Jan 25, 2020

Michelle & Shane's Matilda Bay Wedding

Gorgeous couple Michelle and Shane decided to have their wedding at the beautiful Matilda Bay, one of our absolute fav venues in Perth. (If you're thinking of having your wedding there, be sure to keep scrolling.) Read on for Michelle's great advice for future brides, the emotional moment she knew it was the dress, and their gorgeous photos!

THE DRESS "I wanted to be myself and feel comfortable, so I knew I was looking for a dress that would enhance my curves and be easy to move around and dance in! I wasn’t after a strapless dress or a dress with a long train. I met Samantha at the Matilda Bay Wedding Open Day in 2018 and she had also been recommended by my sister, so I knew that’s where my first appointment would be. I tried on five dresses and remember falling in love with number three. It was light weight and had the most beautiful neckline and lace detail – it was just ‘me’! I went to another two stores just to be sure but the service and quality of the dresses didn’t even compare. I knew I had to go back and get the dress."

CAN YOU REMEMBER THE MOMENT YOU KNEW IT WAS THE DRESS? "My mum and I both cried when I went back to try the dress on for a second time. Deep down, I knew it was the dress from the first moment I tried it on."

HOW DID YOU FIRST MEET? "Shane and I first met back in early 2013 when we came across each other’s online dating profiles. After a few short weeks, we decided it was time to meet so we arranged to have dinner and drinks at a local bar. There was no awkwardness and the conversation flowed as if we were great friends that hadn’t seen each other in a while. Over the next twelve months, we became best friends and made our relationship official in September 2014. Now here we are, married six years later."

THE PROPOSAL "When it came time to propose, Shane chose a trip down south to Denmark to pop the question. We spent our first day sightseeing, and Shane had the engagement ring with him the whole time, waiting for the right moment. He proposed to me on a large rock overlooking the ocean at Mad Fish Bay."

FAVOURITE MOMENT "This is a very difficult question because I loved every minute of it! It may sound cliché but saying “I do” to the love of my life and celebrating with our closest family and friends were the highlights for me. Another special moment was having my sister Tanya, by my side as Maid of Honour (and hair stylist on the day). We had so much fun with all the planning as well as getting ready together on the day. She is such an incredible person and I will cherish these memories for years to come."

THE VENUE "Shane and I have always loved Matilda Bay Restaurant because of the food, the service and those magnificent views so it was an easy choice for us. The ceremony was held on the lawn and the reception in the Catalina Room. We utilised the alfresco area for pre-dinner drinks and the dance floor."

FAVOURITE DETAILS "This is another difficult question because I loved absolutely everything!"

ADVICE FOR FUTURE BRIDES "My advice for future brides would be to ask family and friends for recommendations, do your research and don’t be afraid to meet vendors and ask questions."

BEST WEDDING SPEND "Our wedding was absolutely perfect and we cannot thank all the incredible vendors enough. If I had to choose, two of the best purchases we made were the photography and videography packages – we wanted our precious memories captured for a lifetime."