We planned a full week of events around the actual day so that we could spend quality time with loved ones and ensure everyone had fun while experiencing the magic of the Kimberley region.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Marion: We have kept ourselves very busy preparing for this wedding celebration whilst juggling full-time work (teaching) and general everyday life on our rural 5-acre property! We love being outdoors in the garden and also love being in/by the water- whether that’s hiking to a local waterfall or splashing in the ocean.
Dane: I’m a carpenter who enjoys our projects on our property and exploring the Kimberley as well as spending time with our animals and in the garden.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Marion – We met at The Argyle in Sydney when I was working as a bartender and Dane was a customer. I served him one round of CC and dry with lime. He then wrote his number on the back of his receipt and passed it to another bartender to give to me, saying, “Give this to that red-haired chick” (me at the time!). I messaged him and a couple of days later we met formally on the shore of Bondi beach.
Dane – It was Melbourne Cup day many moons ago and I was letting my hair down…little did I know that it would be a life-changing night!
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
Marion – I distinctly remember the moment when we (finally) began ‘dating’- as we waited for pedestrian traffic lights to change to green after being at a beach in Sydney. After that moment, Dane came to visit me in Dubai where I was working at the time and we had our first holiday (to the Maldives). Before long I was frequently flying back to Sydney, so much so, that I moved back to be with Dane and complete my degree.
Dane – When I saw Marion put up a tent really quickly, I knew she was a keeper!
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
Marion – It was the morning of my birthday celebration and we went for a swim at our favourite beach in the South West of Western Australia. Just the two of us and our dog, Cisco. We had walked a long walk down the beach and some surfers dotted the horizon, but there was no one else in sight. As I got out of the water from a swim with Cisco, Dane got down on one knee in the surf and pulled the ring out of his pocket (that he had swum with!). It was a beautiful moment. We returned to the rented house in Yallingup to celebrate my birthday with friends and family long into the night- including dancing and swimming as the sun set on the same favourite beach where we had been that morning.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Marion – I originally wanted to make my dress by combining my mum and grandma’s dresses. However, it was clear that the styles were too contrasting. I deconstructed my mum’s wedding dress and used the beautiful heavy raw silk and beads to make mine. I didn’t need any new fabric for any of it. I used delicate vintage lace from my grandma’s wedding dress to make my veil (with some help from my close friend and bridesmaid, Harriette).
When it came to the bridesmaids’ dresses, we made up so many mood boards, yet ended up using our original idea: handmade linen dresses designed by my close friend and bridesmaid, Natalie. The dress designs were chosen by each bridesmaid and were hand dyed to complement the landscape. This also meant that the groomsmen’s bowties were handmade and hand dyed the exact colour.
Dane – My wedding band was adapted from my pop’s signet ring, which is pretty special to me. I added a yellow diamond to match Marion’s rings and filled in the back of the gold band.
VENUE With the Birtds, @with_the_birds / PHOTOGRAPHY Lani Bradshaw Photography, @landi.lifestyleandweddings / VIDEOGRAPHER Tarna Waters, @tarnawaters / DRONE SHOT Ben Broady, @ben_broady / CELEBRANT Katie Mary Celebrant, @katie_mary_celebrant / BEAUTIFUL DUETS Lucy Peaches, @lucypeaches; Ethan Calway, @ethancalway / DJ Stone Unknown, @stoneunkown / STYLING & PLANNING Bride / GRAZING BOARD: Curated by Friends / CATERING Dinner@7 / SPARKLING WINE AND SPARKLING WATER WITH HAND-PICKED WILD ROSELLA FLOWERS Taken from Couple’s Neighbour’s Place / MOJITOS WITH LOCAL LIMES AND MINT FEATURING HAND-PICKED WILD ROSELLA FLOWERS Taken from Couple’s Neighbour’s Place / ESPRESSO MARTINIS Made with Handmade Espresso Shots, served on a Keg / BRIDE’S WEDDING DRESS Made from the Bride’s Mom’s Wedding Dress / VEIL Made from the Bride’s Grandmother’s Wedding Dress with the help from Harriette Gordon, @harriettegordon / EARRINGS Kirstin Ash, @kirstinash / GROOM & GROOMSMEN’S BOWTIE Wild Horses Label, @wildhorseslabel / SUIT MJ Bale, @mjbale / GROOM’S SHOES & GROOMSMEN’S SUITS RM Williams, @rmwilliams / RINGS Kimberley Fine Diamonds, @kimberleyfinediamonds / BRIDE & BRIDESMAIDS SHOES Nelson Made, @nelson.made / MAKEUP Inner Maverick, @inner.maverick / HAIR Shell Leavers, @shell_leavers; Sarah Roberts, @sj781 / CUSTOM-MADE BRIDESMAID DRESSES Wild Horses Label, @wildhorseslabel
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