Ashley & Travis

Ashley Baron & Travis Cooper on January 19, 2019

By Fred Albert / Originally Published in the Nov/Dec 2019 edition of Newport Life

After conquering stage-4 lymphoma, Ashley Baron wanted to get back into shape, so in 2013 she took up Olympic weightlifting. That’s when she met Travis Cooper, who had been competing in the sport since the age of 13. “We fell in love in the most romantic location ever — a sweaty gym,” recalls Ashley with a laugh. Travis trained Ashley to qualify for the American Open, while Ashley taught Travis to surf, paint and play guitar. “From day one, we were completely comfortable with each other and just knew that we were meant to be together,” she says. 

“We have lots of friends and family who have never been to the Northeast, and there was no better place we could imagine having them visit than Newport.”

Swept Away

Two days before Christmas 2017, after confessing he hadn’t shopped for her gift yet, Travis took Ashley to Monahan’s Dock in Narragansett, then surprised her by dropping to one knee and confessing he HAD gotten her a gift — an engagement ring. Afraid the roiling surf was going to sweep the ring to the bottom of the sea, Ashley quickly accepted and said, “Now hurry and give me that thing before a wave comes!”

Gimme Shelter

Ashley asked her late grandmother for a touch of snow on her wedding day, and was rewarded with light flurries the moment she arrived at St. Matthew’s Church in Jamestown. Ashley and Travis wanted their out-of-town guests to experience “crossing the Newport Bridge,” so after the ceremony the bridal party headed to Fort Adams for photos. “We wanted a location that would provide some shelter from inclement weather,” says Ashley, whose guests kept commenting on how cool the setting was.

It’s a Wrap!

The Newport Marriott was chosen for the reception, so overnight guests could enjoy all that Newport had to offer without driving anywhere. The nautical-meets-Old-Hollywood decor featured a wintry, watery palette of frosty blues, gray, silver and cream, and fur wraps for the bride and her bridesmaids. During the evening, Travis and three of his fraternity brothers from Georgia Tech got down on bended knee and serenaded Ashley with a rendition of The Sweetheart Song.

Where are they now?

After a honeymoon cruise to Key West and Cozumel, the couple returned to Wakefield, where Ashley is an executive assistant and Travis is a software developer.

Featured Vendors

Photographer: Kearsten Taylor Photography
Ceremony Venue: St. Matthew’s Church
Reception Venue, Caterer, Planner: Newport Marriott
Bridal Gown: Bridal Garden
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: dessy.com
Suits: Men’s Wearhouse
Hair & Makeup: The Spa at Newport Marriott
Flowers: The Secret Garden
Cake: Scrumptions
Rings: Baxter’s Fine Jewelry
Invitations: elegantweddinginvites.com
Bridal Party Transportation: Leisure Limousine
Reception entertainment: Music Mixers Entertainment