Roar star’s dream wedding after Covid postponement

It was delayed a year by Covid but Brisbane Roar star Jack Hingert and his bride have finally tied the knot. See the magical photos.

3 min read

November 18, 2021 - 11:30PM

QWeekend

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It was delayed a year by Covid, but Brisbane Roar star Jack Hingert and his bride Symeon Leslie finally were able to tie the knot in June this year.

The Murarrie couple had both their reception and ceremony at Rosewood Estate, Beechmont, in front of 90 guests.

Originally 130 were on the list but guests from Melbourne were unable to attend, including the best man and groomsmen.

The couple was introduced by Jack’s ex-teammate Luke Brattan at a nightclub in Brisbane. “Luke and Sym grew up in the same area so they knew each other well,” Jack recalls.

Wedding of Jack Hingert and Symeon Leslie. Picture: Celine Hogenkamp, Inshula Studio

“We were all out at the same club and Luke decided to throw Sym at me and say ‘Sym, this is Jack’ … and that was it!

“We tried to remain just friends for a while because we had the same friendship group and didn’t want to make things awkward for anyone but we just had to be together!”

The couple’s first dance was Russell Dickerson’s Yours (Wedding Edition) and they honeymooned in Queenstown.

How did the proposal happen?

Sym went over to London for work and it lined up with my off season so I planned a trip to Europe at the last minute to meet her over there.

We did a bit of travelling throughout Europe. I already had a ring (which she had no idea about) but I hadn’t planned on exactly where I was going to ask the question. I was carrying this ring around with me everywhere just waiting for the right time … sweating.

Finally, after an amazing dinner at a restaurant on the beach in Positano we went for a walk along the beach and it just felt like the perfect time so I told her I had a present for her but she had to turn around.

She did and I got on one knee. When she turned back I was on one knee with the ring. She just started crying with happiness and she could hardly answer the question!

What was the standout moment of the day?

Seeing Sym for the first time.

Wedding of Jack Hingert and Symeon Leslie. Picture: Celine Hogenkamp, Inshula Studio

What would you do differently?

Absolutely nothing! Loved it.

What would you spend more or less on?

Sym was amazing with her planning and we were so lucky that all of the vendors looked after us well.

I think we spent money on things we needed and saved on things that were not as important. We even organised some things ourselves instead of paying people to do it.

One thing you wish people had told you about planning a wedding?

The amount of little things that you don’t even think about that need to be planned. I had no idea!

Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?

Try not to get caught up in what you think everyone else wants at your wedding. It’s about you so do what you want and have what you want to have there!

Also on the day, slow down and enjoy it … try and take it in and enjoy the moment as it is over so quickly.

Wedding of Jack Hingert and Symeon Leslie. Picture: Celine Hogenkamp, Inshula Studio

Original wedding plan?

Exactly the same plans/venue but changed date from June 4, 2020. We were so lucky we were able to re-book all the same vendors and same venue for the next year.

When did you decide to change plans?

We had to make the decision to postpone six weeks before our original wedding date.

Emotions around changing plans?

So disappointing. I felt bad for Sym as she had worked so hard on planning everything just to have to cancel six weeks out and then having to replan everything again for the next year was tough.

It was exciting planning things the first time but lost its buzz a bit the second time.

Even once we had re-booked it all it didn’t feel like it was going to go ahead with all the Covid restrictions. It was almost like we couldn’t get excited until we got there on the day.

Advice for other couples whose weddings are impacted by coronavirus?

Be prepared for change and be flexible.

We even looked at doing a small wedding with just immediate family and then throwing a party with everyone once restrictions eased.