Nilona + Daniel

real life wedding inspo

venue Village Roadshow Theme Parks phone (07) 5591 0020 email conferencesandevents@vrtp.com.au web themeparks.com.au/groups-and-functions/weddings

If ever two people were truly meant for each other, then it would have to be this couple, Nilona and Daniel.

It was at a work colleagues housewarming party that Nilona fist met Daniel. “I know it’s cheesy, but sparks were fling straightaway,” she says, “it was effortless to make conversation and I don’t know that we really spoke to anyone else the entire night.” Ever since, they’ve thoroughly enjoyed each others company, “and we love spending time together, just the two of us,” she adds. Often they would head over to Stradbroke Island and spend the night at the resort, where their day would be spent on the water, they’d have lunch, explore the island and then end up on the beach at night enjoying each others company around a bonfie. However, on this one particular night as they were heading back to the restaurant, Dan had made other plans. “...on our way we walked through the wedding chapel in the resort,” says Nilona, “I still had no idea at all. It wasn’t until he took my hands and got down on one knee that I realised what was happening!” Funnily enough, they had always talked about marriage, and often times Nilona had found herself thinking, “I wonder if today’s going to be the day.” But on this occasion, it was the furtherest thing from her mind, and she was taken completely by surprise – shocked in fact, that he had got away with purchasing the ring by himself, and proposing without her having even the slightest clue!

“The moment was so intimate, just the two of us standing at the altar of a wedding chapel! It was beautiful! And of course I cried the whole time!” she remembers.

Not wanting to wait too long to get married, they set themselves a wedding date of only three months time – but Nilona swears it was plenty of time. “People think we rushed the planning, however it was all planned with a month to spare, just waiting for the day to arrive,” she insists. Amazing, considering they purchased and made their own flower arrangements, their cake and their bomboniere!

They decided against having an engagement party due to their short engagement, so Dan just had a bucks weekend instead. Nilona’s hens weekend was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID – but she says she ended up having a post wedding hens party instead which was still heaps of fun. Sea World Resort was both Nilona and Dan’s venue of choice. They had picked it out about two years previously as they both just loved the place! “Dan had always thought when he was to get married, he’d love for it to be at Sea World Resort,” she says adding, “it’s so well looked after, the grounds are beautiful around the resort, the service and food has always been perfect, and the rooms are lovely, nicely renovated.”

They had always wanted to get married overlooking the water, and on the Gold Coast where they both grew up, so Sea World Resort was the perfect dream wedding location for them. Having missed out on her hens night before their wedding, Nilona was thrilled to be offered a bridal shower high tea in the lobby lounge bar, as a part of Sea World Resort’s wedding package. “The high tea food was sooo delicious,” she emphasises, “and with my million dietary requirements, they really went above and beyond to make sure I had the most memorable experience.” Absolutely perfect weather greeted their guests who travelled from Gladstone, Mackay, and Hervey Bay for their wedding. Unfortunately, COVID prevented Nilona’s brother in Canada, her cousins in Sydney, and one of her bridesmaids in Canberra from attending. There was also a bit of an unexpected problem, with Nilona’s original hairdresser cancelling at 8am as she was unwell. Thankfully, she put Nilona in touch with another hairdresser, Lisa Belgrave – lisabelhair – who quickly took over and did a “beautiful job” says Nilona. “For someone who didn’t know she was working a wedding until two hours before she had to be there, she was so organised, professional and just such a lovely human being. I couldn’t recommend her enough!” she says. Trying hard not to cry as she walked down the aisle, she admits she was so nervous with everyone watching her. “I really didn’t think walking would be that nerve wracking, but it was,” she says, “luckily I had flat shoes on so I didn’t need to be concerned about tripping in heels!”

Once she had made it down the aisle to Dan, she was fie.

“The words spoken were what we wanted to say to each other and it felt like we were the only two people there,” she remembers. After their ceremony in the wedding gazebo in the gardens of Sea World Resort, guests were entertained in the lobby bar, while Nilona and Dan and their wedding party had their photographs taken. “It was great to have the ceremony and reception all in one place so there was no travelling in between,” says Nilona. The Presidential Room, where they had their reception was like the rest of the day, “amazing”, she says. “The food was so good, and the service from all the staff as just incredible.” The guests loved it all! “None of them had been to Sea World Resort for a function before, so they were very delighted at how beautiful the place was.” At the end of their special day, Nilona and Dan stayed in the Presidential Suite, in a beautiful room overlooking the Broadwater. “It really was a perfect day, and we go back to Sea World Resort as often as we can to relive the memories. It’s just such a beautiful venue which will always have significance to us.”

It really was a perfect day

Their two week honeymoon took in the Northerlies, on the other side of the bay to Airlie Beach, then Daydream Island, followed by Hamilton Island and lastly, Airlie Beach. Daydream Island was their favourite stop. “It was just out of this world!” Says Nilona, “it was during their quiet season, so we pretty much had the island to ourselves. Was very cool being able to sit and have breakfast right next to their indoor living reef with sharks swimming by.”

Nilona’s wedding advice: “Try and relax and enjoy the whole process, from planning to the day. Things on’t always go perfectly to plan, but if you don’t let it bother you, then you and your groom will be able to enjoy the whole experience, and the day will just be as perfect as you had wanted.”

Wedding Date: 21st August 2021 • Theme: Soft pastel colours • Number of Guests: 50 • Photographer: Hayden Phoenix – Wedding photographer & filmmaer • Bridal Gown: The Bridal Shop (+ veil made by mother of the bride) • Bridesmaid Dresses: JJ’s House (ordered colour swatches, picked a colour then let bridesmaids choose a dress style in that colour – custom made) • Rings: Michael Hill Jewellers • Hair: lisabelhair (Lisa Belgrave) • Makeup: facebykristy (Kristy Callinan) • Groom & Groomsmen Suits: Connor Menswear • Wedding Stylist/Planner: Bride & groom • Wedding Coordinator: Lee Todd from Sea World Resort • Ceremony & Reception: Sea World Resort • Celebrant: Yesterday Today Forever (Karen Spencer) • Entertainment: Feel Good DJ’s • Florist: Purchased by bride from Rocklea Flower Markets in Brisbane (+ arrangements made by bride, her sister & mother) • Cake: Made by bride & her sister (+ Krispy Kreme Donuts for bottom tiers) • Bomboniere: Honey Pots and dippers (made by bride & groom with honey sourced from a local supplier) • Unique Extras: Guest book with polaroid camera for guests to take pictures and stick in the signing book • Menu: Created by Sea World Resort – 2 course alternate drop, duck & chicken for entree, lamb shoulder & steak for main, wedding cake & Krispy Kreme Donuts for dessert.