Tacos, travel and time brought Chad and Ashley together. Several months after meeting, they found themselves spending more and more time together. She was drawn to his laughter and laid-back yet vivacious spirit and he to her drive, positivity and charming personality. Though neither were willing to admit it at first, a relationship formed as more time passed.
Their shared passion for good food, adventurous travels, white sand, live music and relaxing spa days has brought many unforgettable memories. Ashley and Chad have explored many corners of the world together — from Elba Island to Auckland, Anguilla, Budapest, Vienna, Paris, Monaco, Quebec City, and more. With their fast-paced lifestyle, they always look for ways to incorporate moments of joy between the hard work and on-the-go schedules.
The two reside in Columbia, S.C. where both have built exciting careers with an expansive network of colleagues and friends, many of whom have become family. Their cat, Jupiter, is the queen of the house. In a non-COVID world, they keep a busy schedule from events at the Columbia Museum of Art, bouncing between live music shows, dining at local restaurants, enjoying the ballet and savoring their outdoor home space with plenty of poolside breaks.
In September 2019, five years into their relationship, Chad’s plans to propose in Charleston, S.C. were halted by Hurricane Dorian. Over a late dinner at Lula Drake, they decided to instead book a last-minute flight to New York City. They went home, packed and were on a plane the next morning. Chad was able to snag a room at The Plaza Hotel, a place they had visited on their first shared visit to NYC and always dreamed of staying.
Upon arrival, Ashley asked for a picture in front of the revolving door, but Chad declined because the doors were quite active with guests. Dismayed for half a second, they continued into the lobby where the lavish setting immediately took over any chagrin. Saturday was spent watching Gamecock football at the Mason Jar, bouncing around rooftops, strolling through Central Park and a quick bite at a hole-in-the-wall pizza joint.
That evening they enjoyed a multi-course meal at Gramercy Tavern before calling it a night. Chad recommended a nightcap at The Palace Hotel (the first place they stayed in NYC) — at that moment, Ashley had a glimmer of hope that there was an impending proposal, but alas, the bar had already shut its doors so they headed back.
But before heading up, Chad paused for a photo in front of the Plaza’s steps, to Ashley’s delight (who is always ready to capture a moment with photos). There he sneakily asked the doorman to record a video as he got down on one knee and popped the question. At 1 AM with a jackhammer humming in the background but no crowds (save for the two sweet doormen), Ashley paused in shock before realizing that this was the moment when she was supposed to say yes! She finally got her wits about her with an enthusiastic "yes!" followed by cheers from the doorman. It was not as planned, but it was very Chad, very Ashley and still feels like a dream.
Ashley Cady is a brand and communications strategist at Flock and Rally, Integrated Communications & Marketing who specializes in content strategy, public relations, brand stewardship and relationship management. Originally from Aiken, SC, she is an avid content creator with a focus on brand storytelling, with an eye toward staying on top of ever-changing best practices. Her work spans sectors from tourism and lifestyle to nonprofit, business and economic development.
A UofSC alumna, Ashley serves on the executive committee of the board of Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) and on the executive committee of the board of the Contemporaries of the Columbia Museum of Art. She also sits on the advisory committee for the Columbia Food and Wine Festival and is a member of Historic Columbia.
A recovering perfectionist, her to-do list is never-ending and she dives into her passions with her fullest capability. In her free time, Ashley enjoys staying active at various local studios — from barre to yoga, pilates and occasionally the adult gymnastics class. She's always looking forward to the next big adventure. COVID-19 has certainly put a halt on her social calendar, but you'll still find her supporting local businesses and the arts in any way she can.
Originally from John’s Island, S.C., Chad Elsey is managing partner at Cantina 76, a Mexican-inspired taqueria and bar with five locations across the state. Chad has lived in Los Angeles and Atlanta, and he came to the restaurant business from a career in pharmaceutical sales and mortgage banking. Chad has a degree in finance from the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.
He serves on the board of the Main Street District and sits on the hospitality tax committee. He is also a member of the Contemporaries of the Columbia Museum of Art and Historic Columbia.
Chad's supportive family and many lifelong friends have been a very important part of his life. He enjoys traveling, exploring local restaurants and nightlife, hitting the beach and spoiling Jupiter (Ashley & Chad's cat). During the pandemic, Chad has upped his golf game and joined The Woodcreek Club. He's usually in charge of making restaurant reservations or booking hotels for travel because he's a master at decoding reviews and finding the hottest spots. Chad will always find ways to bring laughter and keep spirits high.