PERFECT UNION: Ashley Dawn Sheffield & Max Marosko IV

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINE COX BRANTLEY

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]imeless and elegant were the thoughts that came to mind when Ashley and Max Marosko planned their wedding. Settling on a color scheme of navy blue and silver, the celebration of the union of their lives was a dream come true.

“Max and I both knew that our wedding ceremony should be in a church, with stained glass, a center aisle, and the character of a traditional church. First Presbyterian Church in Panama City made for a gorgeous setting,” Ashley recalls with a smile.

The couple radiated happiness, just like their families and friends who had gathered to witness and celebrate the wonderful day.

Ashley vividly remembers her most-cherished moment on the wedding day. “I had a mentor and friend advise me to just take a moment at the ceremony and look around, because you’re never going to have another moment like this again. I paused during our ceremony to gaze at the hundreds of our closest family and friends, together celebrating and blessing this special moment in time.”

The beautiful reception took place at the waterfront residence of family friends Denise and Joseph Rowan in the Cove neighborhood. “They so graciously allowed us to transform their property into a breathtaking venue. The location was gorgeous on the bay, with stunning oak trees to bring the perfect charm with string lights and simple touches. Our elegant reception captured the very essence of the day, pure bliss!”

The young couple met in the summer of 2013. But when Max left for the Air Force Academy shortly afterward, the relationship came to a halt.

“As time went on, I could not shake my feelings for Ashley and I grew to realize how special her heart was. In the summer of 2015, I knew I was in love with her. I spent the next few months trying to rekindle our relationship, despite Ashley’s reluctance,” Max remembers. “I was able to convince her to come to Colorado so I could share my heart with her and, in an act of faith, she agreed to begin dating again.”

Ashley has the wonderful gift to light up any space, any place, anytime, anywhere, Max explains. “It defines her character. She places her whole heart in all she pursues. Once that realization clicked, I knew I had to marry her.”

He admits that the decision to get married was not an instant revelation, but rather a slow revealing. “I loved her commitment to the Lord and our relationship, her loving-kindness, and passion for achieving her goals. It only seemed logical to keep such an amazing woman in my life forever. So, finally, in the fall of 2016, after lots of prayer, I knew I wanted to spend our lives together. In the summer of 2017, I made the best decision of my life–asking Ashley to marry me!”

Ashley swoons over Max and is proud of him. “He has an unwavering commitment to love me, and we have made a commitment to love each other wherever the Air Force sends us.” Max comes from three generations of men who have served our country in the United States Air Force as pilots, she explains. “His love for this great nation and the freedoms we all enjoy comes with immense sacrifice. We are confident and we are both delighted to venture on together!”

Max is a pilot in training in the Air Force and Ashley is an aspiring physician’s assistant, awaiting graduate school. Four days after returning from their monthlong honeymoon in Europe, both packed up everything they had ever possessed and drove across the country to their first home as newlyweds in Wichita Falls, Texas.

 

It only seemed logical to keep such an amazing woman in my life forever.

 

“Although the changes have been vast, the blessing of living together after our long-distance-dating relationship has been a breath of fresh air,” they explain. Both are devoted to God and are anchored in their beliefs. They explain that they truly have found the person the Lord has created for them. “Our challenge to other couples as they are beginning to think about a future together is to seriously consider Christian counseling,” they advise. “Our counselor, Joni Byrd, was instrumental in helping us discuss how our lives as two unique individuals could merge beautifully into one.”

They give special thanks to their parents, Ed and Cheryl Sheffield, as well as Max and Rachel Marosko for their support, blessing, and love. “Both of our parents went above what we could have imagined to make our rehearsal, ceremony, and reception a dream come true.”

 

 

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]

PARENTS OF THE BRIDE
Ed and Cheryl Sheffield

PARENTS OF THE GROOM
Max III and Rachel Marosko

MATRON OF HONOR
Cindy Southerland

MAID OF HONOR
Brandi Sheffield

BRIDESMAIDS
Grace Underhill
Olivia Clemons
Molly Pilcher
Christina Goodfellow
Olivia Morgan
Rebecca Cooley

BEST MAN
Max Marosko III

GROOMSMEN
Demian Marosko
Zane Asselin
Connor Queenan
James Stapleton
Harrison Henneberg
Jeff Stude
Jared Stude

FLOWER GIRLS
Amelia Stude and Molly Fielding

RING BEARER
Cade Fielding

[/box]

 

[box type=”info” align=”aligncenter” ]If you would like to have your wedding featured, please send an email to wedding@panamacityliving.com.[/box]

 

PHOTO GALLERY