Abbey and Michael planned their bohemian vibed wedding day to reflect their lifestyle; they wanted to show off the beautiful beaches and landscapes of the West Coast to their guests, and chose to be married at Point Brown – their favourite surf and camping location.
Their love of surfing and the beach isn’t all they have in common – both teachers, they met when Abbey moved to Kimba. “I met Michael when I started teaching in Kimba. I’m the art and English teacher, he is the tech teacher. I wanted to go to Kimba because my grandparents lived there. Lucky! He was so shy but also very kind. He invited me to his football presentation night where the waitress was our student. She looked at us and said ‘Mr. Dunbar, are you two on a date?!”
“Abbey was the best looking teacher I had ever seen. She has always been enjoyable to hang out with and has always been fun to be around.” Michael couldn’t keep the fact that he’d bought her an engagement ring a secret, but made her wait for a proposal! “I had the wedding ring for a while. Abbey and I went on a holiday to Samoa. After a day of traveling around the island we came back to our resort to rest. While Abbey was out on the balcony reading her book I built up the courage to drop to one knee and ask her if she would marry me. She said yes.”
The wedding planning slowly but surely came together. “I found making a decision on anything so final and scary! Until I started running out of time, then I had to decide,” said Abbey. “The photographer I wanted was the only thing I knew from the start.”
Finding her dream wedding dress was also one of Abbey’s easier wedding planning tasks. “I loved it even before I saw it in real life, from the website. I went with Hannah, Eliza and my mum to Brisbane to try it on, and felt so happy in it instantly! I then tried on MANY other dresses, but I didn’t get that feeling of happiness in any other dress. I love that it is not traditional. Every other dress seemed too serious for our style and personalities. I love its simplicity mixed with detail, and how lightweight and super comfortable it is. I hope Michael likes it!”
Michael and Abbey included many special touches for their wedding; “The place mats are doilies collected or made by the guests or their family members, including my grandparents and great grandparents.” Abbey made all of the table numbers and artwork.
And what a day their wedding was. Gorgeous locations, beautiful people and great weather; I had so much fun, both their families and Abbey and Michael all made me feel so welcomed and just like a guest at the wedding. Oh and I have to make mention of the Tipi’s, I was so excited from the moment Abbey had told me she was getting the Tipi’s!! I just couldn’t wait to photograph them, how amazing did they look…
Their day perfectly reflected Abbey and Michael as a couple – and so does their honeymoon. “We are unsure of the location – but we know it will be a surf trip. Possibly Indonesia or Maldives.” Sounds magical to me! Enjoy every second Abbey and Michael, and the many adventures to come as husband and wife.
Wedding dress: Grace Loves Lace – Giselle
Bridesmaid Dress: For the Love of Grace – different styles in dove grey
Shoes: Forever Soles
Suits: Peter Shearer
Florist: Say it Louise Lynch
Wedding Cake: Sugar and Spice
Decorator + Tepee: Kata and Co for Tepee Hire
Wedding Celebrant: Jane McDonald
Make up: Dikaia Karagiannis
Hair Stylist: Cassie Stringer
Wedding Venues: Ceduna Sailing Club
Wedding photographer: Jade Norwood
Where did mr and Mrs Dunbar get their marquee from?
Kata&co tipi hire http://www.kataandco.com.au