Often in life women are lucky if they get one good friend. You know the age old saying that one good/real friend is better than five bad/fake ones. I don't know what I did in my previous life ( I like to believe I was a woman warrior who freed people). Whatever it is I did to get good karma I'm forever grateful in this life. I believe that the people who are close to you are a reflection of they type of person you are. I honestly could have had 20 bridesmaids but it was getting a bit ridiculous so I stopped at 14 lol.

These women all represent different stages in my life and have continued to be by my side through new ones. Some I talk to every day, others once a week. The most important thing about every single one of these women is that they all have the most amazing hearts. They are all college graduates and hard working independent career driven women. Some are mothers, some are single, some are married and some are seriously dating. All of them are focused, spiritual, talented souls. They all have completely different backgrounds but we all connect in the center of our hearts. The place that exposes who a soul truly is , and we all share that same quality of truth.

To be able to have 14 women who you can call on, depend on, lean on and sometimes disagree with is a beautiful experience. I always say a girls first love other than her father are her female best friends. You learn how to share, accommodate, understand, and support through the love of your lady friends. If you are lucky enough to have good lady friends, you will all grow together no matter how different the stages in your life are.

Nalo Wise @mrswise_girl @peytonnileI have known Ashley my whole life, I was practically there when she was born even though she is older than me. Not only is she my family but my best friend, confidant, counselor (so she thinks) and so much more. We… — Nalo Wise @mrswise_girl @peytonnile
I have known Ashley my whole life, I was practically there when she was born even though she is older than me. Not only is she my family but my best friend, confidant, counselor (so she thinks) and so much more. We have shared every major event in our lives together be that good or bad and I am happy and excited to share this next one together as well. Not only was she the Maid of Honor in my wedding but a whole host of other titles that my 17 bridesmaids could not fill that one person could.
I wish Ashley and Chea the very best that life can offer and I can't wait to call him my cousin too. And I can truly say that though Chea is a great catch, great men, great father, great secret keeper, and will be a great husband, he is truly the one winning the prize here. And even though he didn't ask me (rude) he truly has my blessing to marry my best friend. I love you both and welcome to the club!

"The secret of life is to have no fear"

Nalo Wise

Brittany Noone ( Maid of honor) @bnooniesI've been blessed with Ashley's presence since high school; however pleasant the presence - we won't discuss that! We got really close our senior year when we were on Homecoming Court together and had ma… — Brittany Noone ( Maid of honor) @bnoonies
I've been blessed with Ashley's presence since high school; however pleasant the presence - we won't discuss that! We got really close our senior year when we were on Homecoming Court together and had many of the same classes. She was a clown and always had me cracking up. Into college, we grew even closer and she became more of a sister to me. Ashley and I share the same loving heart and sarcasm - which works for all parties involved. She is such a beautiful soul and to know her is to love her, truly. She is my forever friend, my person. We've stood with each other through many life events and I can't wait to stand with her on another major life event, her wedding day.

LOVE YOU! XO XO

Sonje Calamese @sonjec I'm a self proclaimed lover of purple and sequins. Ashley has been around me all my life so I don't remember meeting her. However I do have some fun, sad and of course inappropriate stories about her that I would probably… — Sonje Calamese @sonjec
I'm a self proclaimed lover of purple and sequins. Ashley has been around me all my life so I don't remember meeting her. However I do have some fun, sad and of course inappropriate stories about her that I would probably get in trouble for sharing so I wont. Ashley is usually the one who talks everyone off the edge but I've had the pleasure of being her voice of reason when needed. She always tells me I have to be rich so she can one day come live in my basement, I hope this marriage changes that life plan lol. She trusted me to name her first child so I like to believe I'm the most important Cousin /friend (Don't tell Nalo). I 'm excited to be apart of the #cheafamilywedding and I wish you two love birds a life time of happiness and yummy #cheafamilydinners

Elayseah Woodard Hinton @laceyredefinedMy name is Elayseah. I am Ashley's older sister. When Ashley was a kid, I thought she was a smart ass. Now that she is an adult, I still think she's a smart ass, but with a lot more class. I've learned to appre… — Elayseah Woodard Hinton @laceyredefined
My name is Elayseah. I am Ashley's older sister. When Ashley was a kid, I thought she was a smart ass. Now that she is an adult, I still think she's a smart ass, but with a lot more class. I've learned to appreciate this trait, along with her genuine and caring spirit. And I feel blessed to call Ashley my sister. Can I say ass on this site?1

