Guernsey-Sri Lankan Wedding Celebrated in London and Featured in Hello! Magazine
The wedding of Thelanki Wimalaratne and Matthew Ashton in London combined Guernsey and Sri Lankan traditions. The ceremony featured a Buddhist ritual, Sri Lankan dancers, and celebrated the couple’s love story, with significant involvement from family, and will be profiled in Hello! magazine.
A unique wedding merging Guernsey and Sri Lankan cultures was held in London, earning a feature in Sri Lankan Hello! magazine. The marriage ceremony for Thelanki Wimalaratne, of Sri Lankan descent, and Guernseyman Matthew Ashton commenced with an intimate registry nuptial at Fitzrovia Chapel, followed by festivities at the Natural History Museum beneath a majestic suspended whale.
The evening celebrations began with a traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist ceremony, which included dancers and drummers. Notably, Dhol drummers performed alongside the well-known Sensation Band, celebrated for their appearances at prestigious events. Mr. Ashton relocated from Guernsey to London in 2021 for a position at the Cabinet Office, where he soon met Thelanki, who had recently moved to London Bridge for her career in property development.
In a touching anecdote, Mr. Ashton recounted, “I first saw her while she was out walking her small Shih Tzu, Toby, and stopped to say hi, and that was the start of everything.” Toby, their Shih Tzu, served as the ringbearer at their wedding, adorning a tuxedo similar to that of the groomsmen.
Mrs. Ashton’s family holds prominence in Sri Lanka, prompting Sri Lankan Hello! magazine to contact the couple about featuring their wedding. This blend of cultures was reflected in the attire, with Mr. Ashton’s family donning sarees and suits. The wedding’s color scheme, consisting of white, red, and yellow, was inspired by the Guernsey flag.
“We had a traditional Sri Lankan Poruwa ceremony, which included Sri Lankan Kandyan dancers and drummers performing during the ceremony,” Mrs. Ashton expressed. The procession featured the groom entering first with his parents, followed by the bride who made her entrance at the end with hers.
The wedding celebrations will continue in June with a homecoming event planned at the OGH in Guernsey. “The Homecoming is a Sri Lankan post-wedding celebration where the groom’s family formally welcomes the bride into their household, and signifies her transition into married life,” Mrs. Ashton explained, noting the festivities will reflect Guernsey’s traditions as well.
Currently residing in London, the couple makes periodic visits to Guernsey to reconnect with family and friends.
In summary, Thelanki Wimalaratne and Matthew Ashton’s wedding exemplifies a beautiful fusion of Guernsey and Sri Lankan cultures, featuring a blend of traditional ceremonies and contemporary festivities in London. The upcoming homecoming celebration in Guernsey will further honor their cultural traditions while emphasizing family connections. The couple’s love story and rich cultural heritage will be highlighted in a feature by Sri Lankan Hello! magazine.
Original Source: guernseypress.com
