Some places become part of your story long before you realise just how significant they will be.
For Nadia and Zac, that place is Cernobbio — a quiet town on the shores of Lake Como that they discovered almost by chance, returned to again and again, and eventually chose as the setting for one of the most important moments of their lives.
How They Met
Nadia and Zac first crossed paths through the real estate industry, working at separate companies and, as Nadia recalls, both noticing each other from afar.
Eventually, Nadia decided to make the first move.
After their first dinner date, they both walked away with the same feeling — as though they had somehow just met the boy and girl versions of themselves.
There was an immediate sense of familiarity and ease. Nadia describes it as a feeling of "arriving" — something calm, exciting and deeply instinctive all at once.
The Proposal
A few years into their relationship, Nadia and Zac made the slightly bold decision to take seven weeks away from their newly established businesses and travel the world.
Somewhere along that journey, they discovered Cernobbio.
Quieter than nearby Como, with a beautiful town square and a distinctly local feel, it immediately captured them. They returned the following year and spent two weeks there, cementing it as one of their favourite places in the world.
From then on, Cernobbio simply became theirs.
So when they returned to Lake Como again, this time with some of their closest friends, Nadia admits she had a feeling Zac might have something planned.
On their first evening, Zac suggested the two of them walk into town before meeting everyone for dinner at Harry's Bar — their favourite restaurant, famous in their eyes for the best tagliolini prawn pasta in the world.
They followed the familiar ten-minute walk into Cernobbio, retracing a route they had taken many times before. Then, in a place already layered with memories, Zac asked Nadia to marry him.
One of their closest friends was secretly waiting nearby, capturing the proposal on video and in photographs before the pair walked into Harry's Bar to celebrate with friends over Hugo spritzes, pasta and an unforgettable evening.
The Ring
For Nadia, the engagement ring was always going to be about more than simply choosing something beautiful.
She wanted it to reflect who they are as a couple.
Years before meeting Zac, Nadia had admired a yellow diamond worn by a woman whose optimism and individuality had always inspired her. The ring stayed with her because it felt bold, distinctive and completely authentic.
That memory never left.
When the time came, a yellow diamond felt like the perfect choice — elegant yet slightly unexpected, much like the life Nadia and Zac had built together.
Why This Design
Nadia has always gravitated towards pieces that are timeless but a little left of centre. She and Zac have never considered themselves particularly traditional, so a traditional engagement ring never felt quite right.
More importantly, they wanted to create something that could become the beginning of their own family legacy.
Neither of them grew up with treasured jewellery passed down through generations, and they loved the idea that this ring could become exactly that — a piece with a story that would continue well beyond them.
"It's different, it's a little bold and it couldn't feel more like us."
Choosing Together
Although the proposal itself remained a complete surprise, Nadia believes conversations about engagement rings should happen earlier than many couples think.
"Have the conversation before you think you should. It doesn't spoil the surprise — if anything, it makes the whole process more meaningful."
Her advice is to ask questions, share opinions and discover what matters to both people. Rather than simply asking one partner what they want, make the process something you experience together.
Because ultimately, the engagement ring isn't only a reflection of the person wearing it — it's a reflection of the relationship you've built together.
Looking Ahead
From a chance first dinner date that felt like coming home, to discovering a quiet corner of Lake Como that became uniquely theirs, Nadia and Zac's story has always been shaped by instinct.
Now, Cernobbio holds one more unforgettable memory — a familiar walk into town, a proposal beneath the Italian sky, and the beginning of the next chapter together.
Begin Your Own Engagement Story
Whether you're drawn to the individuality of a coloured diamond, the timeless beauty of a natural diamond, or the opportunity to create something completely bespoke, our team can help you find a ring that feels uniquely yours.
Explore our ready-to-wear engagement rings in our Norwood boutique and online, or begin your bespoke engagement ring journey with the James Thredgold team — thoughtfully designed and crafted in South Australia.
