Frightening near miss for bride and groom

Only an hour before their ceremony, a huge tree branch caused havoc for this bride and groom, requiring urgent action.

Ruby Hubbard and Nichola Fordyce were fortunate to be one of the few couples this year not to have their wedding plans delayed by Covid.

They married on May 15, with their one-year-old son Hudson by their side.

“We thankfully had always had 2021 picked as our wedding year,’’ Ruby said.

Wedding of Ruby and Nic Fordyce. Picture: Jessica Turich Photography

But that doesn’t mean the whole day was smooth sailing. One hour before the ceremony, a huge tree branch fell almost on the bridal table, requiring urgent action.

“Our amazing venue team had to bring in a mini excavator to remove it,’’ Ruby said.

The Moranbah couple – who have been together for four years – married in front of 165 guests at Earlando on the Whitsunday coast, 50km north Airlie Beach.

They danced their first dance to Time After Time (an acoustic cover by Eva Cassidy) before honeymooning in Port Douglas.

How did you meet?

At a campdraft at Rolleston in Central Queensland, he asked who I was because he had never seen me before. Rolleston is a very small place.

Wedding of Ruby and Nic Fordyce. Picture: Jessica Turich Photography

How did he propose?

On his family cattle property while we were out checking waters. Doesn’t sound very romantic.

But a picnic and champagne hidden behind two tanks in the middle of nowhere is pretty romantic for us!

Hen’s night?

Mooloolaba

Buck’s night?

Brisbane

What was the standout moment of the day?

Seeing our friends and family at the reception sitting underneath fairylights on the lawn of the most beautiful tropical setting.

Wedding of Ruby and Nic Fordyce. Picture: Jessica Turich Photography

What would you do differently?

I wouldn’t change a thing about our day, it was magic!

Any unique or surprising details about your wedding?

30 minutes prior to the ceremony, a huge tree branch fell one metre away from the bridal party table.

Our amazing venue team had to bring in a mini excavator to remove it. Everyone was none the wiser, including myself who didn’t know until after the ceremony.

What would you spend more or less on?

Less on things like guest books, name tags etc and more on late night snacks and video footage. I think a total of 20 out of our 165 guests actually signed our guest book.

Wedding of Ruby and Nic Fordyce. Picture: Jessica Turich Photography

Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?

Start early. It really does creep up on you fast.

If you can afford it, hire a planner, or even just an on-the-day co-ordinator. We had such a relaxing and perfect day because our wedding planner was there doing all of the little jobs that no one wants to do.

I also really recommend having your ceremony and reception at the one place if it works – guests and bridal party are a lot more relaxed this way.

Original wedding plans?

We thankfully had always had 2021 picked as our wedding year after we got engaged in November 2019.

Becoming pregnant not long after, it worked out perfectly having a baby in 2020 and our wedding in 2021, which was not impacted by Covid at all.

We felt very lucky to get it in with no restrictions or masks.

Wedding of Ruby and Nic Fordyce. Picture: Jessica Turich Photography

Advice for couples whose weddings are impacted by Covid?

Remember what the day is really about and don’t let Covid ruin that. We were lucky to have our wedding as planned but it would not have mattered to us if we had had to elope.

I guess after you have kids your priorities are different!

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