Thomas and Ash: A Castle Wedding
Thomas and Ash’s story began in Barbados in 2018, when a chance dinner introduction sparked a connection that would carry them from a Caribbean beach to a New York proposal, and finally to the steps of an English castle. On 21st June 2025, the couple married against a backdrop of lakes and timeless elegance, surrounded by the friends and family who matter most.
Photographer Barker Evans | Location Eastnor Castle, UK
THEODORE Mag: How and when did you meet?
Ash: Barbados, 2018. I was working as a professional dancer on a cruise ship, and Tom was on holiday with a friend. We were introduced at a beachfront dinner by a mutual friend.
THEODORE Mag: Tell us a little about that first time you met…
Tom: I immediately noticed Ash’s long dancer legs, and we hit it off straight away. We ended up extending the night a bit beyond dinner, with dancing and drinks at a nightclub called Harbour Lights.
THEODORE Mag: What was the first thing you noticed about each other?
Ash: I noticed Tom’s charm and his cheeky smile.
Tom: I noticed Ash’s long dancer legs and glowing Caribbean tan!
THEODORE Mag: Tell us about the standout moment or milestone in your relationship…
Ash and Tom: It has to be when we met - how many people say they coincidentally met in Barbados?
THEODORE Mag: What does marriage mean to you?
Ash and Tom: It means always being a part of one another’s ‘team’, supporting one another through thick and thin. Having that everlasting, unbroken bond, and loving one another forever and ever. Finally, being each other’s cheerleader, this is something we both live by.
THEODORE Mag: Who proposed and how?
Ash: Tom proposed in Downtown New York, where we had first said ‘I love you’ to one another. We had our friends from New York join us by surprise, which made it even more special.
THEODORE Mag: When did you get married?
Ash and Tom: 21st June 2025.
THEODORE Mag: What was the main influence behind your wedding day?
Ash and Tom: We wanted the day to feel classic and timeless. A castle and lake backdrop felt the most perfect of settings.
THEODORE Mag: What was the most important thing to you surrounding your wedding?
Ash and Tom: For us, having our friends and family in one place was the key thing. This meant we chose a venue in the UK so our elderly relatives could come, even if it meant risking the weather!
THEODORE Mag: Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?
Ash and Tom: We wanted a feeling of timeless elegance that would look just as classy in 50 years as it did at the time.
THEODORE Mag: How did you choose your suppliers?
Ash and Tom: We owe a lot to our fabulous wedding planner, Jane, from Planned for Perfection, for supporting us in sourcing our suppliers. We probably weren’t the easiest of couples to work with! We didn’t always know exactly what we wanted to begin with; however, we were super clear on our likes and dislikes!
THEODORE Mag: What was the most difficult thing about planning your wedding?
Ash and Tom: Fitting it around our schedules! We both work very busy jobs, and at the time, we were also away a lot. A lot of our planning took place over Zoom in a variety of locations! This is where Jane and all of our suppliers couldn’t have been more accommodating.
THEODORE Mag: Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Ash and Tom: We took a lovely break at a boutique resort in Mykonos. We travel a lot anyway, so it was always going to be difficult to find somewhere that would ‘trump’ anywhere else we’d visited. A short flight to the beautifully sunny Greek island was perfect for us to get some downtime together after the wedding day.
THEODORE Mag: Any advice for other couples planning their day and struggling to navigate the journey?
Ash and Tom: Your wedding day is all about you - so keep it that way! Sometimes, too many opinions or ideas can clutter the process, so keep a tight circle of trusted friends/family if you feel you need support in decision-making.
Thomas and Ashley’s Team
Planner @plannedforperfection
Videographers @thewedding_filmmakers
Photography @barkerevans
Florist @flourishandgrace
Content Creator @weddingluxesocials
Hair @imy_hair
Makeup @fabiosarramakeup
Venue @eastnorcastleweddings @eastnor_castle
Caterers @a2zestevents
Cocktails @justluxurycocktails
Cake @cakedaydreams
Stationery @oliveweddings
Suits @thebespoketailor
Bridesmaids Dresses @prettylavishuk
Pianist @nigelhammondmusic
Harpist @amietruemusic
DJ @johnjonesdj
Production @sceventartists
Sax @catonsax
Bongos @buddmusic
Pyrotechnics @mlepyro
Rings @cartier
Shoes @christianlouboutin
Bag @prada
Photo Booth @madhatphotobooth
Outdoor Furniture @virginiasvintagehire
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