‘We booked out the whole island’: Ironwoman Courtney Hancock’s jaw-dropping Fiji wedding
A Queensland superstar sporting couple has revealed how they booked out an entire Fiji island for five nights for their dream wedding.
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When the queen of surf sports, the Gold Coast’s Courtney Hancock, married former professional cricketer Nicholas Buchanan this year, it was a sure bet the ocean would provide a backdrop.
Hancock, the only woman to have won the gruelling Coolangatta Gold four times, married Buchanan on the beach of Malolo Island in Fiji before 100 guests on June 3, after the couple booked the whole place out for five nights.
The pair, who now live in Burleigh Heads, met at the Noosa Triathlon in 2015, the Sunshine Coast resort town where Buchanan also proposed.
How did you meet? Courtney:At the Noosa Triathlon 2015, Nicholas had me at hello. Not only did my heart skip a beat meeting my future tall, dark, fit, big green eyes, handsome husband but he was the most kindest and happiest person I had ever met straight from the get go.
The proposal?
At the rocks on Noosa Beach near where we first met. I thought I was working for a few days up in Noosa and little did I know that Nicholas and my friend planned the whole thing. It was incredibly romantic and absolutely perfect. As we were having a beautiful afternoon stroll I noticed, written in pink on the middle rocks along the beach, “Will you marry me”. I turned around to see Nicholas on one knee with the most stunning ring I have ever seen.
Hen’s and buck’s days/nights?
We both had our parties about a month before our wedding. We kept it local and both had long lunches that went well into the next morning.
Hen’s:Barbie-themed party at Burleigh Bon Sol Penthouse.
Buck’s: Long lunch at the Burleigh Pavilion.
Where did you get married?
We booked out the whole island at Malolo Island Resort in Fiji for five nights: 48 rooms, 100 guests and a whole island all to ourselves! It felt like a total dream to have our closest people in life all on the same island there for you. It was the best five days of my life. A favourite moment was welcoming everyone out on the dock, we sang and danced with our Fijian family while everyone arrived. No one quite does a welcome like the Malolo family.
Any unique or surprising details about your wedding?
There sure was. We woke up to rain, no sun whatsoever as the whole island was dark and the rumour around the island was that the mainland (Nadi) was like a cyclone and it was heading our way. The local Fijian Malolo staff starting listing me a few options about where we could move the wedding to but then our close friend Zac, who is the resort manager of the island, told me that he prayed all year for sun for our special day. He said I promise you it will be sunny. It wasn’t looking promising until, sure enough, around came 1pm and it was the most stunning sun at Malolo I had ever seen.
What was the standout moment of the day?
I think that was the moment walking down the aisle with my Dad, seeing Nicholas for the first time. Yes, he had a few tears but he just looked so happy to be marrying me, seeing his face melted my heart and I just couldn’t wait to hug him at the end. Another favourite was our reception – we had the best time! Everyone was dancing, people jumping in the pool and we went right through until our last pina colada at 4am because we were having so much fun.
Where did you go for your honeymoon?
We decided to stay in our favourite place and continue our honeymoon in Fiji. After two weeks at Malolo Island Resort we took a boat, sea plane and another boat to the Royal Davui Island Resort. With only 12 bures and it being an adult-only resort, we were exactly where we needed to be to relax and unwind.
Best advice for other couples?
Have fun! Life is here to be lived and I think we all get caught up in being too serious. If you’re in a relationship and have met your life bestie go out and be adventurous together, challenge yourselves, make memories you look back and smile at, try new things together, give each other time and yourself time, laugh constantly, support each other and say I love you every single day as you never know your bestie may need that when you least expect. Remember why you fell in love with them in the first place.
Recovery party?
On Cloud 9, Fiji’s two-level floating platform with a bar and pizzeria. If you ever go to Fiji you would be crazy not to spend a day out here. We hired out the whole boat for our guests and it was the most fun I have ever had!
The Bride
Courtney Hancock,
35, ironwoman
Parents Julie & Richard Hancock
Bridesmaids Tina Chapman, Georgia Dinnell, Katie Sullivan,
Bonnie Hancock
Bridesmaid dresses @shonajoy
Dress @soniastradiotto
couture
Reception dress @zimmermann
Hair & bridesmaids makeup @lodoviko
Bride makeup Me :)
Flowers @tadraflowersfiji
Jewellery By Catherine @myjewelleryshop
Stylist @rosiefijievents
and weddings
Celebrant Peter Fullagar, Nicholas’s uncle
The Groom
Nicholas Buchanan, 32
ProfessionFormer professional cricketer
Parents Judith & John Buchanan
Groomsmen Timothy Buchanan, Michael Buchanan, Harry Waller (who made it for the reception after coming from his sister’s wedding), Nicholas Ritchie, Andrew Splatt, Peter Faust
Suit Custom @institchu
Entertainment @insideout_fiji
Videographer @josuefilms
Cake White chocolate, vanilla, chocolate, caramel swirl.
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