A retro vintage wedding in Port Fairy, Vic: Kristen & Drew

A girl that describes herself as an “anti-bride” and a couple that “didn’t particularly want a wedding” meant the celebration that was the union of Kristyn Abbott and Drew McCaskill was unique to say the least. The pair met at a Port Fairy music festival and shortly after their friendship developed – over old-school games of Uno, Guess Who and Trouble – they fell in love. On their five-year anniversary Drew, now 31, proposed to Kristyn, 30, with a ring hiding in a bag of microwave popcorn. Perhaps this was the quirk that kick-started the idea for a fun, retro vintage wedding at Port Fairy Yacht Club. Vintage with lots of florals and lace was the theme originally in mind, however, after attending many vintage weddings over the summer, the couple decided on a more retro feel just three weeks before the big day. There was no bridal party and elements like makeup and flowers weren’t on the top of Kristyn’s to-do list. “I hadn’t organised a bouquet,” Kristyn explains, “however I received a bunch of flowers on the morning of the wedding… my multi-talented photographer wrapped them in velvet ribbon and – voila – a bridal bouquet was created!” Of the quirky photography, Kristyn says Sheree Dubois was a “magician”. “We were completely on the same wavelength from day one. I had never been particularly fond of ‘wedding photography’ so wanted a bit of a twist on the norm.” The couple’s advice to others who don’t like to make a fuss: “Rules and traditions are made to be broken. Don’t think of it as a wedding but as a celebration of you as a couple – do what you want!





Kristyn spotted her Gwendolynne wedding dress in a picture from runway show and promptly travelled to Melbourne to see it. “It was love a first sight and the only dress I tried on,” she says.







The venue choice allowed for an impressive entrance – Kristyn sailed across the Moyne River in her dad’s pride and joy, a catamaran which he built himself.







“With the styling assistance of Kathy at Always Bespoke Events, photo locations included a cool vintage caravan with an awesome retro umbrella and, Coffin Sally Pizza Restaurant – with taxidermy heads!” says Kristyn.








“It was an achievement to pull off a wedding for a couple who didn’t particularly want or like weddings generally,” says Kristyn. “I was kind of dreading it at the start and Drew was the same, but the next day we were like, “That was the best day of our lives.”"

Photos courtesy of Sheree Dubois Photography.