By EMILY ROBINSON
Geelong’s Kirby Rumsey and Barwon Heads’ Darcy Hughes were always meant to be together – It just took them a while to realise.
How they met
The two attended high school together at Belmont High, but never spoke.
“We weren’t really friends in high school,” Kirby reflects.
After graduating year 12, the two went their separate ways and moved on to University.
She was studying to become a school teacher, while Darcy applied his skills to studies in Information Technology (IT).
But fate stepped in once again and offered a second shot at love.
Kirby and Darc – as she calls him – ended up with the same casual job at Safeway.
“A mutual friend invited us to a party – that’s where we had our first proper conversation,” Kirby says.
“We really connected and hit it off from there.”
The proposal
For their first date, Darcy took Kirby for a walk along the Barwon Heads foreshore, so it was only fitting he would propose there.
“Darc said we should go out for dinner one night – being a surfer, he said he wanted to check out the surf beforehand,” Kirby says.
“It was so cold and I didn’t really want to get out of the car, but he insisted.”
The two began to walk along the beach and relived memories from their very first date.
“And then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him,” Kirby fondly reflects.
Beforehand, Darcy had spent weeks planning and designing Kirby’s diamond ring.
“It’s a solitaire with diamonds on the side, its perfect – he did so well.”
The planning
The two embraced the planning stage by themselves wanting to “keep it simple” but at the same time making sure the wedding reflected them.
Darcy, being handy on a computer, used his skills to make unique interactive invitations.
“We sent our guests a little invitation which gave them a link and a sign in code to a webpage.
“The webpage had all of our information on it,” Kirby says.
Hens and Bucks
For her Hen’s Night, Kirby had an afternoon tea with close friends and then went out for dinner.
Darcy and his friends, on the other hand, went paint balling and lawn balling for a fun-filled Bucks Night.
The wedding attire
Finding her dress was an easy choice for Kirby, who describes herself as “decisive”.
She found it at Geelong’s Bridal House.
“It was a Stella York gown. I put it on and I just loved it. I didn’t try many on – when I want something, I want it” she laughs.
Her bridesmaids were her two sisters and wore long navy blue dresses.
“I knew I wanted a long style dress, I wasn’t too fussed about the colour,” Kirby says.
Darcy’s groomsmen, two of his mates from Belmont High, wore grey suits from Eddy Elias.
The bridal party also featured Kirby’s two nephews.
“They were our ring bearers. They both looked so handsome – one of them asked me not long ago if Darcy and I could get married again because it was so much fun,” Kirby says.
Hair and makeup
Kirby’s good friend owns Emma Vivian Hair and Makeup in Newtown, so Kirby knew she was in good hands for her big day.
“I knew I could trust her,” she laughs.
Kirby, who is known for wearing her hair in a ponytail or bun, opted for a half-up half-down style.
She preferred a natural, classic look for her makeup.
The car
Kirby’s family’s next door neighbour owns a vintage-style Rolls-Royce car and offered to drive her to the ceremony.
“It was so lovely,” Kirby says.
The flowers
For her bouquet, Kirby chose soft shades of pink and cream.
“I picked the flowers from Geelong Flower Farm and one of my good friends put the bouquets together for me,” Kirby says.
The ceremony
Darcy and Kirby wed with a ceremony at Ozone Pier in Barwon heads.
“It was so special because it’s where we had our first date and where Darcy proposed.”
They chose local celebrant Bronwyn Davie who Kirby met at a local bridal fair.
The couple wrote their own vows to reflect their love and dedication to one another.
The reception
Like most weddings, a spanner was thrown in the works when their original reception venue was sold and could no longer be held at the venue.
“But it was a blessing in disguise,” Kirby says.
“A neighbour of Darcy’s family said we could have the reception at their house in Barwon Heads – it was so significant and beautiful.”
The entertainment
To set the atmosphere, local acoustic duo Jais & Anna performed throughout the evening.
Darcy and Kirby had their first dance to Sam Smith’s, ‘Latch’.
“We spent a long time looking for the perfect song for us,” Kirby says.
The cake
Kiss Kakes Geelong created a stunning three-tier white and dark chocolate cake.
“We topped it with flowers featured in the bouquets,” Kirby says.
The photography
Louisa Jones Photography was there to capture all the special moments throughout the day.
“She was just amazing – I couldn’t recommend her highly enough. We were so impressed with the photos, we couldn’t have asked for anything better,” Kirby says.
The honeymoon
Being a school teacher, Kirby tied her and Darcy’s honeymoon to Palm Cove in with the school holiday period.
“We went for a week – it was a quick getaway. Then I came back to my prep class – some of them are still calling me by my maiden name,” Kirby laughs.
In reflection
Kirby describes her wedding day as “beautiful, unique and perfect”.
“Being March we were worried it might rain, but it didn’t – it was a perfect 20c day.”
The couple now live in Waurn Ponds.
