NMJ Lovers | Ella & Tony

Join us for a special edition of NMJ Lovers, where Ella, a beloved team member of the NMJ family, shares her love story with Husband, Tony. 

From their serendipitous first meeting to a proposal that left them both laughing, Ella and Tony said "I do" against the picturesque setting of Sydney’s Pittwater. Surrounded by loved ones at The Joey in Palm Beach, they celebrated their union as the day turned into night.

Their story is a testament to the enduring beauty of love, grounded in patience, understanding, and their unwavering affection for their daughter, Florence. 

Let’s take it back to the beginning, tell us about the first time you crossed paths. 

We met through friends. Tony’s mate and one of my best friends are married, and they always insisted that we would hit it off. It took years to eventuate, we just never seemed to cross paths. One day Tony must have got sick of hearing it and took my number. It was his birthday that day, so I love to remind him how much of a gift I am!

 

Tell us about your first date! 

We had planned to meet up mid-week, however on the Sunday, we found ourselves both nursing hangovers, with no plans. So, rather than keep texting we decided to catch up that afternoon. Tony met me at my place, and we went for a walk down to the beach and then to a local bar. We both had a glass of red, hair of the dog together. There’s something fun about hungover banter, the conversation was flowing, and we just had a great time.

 

How did Tony propose to you? What do you remember most about this special moment?

Our friends were road-tripping to Falls Creek for a snow trip, but Tony and I decided to fly in from Sydney. With some extra time on our hands, Tony suggested lunch at All Saints Winery, and it was there that he popped the question.

After we had lunch, Tony suggested we take a walk around the grounds. We spotted a sign for a rose garden and headed that way, only to find it under construction. Disappointing for Tony, having thought he’d struck romantic gold! Instead, we turned back towards the beautiful stone building on the property.

Suddenly, Tony tripped and fell! Worried he’d hurt himself and would miss out on skiing (knowing his love for the slopes), I rushed to his side. But instead of injury, I found a huge grin and a ring box. "Gotcha!" he laughed – classic Tony, his unique way of dropping a knee. Relief came over me, quickly followed by awe at the stunning ring. Apparently, the surprise of it all left me momentarily speechless, but of course, I said yes!

Let’s take it back to the beginning, tell us about the first time you crossed paths. 

We met through friends. Tony’s mate and one of my best friends are married, and they always insisted that we would hit it off. It took years to eventuate, we just never seemed to cross paths. One day Tony must have got sick of hearing it and took my number. It was his birthday that day, so I love to remind him how much of a gift I am!

 

Tell us about your first date! 

We had planned to meet up mid-week, however on the Sunday, we found ourselves both nursing hangovers, with no plans. So, rather than keep texting we decided to catch up that afternoon. Tony met me at my place, and we went for a walk down to the beach and then to a local bar. We both had a glass of red, hair of the dog together. There’s something fun about hungover banter, the conversation was flowing, and we just had a great time.

 

How did Tony propose to you? What do you remember most about this special moment?

Our friends were road-tripping to Falls Creek for a snow trip, but Tony and I decided to fly in from Sydney. With some extra time on our hands, Tony suggested lunch at All Saints Winery, and it was there that he popped the question.

After we had lunch, Tony suggested we take a walk around the grounds. We spotted a sign for a rose garden and headed that way, only to find it under construction. Disappointing for Tony, having thought he’d struck romantic gold! Instead, we turned back towards the beautiful stone building on the property.

Suddenly, Tony tripped and fell! Worried he’d hurt himself and would miss out on skiing (knowing his love for the slopes), I rushed to his side. But instead of injury, I found a huge grin and a ring box. "Gotcha!" he laughed – classic Tony, his unique way of dropping a knee. Relief came over me, quickly followed by awe at the stunning ring. Apparently, the surprise of it all left me momentarily speechless, but of course, I said yes!

As part of the NMJ family for a few years now, we know many engagement pieces have passed through your hands. Having crafted many designs yourself, tell us about your ring and how Tony chose the design! 

I’ve been with NMJ for just over 3 years now, and I’ve had the honour of helping many of our clients design their dream engagement and ceremonial pieces. It’s been so special. 

I’m so proud of my engagement ring. Tony and Natalie designed my engagement ring, and I cherish that they worked so closely together on this. 

Tony knew my love for champagne diamonds and that I wanted something with a bit of a vintage vibe. Natalie sourced some champagne diamond options for Tony to choose from, varying in colour and clarity. The stones in my ring are all sourced from the Argyle Mine in Western Australia. I love knowing the origin of my stones, and that they’re Australian. I also adore the subtle warmth of champagne diamonds, they’re elegant but not too flashy.


