Silvia and Kristof booked one of my customized wedding photography packages for their European wedding weekend. They wanted coverage of Friday’s welcome dinner, Saturday’s two wedding ceremonies and intimate dinner party, and Sunday’s traditional reception. This wedding was an incredible three-day-long celebration in the heart of Belgium, thoughtfully planned to ensure every moment was as memorable as the last. While this was a destination wedding for me, it was a local affair for the couple and their loved ones in Westerlo, Belgium.
When planning a destination wedding, I know there are so many pieces to think about! That is why we arrived in Belgium a week early to give them peace of mind, ensuring we were ready and settled before the weekend festivities began. Leading up to the wedding, I had multiple meetings with them to map out the perfect timeline, making sure we had enough time for every photo they envisioned. Your final timeline is such an important piece of the process! And as your photographer, we will make sure everything is outlined and covered.
A Custom-Made Bridal Gown
Silvia wore a gown custom-designed and made especially for her to marry Kristof. She even provided the designer’s sketches, which I included in the couple’s flatlay photos so that they could have that as a memento. The dress was a flirty tea-length, featuring a lace bodice with a halter neckline and a silk skirt perfect for twirling. A matching silk shrug provided additional coverage for the wedding ceremonies. Finally, she accessorized with a thin crystal headband and a fun pair of pink, heeled sandals with textured faux-floral straps.
Photographing a European Wedding Weekend in Antwerp, Belgium
Silvia and Kristof packed their wedding weekend full of fun and meaningful events with their nearest and dearest. Saturday’s festivities began with a civil ceremony at the town hall, the beautiful Gemeentehuis Westerlo. The couple’s two daughters, who participated in every event throughout the weekend, acted as their two signed witnesses! A religious ceremony officiated by the Romanian Orthodox Church followed. Then, the newlyweds and their daughters joined me for a portrait session in their favorite local park.
The day concluded with a formal dinner party hosted for an intimate gathering of the couple’s closest friends and family members. However, the celebration wasn’t over yet! A cocktail party and traditional wedding reception attended by all the couple’s guests occurred the following day at ‘t Rietlaer in the serene Belgian countryside.
While Silvia and Kristof are English speakers, most of this European wedding weekend took place in Dutch. Moreover, the religious ceremony was in Romanian, Silvia’s native language. While I didn’t have prior experience with Belgian civil or Romanian Orthodox ceremonies and couldn’t understand the languages spoken, I still let the emotions of the day lead the way and was able to tell the story of how everything unfolded. It may be cliché, but a picture is worth a thousand words!
Wedding Reception at ‘t Rietlaer
Silvia and Kristof are ballroom dancers, so dancing was a big part of their wedding reception. Their first dance as a married couple included three choreographed numbers. The first two were solo dances. Then, they surprised everyone by inviting two other couples to join them for a third, intricate partner dance! The newlyweds also led a quick workshop to kick off the party dancing. They taught their guests some of their favorite basic moves so everyone could dance the night away properly! I love it when my couples infuse their favorite activities into their wedding, making it uniquely them.
This couple gave me one of my favorite reviews, addressed to me and my husband and second photographer, Patrick: “You two were the guardian angels of our wedding.” What an honor! Every aspect of photographing this European wedding weekend felt like a dream, from arriving in Belgium early to map out the festivities to capturing the joyful couple on the dance floor.
We even went above and beyond to give the couples a sneak peek of their photos taken just the day before, so they could start each day of their weekend excited! Seeing their faces each morning as I showed them the sneak peeks is something I’ll always remember. Wherever you and your partner plan on tying the knot, I would love to work with you to document it. From Belgium to Baltimore – and everywhere in between. Reach out to learn more!
Vendors:
Venue: ‘t Rietlaer
Photography: Haley Day Photography
