Have you loved every moment of feeling the sea and the sand between your toes during The Coastal Issue like us? We’ve got even more seaside style for you, with this relaxed, Gold Coast beach engagement of Ashleigh and Alicia.

Captured by Bec Pattinson Photography, the pair first entered each other’s orbit on the dating app Plenty of Fish, sharing “Though we can never agree who messaged first, we can agree the blues NSW Origin jersey in our profile pictures were the reason why. We began talking and before we even met we knew this was something special. Our first date lasted 24 hours watching Harry Potter, talking about family, marriage and children and even having ice cream on the beach at midnight. We knew at that moment we had something special together.”

Even their proposal embraced the sea, Ashleigh and Alicia noting “We knew from the beginning we wanted to marry each other. However, there was a proposal. We went on a two-week P&O cruise on the Pacific Dawn. The staff organised a romantic and private dinner complete with a swan towel. Ashleigh got on one knee and Alicia said yes. It was truly magical.”

The pair recently tied the knot, after, of course, a COVID postponement. They celebrated in beachside style in Surfers Paradise, with their favourite people as witnesses.

The two have many happy stories of their life together to share. “Ashleigh was having a tough time and we decided to go to the RSPCA Wacoal to only look at the cute puppies to cheer Ashleigh up. I’m sure you can see where this is going. We managed to walk through and see every puppy without temptation until we reach the last pen. It said there was a puppy named Poptart.

We couldn’t find Poptart until this little tiny nine-month old staff cross head poked out of her crate. It was love at first sight and we obviously took her home.  Everyone loves her now as Ginny. We now have a no animal rule when Ashleigh is sad because this is how we also ended up with our two Guinea Pigs Alfie and Ronaldo one year later.”

The brides share “We are so close, it’s like we both fell in with our best friend. We lift each other up and make sure the other is supported and safe no matter what. We put each other first and continually show each other how much we love each other. She’s my lobster.”