Ash and Jana

Sitting at the office in April 2016, Lynette Maguire MWW Founder, opened an email inquiry through one of her companies, Elope to Australia.

Good morning!

I’d love to get some more info on your elopement packages!

My fiancé Ash and I have been together for almost 8 years. Ash was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer which has prompted us to finally tie the knot! We did wish to have one guest join us, my best friend who also introduced Ash and I.

Due to our situation, we would like to be married very soon and was wondering if you have any availability on the 12th of June 2016?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Jana and Ash

To which Lynette replied:

Hello Jana and Ash

Oh, I’m so very sorry to hear of your situation. But, yes, we can help you! You’ve certainly emailed the right person, because I also run My Wedding Wish a foundation that gifts weddings to couples battling terminal illness. Check out the website! There’s an application process and medical proof of Ash’s condition will be required, and as soon as that is done, I can try to pull together a gorgeous ceremony for you, at no cost. …

Jana sent through the application and supporting documents and their wedding was approved. The family was planning on flying from Canberra to the Gold Coast and the date 12 June was very important to them. They asked specifically if they could have their little elopement at Skypoint because “this is the closest to heaven we’ll be together”. Our Gold Coast Wish Leader, Heather Thiele pulled together an amazing team of suppliers and, Skypoint said yes, the couple could marry there.

Jana, and especially Ash, was over the moon – their dream wedding was coming true.

Then Ash began to feel unwell and doctors found he had infected shunts and had to have further surgery which thankfully was successful, however he was told he couldn’t travel until July. The one thing Ash was adamant about was his wedding date, so on the 3rd June, Jana called to see what we could do.

Of course, the wedding would go ahead! There was no question about that. Our ACT chapter swing into action: Celebrant and ACT Wish Leader Karen Dahlstrom took over and organised the couple’s beautiful wedding in only 9 days. Because she would be away on the 12th June, Karen comprehensively planned three ceremony plans for the couple:

Plan A: At the chapel with all the bells and whistles
Plan B: At the couple’s home with half the bells and whistles
Plan C: At the hospital bedside with only limited suppliers.

We were all thrilled when on 11th June, we got the all clear that the ceremony would proceed as per Plan A – Ash and Jana would have a big white wedding complete with doves, beautiful transport and a full ceremony. Watch the wedding highlights in this video.

Take a look at the thank you from the Haighs sent to Lynette after the wedding.

On 4 May 2017, Jana sent us a message to say that Ash had died peacefully in her arms at 11 am that day. Many of us wept.

The Wedding Wish Suppliers – who generously donated their services to support this amazing couple’s wedding:

Celebrant and Wish Leader:

Karen Dahlstrom

Celebrant:

Julie Brownlee

Venue:

The Chapel at Gold Creek

Reception and Accommodation:

Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Venue Styling:

Pink Parasol Events

Bridal Wear:

Christine's Place

Cake:

Canberra Cake Boutique

Hair and Make-up:

Felicity McLachlan

Bridal party hair and makeup:

Kristy Norris
Kate Beinke
Surpinder Sidhu
Judy Lu

Flowers:

Flowers with Love

Wedding Transport:

Valley Limousines

Photography:

Philip Cristallo Photography

Videography:

Michael Oritz

Stationery:

Creative Flair

Wedding Rings:

Creations Jewellers of Manuka

Doves:

Simply Doves

We would like to acknowledge the following Suppliers who generously offered to donate their services when the wedding was planned to take place on the Gold Coast. Sadly Ash became too unwell to travel and the wedding too place in Canberra.