Real Wedding – Skye & Nick, Pokolbin NSW
A clean, simple aesthetic punctuated by yellow bridesmaid dresses and fortuitously blue skies epitomised Skye and Nick sunshine-infused celebration.
Their top advice for a wedding day that feels as warm and wonderful as your planning ensured it looks? Take some time away, just the two of you.
For this gorgeous duo, who first crossed paths at high school, time spent taking portraits post-ceremony wasn’t simply another item on the schedule; it was a moment to pause and soak in the significance of the day.
The result? Photos by the sublime team at Memento Collective that are infused with feeling. A gallery that’s candid and connected. Deeply personal, rather than posed or performative.
See for yourself below.
The meeting.
Although Nick and I went to the same high school, we didn’t start talking until 2016, after he left in Year 11. We had a distant memory of each other from our childhood since my Dad lived at the top of Nick’s street, but it wasn’t until later that we really connected. Once we started talking, everything just clicked, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.
The one.
After just three weeks of talking, Nick asked me to be his girlfriend. We introduced each other to our families straight away, and everything just fell into place. It felt so natural and easy – like we’d known each other forever. From that moment, I knew he was the one.
The proposal.
Nick and I went on a road trip up the coast, with our first stop at South West Rocks. We stayed at Smoky Cape Campground for two nights. On the first evening, we took a sunset walk and found a quiet spot on the rocks overlooking the water. The following night, Nick suggested we go back to the same spot. We packed an esky and headed down, sat together and took in the view. Then Nick started telling me how much he loved me, got down on one knee, and proposed. It was the most perfect moment – and truly the best holiday ever.
Planning process.
The planning process was really smooth and enjoyable. I made sure to stay organised by planning everything about 12 months in advance, which helped eliminate any stress. Nick and I worked as a team and made all of our decisions together. We were so lucky to have such amazing vendors — they were all incredible to work with and made everything run so seamlessly on the day.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony was held outdoors, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. The setting was intimate, which made the moment feel even more special and personal. We kept the ceremony short and sweet – just how we like it – and sharing personal vows with each other made it truly unforgettable.
The outfits.
I knew from the start that I wanted my bridesmaids in yellow dresses and the groomsmen in black suits. I’d seen photos of this combination before and knew it would perfectly complement the theme and feel of our day. As for my dress, I always envisioned something simple, elegant and fitted. When I tried on my dress, I instantly knew it was the one.
Favourite moment.
It’s hard to pick a single favourite moment because the whole day was just perfect. But if I had to choose, it would be when Nick and I went for a quick drive with our photographers to a nearby spot for photos. It was so nice to have about 15 minutes just to ourselves, to take a breath and soak in everything that had just happened. It was such a special, quiet moment in the middle of an incredible day.
Meaning of marriage.
To us, marriage means always having each other’s backs and working together as a team. It’s about being each other’s best friend and never forgetting the reasons we were drawn to one another. It means continuing to smile, going on adventures, making each other laugh and cherishing the small moments every day.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle – Big Jet Plane (acoustic) by Angus & Julia Stone
Reception entry – Saving Up by Dom Dolla
First dance – Wedding Song by Angus and Julia Stone
Words of wisdom.
Our advice for other couples planning a wedding is to make sure you take some time for yourselves on the day – spend as much time together as you can, because it really does go by so fast. Enjoy every moment; it truly will be one of the best days of your lives. Let your vendors take the reins on the day – that’s what they’re there for – and nominate a friend or family member as your go-to person so you don’t have to worry about anything. Try to stay calm and trust the process; somehow, everything just comes together perfectly.
SKYE & NICK’S SUPPLIERS
Ceremony & reception venue: Willow Tree Estate – Natalie and James, the owners of Willow Tree Estate, couldn’t have done more for us both during the lead-up and on the day itself. They are truly amazing and their support made our wedding experience even more special.
Celebrant/Officiant: You Say I Do Weddings – Rebecca was simply amazing. From our very first Zoom meeting right through to the wedding day, she was so easy to work with and made the whole process effortless. She absolutely nailed the script, making our ceremony feel personal, heartfelt, and unforgettable.
Photography/Videography: Memento Collective – Steven and his team at Memento Collective captured the most beautiful moments from our day. Steven was always just a phone call or message away and happy to help in any way he could. On the day, his team were relaxed, professional, and incredibly efficient. The turnaround for our sneak peek photos and video was impressively quick. We truly couldn’t have asked for a better team to capture our wedding day.
Florist: Newcastle Food & Flower Market – Newcastle Flower Market did an incredible job with our flowers. They not only delivered exactly what I asked for but went above and beyond. The flowers were absolutely perfect, and Jess and her team made the décor look seamless, tying everything together beautifully.
Hair: Hair by Sheree Sullivan – Sheree did my best friend’s wedding two years ago and when I was planning our wedding, I knew I wanted her to do my hair. She is amazing at what she does and gets everything perfect every time. She is an absolute legend!
Make-up: Kayla Clifford – Kayla did an amazing job on our make-up. She was so relaxed on the day and made sure to give herself plenty of time, so nothing felt rushed. Everyone commented on how beautiful the girls’ makeup looked – it was flawless!
The dress and veil: Newcastle Bridal House
Rings: Simon Curwood
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Billy J
Suits & ties: Peter Jackson
Catering: Little Castro Catering – Our caterers at Little Castro Catering did an amazing job. We chose the canapé option, and there was plenty of food that kept flowing all night. Everyone commented on how delicious everything was.
Cake: Caked by Kirsty
Entertainment: Luke Marlin Music – Luke Marlin was our incredible musician, singing beautifully during our ceremony and cocktail hour. His brother Mitch was our DJ and MC, and both were amazing at what they do. They definitely brought the vibes and working with them was so easy.
Honeymoon: Singapore and Thailand
