Ashlee and Andrew

Family tradition played a big part in this Bendigo couple’s special day, after COVID caused some pre-wedding jitters.

Photography by Justin & Jim

After many opportunities to meet in person – living in the same college at university, the same suburb in both Melbourne and Bendigo – it was the internet that finally brought Ashlee and Andrew together. They started dating in 2015. Four years later, on Christmas Day, Andrew popped the question. “We’d exchanged gifts and were preparing to take our dog for a walk,” Ashlee says. “Andrew said that he had one more gift and produced a basketball and asked, ‘what else do you need to go with a basketball?’.” Adds Andrew: “Ashlee answered ‘a ring?’, and there was an engagement ring behind the basketball. After some lovely words, she said yes!” Following family tradition, the couple exchanged vows at Sacred Heart Cathedral. The reception was at Ulumbarra Theatre, with the Bendigo Chinese Association Lion Dance Team introducing the newlyweds to guests with a bang. “Sacred Heart Cathedral is a significant place, with many of Ashlee’s family also being married there, including her parents Kerry and Doug in 1980,” Andrew says. “Her family have been long-time members and volunteers with Bendigo Chinese Association and we were proud to share some of our history with our guests with the lion dance performance.” Their February 20 wedding took place just days after Victoria emerged from a COVID-19enforced snap lockdown, leaving the couple nervous in the lead-up to their big day.

“The five-day circuit breaker lockdown in the week before wasn’t ideal, but we’re so grateful we got to go ahead and feel for any couples that have had their special days postponed or interrupted. Some of our good friends had to change their plans as they couldn’t make it from the Northern Territory.” But it wasn’t the only hiccup for the couple, with Ashlee burning her face in a cooking accident three days before their wedding. Yet it was far from their minds on the day, with the bride looking stunning in her wedding dress from Lover. Renik did Ashlee’s hair and her makeup was by Make Up By Ky. Flowers were from Libertine Florist. The groom wore a classic suit from Peter Anthony Bendigo. They have nothing but praise for all their vendors, and advise other couples to listen to the experts when wedding planning.

“Trust the opinion and recommendations of your vendors; ours didn’t steer us wrong. But also trust your own instincts because at the end of the day, if you’re comfortable and you plan the wedding that you want, you can’t go wrong.” Family featured prominently on the day, including the couple’s labrador Dara, who appeared front and centre in the photos by Justin and Jim. Photos were taken in the cathedral grounds and at the Chinese Gardens. “Having Dara as part of our day and in our photos was special, as was driving Andrew’s Uncle John’s AMG GT around Bendigo. There were many highlights – the lion dance, our first dance, spending time with our bridal party, being surrounded by our loving family and friends, all of it.” To ensure they put their best foot forward on the dance floor, the couple took lessons at Motion Dance Studio, with James Hollands providing the music that kept guests dancing well into the night. For their honeymoon, Ashlee and Andrew, who are “enjoying referring to each other as husband and wife”, spent a week in Harrietville, exploring Mount Buffalo, Bright and surrounds. Back home in Bendigo and reflecting on their wedding, Ashlee says having family and friends together made the day even more special. “We have beautiful memories of just how happy we both were all day. More than anything, being surrounded by all the people that we love and appreciate having in our lives, especially after being separated from most of them for much of the previous year, will last a lifetime.”