[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]vintage blush, ivory, gold accents[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Romantic, elegant, very magical and whimsical.
Our bride Ashley has an amazing survival story – please see details in Special Detail #1.
Planning this wedding for Ashley meant a world to her mom Dianne. She stated: it was time together that meant the world to me. As her mom, there were times in Ashley’s life when I didn’t know if we would get to that day. So, for her wedding day to come and to plan this wedding with her was everything I could’ve ever possibly imagined and dreamed of for my little girl.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Ashley and Trevor’s engagement was a beautiful time. Trevor wanted it to be quiet and not in the public eye. He’d always said he wanted to propose to Ashley before her 30th birthday. So Trevor started planning his proposal for January 2, 2023, at our family home in Phoenix, Arizona. He wanted it to be in the backyard under all the palm trees and beside the pool, with our family and puppies by our side. Their puppy, Koda, was the main part of the engagement. Trevor had purchased a tuxedo collar for Koda, and on that collar was a beautiful clip that held her engagement ring.
Ashley was taken out for lunch that day by her stepdad, and little did she know what was awaiting her at our home. Trevor had Koda set up and ready to go. The photographer set up the most beautiful pink roses, as they are Ashley’s favorite color, along with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, awaiting her arrival. As Ashley returned from lunch, she was guided to the backyard. When she walked through, Koda ran to her with Trevor right behind him. He picked Koda up, brought him to Ashley, and looked at Koda, asking, “What is that? You want mommy to marry daddy?” And the tears began. The moment that Ashley had been waiting for so long was finally there, and she said yes to the love of her life![/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Wedding gown, Gali Lahav, Los Angeles, California.
The journey of her dress was quite wonderful. Ashley had a vision of a gown. She originally wanted a ball gown with floating lace down the arms and a blush color. So, as her mom and wedding planner, I got on the phone and started researching exactly what she wanted. It took several months of talking to many different bridal stores. I wanted to take Ashley somewhere special so we could experience it together. This wasn’t just at home, after all, this was the most special time for us. When I called Galia Lahav, I told them about her vision. They were absolutely amazing. They sent photos of dresses, and Ashley was thrilled and extremely excited to go and try them on.
When we booked our first trip, several of her bridesmaids came, along with myself and the mother of the groom. It was an absolutely wonderful trip. She found her dress on that trip, but little did she know she ended up with a style that was different from what she had dreamt about. While we were in Galia Lahav, she was trying gowns on, and there was a gown hanging on the rack. I kept looking over at it. I’d walk over, hold it up, and put it back on the rack. I did that three times. Finally, I held it up, looked at Ashley, and said, “Sweetheart, what about this one?” She looked at it and said, “Oh my God, Mom, it’s beautiful. I’d love to try it on.”
When she came out of that fitting room, we all had tears in our eyes. We knew it was the one. It was different from what she thought she wanted, but in the end, it was the most perfect gown for her in every way possible. It made her feel like the princess that she is. I’ll never forget that journey. We had to go back two more times for fittings, but it was time together that meant the world to me. As her mom, there were times in Ashley’s life when I didn’t know if we would get to that day. So, for her wedding day to come and to plan this wedding with her was everything I could’ve ever possibly imagined and dreamed of for my little girl.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Azazie Canada, beaded custom belts was from Etsy.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Custom suits… Endochino West Edmonton Mall Edmonton Alberta. [/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Ashley, Trevor and Koda each picked a drink as their signature drink and they featured a hand painted picture of Koda on the drink menu, the drink stir sticks, as wells as the napkins.
The ingredients were locally sourced for a delicious farm to table style dinner.
A super cute 3-inch individual mini cake with a pink rose on top was prepared as dessert for each guest.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]We wanted the florals and decor to be magical, whimsical, and airy. Ashley’s favorite color was blush, so her mom wanted to incorporate that with ivory and minimal greenery. For the decor, she had many custom details made through Etsy, including puppy napkins of Koda, a custom puppy cake topper of Koda, and drink skewers featuring their puppy Koda. It was very important to incorporate Ashley and Trevor’s puppy since he was such a big part of their engagement but unfortunately couldn’t attend the wedding in Hawaii. He is very special to them, so having him incorporated into the wedding will be forever remembered.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The wedding cake was featuring their puppy Koda as the cake topper… stealing the first bite of the cake![/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]The groom and his parents walked down the aisle to “Marry Me”. The bridesmaids walked down the aisle to “Cannon in D”. Ashley, the bride walked down to “I Get to Love You”.
Ashley chose “Hero” for her dance with Dr Aronyk, who saved her life over and over again. The words are so perfect. They’re so fitting and from the moment she heard that song she always said that was her song to Dr Aronyk.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]A very touching story written by Ashley’s mom Dianne who planned most of this amazing wedding. Sorry it’s long, but it’s so special!
Ashley was born a healthy baby, but when she was about 14 months old, we noticed she was very ill. She was unable to keep food down and couldn’t use her right arm and leg. We took her to the hospital, where they performed several tests and an MRI. It showed that Ashley had a tumor in her brain, or so we thought. We were then introduced to Dr. Keith Aronyk, who took over Ashley’s medical care from that moment on. We had no idea what we were facing, but we knew Ashley was dying. She was rushed to emergency surgery, where Dr. Aronyk performed a 12-hour brain surgery, not knowing if he was dealing with a tumor, an aneurysm, or cancer.
