Joe Pugliese via Gayle King
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher in general, Gayle King, was busy devising plans for his daughter Kirby Bumpus’ wedding to then-fiance Virgil Miller. But with the social detachment, travel and quarantine protocol suddenly to consider – Kirby and Virgil live on the west coast, while Gayle is on the east coast – the family quickly realized it was time for a plan B.
Then, in December, just before 2020 came to an end, Kirby and Virgil said “yes” at Kirby’s godmother’s house, Oprah, in Santa Barbara, with a very small guest list: Oprah, Stedman and, of course, the mother of the bride. And Kirby’s brother and Gayle’s son, Will, officiated.
“It wasn’t the wedding we planned, but it was absolutely perfect,” says Gayle, sharing an exclusive photo of the happy couple with OprahMag.com:
Joe Pugliese via Gayle King
Gayle announced the nuptials on February 1 in CBS this morning-and admits it has been exploding since December to share, but respected Kirby’s desire to keep the news to family and friends first. But now, Gayle says he is “shining” and “on the moon”, and Kirby clearly is, too – especially in the photos captured by photographer Joe Pugliese.
“Joe doesn’t normally do weddings, but Oprah happened to be filming something on his property that was canceled at the last minute, so we were lucky and we had a professional photographer who followed all pandemic protocols. I have these memories, because the photos are stunning.” says Gayle.
The wedding photographer was one of the few elements of a “typical” wedding, however; Kirby and Virgil had to adapt in several ways to ensure that everyone was safe and healthy. Kirby performed her dress adjustments via Zoom, with Oprah, Gayle and her best friend offering virtually feedback. And on their wedding day, Gayle was unable to come in to help Kirby prepare, which she admits was “very difficult”. And the plan was not originally for his brother, Will, to make official, but given that he already had a license after presiding over a friend’s wedding, it seemed like the right decision.
Joe Pugliese via Gayle King
Joe Pugliese via Gayle King
“Nobody knows Kirby like her brother, so for him to do the ceremony it looked like it was going to happen,” says Gayle. She adds that, after exchanging vows, the family made “socially distant appetizers and cakes and socially distant dances”. In the end, the most important thing was to celebrate the love of Kirby and Virgil – and the couple had a beautiful day that they will always remember.
“My son, Will, says: ‘We consider ourselves a tripod, and that day with Virgílio, we became a perfect square’,” says Gayle. “Kirby is really so happy, and nothing can compare when her kids are happy.”
Congratulations to the happy couple, Kirby and Virgil – the OprahMag.com team wishes you a happy life!
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