Alexzondria Woodard-Hinton @zondria.mechelHello everyone. I'm Alexzondria,  Ashley is my beloved sister. We've been siblings for a strong 27 years now. Ashley is one of the most creative people I know. I love how honest she is, and th… — Alexzondria Woodard-Hinton @zondria.mechel
Hello everyone. I'm Alexzondria, Ashley is my beloved sister. We've been siblings for a strong 27 years now. Ashley is one of the most creative people I know. I love how honest she is, and the advice she gives has really helped form me into the amazing woman I am today. Our bond is so unique and special and I'm thankful I was blessed with an incredible sister like Ashley. I like to believe I'm her favorite, but I believe I'm everyone's favorite.
XoXo

Tiffany Olverson @Tiffo785Hmmmmm where do I start..... I would like to offer up great stories of how me and Ashley met at about 3 yrs of age, African dancing our hearts out as our daughters do today. However just for the sake of time I'll … — Tiffany Olverson @Tiffo785
Hmmmmm where do I start..... I would like to offer up great stories of how me and Ashley met at about 3 yrs of age, African dancing our hearts out as our daughters do today. However just for the sake of time I'll fast forward to a moment in time when we were both 23yrs old. Ashley and I had not spoke in months after she moved to NY. On a random day I received a call from Ashley with these exact words "I have some news to tell you" I clearly just told my mother that several days before so I knew where this was going. She said I'm pregnant, my response... me too, she said I'm due in March, my response... me too. Our daughters are two peas in a pod born 5 days apart so we were def feeling each others vibes even through the distance lol. Needless to say the journey of becoming a first time mother with Ashley has been a very rewarding journey and I am honored to be apart of her new journey as she says "I Do".

Kristin Carifa @kcarifaI was fortunate enough to meet Ashley about  seven years ago. I met her along with a group of people and she immediately stood out. She admired my family & was so sweet in recognizing and expressing how beautiful my f… — Kristin Carifa @kcarifa
I was fortunate enough to meet Ashley about seven years ago. I met her along with a group of people and she immediately stood out. She admired my family & was so sweet in recognizing and expressing how beautiful my family's love was. She radiates a beautiful, ethical, sincere, positive and hardworking aura. I am beyond grateful to know such an amazing soul and to be a part of her wedding day is something that I will always cherish!
Xoxo Kristin

Passion Green @mrspgreenI met Ashley in 2008 at Karma night life while she was organizing models for a fashion show that my then boyfriend now husband was hosting with his partner .  A year later we gave birth to our beautiful childre… — Passion Green @mrspgreen
I met Ashley in 2008 at Karma night life while she was organizing models for a fashion show that my then boyfriend now husband was hosting with his partner . A year later we gave birth to our beautiful children 3 days apart from one another. That bond alone has been enough to grow our friendship. As our children were going through the same stages of development together, Ashley and I were learning to be mothers together. She has taught me that you don't need to have the same blood to be family.

Abby Walters soon to be Mrs. Kamagate @abbywalters Ashley Sirah Long Ass Name Hinton Soon-To-Be Thee Mrs. Chea: To whom I abundantly adore & so enjoy photographing. I met this enlightened star burst through my fiancé, "Brother Najib" about … — Abby Walters soon to be Mrs. Kamagate @abbywalters
Ashley Sirah Long Ass Name Hinton Soon-To-Be Thee Mrs. Chea: To whom I abundantly adore & so enjoy photographing. I met this enlightened star burst through my fiancé, "Brother Najib" about 5 years ago. I honestly cannot remember how we first met or the details around getting to know Ashley because I feel like she's been a friend all my life. She was born, I was born and now we're here, preparing for her wedding & planning mine. In 4 short months, I will be floating beside her, attired with my camera as she joins forces with the Almighty Chea. What an honor. Life is sweet.

