Guernsey-Sri Lankan Wedding Celebrates Cultural Fusion
A wedding combining Guernsey and Sri Lankan traditions was recently featured in Hello! magazine. The marriage of Thelanki Wimalaratne and Matthew Ashton included a registry ceremony and a celebratory event at the Natural History Museum, featuring traditional performances. A homecoming celebration is planned for June in Guernsey, marking the bride’s transition into married life.
A recent wedding seamlessly blended Guernsey and Sri Lankan cultures, earning a feature in the Sri Lankan edition of Hello! magazine. The union of Thelanki Wimalaratne and Matthew Ashton commenced with a private registry ceremony at Fitzrovia Chapel, followed by celebrations at the Natural History Museum, highlighted by the iconic giant whale overhead.
The evening commenced with a traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist ceremony that included captivating dancers and drummers, leading to a performance by the renowned Sensation Band, known for its distinguished appearances at celebrity events. Matthew Ashton relocated from Guernsey in 2021 for a role at the Cabinet Office, where he soon met Thelanki, who had also moved to London for a new job in property development.
The couple’s story began when Matthew encountered Thelanki while she was walking her Shih Tzu, Toby, leading to a blossoming romance. Remarkably, Toby served as the wedding’s ringbearer, dressed in a tuxedo similar to that of the groomsmen. Thelanki’s family is well-regarded in Sri Lanka, prompting a feature proposal from Hello! magazine upon learning of their wedding.
The wedding celebration embraced elements from both cultures, with Mr. Ashton’s family sporting traditional attire: women in sarees and men in suits. The color scheme of white, red, and yellow drew inspiration from the Guernsey flag. “We had a traditional Sri Lankan Poruwa ceremony, which included Sri Lankan Kandyan dancers and drummers performing during the ceremony,” stated Mrs. Ashton, reflecting on the memorable ceremony.
The upcoming homecoming celebration is set to take place in Guernsey at the OGH in June. This denotes a significant Sri Lankan post-wedding tradition whereby the groom’s family formally welcomes the bride into their household, marking her transition into married life. “We will be doing this in a setting that reflects Guernsey’s traditions,” expressed Mrs. Ashton. The couple, while presently residing in London, frequently travels back to Guernsey to reconnect with family and friends.
The wedding of Thelanki Wimalaratne and Matthew Ashton exemplifies a beautiful cultural fusion between Guernsey and Sri Lanka, garnering notable recognition in Hello! magazine. The couple’s journey features a blend of tradition and modernity, as seen in their ceremonies and attire. Further celebrations await with a homecoming event in Guernsey, highlighting the continued embrace of both cultures in their marital life.
Original Source: guernseypress.com
