The swim star marries former AFL player Tim Notting in a low-key ceremony. Katherine Chatfield reports.
Jodie Henry is not a woman who likes a lot of fuss.
Two hours before the Olympic gold medallist is due to get married, she’s wandering around in shorts and a singlet.
Her dress is still at the dry cleaners, while husband-to-be and former Brisbane Lions AFL player Tim Notting is driving around on his moped.
“Everything will happen,” she shrugs. “Things always fall into place. I’m not nervous.”
She’s right. At 4pm, as close friends and family congregate to hear the vows on a windswept Bali beach, everything looks perfect. Frangipani and rose petals are strewn across the sand, and Jodie looks immaculate in her flowing Rose & Ruby dress, a flower tucked behind her ear.
Instead of being “given away” by her dad, Jodie and Tim arrive together, beaming at their guests.
“I know it sounds silly, but I don’t like people staring, so I didn’t want to ‘walk down the aisle’,” says Jodie, 26. “We’re living together, so it’s not like Dad would be giving me away. I think it’s great turning up together.
I didn’t want a big hoo-ha.”
With a backdrop of crashing waves, the couple exchanged simple vows, promising to love and honour each other forever.
“We wanted to keep it short and sharp,” says Tim, 31. “Then we can get some nice photos taken and get to the party!”
The low-key pair chose to marry in Bali after getting engaged last October. Tim had a ring made, and proposed to Jodie while she was driving.
“He was fiddling with my finger and took the ring I was wearing off,” recalls Jodie. “I looked down and thought, ‘Jeez, that’s not my ring.’ I had to pull over.”
It didn’t take long for the couple to start planning the wedding.
“We just thought, ‘Let’s do it,’” says Tim. “Once you’re engaged, there’s no point waiting – you might as well get married as soon as possible.”
For the story see this week's Woman's Day, on sale April 12, 2010.
