Former Broncos star Brodie Croft and Safina Bux marry on the Gold Coast
A former NRL star has opened up on the moment from his glamorous Gold Coast wedding to his longtime partner that took his breath away.
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They met in Melbourne seven years ago and have been together ever since.
Rugby league player Brodie Croft, who was playing for the Melbourne Storm at the time, and Safina Bux, who now live in Manchester in the UK where Croft plays in the Super League for the Leeds Rhinos, married on October 27 this year at The Valley Estate in the Currumbin Valley on the Gold Coast.
They shared their special day with their two sons Haris, 3, andZaiden, 1, and wed before 80 guests, dancing their first dance to Bryan Adams, Everything I Do.
How did you meet? Safina:We met in 2017 in Melbourne when Brodie was playing for the Melbourne Storm. We were at the Saint Hotel in St Kilda, I didn’t know anything about rugby league as I’m from the UK. I was a little shy but some Dutch courage enabled me to approach Brodie and say “Hi” first. From then on we were attached. I lived in Sydney at the time but moved to Melbourne where we would spend a lot of time at many of Melbourne’s famous cafes, eating fish and chips at the beach and exploring as much of Victoria as possible. I thought Brodie was very chilled and handsome; Brodie says he thought I was confident, chatty and beautiful.
The proposal? Brodie took time planning the engagement in July 2020, just as I was four months’ pregnant with our firstborn Haris. I had dropped many a hint prior showing pictures of engagement rings, and even dragging Brodie into a jewellery shop on the Sunshine Coast where Brodie made a note of the ring size. At that point, I wasn’t aware that Brodie was already planning the engagement. He bought the ring from Tiffany & Co, as he knew that’s where I wanted my ring from. He found a company on the Gold Coast that specialised in occasions like this. Before the day, he discreetly FaceTimed Amina (my sister) and our Mum to ask for Mum’s permission to marry her daughter.
Hen’s night? My hen’s took place in July in the UK at Hoar Cross Hall Spa Hotel. It’s a very picturesque countryside spa where we all had a delicious three-course meal, private function room and spa treatments the next day.
Buck’s night? Brodie had his buck’s on the Gold Coast with some of his closest friends.
How did you choose your wedding venue? Our planner helped us source The Valley Estate. I chose this venue as I wanted something that was sophisticated yet oozed glamour.
Honeymoon? Dubai in the interim while we save for Bora Bora.
What would you spend more or less on? I could easily have gone overboard with the florals, I’m such a flower person, less on the wedding cake.
How did you choose your wedding dress? I wanted something that would flatter my shape, so I opted for a figure-hugging fishtail dress from Enzoani. I tried on about five dresses but I just knew the dress from Enzoani was the one. I kept going back to the dress shop (Knutsford Bridal Gallery in Cheshire, UK) to try it on numerous times to be sure! I wanted something that had the wow factor. I also opted for a second dress for the reception from Milla Nova, something glamorous and easy to move around in.
What were your thoughts seeing Safina for the first time?Nerves were at high, but Safina took my breath away when she came down the aisle and it was even more cute that she walked down with our three-year-old son Haris.
What was the most stressful part of wedding planning? Being on the other side of the world, unable to sample things, do site visits properly!
Any unique or surprising details about your wedding? We wanted Haris, our boy, to walk me down the aisle, something we felt was appropriate as my mother passed away three years ago.
What was the standout moment of the day?Brodie:Seeing Safina with Haris walking down the aisle, then all the speeches! Seeing the venue styled. Saying each other’s vows, seeing all of our friends and family come together to share our love.
What was a wedding non-negotiable for you? Absolutely investing in a good photographer and videographer to capture the key moments.
What would you do differently? I’d probably try to see if I could find a venue that would have a later curfew – The Valley Estate curfew was 10pm which is a bit early.
Top wedding hack? Research a good florist and excellent photographer.
Best advice for other couples planning a wedding? Take your time sourcing a good venue, try not to worry about the little things. Enjoy every moment of it.
The Bride
Safina Bux
Profession Recruiter
Parent Ayesha Hussein
Bridesmaids Cassandra Weiss-Hercules, Amina Bux, Yvonne Harris-Hercules
Dress Enzoani
Hair Jaala Hair Creative
Make-up Jdolls, (Janise Chan)
Flowers Florals & Co
Engagement ring Tiffany & Co
Wedding planner/stylist Haus of Hera
Shoes Amina Muaddi
Venue The Valley Estate
The Groom
Brodie Croft
Profession Professional rugby league player
Parents Tanya and John Croft
Children Zaiden and Haris Croft
Groomsmen Scott Drinkwater (Best Man), Josh Croft and Zac Croft
Suit Mossbros
Shoes Christian Louboutin
Entertainment Danielle Guest
Videographer Mitch Birchall
Celebrant Amber Gillam
Cake Marina Machado, vanilla buttercream and cardamom-infused apple
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