Mike and Fizzy in the Tia Gown

Barefoot, sun-kissed and ocean-bound – a North Bondi Australian wedding that perfectly captured their laid-back love story.

Couple embracing near a window with flowers and water in the background.

A Full-Circle Moment by the Sea

The couple met at work and, at first, kept it quiet until they knew it was right. Mike insists he knew immediately; she says, “It took me a little longer to catch up.” Once she did, though, there was no looking back. “I knew he was the one, and I knew I wanted a family with him.”

Mike proposed five years ago. “Being the extremely relaxed (basically horizontal) guy that he is, he was carrying the ring around waiting for the right moment for nearly a year.” The ring, Fizzy later discovered, had been sitting under her side of the bed the whole time. “I was quite literally sleeping on top of it!"

After some initial plans shifted due to Covid, Mike chose to propose on the beach at The Farm, a spot that felt perfect for the couple. Back then, camping was their way of spending time together in secret, so getting engaged there felt like a full-circle moment. True to them, they camped the night they got engaged, cooking sausages on the BBQ – “which felt quite hilarious given the occasion", Fizzy says.

Couple sharing a joyful moment indoors, with flowers and natural light.

Bride walking on the beach, holding flowers, with a groom following behind.

Couple embracing on the beach, dressed in wedding attire, with ocean in background.

Couple sharing a romantic moment on the beach.

A Relaxed Beach Celebration in Nielsen Park

Mike and Fizzy began the day with a small legal ceremony at the rocks in North Bondi, just down the road from their home. It was intimate and incredibly special, with only their parents and two little boys present. They signed the papers on the boats where they’ve spent countless afternoons swimming and watching the sunset and afterwards did what they always do there – jumped in for a swim. It was early, slightly overcast and completely empty, “which was crazy for Bondi in peak summer and made it even more perfect.”

Later, they gathered friends at the Beach Club on Shark Beach in Nielsen Park for an informal ceremony and celebration. Being by the water felt instinctive. “We’re in the ocean any chance we get.” The dress code said it all: “Whatever makes you happy. Shoes optional. Swimmers essential.” No one wore shoes, and halfway through the party, everyone went for a swim.

“Our best friend Brooke led the ceremony and said the most beautiful words whilst being interrupted multiple times by my 2 little boys 'surfing' the train of my dress.” It was relaxed and personal – exactly how they’d hoped. Margaritas flowed, brownies and Magnum ice creams were passed around for dessert, and there was endless dancing and swimming in between. “My face hurt from smiling, and my calves were wrecked the next day from dancing non-stop."

“It wasn’t traditional, but it was entirely us – barefoot, salty, sun-kissed, informal, a little chaotic and full of love.”

Among the most unforgettable moments was Brooke asking Fizzy to read an email she’d written to herself years earlier, after a weekend away with the couple in 2018. In it, she’d declared she was certain they would marry one day, finishing with, "One day I am going to read this at their wedding.” “It completely floored us,” Fizzy shares.

Mike’s speech was another highlight for the bride, who described it as “beautiful, funny, and absolutely perfect.” Walking down the aisle with both her mum and dad, their two little boys leading the way hand in hand, is an image she’ll always hold onto. And seeing a close friend, who had suffered a stroke just a week before, standing in the crowd was overwhelming. “I hadn’t expected him to be there, and seeing him standing there felt huge.”

There were smaller moments too, including guests swimming midway through the party (one forgot his swimmers and borrowed his wife’s). Every detail felt natural and completely them.

A bride walks down the aisle while guests celebrate.

Couple walking on the beach, smiling and enjoying the scenery.

Two people wading in water, surrounded by sailboats and a serene landscape.

Couple embracing on beach with ocean backdrop and bird flying nearby.

Falling in Love with Tia

At first, Fizzy had been browsing online, searching for something off the shelf. But after visiting the Grace Loves Lace boutique with two of her closest friends, everything changed. Trying on dresses in person, she immediately fell for the Tia gown. “It felt classy and timeless (and I thought I could pull it off barefoot!).”

The appointment itself felt like a celebration. “I had champagne, two of my best friends, and the warmest GLL staff members helping us out and then unexpectedly fell in love with a dress – so I was winning!”