NMJ Lovers | Billy & Jean
For Billy & Jean their choice to say “I do” was one agreed to over a cup of tea. Wonderfully spontaneous, a treasured moment they will reminisce on forever as it led to their perfect union - an elopement in New Zealand with just their daughter, Maggie, by their side.
We caught up with Jean as she recalled their love story, a story that is uniquely theirs and reflects their shared love for adventure and taking the non-traditional path through life.
Let's go back to the beginning, how did you two meet?
Billy and I met through mutual friends at a bar which was local to us at the time. When both our mutual friends left the table, we got chatting. Billy chose to ‘kick on’ with me when our friends went home. The rest was history!
Jean, how did Billy propose to you? What do you remember most about this special moment?
Billy actually didn’t propose to me. To be honest, we decided to get married over a cup of tea when booking our New Zealand holiday!
We had always talked about getting married one day, though, the priority was low on our list. We already had bought our little house together and had our little one, Maggie. We already felt committed to each other and didn’t feel being married would change much! Having a big wedding was never important to us. We would rather put our money towards an adventure or our house!
We had recently been on a holiday with my now in-laws to Melbourne. On this trip, I was having a casual chat with my now mother-in-law. She said “Do you think you and Billy will get married?”, I responded with something along the lines of the above.
Billy’s love language is most definitely not gifts. I couldn’t imagine him doing the big proposal. His mum said “yes, well you’ll probably have to ask him like I asked Murray (my now father-in-law)”…This got me thinking!
When we got home, we were planning our upcoming trip to New Zealand to celebrate Billy’s 30th birthday. When booking the flights, I threw it out there, “Should we just elope and get married in New Zealand?”.
Billy’s agreeance then set me on a googling quest. I found a wonderful elopement photographer who also helped organise everything else that we needed, from make up artists to the helicopter. Kate Craig Brown spoke my mum-language! She was 100% on board to involve Maggie in our special day. She knew the day for us was about becoming a family. Everything fell together so seamlessly at this point. We booked it all in and then counted down the long 12 months until May 2023.
From here, we considered ourselves ‘undercover engaged’. We chose not to tell anyone and thought we would keep it as something special between Billy, Maggie and I.
So, what do I remember about this special moment? I was excited and emotional. I was going to marry my best friend and it wasn’t because of a tradition or because we felt like we had to. It was a decision we made together to become a family. What an adventure this was going to be!
Let's go back to the beginning, how did you two meet?
Billy and I met through mutual friends at a bar which was local to us at the time. When both our mutual friends left the table, we got chatting. Billy chose to ‘kick on’ with me when our friends went home. The rest was history!
Jean, how did Billy propose to you? What do you remember most about this special moment?
Billy actually didn’t propose to me. To be honest, we decided to get married over a cup of tea when booking our New Zealand holiday!
We had always talked about getting married one day, though, the priority was low on our list. We already had bought our little house together and had our little one, Maggie. We already felt committed to each other and didn’t feel being married would change much! Having a big wedding was never important to us. We would rather put our money towards an adventure or our house!
We had recently been on a holiday with my now in-laws to Melbourne. On this trip, I was having a casual chat with my now mother-in-law. She said “Do you think you and Billy will get married?”, I responded with something along the lines of the above.
Billy’s love language is most definitely not gifts. I couldn’t imagine him doing the big proposal. His mum said “yes, well you’ll probably have to ask him like I asked Murray (my now father-in-law)”…This got me thinking!
When we got home, we were planning our upcoming trip to New Zealand to celebrate Billy’s 30th birthday. When booking the flights, I threw it out there, “Should we just elope and get married in New Zealand?”.
Billy’s agreeance then set me on a googling quest. I found a wonderful elopement photographer who also helped organise everything else that we needed, from make up artists to the helicopter. Kate Craig Brown spoke my mum-language! She was 100% on board to involve Maggie in our special day. She knew the day for us was about becoming a family. Everything fell together so seamlessly at this point. We booked it all in and then counted down the long 12 months until May 2023.
From here, we considered ourselves ‘undercover engaged’. We chose not to tell anyone and thought we would keep it as something special between Billy, Maggie and I.
So, what do I remember about this special moment? I was excited and emotional. I was going to marry my best friend and it wasn’t because of a tradition or because we felt like we had to. It was a decision we made together to become a family. What an adventure this was going to be!
What was your reaction when you saw your engagement ring for the first time?
We had decided to get married, but we didn’t have a ring! We both hardly wore jewellery, so we didn’t have a clue what we wanted. I searched some of my local Facebook group pages and there were a lot of recommendations for Natalie Marie Jewellery. I googled and saw some pieces I really liked so I booked a consultation at the Avalon showroom.
With the excuse of “we’re just going to lunch”, we locked in for Maggie to be babysat whilst we secretly went to find ourselves some rings!
