Firstly, thank you all very much for visiting Brides in Brisbane, I hope that the tips, pics and vendor lists will help keep you inspired, organised and stress free leading up to whoever’s wedding you are planning.

Thank you also for taking the time to start reading my little blog.   I am Jill “soon-to-be-Mrs-Simmonds” Brooks and I am very happy to be marrying my wonderful fiancé, Dane, this year on October 30th.  Since Dane proposed in November last year we have excitedly been planning for the big day, but more importantly we just can’t wait to call each other “Husband” and “Wife”.  I have started this blog to record our experiences planning our wedding which will hopefully give an insight into the ups and downs, laughter and tears, stress, creativity and enjoyment that comes with planning a wedding.

To tell you a little about ourselves, Dane and I met through his brother and moved in together as housemates, although it wasn’t long before we admitted that we felt more than friendship for each other.  After 2 years together we bought a house and adopted a puppy we named ‘Dexter’ and together the three of us enjoy nights in watching movies, reading graphic novels and finding ways to make each other laugh.  We’re (trying) to have a very relaxed wedding which reflects our personalities and are aiming to be unique, in a good way!  I’ll reveal more details about our big day in future posts, however I’ll start with the story of our proposal…

Dane and I had travelled to Melbourne for a long weekend of fun and shopping.  Dane had lived in Melbourne for 2 years before we met and he had taken me once before and I absolutely love it!  If there was any Australian city I would live in other than Brisbane it would be Melbourne.  Dane had surprised me a few months earlier by booking a hot air balloon ride over the city, which at the time I had no idea that was where he was planning to propose!  However, once we got to Melbourne we experienced terrible weather; high winds, rain, etc, so the balloon ride was cancelled.  Of course, wonderful Dane had a back up plan and had made a reservation at an amazing French restaurant on our last night and decided to propose before we arrived.  So Dane started emphasising to me late that afternoon that I had to get very dressed up for this dinner, although it wasn’t long before he started harassing me to hurry up as we allegedly were going to be late!  As he was hustling me out the door, he stopped and asked me what jewellery I was wearing. Confused and exasperated, I replied, “Just my bangle, why?”, and that was when he dropped to one knee, presented me with the most beautiful engagement ring I have ever seen and answered, “because I thought you would want to wear this” before asking me to marry him.  I was so shocked I actually cannot remember everything, but I do know that I happily accepted and joyously told everyone within earshot that I was now engaged for about a week after.

Looking back, I am glad that Dane proposed in such an unexpected way so that I was surprised.  Also, I’m glad he didn’t propose while we were in the hot air balloon as it was only 1 week later that I read that a man lost an engagement ring over the side of the basket!

For now I will sign off by thanking you again and to ask you to please stay tuned for more tales on how I planned the most special day of mine and Dane’s lives…so far…

Love,

Jill x