LOVE AND ‘TEARS EVERYWHERE’
ASH & JASON’S BIG DAY
TERMINALLY-ILL Ashleigh Simrajh and partner Jason Hale became husband and wife on Saturday – and there wasn’t a dry eye to be seen. Proud dad Tony Simrajh, blinking back tears, walked his “absolutely stunning” daughter – a melanoma checks campaigner – down the aisle at Sea World Resort. “The ceremony was so emotional and amazing to see,” Tony said. “There were tears everywhere to be honest.”
TONY Simrajh tried to fight the tears as he escorted his terminally-ill daughter down the aisle to marry the love of her life.
The proud dad described bride Ashleigh Simrajh, as “absolutely stunning” as she mustered every bit of energy to exchange vows with husband Jason Hale. In a race against time, the pair married at Sea World Resort on Saturday.
“We were shocked how strong she was to get through the ceremony. The ceremony itself was so emotional and amazing to see,” Mr Simrajh said. “There were tears everywhere to be honest.”
Mr Simrajh said Ashleigh was wheeled on a bed into the reception with her husband laying by her side.
Her energy had depleted by the time she got to the reception, he said.
Mr Simrajh said there was a unique twist to the father and daughter dance which was to their “special song” Count on Me by Bruno Mars.
“Ash was in her bed and we put the words to the song on everyone’s chair,” he said.
“Everyone stood up and sang the words to her.
“I thought she’d yell at me, but she had a real smile on her face, so that was good.”
The couple was surrounded by 50 family and friends, some of whom travelled from throughout Queensland to be there.
It was also live-streamed on Facebook.
He said the wedding was made possible by generous donations through Gold Coast Girls in Business.
“We can’t thank them enough. To try to pull off a wedding in five or six days to the level we did would have been impossible without their help. Sea World have been amazing, they have gone over and beyond anything anyone could ask for.”
One of the suppliers was Boho Luxe & Co wedding planner and stylist Johanna Fielding who said the wedding was “beautiful” and reflected Ashleigh’s favourite colour.
“The reception flowers were light pink and the all the guests arrived in light pink, I didn’t know that was going to happen, it was beautiful,” Ms Fielding said.
“Ashleigh was really well for the ceremony and her and Jason’s vows were so heartfelt and lovely.
“It was very sad and very beautiful at the same time.”
An ex-student of Guardian Angels and Aquinas College, Ashleigh was working at McDonald’s when she first visited a GP about an unusual lump in her thigh. She later visited a general surgeon. Neither took a biopsy.
It was not until May last year she was finally diagnosed with malignant melanoma but it was too late. The cancer had spread to her lungs, lymph nodes and liver.
The 23-year-old has devoted the past few months to spreading the message about the importance of skin checks.
Mr Simrajh said Ashleigh was told by doctors at the end of August she only had days to live but was “still fighting”.
He said the newlywed was still focused on ensuring no one else goes through what she is and will continue to spread the message about the importance of skin checks.
The Simrajh family would like to thank the following suppliers:
Boho Luxe & Co
Village Roadshow’s Sea World Resort
Robyn Wagner Celebrations
Willow & Finch Photography
Guido Pezz
Wilde Botanicals Supper Club Co
Love Lara Jewellery
The Confetti Gift Co
Lucid Industries
Oma and Eve Cake Studio
Coastal Cookie Co
Emilia Maria Makeup & Hair
Makeup by Theresa
Love Me Knot Bridal
Jacara Bridal
Bruno Suits
Jade Manu Music Arthur Bristowe
Southern Lights Candle Co Scenic Rim Wedding Hire