The Beginning…
Mark and Ashlie grew up thousands of miles apart. Ashlie, from Toronto, Canada, studied interior design at George Brown College and she is presently employed by the Toronto Public Library as a public service assistant. Originating from Leicester, England, Mark earned a degree in sports science from Coventry University and now is a police officer.
TheMeeting…
Unknown to one another, both Ashlie and Mark had been traveling to Barbados to spend the Christmas holiday since they were young.Many years later, during an annual trip, they met. On Christmas Eve, Ashlie and her brother headed to Harbor Lights where Ashlie noticedMark. “He was standing not far from me, so I approached him,” she says.The couple had an instant connection leading them to spend most of the night talking under the stars. For the next two weeks Mark and Ashlie planned to meet almost every day and night since they had such a connection.
The Proposal…
Four years after they meet, Mark proposed to Ashlie while once again vacationing in Barbados for the Christmas holiday. “It was a typical day in paradise with the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky,” Ashlie remembers. Mark suggested the pair take a walk on the beach to enjoy the beautiful weather. “Out of the blue, he got down on one knee and proposed,” Ashlie says. “He was so nervous that he forgot that it was his job to place the ring on my finger!” Later that evening, Mark surprised his new fiancée with dinner at her favorite restaurant, Zen, where he had arranged for a bottle of champagne to be waiting and for the waitress to present Ashlie with a dozen roses.
Wedding Destination
For their destination wedding ceremony, Ashlie and Mark chose St. Thomas church in Barbados. The couple chose Barbados for the wedding because of its central location for both families. Plus, Ashlie says,“Mark and I have been traveling to Barbados since we were kids. It’s a home away from home for us!” The couple stayed at the Hilton Barbados.
And the Bride and Groom wore…
Ashlie wore an elegant wedding gown in raw silk by Benjamin Roberts. The pale gold colour dress was designed in a mermaid style with a long train and an intricate bodice of encrusted Swarovski crystals and ruching. The groom sported a handsome, traditional English suit with a contrasting waist coat and a raw silk pale gold cravat that matched the bride’s wedding dress.
Bridal Party…
Maid of Honour: Steffe D’Ornellas
Bridesmaids: Natasha Smith, Candice Parman and,Kendra Smith-Allan
BestMan: Paul Kainth
Groomsmen: Graham Reid, Sanjay Kainth, Sacha Smith
Flower Girls:Anika Rattan, Manisha
Unique Wedding features…
To celebrate Mark’s Punjabi heritage, the couple began their celebration the evening before the wedding with a traditional Indian ceremony. Mark and Ashlie were pleasantly surprised to have forty guests travel for their destination event. “We were anticipating only immediate family, but were delighted by the number of extended family and friends who wanted to attend. It was a two week celebration of fun in the sun!” Ashlie says.
Advice from the heart: a parting word from the bride…
In planning your wedding “You will have many obstacles along the way,” Ashlie says. “But it will all be worth it in the end! Good Luck!”
Congratulations Ashlie and Mark!