“Our story began over 11 years ago… yes, I said 11 years!” Ashley Pantuso gushes of her enduring romance with sweetheart Jason Schaible. “Jason and I grew up in the same town of Southlake, Texas, but our worlds did not collide until he was in his freshman year at Texas A&M University and I was still a senior in high school.” On a break from school, Jason made the trip back to his hometown and decided to attend a women’s soccer match at the high school with some friends. While observing the game, one player in particular caught his eye. “After the game, our mutual group of friends went for a casual dinner together,” Ashley says. “We sat across from each other, not yet realizing that this would be an event that would change our lives forever!” The pair became official in December of 2003.

After completing their degrees at Texas A&M and eventually following their respective fathers into their “family businesses” – Jason into aviation and Ashley into real estate – the couple was stronger than ever. As an established duo, both Ashley and Jason were often asked when they were going to take the plunge. Ashley’s sister married her beloved in 2013, clearing the way for Jason to pop the question on a snowboarding trip the following January, after just over ten years together. With a ring on her finger, the bride-to-be set out to design their perfect wedding with bountiful support from her groom and family. “My mom was there for all of the day-to-day planning and appointments, my sister video chatted with me from China any time I needed her opinion, my mother-in-law attended the floral and rental meetings, and Jason provided great insight throughout the process!” she muses.

Ashley reveals that the most challenging aspect of coordinating their nuptials was the hunt for their ideal venue. “Finding a venue that hadn’t been used for thousands of weddings [was difficult], but luckily, I stumbled upon a theater that had never hosted a wedding, so I brought the idea to them,” she tells. “They were wonderful to work with!” Also important to the couple: the “wedding weekend” aspect. Both Ashley and Jason desired to host a getaway for friends and family, inviting all attendees to their rehearsal dinner and creating a hotel room block for everyone in advance. “I wanted to try and spend as much time with my guests as possible, as I know many people traveled far to celebrate our special day!” emphasizes the bride. Finally, with the help of her support system, planner, off-beat venue, and floral design from Bella Flora of Dallas, the big day came together expertly. 

Like the location, the overall motif of their day was distinctively uncommon: "industrial luxe." Elements of this concept could be spotted upon entrance to the ceremony space – a gorgeous rooftop area, semi-covered, featuring alternating black and white chairs of differing designs facing a simple stage for their vow exchange underneath an intricate display of light bulbs and angular lanterns bedecked with cascading ivory orchids suspended from a long wooden beam. Bridesmaids looked resplendent in black, cocktail-length dresses as they descended the aisle carrying bold clusters of pink, purple, and white blooms, which matched perfectly with the bride’s own bouquet. She followed close behind in a lace, fit-and-flare gown, eager to meet her excited groom at the end of her stroll. Ashley recalls, “[I’ll never forget] standing hand-in-hand with my husband at the altar, grinning from ear to ear at each other, not realizing anyone else was around – it was truly our moment becoming one!”

The dimly lit reception space served as a truly unique celebration site for the newlyweds and their guests. Escort cards made in the form of paper airplanes to honor Jason’s profession were displayed on a glass table. The bridal party found their seats at a long wooden table featuring a bright floral runner and comfortable lounge furniture all resting under a unique lighting concept made up of bulbs and geometric vessels similar to the adornment over the pair’s altar. Additional tables featured low or tall arrangements of the same bold perennials and alternating black and grey linens. The dance floor was lit with a soft blue hue, adding a lighter shade to the dark motif. When retelling the best piece of advice she received, Ashley laughs, “[It] was my sister and brother-in-law telling us to just ‘act like’ we were madly in love when performing the first dance song – both of us dislike dancing and being the center of attention. During the song, we just focused on each other and the rest was a blur – success!”