Nicole and Tom’s journey to “I do”

Nicole and Tom’s journey to “I do”

Posted by Vanessa Ford on

 


For many couples, the journey to "I do" is filled with surprises, laughter, and plenty of unforgettable moments. For this Nicole and her now-husband Tom, their story is no exception. From an unexpected meeting, to a proposal that felt straight out of a movie, their wedding day was a beautiful culmination of everything they dreamed of—and more.


Nicole and her beau first crossed paths in April 2017 at a mutual friend's wedding, held at JFK Woodfire Kitchen & Bar. The two had somehow never met before, despite being friends with the bride and groom for years. But as fate would have it, this wedding was the one where they finally connected, sparking a romance that would lead to their own big day just a few years later.

“The proposal was an absolute fairytale moment”

Originally, the couple had planned a weekend getaway in Brisbane, complete with fine dining. However, just a month before the trip, they received some unexpected news—Tom's restaurant booking was no longer available due to renovations. But Tom, being the thoughtful partner he is, turned this inconvenience into a magical surprise.

Rather than opting for a typical alternative, Tom decided to keep the new plan under wraps. Upon arriving in Brisbane and checking into their hotel, the couple took a stroll around Southbank. Nicole was told to be ready by a certain time, but when he suggested a quick stop by the closed restaurant to see the renovations, she thought nothing of it. As they approached Bacchus Restaurant, something caught her eye—a warm glow from within, as though the restaurant was still in the midst of renovations. To her shock, the door opened, revealing a private table set for two in the middle of the restaurant. What followed was a proposal that felt like it was plucked from the pages of a romance novel. After sharing a toast, Nicole noticed a jewelry box accompanying their drinks—still not entirely convinced that Tom was about to pop the question. But when Tom got down on one knee, her doubts quickly vanished. 

“Of course, I said yes. We then enjoyed a magnificent 8 course dinner in a 5 star restaurant all to ourselves. The food was incredible, the service was exceptional and the occasion......something I never could have imagined would happen to me! It was like we were in a movie.” 

After that moment, Nicole knew what her definition of marriage was to be. 


“Marriage is about far more than just the wedding day, it’s about teamwork, it’s not always about it being 50/50, but about picking up where the other is struggling. Being able to communicate openly without judgment or shame. Having that one person there, that you know you can rely on, who you can be your absolute true self while enjoying the little things, laughing through the tough times and celebrating everything in between”.


As for the venue, it didn’t take long for the couple to find the perfect spot. Driving past Coolibah Downs Private Estate on their way to visit friends, the bride immediately knew she wanted to check it out once they got engaged. "I knew it would be out of our price range, but I still wanted to see" she recalls.

When the couple visited, they were both struck by how perfect the venue felt. They immediately fell in love, and when they received the quote, they were thrilled to discover that it came in under budget by just $63.

"It took us less than 30 seconds to say yes!"


Now, onto the dress shopping. Nicole had a clear vision. Being fuller-busted, she often found it difficult to envision how dresses would look on her frame at other bridal boutiques. But when she worked with Vanessa at When Freddie Met Lilly, everything clicked. Not only did Vanessa offer expert advice on what would flatter her shape, but she also helped bring her dream to life—a long, flowing gown for the ceremony and a short, fun party dress for the reception. Nicole couldn’t have been happier with her choices and was thrilled that Vanessa made her vision a reality. 


"Nothing was an issue, and she made the process feel so easy.  Vanessa was amazing! She knew straight away what would work and what wouldn't. She could tell that I wanted/needed structure in my dress, but I also wanted some sparkle. Nothing was a hassle. We held up 3 different dresses at one point to get the bigger picture and it really helped me visualise the possibilities."


As for the bridal party, they chose a color scheme of burnt orange and navy. Nicole had always envisioned burnt orange bridesmaid dresses, and the navy suits for the groomsmen complemented perfectly. As for the reception, it was styled simply yet beautifully with wood cuttings, candles, and greenery, all set under a canopy of fairy lights and chandeliers. It created a magical, intimate atmosphere for their cocktail-style reception. I know what we are all thinking, 


“A friend of ours worked for MJ Bale at the time and she went along to help Tom and his mates sorted. I had faith that she wouldn't let them stray too far”.


It was still important to include those individualistic touches that make that big day even more special. Working with Tayla at Wild Blooms she was given some inspirational photos and they worked together to pick flowers that would stand the test of time.

“We added some personal touches right before the ceremony, tying my late grandmother's rings around the steams and hiding a Catboy (from PJ masks) in amongst the flowers as a tribute to my nephew who passed away in 2018. These small gestures added an emotional layer to her special day, making it all the more memorable. I also had heart wands and head bands made for our flow girls, my mum had a wrist corsage and my dad a boutonnieres. Tom and his groomsmen opted for burnt orange pocket squares. It was great to have our family all in attendance”. 



For those planning their own weddings, this bride offers some sage advice: 


"Set a budget, and expect to go over it! But most importantly, delegate the little things and keep some surprises up your sleeve. Stand firm on your vision, don’t settle for answers like 'we couldn’t do that, but we can do this.' Find vendors who will make your vision a reality."


Looking back on the entire process, Nicole couldn’t be more thankful for how everything turned out. The wedding was not only a reflection of their love, but it was also a celebration of family, friendship, and the joy of being surrounded by loved ones. In the end, their wedding was everything they hoped for—intimate, meaningful, and full of love—and it marked just the beginning of a lifetime of memories to come.


Vendors

Coolibah Downs; Wedding ceremony & Reception @coolibahdownsprivateestate 

Danny Dyson; Entertainment @dannydyson

Tayla; Flowers @wildblooms_aus

Suits; @mjbale

Photos Luke; @ohsnapphotographs

Hair Tennille; @shockwaveshairstudio

Makeup; @natalielucasmua

Bride; @nimber25

Groom Tom; doesn't have instagram

 

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