Our Story
We met in high school and became best friends during practice for cheerleading and musical rehearsals. When I headed on to grad school, Ashley moved in with me in the Flint area. She kept the apartment decorated, and I helped her organize her school schedule. We're two peas in a pod but also the yin to each other's yang. I'm the organizer who LOVES making spreadsheets and thinking through logistics, and Ashley is the decorator/hair stylist/makeup artist who has an eye for style and elegance. In 2021, Ashley got engaged, and our planning journey officially began. We learned a lot through the process (including what NOT to do). Now that the dust has settled from Ashley's wedding, we decided to start our own business together helping other couples plan their dream wedding. Our skills and interests compliment each other perfectly for this endeavor, and we so look forward to helping YOU plan your special day while reducing the overwhelm!
GingerAnn Neslund
Lead Planner
Hi, I'm Ginger! I'm a professional dancer, physical therapist, educator, and wedding professional. I grew up in northern Michigan but moved to Southeast Michigan after high school and never looked back. I love creating spreadsheets, planning logistics, making lists, problem solving, and helping focus on the big picture.
Prior to starting More Than a Wedding, I worked in the wedding business for years. I started DJ-ing weddings with my previous business partner in 2013 and have been doing it ever since. I understand the flow of a wedding from pre-ceremony through the send-off, and I know what couples are looking for when it comes to their guests' experience. I also previously served and bartended weddings, so I've been involved in setting up and tearing down as well as seen the back-end of weddings including all the service staff and vendors. I bring a wealth of knowledge about what goes into planning a wedding and the details that allow the day to run smoothly. I've also worked with many other vendors and appreciate those who maintain professionalism but create a fun vibe.
Ashley Connolly
Lead Designer
Hi, I’m Ashley, co-owner and lead designer of More Than A Wedding!
As a creative soul, I have spent the last 20 years exploring opportunities in search of purpose and the ability to express my creativity. Through DJing, singing, writing, designing, and various other mediums, I have established a well-rounded portfolio of artistic endevors. And while each opportunity has been rewarding in its own right, it wasn’t until I planned my first wedding– DURING A PANDEMIC!-- that I was really able to unleash my creativity in a fulfilling way. And did I mention it was during a pandemic? With a bride harboring extravagant taste on a $5,000 budget? And did I mention that bride was ME?!
In all seriousness, this experience taught me two things: first, planning a wedding takes patience, passion, creative savvy, and a strong backbone. Second, no one should ever have to coordinate their own event! I could not have made it through my own day without the help of my shenanegan soulmate and business partner– Ginger. Now, as a wedding professional, I’m so excited to help other couples bring to life their own wedding visions and to support them through the not-so-fun parts of planning their big day. To me, a wedding is not just an event but a heartfelt experience, and my goal is to find inspiration in the unique love stories of each couple to make every wedding one-of-a-kind.
