Nikki & Jem’s Epic Harbourside Wedding

Words by Tom / Images by Dan O'Day
October 30, 2015

We get to hear our fair share of amazing proposal stories, but Nikki and Jem’s really takes the cake. “I didn’t think it would be a surprise,” says Nikki. “But he really got me good.”

Working for a magazine publisher, Nikki’s editor was in on the plan. “She called a meeting which ended up being rudely interrupted by a dancing panda (not so uncommon in my office as we get PR stunts like this all the time) and after dancing around with all the girls in the office to “I Love You Baby” the panda finally set its sights on me to have a boogie. I obliged and after about 10 seconds the head was thrown off and low and behold it was Jem! The whole office screamed and everyone started crying; he got down on one knee, said a bunch of super nice things and asked me to marry him.”

Nikki and Jem’s harbourside wedding was every bit as unique as their engagement. “Our general rule was to just stay away from any “wedding” specific vendors who may try to lead us down that traditional path,” they tell us. With his fine art style and quirky eye, Dan O’Day (the best photographer in the world if you ask these two) was a natural choice to capture their day.

Looking stunning in Rue de Seine, Nikki arrived first to the Dawes Point ceremony to await her groom, as is Jewish custom. After the vows were shared under the Chuppah, the wedding party kicked on to Simmer on the Bay, which the pair chose for its size and industrial style. Coordinated by Jason Kates of Love2Love, the venue was styled by Nikki with bentwood chairs and hanging floral installations by My Flower Man.

If there’s one thing we know and love about Jewish weddings, it’s that they always involve some serious partying. Anticipating a long night of dancing, Nikki surprised her bridesmaids with a pair of Converse sneakers under each of their chairs. “Mainly to apologise to them for making them wear such high heels,” she says, “but also so they could dance away the evening in comfort.” Judging by those amazing dance floors snaps, we reckon it was job well done!

Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O’Day
Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O’Day
Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O’Day
Rue de Seine wedding dress | Photography by Dan O'Day
"I wanted my dress to be romantic but not too feminine," says Nikki. "Instead of lace I went with embroidered gauze with a botanical print by Rue de Seine ."
Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day
Dawes Point Park under the Harbour Bridge provided the industrial backdrop Nikki & Jem were after. "We invited everyone and anyone to come witness our ceremony," they tell us. "So event though we only had 160ish guests for sit down reception, we probably had about 200 people at our ceremony."
Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Rue de Seine wedding dress | Photography by Dan O'Day Rue de Seine wedding dress | Photography by Dan O'Day Rue de Seine wedding dress | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day
Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O’Day
Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O’Day
Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Rue de Seine wedding dress | Photography by Dan O'Day Rue de Seine wedding dress | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Dawes Point Park wedding, Sydney | Photography by Dan O'Day Rue de Seine wedding dress | Photography by Dan O'Day Jewish wedding at Simmer on the Bay | Photography by Dan O'Day Jewish wedding at Simmer on the Bay | Photography by Dan O'Day Jewish wedding at Simmer on the Bay | Photography by Dan O'Day Jewish wedding at Simmer on the Bay | Photography by Dan O'Day Jewish wedding at Simmer on the Bay | Photography by Dan O'Day Jewish wedding at Simmer on the Bay | Photography by Dan O'Day
"At Jewish weddings it is very common to have dance floor props to keep things interesting," explains Nikki. "We had ribbons, signs, photos, hats, balloons that popped confetti – it was all so personable and FUN, which, I think, made the entire evening."
Jewish wedding at Simmer on the Bay | Photography by Dan O'Day Jewish wedding at Simmer on the Bay | Photography by Dan O'Day Jewish wedding at Simmer on the Bay | Photography by Dan O'Day

Credits

Images Dan O'Day | Bride's Dress Rue de Seine | Bride's Shoes Fendi | Bridesmaid's Dresses Warehouse | Groom's Suit Soraya Boutique | Hair Stephanie Estephen | Makeup Sarah Damichi | Ceremony Venue Dawes Point Park | Celebrant Rabbi Richie Moss | Reception Venue Simmer on the Bay | Flowers My Flower Man | Catering L’Amour Catering | Stationery/Invitations Mrs Ink & Co. | Planner Love2Love | Lighting Tim Butler |


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dj 8 years ago

Absolutely stunning <3

Lukas 8 years ago

This is an Epic wedding

Alex B 8 years ago

LOVE this wedding! Dan O’Day is the man!

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