We went in honestly thinking we would choose something white gold – yet we both came out with yellow gold. I fell in love with an engagement ring and two beautiful bands. Our consultant was so lovely, helping us try on piece after piece and answering what we felt were our silly questions.
The NMJ Team were so respectful and accommodating with our budget. The piece I fell in love with was out of our budget at this time in our life, though, the NMJ team were happy to accommodate and made me a bespoke piece which looked so similar! I also purchased the Leilani Ring which I love. I cannot wait to get my third piece – the Cascade Ring.
The whole process was so easy, our consultant was so friendly and helpful, giving us constant updates on the rings throughout the whole manufacturing and ordering process via email.
They finally were delivered in November, that afternoon, I got Billy to officially propose!! Down on the knee he got! My reaction – ecstatic!
When I saw it on my finger for the first time I fell absolutely in love! It was exactly what I wanted. So, we were officially under cover engaged. Only 5 more months until we could let everyone know! I wore my ring around the house a lot.
You recently tied the knot in picturesque Queenstown New Zealand, tell us a little about your day?
We arrived in Queenstown on the 3rd of May were married on the 5th of May.
We were staying at an Airbnb which was special to us. The same Airbnb we stayed in a few years ago when we did a NZ trip pre-Maggie. It is located on the Shotover River in Queenstown. It has amazing views – including a vineyard right on the property.
The morning of the big day we woke up and went into town to get some breakfast, and of course some champagne. We then headed back to the Airbnb and vendors started to arrive. I had my hair and makeup done whilst Billy and Maggie hung around the Airbnb. We listened to our favourite music and popped some champagne.
Billy got ready, and he was told to go outside and wait in the vineyard for his bride. Maggie and I got our dresses on and we went out to meet dad in the Vineyard for our first look. Maggie walked me down the vineyard isle. It was such an intimate moment that I will never forget.
From there, we went to the helicopter hanger in Queenstown. The day was unfortunately a little windy, so our landing spots were limited, however, they chose an amazing spot called Garden Spur, Cecil Peak. It was freezing! But the view was amazing and well worth it.
Our wonderful celebrant married us. It was perfect. Maggie was a dream and sat silently the whole time with her babysitter on duty - the helicopter pilot. We read our vowels and exchanged our rings. It was so nice to officially wear them! Our witnesses were the photographer and the helicopter pilot.
That night, we went out to dinner – just the three of us. It was lovely and intimate and we truly felt like we were celebrating what the whole purpose of the day was – becoming an official family. I was dying to let everyone know back home about our secret!! We sent them a video of us, taken on top of the mountain and let them know the news. Everyone was ecstatic. The secret was out!
The next night we had babysitter and went out for a ‘fancy’ dinner just Billy and I as - Mr and Mrs Jones.
What was your reaction when you saw your engagement ring for the first time?
We had decided to get married, but we didn’t have a ring! We both hardly wore jewellery, so we didn’t have a clue what we wanted. I searched some of my local Facebook group pages and there were a lot of recommendations for Natalie Marie Jewellery. I googled and saw some pieces I really liked so I booked a consultation at the Avalon showroom.
With the excuse of “we’re just going to lunch”, we locked in for Maggie to be babysat whilst we secretly went to find ourselves some rings!
We went in honestly thinking we would choose something white gold – yet we both came out with yellow gold. I fell in love with an engagement ring and two beautiful bands. Our consultant was so lovely, helping us try on piece after piece and answering what we felt were our silly questions.
The NMJ Team were so respectful and accommodating with our budget. The piece I fell in love with was out of our budget at this time in our life, though, the NMJ team were happy to accommodate and made me a bespoke piece which looked so similar! I also purchased the Leilani Ring which I love. I cannot wait to get my third piece – the Cascade Ring.
The whole process was so easy, our consultant was so friendly and helpful, giving us constant updates on the rings throughout the whole manufacturing and ordering process via email.
They finally were delivered in November, that afternoon, I got Billy to officially propose!! Down on the knee he got! My reaction – ecstatic!
When I saw it on my finger for the first time I fell absolutely in love! It was exactly what I wanted. So, we were officially under cover engaged. Only 5 more months until we could let everyone know! I wore my ring around the house a lot.
You recently tied the knot in picturesque Queenstown New Zealand, tell us a little about your day?
We arrived in Queenstown on the 3rd of May were married on the 5th of May.
We were staying at an Airbnb which was special to us. The same Airbnb we stayed in a few years ago when we did a NZ trip pre-Maggie. It is located on the Shotover River in Queenstown. It has amazing views – including a vineyard right on the property.
The morning of the big day we woke up and went into town to get some breakfast, and of course some champagne. We then headed back to the Airbnb and vendors started to arrive. I had my hair and makeup done whilst Billy and Maggie hung around the Airbnb. We listened to our favourite music and popped some champagne.
