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Real Weddings: Luke & Nikki

The proposal that sets the bar to a whole new level for all you guys looking to pop the question.

Submitted by Nikki Swalling. Submit your own wedding here.  

Luke and I met at school in 1996 and we started dating when we were still at high school in 1998. We shared our first date on the river Torrens in Adelaide. But, when Luke moved schools and we went our separate ways. I moved back to the UK where I was born.

In 2013 I happened to notice Luke’s name on a mutual friend’s comments on Facebook. I sent a friend request and moments later he had messaged me. It didn’t take me long to know there was still something between us after all those years.

So, in January 2014, we decided we would try and give a long distance relationship a go. I booked flights out to Adelaide to spend 3 weeks with him to see how things would work out. I came out in May of that year and we had the most perfect time together. I went back to England and applied for a resident return visa and like it was meant to be the visa was granted on 19th August 2014 – Luke’s birthday!!

On my birthday Luke had prepared a great surprise for the first of our birthdays together. We got up early and he took me to the Barossa where we took a hot air balloon ride across the region. On the way home we stopped at The Stirling hotel for lunch (this would be our engagement party venue, little did I know).

Luke said he had a couple more surprises for me and checked us into the Intercontinental overlooking the River Torrens. We walked down to the banks of the Torrens where a gondola was waiting for us. We got in and I was greeted with a bottle of my favourite wine and cruised up the river.

As we came back down the river, Luke presented me with another birthday present – a scrapbook. As I turned each page, there was a hand written reason why he loves me. Towards the end of the book he told me to wait. He eventually told me to turn the page and it read “And these are just some of the reasons I want to ask you…….” as I turned the final page, he got down in front of me on one knee in the gondola with a beautiful ring in his hands. The page read – “will you marry me?”

Of course, I said yes!

He had also organised a photographer to capture the whole thing. Photos were taken all the way along our cruise and I had no idea. We got off the gondola and had our engagement photo shoot.

We celebrated with dinner at La Boca on North Terrace.

CREDITS

Photographer – Andrea Laube Photography
Invitations – Adco Printing
Florist – In Bloom
Cake – Heidelberg Cakes

Cars: Classic Jags

Ceremony Venue – St Michael’s Anglican Church, Mitcham
Reception Venue – The Ediburgh Hotel, Mitcham
Photography Locations – Himeji Gardens – South Terrace, Adelaide Arcade and East of Norman Cafe – Sturt Street

Table Styling – all handmade by the bride
Lighting and Sound hire – DJ Brad from Middleton Events

Engagement and Bride’s Wedding Band – Donna @ Gerard Ryan Jewellers
Groom’s Wedding Band – as above

Bridal Gown Designer – San Patrick (Spain) – purchased at Bridal on Pulteney
Bridesmaid’s Gowns – The Ultimate Bride
Robes – Bride Tribe
Shoes – Elegant Steps, UK
Jewellery – Earrings and hairpiece: Roman & French. Neclace and bangle – Angus & Coote

Hair – Narelle Atkinson
Makeup – Peta Gill Makeup Artist

Groom’s full outfit – Peter Shearer

Honeymoon location/venue – Phuket and Phi Phi Island, Thailand

Submit your own wedding here.  

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