Eight years later, the couple were holidaying in America when Greg chose their scenic surroundings as the perfect location to pop the question.
"We were driving from Seattle to LA," reminisces Ashleigh. "We stopped at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State and went for a trek in the woods. At the end of the walk is a massive cedar tree and once we got there he said he had to tie his shoelace and surprised me by bringing out a ring and asking me to marry him. It was his nan's engagement ring, so was very sentimental. It was the perfect place as I love nature, especially trees and the American wilderness."
The scenery inspired the aesthetic for their wedding at stunning rural retreat Trevenna, with the couple opting for a striking palette of autumnal colours and lots of green foliage.
"I love fall in America, so there were a lot of pumpkins, squashes and food to match; that was the main inspiration for our wedding," says Ashleigh.
Playing on the American theme, Krispy Kreme donuts became a statement feature, along with traditional candy corn. "They added a great look and most people hadn't heard of them before so it was something fun for people to try. I also made pumpkin pies and candy apples because I wanted more of a Thanksgiving sweet table and stuff you wouldn't normally see at a wedding!"
On the morning of the wedding, the couple broke with custom in another way by spending some relaxed downtime together ahead of the ceremony. "Sharing breakfast with my future husband on our own was a nice touch. It was lovely to have some quality time before the busy day," says Ashleigh.
Post-ceremony celebration drinks helped set the party tone, and when the newly-weds headed off for photos, guests were entertained by carnival games and a bongo workshop. "The bongo workshop was surprisingly popular and everyone had great fun, as it was unique. Everyone got involved and bonded over it."
A barbecue feast of apricot chicken, trio of sausage, vegetable kebabs, breads, vegetable side dishes, new potatoes, and trio of desserts - passion fruit tart, chocolate mousse, and lime and mandarin cheesecake - provided the lip-smacking belly fill.
"It was only in the last few weeks that I got a bit overwhelmed," admits Ashleigh of the trials of the planning process. "But I did decide to move house one week before the wedding!" she laughs.
"I'm a very organised person so it was easy for me to plan the wedding. I had the photographer, florist, make-up and hair booked 13 months in advance. It never hurts to do things as soon as possible," she says. "Write everything down or get a wedding planner app."
Photography Clare Kinchin Photography clarekinchinphotography.co.uk
Venue Trevenna trevenna.co.uk
Bridal outfit top Catherine Deane catherinedeane.co.uk skirt Charlotte Balbier charlottebalbier.com
Groom's outfit shirt Pendleton pendletonwoolenmills.co.uk waistcoat John Lewis johnlewis.co.uk chinos Carhartt carhartt-wip.com
Hair Hair by Emma C hairbyemmac.net
Make-up Amy Potter amypottermua.com
Flowers Twigs & Greens twigsandgreens.co.uk
Games Stargazey Wedding Decor Hire stargazeyweddingdecorhire.co.uk
Entertainment DJ Alex Darling
Copyright Wed magazine 2019
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