Billy got ready, and he was told to go outside and wait in the vineyard for his bride. Maggie and I got our dresses on and we went out to meet dad in the Vineyard for our first look. Maggie walked me down the vineyard isle. It was such an intimate moment that I will never forget.
From there, we went to the helicopter hanger in Queenstown. The day was unfortunately a little windy, so our landing spots were limited, however, they chose an amazing spot called Garden Spur, Cecil Peak. It was freezing! But the view was amazing and well worth it.
Our wonderful celebrant married us. It was perfect. Maggie was a dream and sat silently the whole time with her babysitter on duty - the helicopter pilot. We read our vowels and exchanged our rings. It was so nice to officially wear them! Our witnesses were the photographer and the helicopter pilot.
That night, we went out to dinner – just the three of us. It was lovely and intimate and we truly felt like we were celebrating what the whole purpose of the day was – becoming an official family. I was dying to let everyone know back home about our secret!! We sent them a video of us, taken on top of the mountain and let them know the news. Everyone was ecstatic. The secret was out!
The next night we had babysitter and went out for a ‘fancy’ dinner just Billy and I as - Mr and Mrs Jones.
Our situation was unique and non-traditional. We love this about our story - it felt so genuine. A mutual decision to become a family which I think is what some people can easily lose touch of when planning a wedding.
Our situation was unique and non-traditional. We love this about our story - it felt so genuine. A mutual decision to become a family which I think is what some people can easily lose touch of when planning a wedding.
We feel so honoured to have played a small role on your special day, what was a highlight?
We are so glad we chose NMJ for our rings. These are items we will wear for the rest of our lives and we knew this. We wanted them to be timeless and to love them through all the seasons and trends. As mentioned, NMJ were so respectful of our budget and made us feel welcome. They were open to my idea of adding to my pieces in the future and worked this into the plan with me. I was worried some places would not be interested in our business because of this. Everyone we dealt with there were friendly and so helpful. Even prior to going they were able to help organise a clean of our rings for our special day.
The NMJ staff were amazing. I cannot wait to purchase my other pieces and work with NMJ again!
We’d love to know why you chose NMJ for the perfect engagement ring?
Our situation was unique and non-traditional. We love this about our story - it felt so genuine. A mutual decision to become a family which I think is what some people can easily lose touch of when planning a wedding. I often ask Billy what he would’ve chosen for me, or where he would have gone. He goes blank! I am sure though he would have found me something I loved. Though, I am glad I was in control here and we ended up with NMJ!
At NMJ, at the heart of everything we do is love. Tough question, but tell us, what do you know about love?
This is a tough question! Love for me is an unconditional feeling, like nothing in the world could change the way you feel. Love is about feeling at home, changing and growing together. Love is a commitment.
The below poem is how we summarise love, and this was read at our ceremony;
“I know love because I am in love. Because of how long I’ve loved. Because of the man I love. Love used to be a beautiful mirage, a moonbeam on the water I tried to cup in my hands. Now it is a grand oak tree, tried and tested, roots driving deep down into the earth. I have a love that takes me across oceans. A love that tells me I am home, no matter where I am in the world.” - Lang Leav, Love Looks Pretty on You.
We feel so honoured to have played a small role on your special day, what was a highlight?
We are so glad we chose NMJ for our rings. These are items we will wear for the rest of our lives and we knew this. We wanted them to be timeless and to love them through all the seasons and trends. As mentioned, NMJ were so respectful of our budget and made us feel welcome. They were open to my idea of adding to my pieces in the future and worked this into the plan with me. I was worried some places would not be interested in our business because of this. Everyone we dealt with there were friendly and so helpful. Even prior to going they were able to help organise a clean of our rings for our special day.
The NMJ staff were amazing. I cannot wait to purchase my other pieces and work with NMJ again!
We’d love to know why you chose NMJ for the perfect engagement ring?
Our situation was unique and non-traditional. We love this about our story - it felt so genuine. A mutual decision to become a family which I think is what some people can easily lose touch of when planning a wedding. I often ask Billy what he would’ve chosen for me, or where he would have gone. He goes blank! I am sure though he would have found me something I loved. Though, I am glad I was in control here and we ended up with NMJ!
At NMJ, at the heart of everything we do is love. Tough question, but tell us, what do you know about love?
This is a tough question! Love for me is an unconditional feeling, like nothing in the world could change the way you feel. Love is about feeling at home, changing and growing together. Love is a commitment.
The below poem is how we summarise love, and this was read at our ceremony;
“I know love because I am in love. Because of how long I’ve loved. Because of the man I love. Love used to be a beautiful mirage, a moonbeam on the water I tried to cup in my hands. Now it is a grand oak tree, tried and tested, roots driving deep down into the earth. I have a love that takes me across oceans. A love that tells me I am home, no matter where I am in the world.” - Lang Leav, Love Looks Pretty on You.
