The darling of the 2000 Olympics is on cloud nine after tying the knot in Sydney, writes SHARI NEMENTZIK.
Having flown high above Sydney’s Olympic stadium with the world’s eyes upon her, Nikki Webster should be used to being the centre of attention. But in front of her family and closest friends, Nikki couldn’t have been more nervous as she walked down the aisle to wed the man she met two-and-a-half years ago on a blind date, Matthew McMah.
“Put me in front of 1000 people to perform, and I’m fine. Make me say vows and a speech and I’m a wreck,” Nikki tells Woman’s Day. “I’m also the clumsiest girl ever. I said to Dad, ‘You better hold me up in case I trip over my dress!’”Just like on that magical night 12 years ago at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Nikki felt like her feet never touched the ground as her dream wedding came true. Nikki, 25, and Matt, 32, spent more than 18 months planning their big day, but there was still plenty of room for the unexpected.
While Matt handed Nikki the reins to create her dream wedding, he still managed to surprise her with a fairytale grand entrance. “He got me a horse and carriage,” gushes Nikki. “It was so romantic!” “I did it because her grandmother and her mother arrived at the church on their wedding days in a horse and carriage,” explains Matt. “I thought it would be a lovely gesture, especially since her grandparents came all the way from the UK for the wedding. I looked at a few and picked the one that most looked like a princess carriage.”
Unfortunately, due to a technical hitch on the roads, Nikki wasn’t able to travel to the church in the carriage, but she still felt like royalty arriving in a Rolls Royce in her breathtaking Arushie gown she designed herself. “I felt beautiful in the dress,” says Nikki. “Like a princess. I couldn’t wait for Matt to see me in it.”
As she made her way down the aisle at the historic Hunter Baillie Memorial Church to the sound of her close friend Anthony Callea singing his hit rendition of The Prayer, Nikki couldn’t fight the emotions. “I always thought I’d be the tough one, but it was hard to keep the tears under control,” Nikki admits. “It was just beautiful. It was everything I’d wished for.” And her groom was equally overwhelmed. “I was absolutely gobsmacked,” says Matt. “She was incredible. She was so beautiful. I felt like the luckiest man alive.”
In front of 150 of their closest family and friends, Nikki and Matt shared the vows they wrote. “You have shown me what love is,” Matt told Nikki, holding her hand tightly in his. “I promise to protect you, provide for you and care for you.” “You’re my best friend,” she responded. “I fall in love with you again and again every time I see you. This is the beginning of the rest of our lives.” To symbolise their union, the newlyweds released two white doves outside the church. “It’s just a beautiful symbol of our relationship,” Nikki says. “It’s like releasing life and releasing love into the world and it was a nice moment for us to breathe and say, ‘Oh, we’re actually married!'”
The newlyweds then headed to Sydney’s iconic hot spot Ivy. “We’re very passionate about Sydney. I’ve had my whole career in Australia, so I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” Nikki explains. “So why not get married in the world’s most beautiful city?”
Nikki and Matt met on a date on Australia Day two years ago set up by Nikki’s brother and Matt’s sister, who are long-time friends. “I knew very early on that she was someone special,” says Matt, who works for an airline. “I knew within a month that there was nobody else I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She’s one of the most inspirational, motivational people I’ve ever met. She makes me want to be a better person and she always puts everyone else first.”
Matt wasn’t the only one with surprises up his sleeve. During the celebrations, Nikki floored her groom when she sang a song she had written especially for him. “I organised a band for him because he’s always wanted a band, and he thought we were just having a DJ,” she explains. “And then I wrote a song for Matt that I sang after my thank-you speech called Into Your Heart.” “I was absolutely dumbfounded. I had no idea,” says a chuffed Matt. “It was one of the most moving experiences of my life.”
The two have been inseparable ever since their blind date, and exactly one year after their first meeting, Matt proposed in Fiji. “It was so romantic – we were watching the sunset and he got down on one knee,” smiles Nikki. “But it started raining, so we had to run back to the hotel. It was a tropical storm!” On their big day, the Sydney weather didn’t disappoint. “It was perfect,” says Nikki. “It was a little overcast, and everyone says you get the best shots when it’s like that, so we were extra lucky.”
The reception was held at Le Montage, overlooking Sydney’s glistening Iron Cove Bay, and the event space was just as sparkling. “Nikki wanted it to be beautiful and intimate,” says her wedding planner Diane Khoury. “She wanted it to be romantic with crystals and candlelight.” “The centrepieces create this magical story,” beams Nikki. “They were all handmade and they just blew me away. It was a real dream-come-true for me.”
Nikki and Matt have certainly found their happily-ever-after. “I’d love a family at some point,” Matt tells us. “It’s something we both want. But I think more than anything, I’m looking forward to growing old with Nikki. It’s a cliche, but she really does complete me.”
Now, there’s just one more surprise in store for Nikki – their honeymoon destination. “I have no idea where we are going!” she says. “All I know is I’ll find out at the boarding gate!”
The Dress
It was no coincidence that Nikki felt like a princess in her stunning $25, 000 gown, created by Arushie Bridal Couture. That’s exactly the look she was after when she helped design it with Arushie’s Jojo Marquez. Custom-made using pure Italian silk dupioni and crinkled organza, the vintage-style dress with modern touches took six months to make, and was embellished with tens of thousands of certified Swarovoski crystals, each individually hand-sewn. Arushie (www.arushie.com.au) also created the elegant headpiece and veil. Nikki’s earrings were by Elizabeth & Jayde (www.elizabethjayde.com.au).
The Menu
Canapes & Drinks
Entree
Zucchini and red pepper frittata with smoked salmon or Antipasto
Main
Grain-fed char-grilled beef mignon or Roasted breast of chicken wrapped in pancetta
Dessert
Passionfruit gelato cone or Soft chocolate pudding with poached baby pear
Photographer: Cliff Kent
Cake: Planet Cake
Dress: Arushie Bridal Couture
Handmade Crystal Centrepieces: Centrepiece By Design, www.centrepiecebydesign.com
Florist for bridal bouquets and ceremony flowers: Vesna Grasso Floral designs, vesnagrasso.com.au
Wedding coordination and planning: Diane Khoury, www.weddingsbydianekhoury.com.au
Custom-designed menus, place cards, guestbook: Diane Khoury
Mirrored wishing well and seating frame: Diane Khoury
Shoes: Sistar Shoes
Source: Woman’s Day
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Woman’s Day letters page, December 3, 2012:
NIKKI’S ALL GROWN UP
I loved reading about Nikki Webster’s wedding and couldn’t believe it was the same little girl who graced our TV screens all those years ago. She looked amazing and so happy. Everything from the bright blue bridesmaids’ dresses to the princess carriage was OTT!
Kate Summers, Lane Cove, NSW.
