This month, we're shining the spotlight on Hogans Couple, Ryan and Ellie. Hailing from Toowoomba, this lovely couple are big on sentimentalism - from their proposal and first dance song selection, down to the fine engraved details on Ellie's wedding band. We're honoured to be sharing a snapshot of their love story with you today!
Q: Let’s start with a little bit about your love story. How did you two meet?
A - Ellie: Ryan and grew up in Toowoomba. I went to Fairholme and Ryan went to Downlands. We never really crossed paths with each other until university. We both attended a mutual friend's 21st at The Spotted Cow where I asked Ryan to dance with me to the song Dancing in The Moonlight. The rest was history! That song has continued to hold such a special place in our hearts, with Ryan proposing to me with that song playing in the background and it being our first dance song at the wedding.
Q: Your proposal took place off Australian soil. Take us through the proposal journey, where it took place, and the moment Ellie said yes.
A - Ryan: After waiting for the ring to arrive in London and going in and out of lockdown it was hard to decide when and where I should propose. I had many grand ideas to do it somewhere in our travels but of course COVID had other ideas and unfortunately those travel plans kept getting cancelled. It was about 4 months after I got the ring, and I couldn’t wait any longer, so I got together with Ellie’s girlfriends and asked them to help me out with the perfect proposal. They had planned a girl’s night and Ellie was on her way over to a house in London city. She was surprised when I opened the door and had her favourite pasta dish cooking with the song ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ playing as she walked into the house. I asked her to dance, Ellie oblivious to the fact I wrote ‘will you marry me?’ on the mirror. I dropped a knee, and she said yes! We then celebrated the next day with all of our friends!
Q: Given there were some logistical obstacles to overcome, how did the engagement ring procurement play out from design through to delivery to your home in London?
A - Ryan: Lachy and I communicated via email. We spoke about different designs and sent me sketches. After I was happy with the sketch Lachy started to design the ring. I was updated with photos and was very happy. After the ring was designed, we continued to communicate about the process of getting it to London. Lachy was helpful with the process, and we started to generate some ideas. I didn’t want to pay the import tax so I was looking to see if anyone could bring it over to the UK for me. As you can imagine, being COVID time. It was extremely rare to find anyone travelling to and from the UK at this time. Luckily, I had a friend that had to renew their Visa back in Australia and was coming back to the UK. Hogans packaged the ring and my friend had the very important job of keeping it safe for me! Once she landed in London, I picked it up safe and sound and was just so happy with the design. From the ring being finalised to me receiving it, it was about 3 months. I then had to decide when to propose!
Q: Ryan, did Ellie drop any subtle or not-so subtle engagement ring design hints or did you take the lead?
A - Ryan: Ellie had dropped a few hints over the years, mainly the cut of the diamond and that it had to be gold. It was great to be able to design the ring with Lachy and hopefully get everything Ellie would want!
Q: Another question for Ryan. Do you have any tips to pass onto prospective engagement ring buyers?
A - Ryan: Don’t worry if you're unsure of what kind of ring you want to go for. Just start by having a chat with Lachy and he'll be able to give you a much better idea and guide you into designing or choosing the best engagement ring.
Q: What did your wedding day look like? Tell us how you celebrated the big day and one key highlight?
A - Ellie: Our wedding took place at Gordon Country in a beautiful barn. The wedding day was everything we could have dreamed of. The ceremony was outside and we had an assortment of beautiful wildflowers, blue bells, daisies, chrysanthemums and poppies which made the space so colourful and happy! It was a relaxed wedding full of belly laughs and dancing. The highlight was our beautiful ceremony, saying I do and dancing back down the aisle as husband and wife with our nearest and dearest following.
Q: Your wedding rings were both crafted by the Hogans team in matching rose gold, and yours Ellie, has been hand engraved with 5 X’s on the band’s exterior. Can you explain the meaning behind these?
A - Ellie: The 5 X’s are on my wedding band as I wanted to recreate my Grandmother's wedding ring that my mum now wears. It is a beautiful unique design and I am so grateful Hogans were able to design it to match.
Q: Finally, what would be your advice to those who are either planning a proposal or a wedding?
A - Our biggest advice when planning a wedding would be to not get caught up in the little things. On the day you are surrounded by all the people you love and you’re about to marry the love of your life. Nothing could have ruined our day and we loved all the little quirks and hiccups that happed along the way. A couple of things that I think really added to our day was our celebrant and photographer. Our celebrant was amazing and the the moments that were captured are ones we will cherish forever and look back on with such happiness.
Suppliers
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Gordon Country
Photographer: Aimee Catt
Wedding Dress: Bloom Bridal
Celebrant: Clare West
Hair Stylist: The Salon By Chrissy
Engagement Ring & Wedding Rings: Hogans Family Jewellers
