"In the 6 years we’d been together Conrad and I always worked as a team. We’d figure out a place we’d like to go and I’d usually figure out the details and book it in. So, it was a big surprise when he whisked me away for a surprise getaway to Leura where we stayed in a stunning little cottage one weekend in August – he forgot but it was our anniversary weekend. By the time we finished work, battled traffic and got up there it was pretty late and everywhere was closed – 9pm on a Friday night! so we had a quiet night in by the fire - which was pretty special in itself, eating kebabs ha! We had a morning of snow, breakfast in bed and thought to head over to the Three Sisters but before that we had the idea to jump in the Jacuzzi and while getting in there, he pulled my hand and when I turned around he was down on one knee. He was so nervous and wanted to get all the words out… I was crying and couldn’t wait to say Yes. What a great day… and all the days since".
As there are little surprises in a wedding, Natalie and Conrad kept the location a secret. They planned a wedding week in Byron so they could use the time to enjoy the company of their loved ones who travelled from near and far. This way they had an exciting and relaxing lead up to their special day filled with laying on the beach, enjoying cocktails at Beach Hotel, getting pampered with roaming massages and having BBQs with the loved ones. On Thursday 26 October they were surrounded by their closest 120 guests, saying ‘I Do’ under a Fig Tree in Byron Bay. Natalie and Conrad love the water and nature so were stoked to combine the two high up in the Hinterland overlooking the Byron Peninsula. The warmth they felt being surrounded by their friends and family was magical. Natalie had her wedding song picked out over 12 years ago on a warm night in Hawaii, so when the sound of ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’ – Israel Kamakawiwo'ole started playing Conrad knew it was time for her to walk down the aisle. Natalie had both her step dad and dad walk her down the aisle, filled with emotion seeing a tear roll down Conrad’s cheek, walking to the rest of her life. Their dog Jack was their ring bearer and Conrad’s nephew (9 at the time) was also a groomsmen, alongside his brother, best friend and cousin-in-law. Couple had the best day with so much love and things to laugh about. Conrad remembers that they ran out of alcohol so there was also a mad dash to the bottle shop to stock up half way through the night! Natalie and Conrad spent many private moments, watching their family and friends, taking it all in and revelling in their good fortune. Needless to say, it was the best party ever to welcome them to a life as husband and wife.
