A familiar eye behind the lens, Ash Muir turns her own wedding into something deeply personal.
Ash Muir is someone we at Together Journal hold close. A longtime friend of the magazine, we have featured many of the weddings she’s photographed and got to know her personally. Sharing her own wedding pictures now feels deeply personal and incredibly special.
As a photographer immersed in weddings, witnessing hundreds unfold, and noticing every rhythm, every possibility, every detail, there is a certain curiosity in what it will feel like to plan your own. For Ash, the experience was layered, as she paired an instinctive understanding of what works with the challenge of stepping outside of expectation and into something that feels entirely your own.
Her work is defined by its original point of view. There is an editorial sharpness to her eye, a refined sense of style and detail that elevates even the quietest moments. Yet it never feels contrived. Instead, her imagery holds a natural ease, balancing fashion-led composition with genuine emotion. It is this distinct perspective that continues to set her apart, and why she is one of the best in the business.
Having photographed so many weddings, did planning your own feel exciting?
I honestly found it quite daunting. I felt a lot of pressure because the weddings I photograph are often so stunning, and I felt there was a lot expected of my day.
Did you have a clear vision from the beginning, or did it take time to define what you wanted?
From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to be away from home and to bring all of our friends and family together for a long weekend. The vision was always a 70s colour palette with vintage-inspired styling and a few quirky details, which is very much my own personal style. I had always loved the idea of alfresco dining too, so that was non-negotiable.
How much did your experience in the industry help when it came to planning, and were there moments made easier or more difficult because of your time in the wedding world?
It helped immensely. I felt like I already had a really good understanding of what makes a wedding work well. Knowing how much time was needed for each aspect of the day was also a huge help.
With such a strong editorial eye, how did you approach the overall look and feel of your day, and what advice would you give to couples beginning their own planning journey?
I took inspiration from our everyday life at home. Our house is styled in a colourful, 70s-inspired way, which made styling the wedding feel both easy and fun. Everything came back to asking, “Would I have this in my own house?” I wanted the day to feel playful, but also serious and sentimental because it is such a significant moment. It was important to create really joyful moments through cocktail hour and dancing, while balancing that with heartfelt speeches and meaningful time spent with loved ones.
What details felt most important for you personally to get right?
The timeline and flow of the day were crucial. You can have the most beautiful wedding aesthetically, but if it does not flow naturally, it can fall flat. I did not want guests left waiting around between key moments. Things moved quickly, but there was still space to slow down and be present.
What worked exactly as you hoped? And did anything not quite go to plan?
It was even better than I had hoped! I did not want to place too much pressure on the day, as I have seen that happen too often and brides end up unable to fully enjoy all they have worked so hard for. I went into it simply wanting everyone to have fun, and everything else felt like a bonus. That said, I did forget my vows, so someone had to fetch them for me mid-ceremony.
Were there any elements you would approach differently if you were to do it all again?
The only thing I would change would be spending more time with our guests. The day passed in such a blur. Even though I had allocated time for it, I wish I had done more rounds of the tables during dinner service. I say this to couples too, but unfortunately I did not quite practise what I preach.
For couples just starting out, where is the best place to begin?
Figure out what matters most to you, rather than focusing on what everyone else is doing. If music is your priority, invest in an amazing musician. If spending quality time with guests matters most, skip the head table and sit among everyone. If you love colour and bold design, do not choose white florals just because they are trending. Work out what feels authentic to you, make a list of your non-negotiables, and build from there.
After the day itself, what moments have stayed with you most deeply?
Walking down the aisle with both my dad and stepdad was incredibly special. My dad is in a wheelchair, so he wheeled me in, and I had dreamed of that moment for years after witnessing so many brides experience it before me. Another unforgettable moment was dancing to Baby Shark with all the girls backstage to hype up my two-year-old before she walked down the aisle. It brought everyone back to reality for a few minutes and reminded me what it was all really about.
What were the best decisions you made during the planning process?
Having an on-the-day coordinator and stylist. We had Steph and Millie from Longfords coordinating everything, and there is no way the day would have run as smoothly without them. You need someone behind the scenes managing timelines and ensuring everything is happening as it should. Too often that responsibility falls to photographers and videographers, which can compromise their own work. We also had Sophie as our stylist, and for me this was essential. The tablescape was such a focal point of the wedding, and I had a fairly chaotic, maximalist vision for it. There is no way I would have expected friends or family to execute that. Stylists are invaluable because bringing a vision to life is exactly what they are there to do.
Now that it is all behind you, how would you describe what the day ultimately felt like?
It felt like a true reflection of who we are, our family, and the life we have built together. It was equal parts fun, chaotic, celebratory, emotional, sentimental and full of love. Aesthetically, it felt as though I had poured my entire creative brain into one day.
For more information, visit ashmuirphotography.com and @ashmuirphoto.
