Meet our Wedding Party
The Bride
Ashleigh Garside
Ashleigh was born in Melbourne, Australia and it is still her favourite city. A social butterfly, with an early interest in finding the fun, or best outfit, in the ordinary. Her first word was “shoe’ followed by “shoes on” and according to her parents, she saw school as a social event she was able to attend every day. Pretty unclear on what she wanted to do once she finished school. A gap year in Ireland gave her a taste of living overseas, traveling, and working with another culture and she was hooked on it all. Post university and a failed attempt to work in the industry she had trained for, Ash started working in hotels to fund her travel plans and fell upon her passion. Working with teams to create wonderful experiences for people, Ash has been fortunate that her job has allowed her to travel around the world and continue to enjoy all the things she found in her gap year. What was meant to be a one-year stint in Singapore has completely transformed her life. Meeting Neil has been Ash’s biggest adventure and greatest joy so far and she can’t wait to see what happens next.
The Groom
Neil Hutchinson
As a child of the 70s growing up in Northumberland, Neil often threw himself into any body of water when given the chance. Deciding that was the life for him, and with much support from his family, he moved to far away foreign lands for University. After a few years in the exotic locales of Sunderland and slightly more tropical but no less exotic Hong Kong, he returned to Plymouth via Central America and California. By the mid-2000s his itchy feet took him overseas again, first to Amakusa, Japan, where he realised that skateboards weren’t his thing. A few years later, after discovering a love of playable and rideable bags of air in Ocean Grove, Australia he finally landed in Singapore. It was here that he first met Ashleigh at Blu Jaz Café, and by 2016 they’d become inseparable. He proposed to Ash at Raffles Hotel on the 29th of October 2020 and it’s an understatement to say that he is still chuffed beyond words that she said yes!
A little known fact - Neil has proven that it is possible to get drunk on cheese.
Ashleigh’s Collective
Alex Garside
How we met – I adored her from the moment she was born and could even forgive that my long-awaited baby sister had zero interest in my plans of dress ups, hair salons and Barbies.
Fabulous things about Alex – Absolutely her own person, on her own terms. Alex is resilient, determined and kind. Born with a travel bug, she has been almost everywhere. A lot of university exchanges with minimal scholastic advantage took place on her watch. Easily one the funniest people I know, this humour is only rivalled by how clever she is. With an almost visceral love of music, I am often jealous of her time spent dressing fabulously, whilst chasing bands and experiences across the globe. This all said, anyone who knows her will attest to her sweet nature and thoughtfulness. She has a quiet way of showing kindness, that leaves a mark.
A few of my favourite things -Old El Paso Christmas Dinners. Spending time doing nothing with her. Reality TV critiquing. Food safaris. Making Alex laugh. Swapping memes. Debating the important stuff such as favourite Christmas carol or best Olsen twins movie. Watching this funny, independent, determined little girl turn into a magnificent woman.
Jen Vivian
How we met – A chance opportunity to work together in Perth for only three months, led to a friendship that has overcame distance and time. Bonded immediately over feminism, female leadership, and hotels. Even when I was relocated, monthly calls to put the world of hospitality right, kept us going until Jen moved to Singapore.
Fabulous things about Jen – Jen is kind, strong and sort of magic. I am constantly in awe of the way that she sees and engages with the world. She has a passion for finding the good in people and in life. No challenge has ever stopped Jen, she takes it all in her stride, with a smile on her face. Jen is authenticity personified, who never apologies for who she is, or makes herself small to fit in. She exudes warmth, humour and kindness, whenever I spend time with her, I am left feeling revitalised, optimistic, and capable.
A few of my favourite things – Her kindness. Our phone calls (hotel strategy meetings?). Her generous spirit. The way she sees the world. Our trips away. Debating big life issues over incredible meals. Her empathy. Her unwavering belief in others. Her authenticity. The way she leads herself and others.
