Ashlinn + Todd by Sam Foat Photography - Together Journal

To celebrate 10 years since they first met, Ashlin and Todd legally said “I do” at the registry’s office in Melbourne last August 4th 2021. After a painstaking 8 months of secret-keeping for the small few involved, they held another country wedding on their family farm in Gippsland in front of 121 guests.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
AM- I am an Oral Health Therapist and Lecturer and Todd is a Real Estate Agent. Two very different careers but it means over dinner, we always have things from our day to chat about because each is so different to the other! We are obsessed with our 2 year old English Cocker Spaniel Sam. We love making plans so have always got our calendars open booking holidays, camping, hiking, visits to friends, dinners and events. You would think with that, wedding planning would be a dream for such a duo!

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
AM- We first met at Perseverance which is a bar on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. This was back in 2011 when I was in University and Todd was starting out in Real Estate. During Thursday night, Uni night, I noticed Todd as I felt someone’s gaze on me from the dance floor. When I locked eyes with him though he didn’t look away and pretend not to be looking, he just gave me his cheeky smile that lights up his whole face. From there we ended up dancing and talking to each other with a kiss and an exchange of number ending the night. We saw each other over a few months before I moved to Geelong for my first job after University. We never really lost touch however, running into each other at random places like Cookie or the Australian Open and sending messages here and there. Finally, when I went to buy my first apartment I messaged him asking for his professional advice and as we like to say, he never left!

TL- Expanding Ashlinn’s answer, I remember when I asked for Ash’s number being a little nervous if she would reply or not, I was a little too keen and messaged about 10 minutes after leaving Perseverance. Ash always gave the right amount of resistance to keep me guessing!

Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
AM- We love walking and during covid when we were able, we had been chipping away at the Gippsland Rail Trail which is where I grew up and my family still live. We had 1 last section to go so on April 2nd, 2021 we drove down early from Melbourne to see the sunrise and start the walk from Traralgon to Cowwarr. I could tell something was up because he wouldn’t let me inside the backpack which had all the snacks (and more it seemed) and he was being really quiet which is very unlike him. The day was unusually warm for April and as the heat reached its peak he decided in the middle of an empty path to drop to one knee. He was very sweet, having carted not only the ring he designed which was perfect but a framed picture and a polaroid camera to capture it all. Being the Easter Weekend we then got to go back to my family’s house and let them all know and celebrate the whole weekend.

Day in the Country

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding…
AM- We wanted a timeless and classically romantic look for our wedding – with greens, whites, blacks and toffees, I envisioned a day where I would look back at photos and nothing would age. As the first big wedding for many of our guests since covid, we wanted everyone to be relaxed and catered for, leaving only laughing and fun times to be had!

What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
AM- We knew that with 130 people and a blank canvas of a ceremony and reception venue we were going to need help to bring it to life. We were so happy to splurge on a wedding planner/stylist and the styling elements to help us do this. And we would do it all again. Not only did Claire create what we wanted, she helped navigate the wedding planning process!

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
AM- The weather. It was raining heavily the entire day until about 30 minutes before our ceremony. It was the only part of the day I was stressed about and the only thing I could’t control! Luckily it stayed away until just before the reception began and the rest was luckily inside. They say it is goodluck of course! Todd of course was not worried all!

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
AM- I found my dress in the 2nd boutique I visited with my mother and my mother in-law. I knew they would be honest in their opinion and were the only ones I needed to bring with me! Luci Di Bella’s gowns were a breath of fresh air. I loved 2 dresses from her designs and they felt beautiful on, not like a scuba outfit! After returning for a 2nd fitting I made the choice after thinking about 1 particular dress since I left. I couldn’t get it out of my head so knew it was the one. Made from scratch to fit you perfectly, I enjoyed the entire process and being able to put my own spin on the dress like a sheer back and different neckline.

TL- One of my best mates is a tailor so it was an easy choice! Not only does he have a display room right in the city but he comes to you as well for measure ups, adjustments etc. He knew what I wanted as soon as I said ‘classic’ and we went from there.