A S H L E E & M A R K
Ashlee and Mark enjoyed a vintage glam wedding with a European flair set in the Margaret River.
A great romance…
The story of Ashlee & Mark’s relationship began like many modern day relationships, in a bar “we met at The Print Hall in Perth on a Friday after work” .
Mark says he knew straight away that Ashlee was the one, but “ I took a little while longer. We spoke briefly on the night we met and after Mark discovered I was in a relationship he decided to try another route,” she says.
“I run a social media management consultancy and Mark decided if he couldn’t date me, he’d hire me. About 6 months later he discovered I was single and decided he’d try again. This time with a little more luck”, Ashlee says.
Beyonce style…
The couple engaged after only 6 months of dating, “Mark chartered a plane (yes Beyonce style) and flew me to one of our favourite restaurants in Margaret River. We arrived to Leeuwin Winery for lunch.
The theme of his proposal was “yes”, so he had stickers made that were randomly placed around the plane (I thought it was sponsored by Optus), our glasses at lunch were etched with “yes” and when he was ready to ask the big question, he took me out onto the balcony were there was a giant YES on the lawn and another plane flew over with a banner saying ‘Ashlee Jayne, I love you. Will you marry me?’, he knelt down on one knee and asked me to marry him with the most stunning engagement ring he had designed with a friend of our Rohan Jewellery. I said yes. Then we then flew home and started 3 years of wedding planning”.
The finer things and the rawness of life…
Fondly coining herself as a “hippy in heels” Ashlee wanted Mark and her wedding to be vintage glam, both appreciating the finer things and the rawness of life.
“We wanted a lot of natural wood, fresh white and green florals with splashes of crystal and gold. When we started planning our wedding we had planned to marry in Italy, and then our daughter arrived and plans changed a little. So on the big day we tried to bring a little bit of Italy and Europe to Margaret River”.
Europe in the Margaret River…
The couple wed under a giant tree at Aramia Estate Winery down South and the wedding reflected the parts of Europe that they loved when travelling together.
“Guests arrived to the reception venue for an Italian lawn with lace umbrellas, fedora hats and a 3 metre long antipasto table.
French Champagne, Chianti and Limoncello were all on the on the menu and we chose a millefoglie for our wedding cake (made live in front of our guests). I also included a bread trolley with 10 different kinds of bread and several butters for guests to choose from (something that my now-husband obsessed over during our visit to Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris in Monaco)”.
And celebrated their reception at Meneghello Estate in Carabunup, Margaret River Region.
The festival of Mark & Ash…
The couple enjoyed a whole weekend of celebrations with friends of the couple coining the weekend as the festival of Mark and Ash.
“We married on a Sunday so had a night of welcome drinks on the Friday in Eagle Bay and a wine, cheese and chocolate tour on the Saturday”.
Steven Khalil style…
Both Mark and Ashlee had 2 groomsmen and 2 bridesmaids each. The bridesmaids, Ashlee’s sister and best friend wore Shona Joy, whilst Mark’s best friend and his business partner both wore Calibre suits, as did the groom.
Ashlee’s gown was months in the making, “It was a custom Steven Khalil dress and veil. I flew to Sydney to meet Steven and knew that he was the one to design my dream dress. I wanted something timeless and stunning, I choose a mushroom under colour to make the stunning french lace a feature of the dress. After 6 trips to Sydney it was ready.
Ashlee chose roses and peonies for the bouquets, as to compliment the dress and not detract from it.
“My florist also included a blue ribbon around the base of the bouquet to be the “something Blue” she says.
A Prosecco, Rose and Vino feast…
Mark and Ashlee’s reception venue styling emulated their “Europe in Margaret River” theme.
“We were in a crystal clear marquee under large trees on the top of a hill in Margaret River. We wanted guests to be warm without feeling like they were in a tent so a clear marquee was ideal”, Ashlee says.
“Whilst we were having photos, guests arrived to an Italian lawn feast with 3-metre-long antipasto table, prosecco, rose and vino. Guests were offered white lace umbrellas and fedora hats and my cousin was generous enough to playing acoustically for us during this part of the day”.
Guests greeted the married couple on the dance floor to the song “signed, sealed, delivered” as they made their way to the bridal table.
“The long oak tables were full of white and green bouquets, hundreds of candles and above handing flowers and four Crystal Cognac Chandeliers. Cutlery was gold and name cards were wrapped around olive springs. In the corner of the room was the bread trolley that later converted into an after-dinner drinks cart with a selection of lemoncello, port or café patron”.
The couple enjoyed a silver service bread trolley – Yallingup Wood-fired bread loaf selection
Entrée – A la carte
Roast pumpkin and ricotta ravioli, sage beurre noisette or
Blue Swimmer crab tortellini, sauce vierge
Main Course – Shared Plates
Slow roasted MSA grass-fed striploin beef, grilled red peppers
Chimichurri Sage & Lemon marinated chicken breast,
Macadamia nut pesto Grilled Kimberley “Cone Bay” Barramundi, caponata, citrus oil
Sides
Quinoa, baby chard & roast vegetable salad
lemon & olive oil dressing Grilled seasonal green pangratatto
Salt roasted new potatoes
Dessert
Cheese Boards
Gold Jewellery Boxes full of Chocolate (Baci, Ferrero Rocher’s and Lindt Balls)
And Millefoglie wedding cake
Fedorable…
The ladies left with a bunch of flowers each to take home and each gentleman received a fedora hat for his bonbonniere.
Food Fight…
One of Ashlee’s highlights of her night was the dessert turning into a food fight as the night wore on, “The millefoglie dessert was made live in front of guests and the night ended in a food fight making the dance floor extremely slippery and provided further entertainment”
Travelling the world and world domination…
The couple’s put their honeymoon on hold, as Ashlee is still breastfeeding but have big plans for the future.
“World domination? We plan on travelling more of this world, taking our daughter to all the places we love in Europe. Continuing to succeed in business and make a positive difference in the world,” she says.
Words of wisdom…
How to enjoy the engagement: “Be in love and engaged for as long as you choose to be. Plan the wedding when it feels right. Oh and live and travel together before you get married. This is the true test of how a marriage will go”
Planning: “If you know what you want then do it yourself. Meet with suppliers before choosing and select people you connect with and that understand what you want. Create a mood board before you meet with a florist or wedding stylist”
Wedding day: “Sit back and enjoy, your hard work is done and EAT THE BREAD!”
Photography: James Simmons Photography / Videography: Limbo Images / Ceremony: Arimia Winery / Reception: Meneghello Estate / Celebrant: Lou Mazzulla Celebrant /Dress: Custom Steven Khalil / Makeup: Hendra Widjaja / Hair: Origin Hair & Body / Jewellery: Rohan Jewellery/ Flowers: La’Myrtle Style House/ Marquee & Setup: Bling Event Studio / Suits: Calibre / Bridesmaids: Shona Joy/ Music: Danni Stefanetti , Midnight Soul and Locksmith Photography & Dj/ Catering: Supper Road/ Cake: Edible Art/ Bread Trolley: Yallingup Event Hire / Long Tables: The Zest Group WA