Ashley Roma White & Max Michael Kostow
This Newfoundland girl met her groom when they worked together in New York City. They kept their relationship a secret from co-workers just to be on the safe side, but moved in together after six months of dating. Two years later, they moved to San Francisco where Max proposed. And despite their travel, they came home to be married on Fogo Island, Newfoundland.
Favourite part of the day: “We were really excited to get photos out in the stark landscape of Fogo Island,” says Ashley. “But the weather was uncooperative, being incredibly windy and cold outside. Our wedding party was game to brave the winds, however, and we captured some of our favourite shots from the wedding! We all had to link arms together to hold our ground and avoid blowing away!”
Unique traditions: The bride’s family is from Newfoundland and outside of her family, none of the guests had ever visited Newfoundland. Ashely says, “We really wanted to embrace the unique aspects of Newfoundland culture. Visitors, known as ‘Come From Aways’, are initiated as honorary Newfoundlanders with a Screech-In, where you have to say a short recitation, take a shot of Screech rum and kiss a cod fish. We had a local perform the ceremony for all our guests at the welcome party and again at the Shed Party (another Newfoundland tradition) we held after the wedding.”
Would you have done anything differently? “We provided a bus for our guests from St. John’s to Fogo Island, a 5 hour drive and 1 hour ferry ride,” the bride explains. “What we didn’t think about was that everyone would be moving a little slow for an early departure after a raucous welcome party the night before. We should have loaded the bus with McDonalds breakfast sandwiches and coffee instead of assorted bags of chips and granola bars.”
Advice to couples: “Spend your budget in the areas that mean a lot to you as a couple. For us, having a smaller wedding with just very close friends and family allowed us to provide our guests with an amazing experience at a once-in-a-lifetime location with incredible accommodations.”
Venue: Fogo Island Inn, Joe Batt’s Arm, Newfoundland
Number of guests: 78
Photographer: Danielle Meredith Photography
Gown designer: Lela Rose
Suit designer: Z Zegna
Bridesmaid dresses: ASOS
Planner: ourselves and staff of Fogo Island Inn
Cake: Fogo Island Inn (4 tiers alternating carrot cake and lemon cake)
Stationery: Pam & Paper
Décor: Fogo Island Inn
Florals: Flower Studio
Welcome party hosted at: Mallard Cottage
Welcome party Screech-in: Brian Day
DJ: DJ Monopoli
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