The dream location
“We were married at Buitenplaats Sparrendaal, a beautiful country house in the province of Utrecht. We knew we would be hosting around 70 guests, which is why we wanted a slightly smaller venue so it would feel intimate throughout the day. My husband was also open to a farm wedding, but I wanted something with a more elegant feel. So in the end we decided on this country house together. Since our wedding was partly military, with my husband wearing his ceremonial outfit, this location suited us tremendously well. The sable guard at the top of the stairs really completed the perfect picture.”
Choosing the dress
Sandra went to her bridal shop with an image of the perfect gown in her mind. It was a search, but in the end she only had to try on five dresses to find her perfect wedding dress. “I think every woman dreams about her future wedding, but I only really started looking when I was proposed to. In my experience, you have to actually try the dress on to find out if it suits you. In the bridal store where I tried on my dress, Koonings, they have a huge selection in all sizes. In the end, by expressing my preference for a mermaid dress - and by listening to the style advice of the employees about my body type - I found the perfect dress. Sexy, yet neat, and just the right amount of glitter.”
Picking bridal jewelry
“When I was at Koonings for my second fitting appointment, the saleswoman showed me the accessories department. I knew in advance that I wanted to wear the small crown that has been in our family for generations, but still wanted to take a look at the bridal jewelry. They showed me the Milestone Threader because they noticed I have two piercings in my ear. This was my immediate choice because it felt modern, yet had a classic look because of the pearl, which matched well with my dress. Eventually I chose the Always pearl bracelet as well, because when I’m speaking publicly I like to place my hands somewhere. The bracelet and my engagement ring were therefore the perfect finishing touch to my bridal look.”
A particularly beautiful moment
“The memory that has stayed with me the most from our wedding day is the moment Tjeerd and I saw each other. In a traditional fashion, we didn’t see each other while getting ready on the day itself. The moment I saw him, when I walked up to him outside in the garden of the country house, everything came together.”
The ultimate tip for every bride
What would you recommend to give every bride? “This may sound obvious but: be yourself, and be honest with yourself. When picking out jewelry or a venue or a dress, really keep asking yourself if this is a good fit for you, so that when you look back on your wedding you don’t have to wonder: was it really me who got married? Or was it someone from a movie or dream? You can make your wedding day as crazy or outgoing as you want, but stay close to yourself so it really feels like yours. The day itself will go as it goes, and something will probably go wrong. But just let it happen and dwell on the beautiful moments. During our wedding I thought at dinner: this is going by so quickly. You have to enjoy it fully at that moment.”
