Roos + Jochen by Anne de Geyter - Together Journal

I am a truly Summer enthusiast. So I envisioned a Summer wedding with a wedding ceremony in a beautiful tent in the open air.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
R: My name is Roos, and I am 29 years old. I enjoy dancing, delicious food, and spending time with friends. I’m not one to sit still and I enjoy arranging dinners, trips, or weekends away.
J: I am Jochen and I am 31 years old. I love to travel, like fancy diners and love being with friends and family.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
R: Jochen and I met during a summer camp where we were both youth animators. We ended up spending several summers at these camps, and in between, we became really good friends. We used to call each other ‘best friends’, but we realized, just as others around us, that we were meant to be more than just friends.

When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
R: After our first kiss and spending a summer together, I knew it would be for always. Given our history as close friends over the years, deciding to be together at that point felt like a natural step toward building a future together.
J: During our first road trip through Slovenia, we encountered various challenges and adventures together. We navigated unfamiliar roads, explored picturesque landscapes, and shared countless moments of joy and laughter. It was during these experiences that I saw how well we complemented each other, how we supported one another, and how effortlessly we made decisions together. It became clear that I had found a partner with whom I could navigate the journey of life, no matter where it led us. That’s when I knew she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
R: Jochen proposed in Curaçao, the island where we lived for 6 months during my internship as a pediatric resident. It was a perfect moment. We enjoyed a picnic on a secluded beach and went swimming together among the vibrant and colorful fish. Jochen patiently waited for the opportune moment when it was just the two of us on the small beach. With a hint of nervousness, he finally asked the question. Since it was already the end of our stay there, I was not expecting an engagement in Curaçao anymore. This country and the time we spent there will always be special for us.
J: There was indeed a proposal, and it was a moment I had been eagerly waiting for. I had always wanted to marry Roos, and I patiently waited for the perfect time. Just before our trip to Curacao, I arranged for the engagement ring. Initially, I hesitated to carry it with us to Curacao because I knew I would have to return to work in the middle of our stay there. Upon my return to Curacao, I retrieved the ring and also made a stop at my in-laws’ place to ask for her hand in marriage. I kept the ring hidden in a secret compartment in my toiletry bag throughout our trip because I knew my wife would certainly find it if I left it in the safe. As for the proposal itself, I spent a long time searching for the perfect beach. Although I had prepared some words in advance, I was so nervous that I skipped my prepared speech and went straight to the question. I was, of course, overjoyed when Roos said yes, although secretly, I was quite sure she would. Afterward, I had booked a romantic overnight stay at our favourite local hotel to celebrate the special moment. It was a beautiful beginning to our journey towards marriage.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding…
R: I am a truly summer enthusiast. So I envisioned a summer wedding with a wedding ceremony in a beautiful tent in the open air. I wanted lots of sun, colourful flowers and good food. I longed for a long reception and a relaxed atmosphere. We didn’t want a stiff dinner. Given our shared passion for dancing, a lively dance party was also an essential element for us.
J: I didn’t interfere too much with the vision for the mood or style of our wedding because I knew that Roos had the perfect vision in mind, and I had complete trust in her. Roos had a clear and beautiful vision for our wedding day, and I was confident that her ideas would create the magical atmosphere we both dreamed of. It was her creativity and dedication that made our wedding day truly special.

What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
R: Both outfits held special significance for us. Given our appreciation for fine cuisine and delightful beverages, we naturally considered these factors when selecting our wedding venue. Capturing beautiful moments through photographs was also a top priority, leading us to secure Anne De Geyter as our photographer, one of our initial choices among vendors.
J: Typically, we would have invested a significant amount in musical arrangements. However, this turned out to be unnecessary because my best friend, who happens to be an exceptional guitarist, along with my sister and cousin who provided their beautiful voices, gave our ceremony a magical touch. They played a significant role in making our day special. As a surprise, I also sang a love song for my wife, which added a truly personal and heartfelt touch to our wedding ceremony. It was a moment we will cherish forever.

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
R: The day before our wedding celebration, we held our civil wedding ceremony along with a small gathering that included our families and witnesses. I woke up early with an unexpected allergic reaction on my face, which was quite unusual for me as I’ve never had allergies before. I called some friends (family doctors and a dermatologist) and my sister-in-law managed to provide me with cortisone pills, early in the morning, before the pharmacy opened. Thanks to this potent medication and a touch of make-up, no one noticed anything. I found myself laughing about the situation throughout the day, surpassing both my own expectations and those of the people around me. I remember thinking, “If something has to go wrong on our wedding day and this is it, I can certainly handle it.” Interestingly, nothing else went wrong, and the day proceeded flawlessly.
J: There was a guest at our party who usually dresses impeccably, but on this particular day, they were wearing just a pair of pants and a simple top. They had arrived a bit early to help set up for the ceremony, and when I saw them, I assumed they hadn’t put on their party attire yet, thinking they wanted to keep it clean. So, during our initial greeting, I casually asked, “Are you still going to change?” To my surprise, that person ended up wearing the same outfit throughout the entire day.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
R: Even before I got engaged, I knew I wanted to get married in an outfit by Karolien Verstraeten. Karolien Verstraeten makes custom made two-piece wedding dresses. I’ve been following her on Instagram for quite some time and everything she makes is incredibly stylish. Together with my 2 sisters, 2 sisters-in-law, mom and mother-in-law, I was able to put together the perfect outfit super fast. Anyone who knows me and my stress of choice knows that this is a huge achievement. The choice of the skirt was the fastest clear because it was simply the most beautiful for my figure. I tried on a lot of tops, but with the final top everything fell together.
Since the skirt and top were quite simple, a veil was an obvious choice. Because of the beautiful finish with lace, I was immediately sold. I am still so convinced of my wedding dress and would immediately choose the same one.
J: For my wedding outfit, I opted for a sandy-colored suit to get the summer feeling. Choosing the suit color and the finishing touches was a collaborative effort involving my best man, sister, sister-in-law, and mom. As for the inner lining of the suit, we went for vibrant patterns with birds, which is rather amusing because I happen to have a phobia of birds. Afterward, my best man and I went shopping together to pick out the suspenders, bowtie, and shoes to complete the look. It was a fun and memorable experience, and I’m grateful for the input and support of my loved ones in creating this unique outfit for our special day.
We had our wedding rings custom-designed with a unique blend of gold, incorporating both Jochen’s grandmother and grandfather’s gold along with some from my mother. This added a sentimental and meaningful touch to our rings, symbolizing the union of our families and generations.