Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
A grand final trip turned into an unforgettable double celebration for two Fremantle diehards, who married outside the MCG before being surprised with a honeymoon gift that left the groom fighting back tears.
Danni Bloomfield and Matt Abbott flew from Karratha to Melbourne for Saturday’s AFL grand final, but they did not just come to watch the Dockers chase premiership glory.
Before the first bounce, the long-time couple exchanged vows outside Gate 3, dressed in wedding attire and wearing purple scarfs, before heading inside to take their seats among the Fremantle faithful.
After 15 years together, the pair had originally planned to spring a wedding on guests at Danni’s 50th birthday party.
That changed when the Dockers booked their place in the decider and a close friend was already heading to Melbourne.
Matt recalled the spontaneous shift in plans, telling the ABC, “I may have had a few beers and sent a snapshot of flights to Danni”.
Rather than a traditional venue, they chose to marry at the very gate they would use to enter the ground.
The build-up was anything but calm. Danni had to unwind the arrangements already made for their original celebration, although she admitted the bigger stress was whether Fremantle would actually make the grand final.
A former West Coast supporter, she told the ABC she had long since switched loyalties and was now, in her words, “Freo through and through”.
There was also a last-minute wardrobe hiccup after her planned purple dress failed to arrive in time, forcing a rushed search through Melbourne for an alternative.
Even so, she was determined there would still be a touch of Fremantle colour in the day, with the couple making sure purple scarfs were part of the occasion.
The ceremony was officiated by Luke Lalor, a friend of more than 30 years.
“It is a real wedding, I am a real celebrant and it will be formally legal,” Mr Lalor told the ABC ahead of the big day.
After the vows, the couple were met with another emotional surprise when Virgin Australia gifted them a honeymoon.
The airline gifted the newlyweds flights and accommodation through Virgin Australia Holidays, turning an already remarkable day into something even more memorable.
As the surprise was presented, Matt became visibly emotional, overwhelmed by the scale of the gift and the day itself before signing the marriage certificate and heading into the match.
