Tony and Margie Abbott beamed with excitement today as they watched their daughter exchange vows with her husband on Palm Beach.
Sam Loch, 34, and Frances Abbot, 26, were legally married at a registry on Valentine’s Day but waited to celebrate with a ceremony on the sand of Sydney’s exclusive northern beaches.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbot, 60, smiled lovingly and kissed his daughter on the cheek after she pledged herself to former Olympic rower Mr Loch once more.
Happy couple: Sam Loch, 34, and Frances Abbot, 26, were legally married at a registry on Valentine’s Day but waited to celebrate with a ceremony on the sand of Sydney’s exclusive northern beaches
All smiles: Friends and family gathered for the intimate celebration on the exclusive Palm Beach on Saturday afternoon
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbot, 60, smiled lovingly and kissed his daughter on the cheek after she pledged herself to former Olympic rower Mr Loch once more
The couple met in November last year and were engaged just two weeks later. Mr Lock popped the question as she was putting peas into the freezer.
Mrs Loch, 26, first announced the whirlwind romance and subsequent engagement via Instagram with a series of couple snaps taken in a photo booth.
‘Two weeks was all it took to know that forever with you was a mighty fine idea,’ the fitness devotee wrote.
Mr Loch, 34, confirmed the news with a selfie of the pair captioned ‘With the soon to be Mrs Loch’.
The 60-year-old former Prime Minister of Australia also confirmed news of his daughter’s engagement on social media.
Embracing on the sand: The couple met in November last year and were engaged just two weeks later. Mr Lock popped the question as she was putting peas into the freezer
Mrs Loch (fourth right), 26, first announced the whirlwind romance and subsequent engagement via Instagram with a series of couple snaps taken in a photo booth
Mrs Loch smiles with her mother Margie Abbott as they celebrate her marriage to former Olympic rower Sam Loch
Using two tweets to post his message, the Liberal MP said: ‘Really thrilled at the news of Francie and Sam’s engagement.
‘We are very proud of her and the Abbotts are looking forward to welcoming Sam into the family.’
Mr Abbott’s enthusiasm may have been fuelled by his first impressions of the Olympic rower, formed when the two met in Melbourne.
At the time the young couple were in the midst of a whirlwind romance and very much in love, but Mr Loch had yet to pop the question.
‘I think meeting Tones can be quite intimidating for anyone, but that’s what I love about Sam,’ the 26-year-old confided.
‘He’s so grounded, and so settled in his own skin, it felt totally natural. There was no change in voice, no sitting upright. Dad liked him.’