Photographs by: Maly Blomberg
Daphne van der Kieft was living and working in Sydney, Australia, when a friend invited her to the Coogee Surf Carnival, an annual surf-rowing event held at Coogee Beach. As Daphne cheered on the competitors, little did she know she was watching her future husband, Ashley Bourne, race to victory. The pair locked eyes over drinks at the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, where Ash and his teammates were celebrating their win.
Sparks flew and the couple began dating. Two years later Ash whisked Daphne away for a surprise weekend trip in honor of her birthday to the beautiful Bannisters resort, south of Sydney. To Daphne’s delight the actual surprise was when Ash popped the question during a glorious sunset on the couple’s private balcony as they sipped champagne.
The Reverend David Anderson officiated the wedding ceremony held at St. Luke’s Parish in Darien last May. A reception followed at the Wee Burn Beach Club. The couple made their getaway from the reception on the back of a Rowayton Fire Department truck.
The bride, daughter of Michele and John van der Kieft III of Darien, graduated from the Kent School and Southern Methodist University. She is a senior account manager with Autumn: 01 in Sydney.
The groom, who is the son of Gregory Bourne of Sydney and the late Christine Bourne, graduated from Bankstown College. He is a commercial property manager for Waterpoint Properties in Sydney.The newlyweds honeymooned in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, before returning home to Gymea, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney.