A Totally Styled Barn Wedding

“We want to do everything different than average”, that’s what this couple told us when we first met. “We are planning a barn wedding at the house of my parents; the place where my grandmother got married as well…We want a big tent, hay and lot’s of styling AND oven baked pizza’s as dinner!”

Well they didn’t exaggerate. When I went to take a look, the day before the wedding, I met a slightly tired bride in her sweatpants. She was taking care of the last details. They arranged EVERYTHING theirselves. So much work has been put into this day! Thanks to family and friends this finished it all on time.

Talking about friends….I received their logbook and I saw that every detail of every minute was put in there. When I talked to the ‘chief’ master of ceremonies, he told me that his wife was expecting twins and that it was the question if they could both be there on the wedding day. That’s why they also arranged a second master of ceremonies and also a second second master of ceremonies. Are you still here?? 😉

Everything for a perfect day.

On the morning of the wedding day the ‘chief’ came to me and said: “Last night my wife started having contractions and she is now in the hospital!!” :O

Of course she couldn’t make it to the wedding but they took care of that as well. She was there during the ceremony with a live skype connection. (see picture)

So: Now back to the wedding: First thing in the morning Gerben dropped me off at the brides place. On our way we passed some very nice plates that said: Artist Entrance. “Is that us?”. Well let’s just go for it 😉

Lineke, the bride, was already ahead on schedule. The mua was already finished, but she was still there for the mother of the bride, so we could take some pictures anyway.

The day before, I already spotted a nice place outside to hang the dress. But I do not dare to take the risk of carrying the dress outside with me. Luckily there was a sister and a best friend who would help me. So I could make my imagined picture.

After that the fun part began. Putting on a dress in the shop is always easy. But somehow it’s not so easy anymore when you have to do it at home. The dress got stuck!! I only spotted a few hands above the dress but it wouldn’t go any further. After pulling and trying it still wouldn’t work..

The brilliant idea came across and they discovered that the dress had a zipper 🙂 Problem solved!

Then it was time for the moment they have been waiting for. The first look. A moment that they wished to be all by their selves. Apart from us of course :p

After admiring each other they read a very personal letter they wrote for one another. If we didn’t know it yet, this was the moment that we knew this is going to be a very good day!!

After a short visit to grandma, who was at the hair dresser (I spare you this picture) we went to the photo location. It was Lineke’s dream to take pictures at a grain field. And a grain field she got!! Just the day before the wedding we discovered this perfect spot for all the wedding pictures.

At the end of the photoshoot we visited the pittoresk town of Den Ham. A place where lot’s of memories were made by these two….

Then it was time to meet the family and friends. They were all ready when Gerben and I arrived. Excited to see the bride and groom.  And there they were..Arriving in a frog-green Volkswagen beetle. Everybody started laughing when Lineke got out of the car..Yes, she was driving….and they laughed even harder when she helped her Jonathan out of the car….Remember I told you that they wanted everything different than ‘normal’?

After a good lunch the ceremony began. It was a true joy with Aly van Leussen who always gets the people to laugh, move and feel relaxed. A ceremony with her is never boring! This ceremony did not even get the chance to be boring. They had family singing and playing for them, which was very beautiful and someone who spoke a very personal speech about the couple as well!

In the afternoon it was relaxing time. Just imagine a very nice green field with high oak trees surrounding the property. Very nice weather and flowers and decoration all around. Yes we have a great job!!

Jonathan’s dad wrote a song for him and played it during the break. Lot’s of people couldn’t keep their eyes dry. After all the preparations and things they knew up front, these suprises make a day unique and special, I think.

In the meanwhile Viva la Pizza arrived with their mobile ovens! They prepared all kinds of pizza’s and the guest could just grab a slice as many times as they liked. Everybody was walking around, chatting, drinking and eating pizza! Now that’s what I call an informal atmosphere:-)

In the evening we went to a beautiful little white church for the ceremony and lot’s of worship to the Lord! The church was totally filled with people and I could just feel the positive, strong vibe that was here! Goosebumps all over!!

After the ceremony they didn’t go right back. We went to a place on the hill, where they used to spend lot’s of time together. A small wedding cake arrived for them and they had a moment for themselves with very good cake!! The best idea if you ask me!!

As we went back it was already starting to get dark. The lights went on and the whole setting looked like a fairytale. There were a few surprises ahead, but the biggest one for me was the dance that the brothers and sisters performed for Lineke and Jonathan. They started with an ABC which Lineke hates. But at the D they started to DANCE! It was like a performance out of “So You Think You Can Dance”! Wow goosebumps all over again…. We had the best day and would do it all over if we could!

And if you are curious about the twins? They were born the day after the wedding!! “Yes, the planning was great!”