The Proposal Guru’: Groom creates Brisbane’s most romantic wedding proposal

Candles, rugs, rose petals and a photographer to capture the moment, see how this groom-to-be pulled off this elaborate and romantic proposal.

With stone archways, grand iron gates and formal gardens, this was a wedding straight out of a fairytale. Toowoomba couple Katrina Ezzy and Michael Gibby celebrated their nuptials in an intimate and romantic affair at the enchanting Evergreen Garden on the Gold Coast in front of just 12 guests on March 4 this year.

A larger celebration was planned but Covid restrictions at the time forced the couple, who met two years ago on dating app Hinge, to downsize a month out from their date. The changes didn’t take away from the magic, say the couple, with the romantic reception underneath a silk-lined marquee with chandeliers and flowers cascading from the roof. Their relationship has always centred around romance, after Michael surprised Katrina with a Valentine’s Day proposal in 2021 along Brisbane’s riverside.

Michael Gibby proposed to Katrina Ezzy with an elaborate set-up underneath the Story Bridge

The groom-to-be enlisted the help of company The Proposal Guru to pull together the perfect set-up in Captain Burke Park under the Story Bridge, including candles in the grass, rug, pillows, blankets, an archway with wine, cheese, rose petals and photographers to capture the moment. The proposal made local news headlines later that night.

What was the standout moment of the day?

Katrina: Walking up the aisle and seeing the look on my to-be husband’s face, knowing that I have finally found my person I am meant to be with, and today I get to marry him in front of the people who mean the most to me.

What surprised you the most about the day?

How quickly it went, how much of a blur the day was and how much of it you don’t remember among all the photos with the photographer. You are both so busy on the day that if you can find a moment just to take a breath and chill, you will be glad you did.

Katrina and Michael's wedding at Evergreen Garden. Picture: Luke Middlemiss

What would you do differently?

We will be having a redo of our wedding day in a year or two when Covid restrictions have eased so we can renew our vows and have a day with all of our guests to celebrate our marriage that weren’t able to attend our very small wedding. So for our next wedding, I will most likely be looking for somewhere that can accommodate all guests and we can make a family weekend out of it as well as have our wedding. We will also be redoing our honeymoon and going overseas, maybe
the Bahamas.

What would you spend more or less on?

I wouldn’t change what I spent money on, however I do wish we had a videographer.

One thing you wish people told you about planning a wedding? That no matter what happens, just enjoy the day and try not to stress about the little things.

Best advice for other couples planning a wedding? No matter what happens or how things turn out, the most important thing is that you have each other and you are married. Make sure you get the best photographer, at the end of the day, all you have left is memories and your photos and I am so glad we invested in an excellent photographer, he was absolutely amazing and we couldn’t be happier with how our photos turned out.

What was the most expensive item on the day? As we all know venues are up there with expenses on the day, however my engagement ring topped that.

Any embarrassing or funny moments throughout the wedding? A funny one was my two-year-old niece Riley, who was as my flower girl, walking up the stairs in front of me with this cute little voice going, “Up, up, up, up.”

Katrina and Michael's wedding at Evergreen Garden

Emotions around changing plans due to Covid? We went through a whole range of emotions knowing that if we chose to go ahead with our wedding, we were only going to be able to have a maximum of 20 people, which included all vendors. We are extremely disappointed that this had to end up being the case for one of the most important days of our lives. We still had a nice day even though it didn’t turn out to be what we had planned and we weren’t able to have a lot of close family there.

Updated wedding plans? We had to downscale everything from the table sizes, chairs, flowers, cake, the wedding planner, the cutlery, candles, even the size of marquee and lighting we
were having for the reception. The hardest
part was telling family we had limited numbers and most of them would have to watch the wedding via Zoom.

Katrina and Michael's wedding at Evergreen Garden.

What helped you get through the stress of changing plans? Knowing that at the end of the day we wanted to be married to each other no matter what, and it was really important for us to have my grandparents there while they are still with us to see us get married.

Advice for other couples planning a wedding?

Decide what means the most to you both and do what feels right. Make the best of the day you have prepared and know that at the end of that day, you walk away being married as a Mr and Mrs and that’s what means the most.

The Bride

Katrina Ezzy, 33, Profession Nurse

Parents Bradley and Sandra Ezzy

Dress Designer Oksana Mukha from Pearl Bridal Gold Coast

Hair MC Hair Design Co.

Make-up Erica Coffey

Flowers Wedding flowers by Keren, Gold Coast

Engagement ring Designed by Brilliant Earth America

Wedding planner/stylist Luke Williams Designs & Events

The Groom

Michael Gibby, 38,
Profession IT business owner/manager

Suit Ferrari formal wear

TransportWent with guests from hotel to wedding venue

Honeymoon Port Douglas

Celebrant Shauna Rowe

Caterer Venue’s own private catering

Cake Cakes by Colleen Gold Coast