Explore pieces from our limited Argyle Diamond Collection and learn more about the diamonds sourced from the Argyle Mine. 

As part of the NMJ family for a few years now, we know many engagement pieces have passed through your hands. Having crafted many designs yourself, tell us about your ring and how Tony chose the design! 

I’ve been with NMJ for just over 3 years now, and I’ve had the honour of helping many of our clients design their dream engagement and ceremonial pieces. It’s been so special. 

I’m so proud of my engagement ring. Tony and Natalie designed my engagement ring, and I cherish that they worked so closely together on this. 

Tony knew my love for champagne diamonds and that I wanted something with a bit of a vintage vibe. Natalie sourced some champagne diamond options for Tony to choose from, varying in colour and clarity. The stones in my ring are all sourced from the Argyle Mine in Western Australia. I love knowing the origin of my stones, and that they’re Australian. I also adore the subtle warmth of champagne diamonds, they’re elegant but not too flashy.


Explore pieces from our limited Argyle Diamond Collection and learn more about the diamonds sourced from the Argyle Mine. 

"Tony and Natalie designed my engagement ring, and I cherish that they worked so closely together on this. Tony knew my love for champagne diamonds and that I wanted something with a bit of a vintage vibe...

The stones in my ring are all sourced from the Argyle Mine in Western Australia. I love knowing the origin of my stones, and that they’re Australian."

Where and when did you get married - tell us a little about your day!

Our wedding day was only a month ago, on the 8th of March and I am still very much in the love bubble, not ready to come back to reality. It was the most unforgettable day with our loved ones. Made even more special with our baby girl, Florence, who was there for the ceremony and part of the reception, she absolutely stole the show. We held our ceremony at Clareville Beach Reserve, a beautiful spot overlooking the water. We then continued the celebration at Barrenjoey Boatshed, a spectacular venue also overlooking Pittwater. Cocktails at sunset followed by dancing, does not get any better.

 

What do you love most about your life together now as newlyweds! 

The calm that comes after the wedding. Slow weekends together with our daughter. Catching a glimpse of the rings on our fingers and the feeling of content that they bring.

Where and when did you get married - tell us a little about your day!

Our wedding day was only a month ago, on the 8th of March and I am still very much in the love bubble, not ready to come back to reality. It was the most unforgettable day with our loved ones. Made even more special with our baby girl, Florence, who was there for the ceremony and part of the reception, she absolutely stole the show. We held our ceremony at Clareville Beach Reserve, a beautiful spot overlooking the water. We then continued the celebration at Barrenjoey Boatshed, a spectacular venue also overlooking Pittwater. Cocktails at sunset followed by dancing, does not get any better.

 

What do you love most about your life together now as newlyweds! 

The calm that comes after the wedding. Slow weekends together with our daughter. Catching a glimpse of the rings on our fingers and the feeling of content that they bring.

"The right person makes love feel effortless, but it’s the patience, understanding, and open communication that make it a forever kind of love."

What does this next chapter in life hold for you both?

We hope to get some travel in this year. We are yet to go overseas together! We also celebrated our daughter’s 1st birthday two days after the wedding, we love her so much, and can’t wait to see what this year brings – hopefully some more teeth. She’s been sporting just one big front tooth for a while now.

 

At NMJ, at the heart of everything we do is love. Tough question, but tell us, what do you know about love?

The right person makes love feel effortless, but it’s the patience, understanding, and open communication that make it a forever kind of love.

What does this next chapter in life hold for you both?

We hope to get some travel in this year. We are yet to go overseas together! We also celebrated our daughter’s 1st birthday two days after the wedding, we love her so much, and can’t wait to see what this year brings – hopefully some more teeth. She’s been sporting just one big front tooth for a while now.

 

At NMJ, at the heart of everything we do is love. Tough question, but tell us, what do you know about love?

The right person makes love feel effortless, but it’s the patience, understanding, and open communication that make it a forever kind of love.

Ella & Tony wear matching Classic Wedding Rings, with Ella choosing our 3mm and Tony wearing our 5mm. The couple also chose to have their wedding date and names added to their forever pieces as a hidden engraving. 


Photography: Blaise Bell

Venue: Barrenjoey Boatshed

Florist: Ellebore 

Wedding Dress: Aston Bridal

Ella & Tony wear matching Classic Wedding Rings, with Ella choosing our 3mm and Tony wearing our 5mm. The couple also chose to have their wedding date and names added to their forever pieces as a hidden engraving. 


Photography: Blaise Bell

Venue: Barrenjoey Boatshed

Florist: Ellebore 

Wedding Dress: Aston Bridal