After the surgery, Dr. Aronyk explained Ashley’s medical condition to us. Although there was much uncertainty about her future, he was confident that he and his medical team had done their best. Ashley was diagnosed with a cavernous malformation on her brainstem. She had a contained cavity filled with millions of little blood vessels that kept breaking and filling the cavity, putting pressure on her brain and causing paralysis. At the time, Ashley had a 25% chance of survival, but she made it. She, God, and Dr. Aronyk had other plans for her future.
From that surgery on, Ashley grew into a healthy, active young girl. We had MRIs every month, then every three months, then every year for almost 10 years as her medical condition was closely monitored. When Ashley was 12 years old, we noticed she was starting to drop things, become clumsy, and her left eye was starting to close. We immediately took her to Dr. Aronyk, and once again, Ashley was hemorrhaging in her brain, just like when she was 14 months old. They had to go back into surgery, which would take another 12 to 14 hours. They said she would probably be in a 3 to 6-week coma.
After the surgery, Ashley survived but was paralyzed on her right side. She had to learn how to walk and talk all over again at 12 years old. It was very difficult for her at school. She spent her school year at the Glen Rose Rehabilitation Hospital learning how to walk and talk again. Ashley was recovering well, but eight months later, we noticed another change. We took her immediately to Dr. Aronyk, and once again, she was hemorrhaging. We had to cancel a planned family vacation to Hawaii because she needed her third brain surgery. The surgeons thought she would never walk again and would live in a wheelchair.
I can’t begin to tell you how hard this was for her and for us as a family. It was incredibly difficult, but through every moment, Ashley never lost her hope or strength. She knew she would get through it and helped us get through it too. Another 14-hour surgery was performed, and once again, Ashley had to learn how to walk and talk. The brain does not fully recover after three surgeries, but she was determined. Things were different, and accepting that was the hardest part for her and for us. But she was alive, and that’s all that mattered to us.
Ashley never regained full use of her right side, but she can walk, talk, and drive a car with modifications. She continued with her MRIs and medical appointments. Life was difficult, especially dating. Many people have a hard time accepting those with disabilities. It was not an easy time for Ashley for many years. She needed to be okay with who she was and to love herself. As time went by, she became stronger and accepted her life and all the blessings she and we had been given.
One day, she told us she was going on a date. She met Trevor through a dating website. I was worried and scared, as a mom should be, but Ashley needed to be Ashley. After meeting Trevor, she came home and said, “I’ve never met anybody like him. I truly believe he’s the one.” As their time together grew, and their love story began, I was so grateful and blessed to see my daughter loved by someone as wonderful as Trevor, so accepting, and so encouraging.
I also wanted to let you know that Dr. Aronyk has been a part of our family since the day he met Ashley at 14 months old. When Ashley graduated from high school, Dr. Aronyk was there to walk her across the stage. We have always kept him updated on her milestones. When he retired, Ashley was one of the first patients to speak about her journey with him. When Ashley and Trevor set the date for their wedding, Dr. Aronyk and his beautiful wife, Rebecca, were included in that special day. Without him, she wouldn’t be here, and that special day would never have happened.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Words from their Maui wedding planner, Laurie Terry, who is very special to the bride’s family:
I had the privilege of meeting Dianne and Denis Dale in 2002 while planning their beautiful Maui wedding. This was the first time I met Dianne’s beautiful 9-year-old daughter, Ashley, who was so bubbly and full of life.
Dianne and Denis returned a few years later for a simple beach vow renewal. Not long after, Ashley had her second brain surgery (the first was when she was 14 months old). Ashley was determined this would not hold her back from anything she wanted to do. Yet, a year later, she needed her third brain surgery. She was told she would not walk or talk again. Devastating news for a 13-year-old active in sports, dance, and life! With the support of her very loving family, friends, and medical team, Ashley was determined she would, in fact, run, talk, and live life to the fullest. Dianne and Denis returned again to Maui for a grand 20-year vow renewal in 2022.
Then, on June 4, 2024, we had the honor of watching beautiful Ashley walk down the aisle at her own wedding, escorted by her dads, Denis and Rob. Ashley and Trevor’s wedding ceremony was officiated by her “Uncle” Al Terry, who had performed all three of her parents’ celebrations. There were happy tears shed by everyone throughout this entire day. One of the most memorable moments was witnessing Ashley dance to “Hero” with Dr. Keith Aronyk, the incredible neurosurgeon who saved Ashley’s life three times. Now part of the family, he traveled to see this very special young woman get married.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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Photography: MeewMeew Studios | Videography: Brady House Studios | Event Planning: Makena Weddings | Floral Design: Bella Bloom Floral Boutique | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Cake: Sweet On Maui | Ceremony Venue: Olowalu Plantation House | Reception Venue: Olowalu Plantation House | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Azazie | Catering: Cafe O'Lei | Calligraphy: Miss B Calligraphy | DJ: Maui DJ Services | Bars: Aloha Bars Maui | Beauty: Maui Makeup Artistry | Beauty: Amelia Hair and Makeup | Bridal Concierge: Maui Wedding Gown Pressing | Content Creator: Maui Social Media BT | Minister: Reverend Al Terry | Musician: Jamie Lawrence | Rentals: Set Maui | Rentals: Reve Maui | Rentals: Artisan Events | Rentals: Rio Event Design | Rentals: Manzano Entertainment | Rentals: Signature Boutique Event Rentals | Rentals: Winters Events