MKR’S Courtney is tying the knot
LAST YEAR’S MKR RUNNER-UP COURTNEY FERDINANDS IS SWAPPING HER APRON FOR A WEDDING DRESS
She was a whiz at keeping her cool in the kitchen alongside her mum Valerie. But MKR favourite Courtney Ferdinands reveals there was no containing her emotions when her long-time love, Daniel Pearson, recently popped the question.
Indeed, the tears flowed when Daniel got down on bended knee during a scenic stroll overlooking Sydney Harbour on a warm summer’s morning.
‘I had no clue beforehand,’ concedes the gorgeous 30-yearold with a laugh. ‘Daniel had it all very well under control! I thought we were going to a friend’s garden party, but she was in on the surprise, too.
‘Daniel took me to this beautiful area in Lavender Bay, known as Wendy’s Secret Garden. Suddenly, he stopped and grabbed both of my hands and I started tearing up. Daniel then guided me to this spot where there was a sign that said: “Will you marry me?”’
A true romantic, Daniel presented Courtney with a stunning engagement ring.
‘It’s an 18-carat yellow-gold high-set solitaire with beautiful diamonds on each side,’ she says. ‘He did so well. It was such an emotional moment.’
Reveals Daniel: ‘I’d been planning the proposal for about a month and really wanted it to be amazing for Courtney.’
And there was still one more surprise to come.
‘Daniel had organised an “after-event” lunch nearby, with our close friends and family waiting to help us celebrate,’ says Courtney. ‘We even had his mother Mary, who lives in Adelaide, on Facetime. She is battling cancer at the moment, so she wasn’t able to fly, but it was very special that she got to experience the day with us. There was a lot of love.’
Courtney met audio engineer Daniel three years ago when they were both working behind the scenes at Nova Entertainment.
‘As time went on and I got to know him, I quickly realised we shared many similar interests,’ says Courtney. ‘He’s an amazing guy – he has such a gentle and kind soul... and a great sense of humour. He has me in stitches most of the time.’
Indeed, Courtney’s love for Daniel, 35, only intensified while they were apart during her stint on reality juggernaut MKR.
‘It was so hard being away from each other,’ she says, adding: ‘But we got through it and it made us even stronger.’
And now Courtney and Daniel are more than ready for the next chapter of their lives.
‘We can’t wait to start planning our wedding,’ says Courtney. ‘It’s such a wonderful and exciting time.’