the journal

There is something truly special about a Charleston, South Carolina wedding. The history, the scenery, the marsh, water all around where every corner has a story. The new Mr. and Mrs. Howell had the perfect Charleston wedding. The couple had a traditional Catholic church wedding at St. Mary of the Annunciation. The church is stunning […]

Trends for a Wedding Day change all of the time! I love seeing each Bride bring their own unique flair to their wedding day. While some may stick with the more traditional look there are always other ways to show your own touch on the big day. Some brides choose stunning shoes or fun hair […]

The new Mr. and Mrs. Smith set up the absolutely perfect day. I may be biased to this wedding as it took place at the Preston-Hampton Mansion in Downtown Columbia. This is such an epic piece of historical Downtown Columbia and the gardens make a perfect place for both ceremony and reception spot. I was […]

I spent a fabulous weekend with the new Mr. and Mrs. Crocker and when I say weekend I was there to capture every step of the way. Their Rehearsal Dinner was stunning in The Zone at Williams Brice Stadium. I love attending wedding where the couple includes all of the things they love and show […]

2024 for Ashleigh Donahue Photography has been one for the books! On a personal note, Cody and I are adding Miss Abbie Grace to our family any day now! I wanted to take time to look back on some fun memories and also take a minute to showcase some of my favorite couples stunning wedding […]

When thinking about weddings the solid traditions and “rules of thumb” never seem to go out of style. I wanted to take some time this week on the blog to discuss proper etiquette for brides when it is time to send out Save the Dates and Formal Wedding Invitations. Addressing invitations properly, using proper names […]

When thinking of the BIG DAY of your wedding you want to leave the guessing game out of the equation. What time do we need to be dressed? When do the groomsmen take photos? Did we get the Grandparents in photos? So many small pieces come together to one beautiful day but not without the […]

Probably two of the purest things in the world to see: a glowing soon-to-be Mom and a beautiful beachfront sunrise. This week I captured these sweet expecting parents at Saint Helena Island for a stunning sunrise photoshoot. The sand, water, sunrise colors and airiness of the ocean itself made for a beautiful backdrop to capture […]

Planning a wedding can be one of the most exciting times in your life. There are so many aspects to consider starting with location, budget and personalities of the bride and groom. Do you want to be in control and have creative freedom planning your wedding? Are you the bride that wants to take the […]

There are so many styles, materials and genres of bridesmaid dresses. Some think there are many “rules” to follow when choosing a bridesmaid dress. “They need to look good on everyone” or “Can they wear this again to another event?” It needs to flow with the theme of the wedding, color scheme, comfort for your […]