As with many love stories, it started out with a kiss. The setting may have been less than romantic but everyone knows that 2230 and other establishments in Cronulla are the birthplaces of many young romances, Stephen and Nikki just did did not expect to find love. Stephen was friends with Nikki’s older brother Luke and had started spending a lot of time at Luke’s apartment where Nikki was living at the time. Prior to this fateful night they had started spending a lot of time together and became good friends. As rumour spread of their courtship, they knew it was time to tell Luke. Stephen was apprehensive, as with all friends who secretly date their friends younger sister. When Nikki and Stephen we’re discussing how to tell Luke, Stephen said “what is the point it’s not like we are going to get married or anything”. Little did they know that they would be sharing this story with you as they plan for their wedding.
Stephen and Nikki started their relationship so young and have grown up together over the last 8 years. After moving in together in an apartment in Cronulla, they adopted their first fur baby - Harlem. During this time they both studied and worked, with Nikki completing her Bachelors Degree at University and Stephen competing his Carpentry and Builders certificates at Tafe. They moved a few times before deciding to move back home and save for a house deposit. During this time an idea was discussed of building a house together with his parents. This idea became a reality and they all started building their new home together. Just before Christmas 2018, Stephen and Nikki welcomed a new fur baby into their lives - Otis. Stephen and Nikki were smitten with their new puppy and he quickly became the centre of their lives. Over the years Nikki and Stephen have supported each other through everything life has had to offer, made lasting memories, travelled and built a loving and secure relationship with each other. They have combined their families, shared their friends and are making big plans for the future.
Nikki and Stephen had been together for nearly 7 years when he proposed (finally). Having ‘subtly’ hinted at her desire to be married, Nikki and Stephen made an appointment with the jeweller to try on some rings. Obviously this was the first time (that Stephen knew about) that Nikki had ever tried on an engagement ring and she quickly explained to the jeweller exactly what she wanted. Whilst the element of surprise in a proposal is great, Stephen knew that this was a decision he did not want to make on his own. This appointment occurred in May and so every event up until the proposal, Nikki was on high alert in anticipation of the proposal. Stephen did not however propose until November that year, let’s just say it was a long 6 months. One weekend in November, Stephen and Nikki decided to go camping at Red Head Beach. Speaking to her sister Ali before she left, Ali told Nikki that she doesn’t think it is happening soon because Stephen had not been over to their house to see Mum. Little did Ali know that Stephen had arranged for Nikki’s mum to be at Nikki’s brothers house so that he could ask for her hand in marriage. As they enjoyed their weekend away together, they planned to get up early to watch the sunrise. Standing on the beach, Stephen got down on one knee and asked Nikki to marry him - clearly she said yes! Nikki quickly took her wedding Pinterest board off private, called everyone to let them know the news and could now ‘openly’ start planning the wedding.