Lizzie Ashby
How we met – In Orientation Week at university, I saw Lizzie dressed up as a cricketer for Australian Heroes bar night and thought “ I am going to be good friends with her’ what followed, is what would be legally described as stalking. I would corner her at every bar night and tell her how we were destined to be friends. When this subtle tactic wasn’t garnering the desired results. I took to yelling her name in the middle of residences, until she invited me in, the rest is history.
Fabulous things about Lizzie –Lizzie is brave, she stands up for what she believes in and has a determination to live life on her own terms. Her inner strength and self-belief are what I admire most about her. Totally her own person (milk runs in towels), Lizzie is smart, kind and funny. She loves fiercely and deeply, and her love feels like the sun. We have seen each other through the best and worst of times, however it is Lizzie who always knows exactly what to do. Lizzie has the superpower of making anything seem possible and everyone feel capable, and she is generous in the way that she applies it.
A few of my favourite things - Living together, absolutely broke in Sydney. That she laughs, loud and often. Midnight skip runs and flat bed races. The way she mothers her children. Her kindness. That no matter what mood I am, speaking to Lizzie always makes me feel better. That she does what she wants when she wants. That she is one leg of one of the most important structures in my life, The Tripod.
Nicole Sergi
How we met – Another incredible gift from university, which is handy because my degree was garbage. Serg and I were in the same dorm in my first year. It is hard to know if we bonded over mutual interests or managing to alienate ourselves from the rest of the dorm, through some very controversial end of year awards. Shout out to A1B1 Towers.
Fabulous things about Sergi –This woman is a wickedly funny, creative genius and feminist icon. Sergi has empathy like no other and always seeks to understand. Feminist rants, Brene Brown, dark humour and a deep interest in navel gazing has made us inseparable. She loves a one-woman dance party or a solo swing time, or both at the same time. Her command of the English language is poetry. Serg is fearless and creates her own path, her commitment to living a wholehearted life is remarkable. I am in awe of her bravery and grace.
A few of my favourite things - Going to parties, to spend time with other people, then spending the whole night giggling with each other. Her unabashed kindness. Making her laugh. That at every point in our lives we think we are the most evolved versions of ourselves, and time will always show, this isn’t true. How clever she is. That she wants the world to be a better place and puts action behind her words, to make it happen. I still fan girl over her. The third leg of The Tripod
Neil’s Grooms “People”
James Hutchinson
The best man and the best little brother. Literally. Those of you who’ve met James know that he really is the salt of the earth, and those of you who haven’t yet will no doubt think the same once you cross his path. James came bursting onto the scene at Cheviot View in the early 80’s and life has not been the same for Neil since. In a good way. There’s literally no-one else Neil would rather share a bottle of cripple-cock cider with, nearly go swimming at Bamburgh with or be mistaken for royalty in the presence of. James’s superpowers have included baby-modelling, bass-playing, running from coast to coast and being the worlds number one dad. He is also incredibly funny....no pressure James.
Kevin Rhodes
One half of Neil’s adoptive family from Grass Valley USA via Hong Kong, Kevin is responsible for getting Neil hooked on good rums, IPA and Mexican food. They met after drinks at the Fringe Club in Hong Kong where Neil was very excited to meet a fellow long-haired lover of music and marine biology. Kevin can create magic with a Weber BBQ and almost single-handedly kept Neil fed while he was writing his Phd. From sharing hot pot and bunny-highs in Chengdu China to Pizza and XXXX gold-lows in Pohnpei, Kevin has been an absolute solid mate for 25+ years and is one of the most genuine and selfless people you will ever meet. Please feed him beer.
Kim Warren-Rhodes
The other half of the Grass Valley family, Kim is an absolute superstar. After bonding over Hello Kitty, Neil knew a like-minded individual when he saw one. Back in the day she was often spotted after a big night in Tai Peng Village hanging over the edge of a balcony, no longer covered in bees. Kim is a true Renaissance Woman and Neil’s partner in crime when it came to snowshoeing and late night clubbing in San Francisco. Kim has also put up with helping Neil clear out rat-infested fridges and collecting him from the Mexican border when he himself smelt suspiciously of rat. K&K also went above and beyond at their own wedding to help Neil and he is forever in their debt, and will pay it forward as agreed.