Wedding date: 18 March 2022 // Number of guests: 56
Abbi and Luke were understandably overwhelmed with planning their own celebration, considering that neither of them had ever attended a wedding before. Yet, with the help of the expert Hideaway Weddings team, the journey to pulling off their magical day with minimum fuss and maximum style and individuality was a simple one, leaving the couple to focus on the thing that mattered to them most – enjoying their declaration of love in front of a close-knit group of family and friends on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.
All good love stories start somewhere; tell us how and when you met:
The first time we met, I [Abbi] was at a sleepover, and one of my friend’s brothers surprised her by picking her up early. That brother happened to be Luke. He was wearing a ‘Bullet for My Valentine’ shirt that instantly made my heart flutter, and all I could ask was, “Do you listen to Bullet for My Valentine?” It wasn’t until about two years later, when I’d moved home from Brisbane, that I met Luke again, and we connected, which got us to where we are now.
What does marriage mean to you?
It means spending the rest of our lives together as best friends, sharing the good and the bad times and always coming out together.
Make us laugh, make us cry: who proposed to who, and how?
We planned a couples photoshoot for our third anniversary with our photographer and friend Kate, who took us to some beautiful locations around Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast hinterland. There were location changes, outfit changes, and hair changes brought on by the weather. Occasionally, Luke would get super shaky and raspy with his breathing, I would ask if he was okay, to which he replied, “yeah, I’m good”. Nothing happened during the photo shoot, but when we walked along the riverbank to get something for dinner, Luke stopped me and said, “Babe, you know I love you”. I remember replying, “Aw babe, I love you too!”. He stopped me again and said, “No, I mean I really love you”, and he then got on one knee and proposed.
How and why did you choose your venues?
Neither of us had been to a wedding in our adult lives, and we didn’t know where to start. Seeing the all-inclusive package Hideaway Weddings provided helped ease some worries we had, especially as we were planning a wedding while living 7 hours away. They had every tip & trick listed and ready to help, even down to details of what should be included in speeches. They provided so many recommendations for vendors and suppliers and helped with any questions we had.
Tell us about your dress …
I thought I could never see myself in a more “traditional” type of dress; my typical style is dark or plain tones – mainly black, white and red. So I went to a few boutiques to get an idea of what kind of dress style I liked, as I thought I would then order a black dress online that style. At White Lily Couture, my consultant Milly was the best. Knowing that a dress with a sparkle in it would perfectly complement the photos I wanted at night in front of the beautiful fairy-lit tree at Hideaway Weddings, she quickly pulled out “Kendall” by Zavana Couture. I honestly thought I would hate it, but as soon as I put it on, especially when we went into the sun, I knew it was the one!
What was your style aesthetic?
We were after something non-traditional, so the theme was “moody romantic” – think dark tones, moody lighting, but still breathtaking.
Do you have any advice for other couples (other than ‘enjoy every moment)?
Don’t let anyone else’s opinion stop you from doing the things YOU want the most (unless it is utterly ridiculous, of course!!). And, don’t go beyond your financial means.
Abbi’s highlight of the day:
Seeing the venue all set up, plus being blessed with perfect weather. I also loved seeing Luke’s face as I came out the door to walk down the aisle.
Luke’s highlight of the day:
Seeing Abbi walk down the aisle. Signing the papers to make her my wife officially. Getting a moment to ourselves for the first dance.
Dream Team
Photographer: Katexjean Photography // Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hideaway Weddings // Dress: White Lily Couture, by Zavana Couture // Suits: Myer (Groom), Connor (Groomsmen) // Bridesmaids: Bridesmaids Only // Hair & Makeup: Blush’d Brides // Wedding Planner / Coordinator / Stylist: Hideaway Weddings // Rings: Secrets Shhh. (Abbi), Etml (Luke) // Florist: Oh Honey Florals // Cake: Mandy’s Cakes and Bakes // Celebrant: I Am Celebrant Sam // Transport: Coolum Coaches
