Ashley + Jen Deng

real life wedding inspo

Ashley & Jen Deng

photos Timeless Creations mobile 0402 266 901 email info@timelesscreations.com.au web www.timelesscreations.com.au

When Ashley joined an Olympic Weightlifting gym to gain experience for a contract job she had at the time, she gained much more than she expected from her visit that day.

Brunei born Jen Deng (also known as JD), happened to be head coach at that same gym, and after meeting him, the six weeks Ashley had planned to spend there flew out the door! The spark they felt between them has lasted to this day, along with her lifting. On one particular day, Ashley was working on a photoshoot with photographer, Mark from Timeless Creations. Meanwhile, JD was being dropped off at the shoot location so Ashley wouldn’t recognise his car. While they were in the shoot, Ashley could hear footsteps getting closer. She says she remembers getting slightly annoyed that someone had clearly not seen that they were shooting. She continued posing though, assuming Mark would have stopped shooting if the person was in the shot. Then she turned around, and there was JD with a giant bunch of flowers and a gorgeous ring! Ashley says, “JD collaborated or conspired with Mark leading up to the day of the scheduled shoot, to arrive at the end and drop to one knee. Together the two scoped out the perfect location for the moment, down to choosing the direction of the shot based on shadows expected at that time in the afternoon.” She remembers how a week earlier, Mark had mentioned to her that he would like to do some extra shots in a specific location – and to bring a dress to the shoot. At the time, she didn’t think anything of it as she was used to modelling on various creative projects.

JD proposed in 2020 during the height of COVID, so they gave themselves some extra planning time as a buffer, hoping that things might get better and JD’s family from overseas would be able to join them. As the day drew closer, unfortunately COVID restrictions meant that most of JD’s family were unable to fly into Australia. So Ashley and JD went to them instead – virtually! “For JD’s Chinese heritage, we did a virtual Chinese wedding tea ceremony”, she says. There was also a surprise Chinese Lion dance performance as part of their reception entrance and before their wedding, they also enlisted the help of zoom to hold a praying ceremony to JD’s family ancestors. Both wanted their wedding to have as many elements as possible from both JD’s culture and Ashley’s to make it the luckiest wedding in two cultures. Ashley adhered to tradition and wore something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue; she even had a silver sixpence in her shoe! They spent the night before apart, and where possible they included the Chinese character for ‘double happiness’ in decorations, on guest favours, on the favour bags, on their wedding cake topper, on their invitations, on their wedding signage, and even engraved on the inside of JD’s wedding ring.

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“We paid the most attention to choosing our photographer and videographer” she says, “as we wanted the biggest day of our lives captured in the most perfect way, and so we could look back at our amazing photos and always watch our wedding video like our favourite movie of all time!” They chose Mark and Adrian from Timeless Creations, who they say were fantastic. “They went above and beyond to capture every moment” she remarks, adding, “they were open to all our ideas, and their professionalism and sense of humour made it an absolute dream. Our wedding photos speak for themselves.” Rather than having an engagement party before their wedding, Ashley and JD had a year anniversary lunch at Pialligo Estate with local family and the best man. It was a great way to find out more about the venue as they drove them around in one of their buggies to showcase the ceremony and photography locations. Ashley says their reception was perfect. “If there’s somewhere that knows how to do weddings, and make you feel special, it’s Pialligo Estate”. Their guests loved it too! After their ‘western ceremony’, Ashley and JD held a Chinese tea ceremony with their family. As receiving the tea is a way of giving blessing, she says, “we also gave all guests a serve of the chrysanthemum tea blend that we used in our family tea ceremony to extend this tea ceremony to everyone at our wedding”.

Ashley and JD were relieved that they nailed the big ‘wow’ elements of their first dance at their reception, and she says, “We had an absolute blast with the International Dance Studio, neither of us dance, but we picked it up for a convincing first dance thanks to them!” After an incredible day, Ashley and JD spent their first night at Hotel Realm. They then went to Fiji for their honeymoon which they say was the most friendly, happy and beautiful place they’ve ever been! “We split our time in Fiji over two resorts and can’t recommend enough Likuliku resort on Malolo Island.”

Ashley’s wedding advice: “Delegate and make sure you have a moment to sit back and enjoy your day!” “We both felt like we were hosting the event, not necessarily enjoying the event. While it was an incredible day, we ran out of time to get to everything, and to speak to everyone. I would delegate more or have a dedicated person to answer all of the questions and direct the events, so we could have more time to enjoy the event that was all about us!” “We’ve been married for over 8 months now, and we love looking back on our wedding and the beautiful memories we have with all our friends and family. As we have settled into married life, we have also started growing our family with our 7 month old fur child, a blue merle Australian Shepherd called Kobe!”

Wedding Date: 13th March 2022 • Number of Guests: 100 invited, 90 on the day due to COVID • Photographer: Timeless Creations (Mark & Adrian) • Gown: Bella Notte Bridal (Lora Eliss gown) • Bridesmaid Dresses: Les Demoiselle by Jadore • Rings: Mazzucheli’s (bride), Solitaire (groom) • Accessories: The White Collection (bride’s accessories & shoes), Peggy and Finn (groom & groomsmen’s ties & socks) • Hair: Infinite Hairstyling (Maryana) • Makeup: Makeup by Jacklyne Leigh • Grooms Suit: MJ Bale • Groomsmen’s Suits: MJ Bale • Ceremony: Pialligo Estate Olive Grove • Wedding Coordinator: Pialligo Estate (Emily & Wayne) • Celebrant: Julie Rattenbury • Reception: Pialligo Estate Glasshouse • Entertainment: Chicago Charles • Florist: Lily of the Valley • Cake: The Dessert Jar • Bomboniere: Personalised Favours (plus personalised champagne glasses for bridesmaids & whiskey glasses for groomsmen) • Unique Extras: Lion dance performance by Canberra Prosperous Mountain Dragon and Lion Dance • Wedding Song: Ed Sheeran ‘Perfect’ performed by Chicago Charles, choreographed by the International Dance Studio