We wanted everything to feel true to who we are: classic, elegant, and minimalist.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We were both born in Cologne, a city not defined by conventional beauty, but by the people who give it its character. Known for its openness, diversity, and its joyful way of celebrating life, especially during carnival season, Cologne has shaped how we see the world. These values continue to guide us today.
We love the feeling of home and the rhythm of city life, while feeling just as drawn to travel, new perspectives, and different cultures. This balance between being rooted and staying curious feels true to who we are — both individually and together.
We both work in Human Resources, which naturally reflects what matters most to us beyond our professional lives: people. Human connection is at the centre of everything we do. Our friends and families are our foundation, our constant, and our greatest source of joy. Grounded in relationships and inspired by curiosity, we move through life with open minds and open hearts, building a future that feels intentional, meaningful, and shared.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
How could it have been any other way? We met during Carnival in 2014, colourfully dressed, dancing through the night, a beer in hand. That first impression was unforgettable: Carina, full of energy and extroverted charm, immediately lit up the room, while Sebastian, a bit more introverted, watched with quiet curiosity. Somehow, the contrast only made the connection stronger, and that spark has stayed with us ever since.
After a few dates — this time without costumes — it quickly became clear that this could be something real. From our studies and first jobs to building our careers, we’ve been mapping out life together ever since. Almost twelve years later, we are still walking through life side by side. We live in the heart of Cologne’s Südstadt, travel often, and continue to celebrate life in all its forms — together.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
What worked best for us was focusing on the essentials. In a world, especially the wedding world, where the little details are often overlooked, we wanted everything to feel true to who we are: classic, elegant, and minimalist — a city wedding vibe with local Kölsch beer and sparkling Crémant to celebrate.
That same approach ran through every detail — from the white calla lilies in my bouquet and on the tables, to the bridal look, and across our venues, making the whole day feel effortlessly chic, personal, and just us.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
What we enjoyed most about the planning process was creating it together. Often, weddings tend to focus on the bride, but the day is meant to be unforgettable for both of us as a couple. We approached planning the same way: each of us focused on the parts that mattered most and played to our strengths. Sebastian handled all the food, drinks, and logistics with the registry office, while I focused on the décor — from flowers and table settings to stationery and more.
Our advice to couples just starting their wedding journey: this day is about you and your love. Keep that at the centre, and it will be perfect.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Due to our intimate city wedding and the fact that Carina had previously worked as an event manager, we didn’t need many vendors and handled most of the planning ourselves. There were, however, two things we simply couldn’t do alone, and we are incredibly grateful to have had these two amazing women by our side.
Our photographer, Corina Beha, was a perfect match from our very first phone call. Not only did her natural, documentary style win us over, but her calm and focused approach made both us and our guests feel completely at ease in front of the camera — capturing timeless moments we will treasure forever.
To feel our best on the day, we had Eva Maria Pillartz for hair and makeup, especially supporting Carina. This, too, felt like fate: as a friend of my maid of honour, it was clear I wanted Eva with me that morning. It didn’t feel like a service — it felt like a beautiful morning with your closest friends.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
Our outfits were perfectly suited to our city wedding. Carina never imagined she would wear a short dress, but she instantly fell in love with a Watters piece: bold, adventurous, daring, and a true statement. The mini dress was tailored to her wishes — lengthened to the knees, sleeves shortened, and the bow removed — transforming it into a one-of-a-kind piece, complemented by a voluminous veil and playful Loeffler Randall shoes. Fun fact: Carina’s maid of honour, Caroline, picked up the veil just a week before the wedding in Munich. With a last-minute appointment and a FaceTime call to the bride, she helped choose the perfect one — proving spontaneous moments are always the best!
Sebastian’s look was a bespoke black suit from The Bloke, paired with a black bow tie. His best man, Tim — living in Shanghai — joined him that day to help choose every detail, making the experience deeply personal and memorable.
At the end of the day, this reminded us that it’s not just about having the right vendors — it’s about having the best friends by your side.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
What makes our engagement ring so special isn’t just the ring itself, but the proposal, which happened in one of our favourite places: South Africa. Alone, intimate, and emotional, in the vineyards of Franschhoek. After the proposal, we toasted with plenty of wine and watched the sunset together. The ring perfectly reflects the moment: classic, yet with a unique twist — a horizontal, east-west set stone.
We chose our wedding bands together at a small jeweller in Cologne and had each other’s names engraved in the other’s handwriting — a simple, personal detail that makes them truly ours.
What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
One of the elements we were happiest to invest in was definitely photography. You only get to marry once, and you want to capture the day for a lifetime — so finding the right photographer with a documentary style was incredibly important to us. We were especially drawn to analog photography, as it captures natural moments in the most beautiful and timeless way. We absolutely love the results.
The second was the cuisine, which also shaped our choice of venue. Sebastian is a true gourmet, and it was essential to us that our guests would enjoy exceptional food and drinks. Many venues are tied to specific caterers, so we quickly settled on the idea of a stylish restaurant-style city wedding. The concept came together perfectly: a fun welcome with flying pizza in the sunshine on the terrace, a three-course menu with additional sharing elements, and a wedding cake served during the party as everyone danced and celebrated.
Was there a favorite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Two moments were truly special for us. The first was our very personal and emotional ceremony, where we exchanged our vows. At first, we weren’t sure we would be able to speak such personal words on the day itself, but even the preparation, taking time to reflect and put our love into a few heartfelt sentences, was wonderful. On the day, it brought many tears, sometimes easier, sometimes harder, but it was perfect.
The second moment was the surprise that our parents gave a joint speech. For us, it was an incredibly beautiful sign of how two families were coming together as one.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
Even though we’ve been together for almost 12 years, being married feels different — it’s a lifelong commitment that strengthens our bond and our future together as a couple. Also, the time we spent engaged was wonderful, filled with so many conversations about our love for each other. We want to carry that forward, and on every anniversary, we plan to update our vows and share our words with each other again.
CEREMONY LOCATION Severinstorburg, Cologne, Germany, @severinstorburg RECEPTION LOCATION Da’s Lupo, Cologne, Germany, @das_lupo BRIDE Carina, @careasy GROOM Sebastian PHOTOGRAPHER Corina Beha, @corinabeha.weddings STYLIST Eva Maria Pilartz, @evamariapilartz FLORIST Blumenimperium Sulz, @blumenimperium CATERING Da’s Lupo, @das_lupo CAKE Polz Cake Studio, @polz BRIDE’S DRESS By Watters, @bywatters BRIDE’S SHOES Loeffler Randall, @loefflerrandall HAIR & MAKEUP Eva Maria Pilartz, @evamariapilartz BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum – Chanel, @chanelofficial GROOM’S SUIT The Bloke, @thebloke_de GROOM’S SHOES Tod´s, @tods GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum, @chanelofficial
