‘It was love at first sight for him’: Persistence pays off for rejected groom
This groom was rejected three times by his future bride before she agreed to go on a date but persistence paid off with the Gold Coast couple tying the knot in a lavish celebration.
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Persistence paid off for Michael Bouchaia, who was rejected three times by his future bride before she agreed to go on a date. But Amber Grant can’t believe she almost let her future husband slip by and is grateful she took the chance.
Nine months later Bouchaia proposed and six years later, the Gold Coast couple celebrated their wedding on September 17 last year.
In front of 100 guests, the couple tied the knot at St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane before continuing the party with the reception at Customs House in Brisbane City.
How did you meet?
Amber: I was a customer at a store Michael managed and he “accidentally” forgot to pack my full order, which gave him enough time to gain the courage to ask for my phone number when I returned. It was love at first sight for him and after three rejected attempts to take me out on a date, I finally said yes! Nine months later he proposed.
The proposal?
It was magical! While on holiday in Bali, where we were staying at Mara River Safari Lodge, Michael got down on one knee and proposed at dinner. After the shock wore off and I said yes, a traditional Balinese fire dance performance celebrated our union, and then we were later transported back to our room on the back of an elephant. I am still shocked to this day that he was able to plan all this without me knowing.
How did you choose your wedding venue?
From a young age, I always envisioned having a very traditional wedding in which I wore a big, white dress and was married in a church.
When looking for a church, I was moved with emotion when I first stepped into St John’s Cathedral: the atmosphere, its grand architecture and traditional stained glass windows which the sun danced through creating a kaleidoscope of colours. I knew instantly this was where I needed to be married. The same thing happened with the wedding venue Customs House. This beautiful heritage building steeped in history and period design took my breath away.
How did you choose your wedding dress?
Creating a bespoke wedding gown was what I always wanted, this led me to meet with George Wu. He is a master of couture creating silhouettes that women can only dream of. The design of my wedding dress changed a few times (quite a few times) as I struggled to decide on the final look I wanted. I had him add a split into the dress the evening before the wedding. No task was ever too big or too small for him, he even joined me on my wedding day and fitted me into my wedding gown.
Most stressful part of wedding planning?
Everything! From picking out venue chairs to designing menu place cards, you enter into what I call the “matrix”. However, in hindsight I would say, do not sweat the small things as at the end of the day no one cares! The real reason they are there is to celebrate your love and not the reception chairs that you fixated on for months and had especially delivered from interstate.
Is there anything that you would spend more or less on?
A great hack we learned while planning our wedding was to do with the flowers. To help with the floral budget we opted for silk and fresh flowers. The silk is placed at the bottom of the arrangements to create fullness while the fresh are arranged above giving the illusion of it all being real fresh flowers.
Any unique or surprising details about your wedding?
Our wedding was a blend of cultures that we integrated into our special day. The incorporation of Lebanese drummers and entertainers had every guest up off their seats and dancing all night long. We are still hearing from our guests that our wedding was one of the best they have ever attended.
What was the standout moment of the day?
The father and daughter’s first dance was a powerful moment. Not one person had a dry eye in the room. The conversation that I shared with my father during this dance and how I am now no longer his little girl, but I am now a woman, and one that he is so very proud of still moves me to tears!
Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?
Stress normally comes with planning a wedding. But just try to keep in mind what is truly important and that is marrying the person you love!
Can you tell us the story behind your wedding cake?
It’s from Ekats Weddings. This cake was a masterpiece! It was inspired by a famous cake designer in Paris who designs gravity-defying cakes. The wedding cake designer engaged an engineer to assist with how to create the levitation of the cake layers.
The Bride
Amber Marie Grant, 31
Profession Self employed
Parents Maria and Allan Grant
Bridesmaids Gretta Bouchaia, Kacey Lindsay, Bonnie Meyer, Lauren Franklin, Skye Rogers
Dress George Wu
Hair Leigh McCoy
Make-up Mia Connor
Flowers Adorn Event Hire
Engagement ring Jed Waghorn Bespoke Jeweller
Wedding planner/stylist Luk Design
The Groom
Michael Bouchaia, 35
Profession IT manager
Parents Jamela and Joseph Bouchaia
Groomsmen Reza Salimi, Cruiz Hosni, Pirini Worrell, Robert Mylne, Nicholas Bouchaia
Suit YD Menswear
Entertainment Levix and Sahra Entertainment
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