Some weddings follow a well-worn path. This one danced joyfully in its own direction. A harbourside proposal, yellow tulips for Nicci’s bouquet, and a lucky dip to choose the witnesses.

When Christopher and Nicci  designed the engagement ring together, the surprise wasn’t in if he’d propose, but in when. And he delivered beautifully. A sneaky concealed ring in his pocket during a day of shopping in Sydney, before steering Nicci toward Barangaroo Reserve for a sunset champagne moment. There, on the sandstone rocks, under a glowing sky, he dropped to one knee and asked the question. 

Spoiler alert: She. Said. YES! 

A Wedding That Felt Like Them

Rather than lean into tradition, this couple made every part of their day personal, heartfelt, and a little bit playful. They walked down the aisle together, symbolising their shared journey. Instead of pre-selected witnesses, guests were invited into a lucky dip draw to choose them on the spot. And at the reception, a spontaneous round of heads or tails had everyone laughing and joining in.

It wasn’t about doing things differently for the sake of it, but about doing things in a way that felt real and joyful.

Family, Friends and Ocean Views

From the very beginning, Christopher and Nicci knew what mattered most: having fun with their favourite people and saying “I do” right there by the ocean. That clarity helped shape every decision and brought a sense of ease to the planning process.

“We wanted a fun wedding with our family and friends and an ocean view,” they shared. Keeping things simple meant they could be present on the day. They had time to soak in the love, the laughter, and later… the margaritas.

Florals Full of Colour, Personality & Texture

When it came to flowers, they had one bold request: yellow tulips in the bouquet. From there, they trusted me to bring their colour palette to life. The final floral design was a true celebration of their personalities, bright, textural, a little bit cheeky, and full of heart.

We kept things relaxed but intentional. Punches of colour brought energy, while soft textures and playful shapes added depth and joy. Seeing the couple’s reactions, from mood board, to the big day, was a highlight for me. “Kris made it so easy and stress free,” they said. “We had complete trust that she knew what would work for us.”

Advice for Couples Planning Their Day

The couple’s biggest takeaway? Keep it simple. They recommend having a detailed spreadsheet to track tasks and costs (very wise), and not overcomplicating the day itself. “So you can be in the moment,” they said.

Because when it all comes together, your people, your love, your version of a wedding: it’s the simplest joys that shine the brightest, and the personalised touches that will be remembered most. 

And after all the love, the laughter, and the yellow tulips… there were margaritas.

Christopher and Nicci’s Vendors: 

Florals: Kris McKee Floral Design

Photographer: Rachel Guitierrez

Venue, food, beverages, cake: Manly Pavilion 

Celebrant: Lucy Suze 

Nicci’s gorgeous dress: Rachel Gilbert