DARLING DOWNS / CHERRY X NICK'S JIMBOUR HOUSE WEDDING

Cherry & Nick / Downton Abbey inspired wedding venue

Cherry and Nick’s Jimbour House wedding on the Gold Coast was the perfect blend of refined elegance and relaxed celebration. With its iconic architecture and sweeping grounds, the venue set the scene for a day rich in emotion and style, all artfully documented by Sean Reefman Photography.

Nick and Cherry met at work when Cherry started as the new DJ at a local nightclub. "Our first conversations were full of playful banter, with just the tiniest hint of flirtation. Looking back, I realised I had actually spotted him a year earlier behind the DJ booth and thought he was really cute. What drew us to each other was that instant pull — our shared energy, our sense of fun, and the way we made each other laugh. We clicked right away and quickly became not just partners, but best friends."

Their Jimbour House ceremony & reception feels timeless and elegant as the newly weds share their vows and a kiss as husband & wife. Crimson red accents woven throughout their decor add a rich, romantic contrast, giving the day a bold warmth against the classic setting.

Venue @jimbourhouse / Bride @strawberrydrvwy  Groom @stellie_au  / Dress @loveandlace.boutique.bridal / Designer @madewithlovebridal / Celebrant @celebrationsbysteve /  Flowers @fontanafloral  / Planner/Stylist @hausofhera__ / Photography + Content Creation @seanreefmanphotography /  Hair @clay_hair / MUA @daniflintmua / Catering @cestbonrestaurantandlebonbar  / Reception Dress @khirzadfemme / DJ @gmeventgroup /  Jewellery @kateandkole

The Proposal.

Nick planned a surprise getaway to Airlie Beach with our friends, cleverly disguised as a birthday trip for one of them. Everyone knew the real reason for the trip — everyone except me. His original plan was to propose on Whitehaven Beach, but after stepping off the sailboat feeling a little unwell, I headed straight for the water and the moment slipped away. Just as Nick began to wonder if it might not happen after all, one of our friends suggested we walk up to the Whitehaven lookout.

When we reached the top, our friends quietly started filming. Nick dropped to one knee, I turned around, and of course, I said yes. It was intimate, unexpected, and filled with so much love and laughter. What made it even more special was that it all happened in one of my favourite places, surrounded by our closest friends. The way it unfolded so naturally reflected Nick’s patience, thoughtfulness, and the deep love he has for me.

The Theme.

My vision for the day was modern, elegant, and intentionally a little different — something that felt truly personal to us. I didn’t follow a rigid plan; instead, I let my interests guide me and trusted our wedding designer to bring everything together seamlessly. The end result was beyond anything I had imagined, beautifully capturing our style and our story.

At the time, I was watching Downton Abbey and completely obsessed with the grandeur of old estate homes and their architecture. I remember telling Nick how incredible it would be to get married in a house like that. Not long after, it was actually Nick who found Jimbour House a truly extraordinary wedding venue — not only because of its breathtaking grounds and sandstone architecture, but because you can stay on the property and in the house itself with your closest friends and family.

It felt less like a venue and more like an experience, which made it the perfect setting for our wedding.

Without a doubt, the ceremony was Cherry's favourite part of the day. Sharing her love for Nick in front of our closest friends and family was incredibly special. "Hearing him read his vows, and seeing him overcome with emotion when he saw me walk down the aisle, was truly beautiful — a moment I’ll cherish forever. Another standout memory was spending the morning having breakfast with my closest girlfriends; it was such a joyful, meaningful way to begin the day and set the perfect tone for everything that followed."

The Advice.

The day goes by so fast, the lead-up can be a lot — especially if you’re taking on much of the planning yourself.  My biggest advice? Which comes in two parts. Hire a wedding planner right at the beginning (specifically Christie - Haus of Hera). If you’re going to have a big day, really go all out — add a second day to just enjoy yourselves and your guests. Have the ceremony and reception as planned, but follow it up with a wedding after-party the next day. Eat, drink, laugh, and soak it all in without timelines or pressure — it’s the perfect way to extend the celebration and truly enjoy every moment.

The Attire.

Nick wore a classic tuxedo with a bow tie — you can never go wrong with a timeless look, and he looked incredibly handsome. My wedding dress was a custom piece by Made With Love Bridal. I wanted something simple, elegant, and timeless, and on the day it made me feel calm, confident, and truly like a bride. For the reception, I wanted the wow factor, so I chose a red three-piece outfit from Khirzad Femme that, in my opinion, stole the show. I wanted something really different, and red felt perfect — it symbolises good luck and celebration in many cultures, but most of all, it was a stunning outfit and I knew it would look amazing.

The wedding planning process.

My favourite part of the planning process was when Christie from Haus of Hera stepped in two to three months before the wedding and took over the remaining planning and finer details. I had already engaged her for the styling and design aspect, so having her fully take the reins closer to the day brought an unmatched sense of relief.

Collecting inspiration for the wedding was also one of the most enjoyable parts — I loved pulling together ideas and visual elements. In all honesty, the detailed planning itself wasn’t really for me. Looking back, I don’t think I enjoyed a lot of that side of it, which made handing things over and trusting the experts even more important and worthwhile.

CONTACT SEAN