the brilliant idea of a silent disco starting at 11,” Ashley explains. “Neither Sam nor I had done this before, but I’ve always heard how much fun they are. It did not disappoint. The silent disco was a highlight of the night.”
PinAshley and Sam danced to Vienna by Billy Joel for their first dance. Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyPinThe bride and her father chose Father and Daughter by Paul Simon for their dance. “It has always been one of our favorite songs,” says Ashley. Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyPinThe groom and his mother danced to My Wish by Rascal Flatts. Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyPinHow fun is this? If you’re faced with a noise ordinance, keep the party going with a silent disco! Image: Rob & Deanna Photography
The couple started their married life in style, heading to sun-drenched Saint Lucia for their honeymoon.
PinOne last cute photo — we just couldn’t resist. Ashley and Sam look so happy! Image: Rob & Deanna PhotographyThank you for sharing your special day with us, Ashley and Sam!
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.
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