Photography: By Hayley Louise
This couple met onboard ship and have since crossed more than one ocean to be together – proving that the tyranny of distance doesn’t apply when you’re in love.
After meeting in June 2018 on a boat in Greece, where Samuel Fear, 29, was working as a photographer and Mikala Fimmano, 26, was holidaying, the pair kept in touch. Sam, a Kiwi, moved back to New Zealand in 2019, and visited Mikala in Melbourne and at home in Perth. But his second visit was in February 2020 – and we all know what happened then. After eight months apart due to border closures, Sam’s visa came through and he moved to Perth to be with Mikala.
But it was during a trip back to Greece, on a pre-dinner stroll along a beach on the island of Milos, that he popped the question – tipping off Mikala by setting up his camera and tripod first. “He asked me to stand in front of the camera; this is when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the most perfect place to get engaged, as it was exactly five years since we’d met in Greece,” remembers Mikala.
They kept their wedding intimate, with just 50 guests, and it was Mikala’s mum who found the perfect venue: The Gardens at Bullimah, outside Albany. “We wanted it to be a weekend getaway for all, and we loved the idea of the preparation, ceremony and reception all being at the same venue,” Mikala says.
The owners, Jen and Danny, and the property’s wedding planner, Emily, made the 18-month planning process easy (“We only visited the venue twice!” marvels Mikala). And the whole day was smooth sailing, thanks to the proximity of each location, as they’d hoped. “The girls got ready at the onsite accommodation, and then we got married at the Sunken Garden, which was only a short walk away. After the ceremony, guests went to Potter’s Well, the reception area, while the bridal party had portraits taken. Then we all danced the night away!”
BEHIND THE SCENES
Venue, caterer & wedding planner The Gardens at Bullimah
Photography By Hayley Louise
Videography Josh Ball Photo & Film
Bride’s dress, veil & jewellery Grace Loves Lace
Bride’s shoes Billini
Make-up artist Carissa Makeup & Beauty
Hairdresser Karlique for Hair
Bridesmaid’s dresses Héxié
Groom’s & groomsmen’s suits Ferrari Formalwear and Bridal
Wedding rings Eterni Jewellery
Celebrant Sally Hutchison
Florist Flowers by Danae
Cake The Baking Boutique by Amy
Band & DJs Siboney & Andy
Stationary & decorations DIY by bride Mikala
Transport Southern Bus Charters
The international pair couldn’t wrap up their wedding without another moment hailing from across the seas: “Before our main course, we had an akvavit schnapps. This is a Danish tradition we do for every special occasion as my grandfather was from Denmark,” Mikala says. A perfectly fitting tradition for a perfectly global couple.
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