M.J. Bale: Hi, Amelia and Nick! Congratulations on your wedding! How did you two first meet?

Nick: We met on the streets of Surry Hills, right outside a Chinese takeaway. It was a Monday at noon, and I was on my lunch break from work nearby when my dad called —perfect timing for one of his classic father-son pep talk, you know, the “What are you doing with your life?” speech. Just what you need when you’re already hungry and mildly existential. Right in the middle of my dad’s motivational intervention, I saw her. The most beautiful girl I had ever seen, walking straight toward me. It was like a scene out of a movie, except instead of being effortlessly cool, I was pacing outside a Chinese takeaway, deeply questioning my life choices.

At that moment, I knew I had to talk to her. So, in the most dramatic, coming-of-age-movie fashion, I cut my dad off mid-rant and said, “I gotta go, Dad. I need to take care of my life.” With my stomach full of nerves and absolutely no plan, I walked up to Amelia. I wanted to say, “You’re the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.” But, in a last-minute panic, my brain decided to betray me, and instead, I blurted out:

"You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve seen in such a long time." Such a long time?! As if I’d been out here conducting some kind of annual beauty survey. Thankfully, Amelia saw past my incredibly awkward, borderline backhanded compliment and picked up on the actual intention behind it. Somehow, despite that rocky start, I managed to introduce myself, charm my way through, and — miraculously — win her over. And that’s why I always tell my mates: Take the risk, ask the girl. Because you never know what could happen. You might just find the love of your life on a Monday... standing outside a Chinese takeaway in Surry Hills.

MJB: And was it love at first sight?
Nick: For me, it was love at first sight. For Amelia, it took a little bit longer…

MJB: Nick, what was it about Amelia that made you fall for her?
If you spend just 30 seconds with Amelia, you can’t help but fall in love with her. That’s all it took for me. But as time went on, I realised there was a lot more to her than just a great first impression. I remember in our first year of dating, I met her best friend, Jess. She told me, “Amelia is like an onion — she’s got layers.” And she wasn’t wrong.

Over time, I kept discovering new sides to her — some made me laugh, some caught me off guard, and some just made me appreciate her even more. And that’s what’s kept things interesting — she’s never just one thing, and that’s what makes her so great.

MJB: And Amelia, what did you love about Nick?
Amelia: The thing I love most about Nick is his playful, positive nature. He brings laughter and light to every situation and has this amazing ability to see the world in the best possible way —something I admire. We complement each other perfectly, and I think that’s what makes us work so well together. Also, he’s ridiculously good-looking... just the cherry on top!

MJB: Tell us about the proposal. Where was it? How did it happen? Was it a surprise?

Nick: If you haven’t already guessed, I’m a storyteller. So, strap yourself in for this one. Let me set the scene—Tasmania, a private chef, a cabin in the highlands and a diamond ring burning a hole in my pocket.

I had the whole day planned from the moment Amelia woke up. I wrote her a letter, made her breakfast in bed, ordered the largest bouquet of red roses I could get, and set everything in motion. The night before, we had checked into a cabin at a private winery estate two hours from Hobart. After months of searching for the perfect romantic spot, I found this hidden gem that was newly opened after the pandemic had shut everything down.

With a break from super-spreader events and my last chance before we got locked back in our house in QLD, I flew us to Tasmania, ready to ask the girl of my dreams to marry me.

That day, I lined up a bunch of fun activities, including a tour of the winery and a wine tasting. But as the sun set over the hills, I dropped to one knee — a lot harder to do in your late 30s, by the way. Proposing is a young man’s game.

I asked her to marry me. She said yes.

That night, we had dinner under the stars, and our chef — who, out of nowhere, pulled out a guitar — serenaded us. Who was this guy? Not just a chef, but an incredible singer? I took full credit for planning everything, but honestly, that guy made the night even more unforgettable.

MJB: Can you tell us a bit about your choice to don an M.J. Bale number for the wedding? Were you chuffed with the outcome?
Nick: When it came to picking the groomsmen’s suits, I checked a few places but wasn’t happy. I knew M.J. Bale made great suits, so I headed there to sort out my groomsmen. Originally, I planned to get my suit custom-made and was only focused on them. But once we were in the store, we picked everything — tuxedos, shirts, bow ties, pants — all from M.J. Bale. And the guys looked fantastic. The staff were awesome, and the suits fit so well that right then, I thought, why bother with a custom suit? I’m getting one of these and just getting it fitted for me.

And that’s a testament to M.J. Bale— the most important suit I’ll ever buy was an M.J. Bale suit. Thanks for the great tailoring and the awesome experience!

MJB: Any advice for aspiring grooms out there, whether about the proposal or Big Day itself?
What is my biggest advice for aspiring grooms? Remember to make time for yourself on the big day. Seriously. At some point, between getting dressed, tying your bow tie for the fifth time, and making sure your groomsmen haven’t lost theirs, take five minutes to just breathe.

The wedding day moves at warp speed. One second, you're adjusting your cufflinks; the next, you're pouring champagne into a tower like you’re in The Great Gatsby. Honestly, weddings exist in some kind of time warp.

Find a moment to step back, take it all in, and enjoy it—maybe sneak in a quiet beer, take a deep breath, or just stand in front of the mirror thinking, Damn, I look good in this tux. Because trust me, once the dance floor kicks off and your uncle starts breakdancing, it’s all a blur from there.

MJB: Thanks, guys!