Dionna Cannon @deecannstyle My Brown skinned Capricorn sister is what I like to refer to Ashley as.  From the first time I met her, I knew that she was one of the most genuine people that I would ever meet.  It was not until later tha… — Dionna Cannon @deecannstyle
My Brown skinned Capricorn sister is what I like to refer to Ashley as. From the first time I met her, I knew that she was one of the most genuine people that I would ever meet. It was not until later that I discover that we had so many things in common. We are two very matter of fact people, we both have very clear visions of where we want to go in life, we are very sentimental, we are very loyal, and we share the same fundamentals as to what constitutes a true friend. Sometimes I believe that we share the same mind-- it's the Capricorn in us. It is rare that you have someone that you deeply connect with and I am happy to say that I have found that in Ashley. She will never know how much I admire her. Her creativity, her heart, her nurturing spirit, her beauty both inside and out makes her the total package!! Mother. Daughter. Sister. Cousin. Friend. Wife. So happy to be included in something that means so much to her. I love you. XOXO

Adrianna LeighI am Ashley's only first cousin from her mothers side. Our parents are brother and sister. I remember when Ashley had a big head and little body and was short for like 13 years of her life. Seriously we were starting to get concerned b… — Adrianna Leigh
I am Ashley's only first cousin from her mothers side. Our parents are brother and sister. I remember when Ashley had a big head and little body and was short for like 13 years of her life. Seriously we were starting to get concerned because her body nor her front teeth wanted to grow in. She also use to climb in my bed pee on me, then move to the other side of the bed as if she didn't do it. She was such a lovely child as you can see. Seriously I was an only child so I loved spending my summers at my aunt Laura's house and getting to experience what it was like to have a sister through my cousins. I am so excited that Ashley is now a beautiful grown woman who has finally grown into her head lol. Her sarcasm matches her big heart and I am so happy to share this wonderful experience with her. I can't wait for the wedding.
XoXo

Crystal Howard @cryslynn84My name is Crystal and I live in Orange County, CA in the exact same place as the Bride to be! My days and nights are spent being a retail career woman and new Mommy. I enjoy hiking the trails of the Coast, shopping endless… — Crystal Howard @cryslynn84
My name is Crystal and I live in Orange County, CA in the exact same place as the Bride to be! My days and nights are spent being a retail career woman and new Mommy. I enjoy hiking the trails of the Coast, shopping endlessly at Target and am always on-the-go!
Ashley and I met via our exes, yes, ex beaus and we still have shared a beautiful friendship going on a strong eight years. The best part of our friendship is that we can be miles away from one another and pick up like it was just yesterday of seeing one another. My favorite thing about Ashley is how she always has a cure or theory for EVERYTHING in life. If you're suffering from an ailment, having relationship problems, pregnant or just plain crazy, she's Mrs Fix It! Favorite memory would have to be our trip to Chicago and her and Nalo's made up song and dances. Can't wait for another trip with all the girls just having good ol' fashion fun, including this wedding. Love you always.

Kristina Gainey  @djohlaKristina here! I'm originally from Columbus Ohio but currently living in Orange County, California. By day I work in the mortgage industry and by night I DJ. Enough about me though; the real reason I'm writing this is to… — Kristina Gainey @djohla
Kristina here! I'm originally from Columbus Ohio but currently living in Orange County, California. By day I work in the mortgage industry and by night I DJ. Enough about me though; the real reason I'm writing this is to tell y'all about my friendship with Ashley. I first met her while participating in the drug-free program Youth to Youth in middle school. Later on while I was a student at The Ohio State University we were reacquainted through our mutual friend Crystal and I haven't been able to get rid of her sarcastic self yet! Ashley is one of the most genuine people I know and always gives good advice. I am ecstatic that she's found Chea and they will be married soon. So... I'm sure they'll live happily ever after.

Tenzin Chambee Alexander @tenzindcAshley and I met in high school and we really began developing our friendship during our senior year. I've always known Ashley to be very inquisitive caring and funny. she has been very supportive and is always list… — Tenzin Chambee Alexander @tenzindc
Ashley and I met in high school and we really began developing our friendship during our senior year. I've always known Ashley to be very inquisitive caring and funny. she has been very supportive and is always listening willing to listen and give her advice. I am so proud of Ashley and her endeavors over the past 5 to 10 years she truly is able to be true to herself at all times and that's one of the things that I really admire about her. I am so happy that Ashley Chea and Amirah are going to make this union official and I'm very excited for their big day.

I was out of town and my bridesmaids who live in my hometown of Columbus Ohio got together for me and had some photos taken. I want to thank the lovely @kendraxmarie for taking the time to take all these beauties photos. and @abbywalters for capturing the black and white behind the scenes pictures.