Meeting at a group fitness class in Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point, Kasia Kurylewska and Huw Hayes were smitten from the moment she laughed at his shaky knees.
A few sessions went by and Huw asked Kasia out for a coffee. “When we sat down, I admitted that I didn’t like coffee and Huw said he didn’t either, so we got ice-cream instead,” said Kasia, saying it was love at first bite. Three years in, as a birthday surprise, Huw took Kasia to a 90s throwback concert with her favourite childhood bands. “During the concert, when Atomic Kitten were playing my favourite song, The Tide is High, Huw got down on one knee and proposed.”
Huw popped the question with a colourless single diamond centrepiece wrapped in a white gold band —exactly Kasia’s style. A year and a half of wedding planning commenced, with the couple working together through To Do lists and Wish Lists.
The day finally arrived. EMK Makeup and Hair took care of the bridal party, with Kasia donning her dream dress from Luv Bridal, fitted with the help of seamstress Anna Cyranowicz. Huw and his groomsmen looked dashing in navy Jack London suits, while Kasiaís bridesmaids wore flowing, dusty rose gowns from The Gown House, clutching bouquets by Kate Maree Floral Designs.
The ceremony was held at Our Lady of Victories church at Bowen Hills with its breathtaking city views. “My parents were married there, I was baptised there and basically grew up attending Polish Mass every Sunday. It’s quite a sentimental place, so I always imagined getting married there,” said Kasia.
Nerves quickly turned to excitement as the couple exchanged their much anticipated vows. The Polish influence flowed throughout the ceremony right until the end, when Kasia’s Polish dancing group assembled in a guard of honour to walk the husband and wife out of the church.
Victoria Park Golf Club hosted the reception, the perfect setting for Just For Love Photography’s creative hand. “This was one of the highlights of the day — we used golf buggies to drive to our photo locations which was so much fun,” said Kasia.
With a simple yet elegant theme of silver and white minimalism, the reception hosted 96 of the newlyweds’ nearest and dearest. “Victoria Park is also a sentimental place for us because we went mini golfing there for one of our first dates,” said Huw.
The reception included more Polish traditions, speeches, a three-course dinner and, of course, an abundance of dancing. The couple performed their first dance to Michael Buble’s Everything. “That was another one of our favourite parts, because even though everyone was watching us dance, it just felt like we were in our own little bubble,” said Huw.
Honeymoon plans included a road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road, stopping in at picturesque bed and breakfasts and scenic wineries along the way, before reuniting with their labrador Luna and relaxing seaside at Caloundra.
