Wow, I don’t even know where to begin! First of all, let me begin to explain why this blog is written in English, as I usually write my blogs in Dutch. Well, a few months ago I got an exciting email from Erin. She was looking for a photographer to capture her wedding in Brussels, Belgium! I was over the moon. So many photographers in Belgium and she couldn’t find anything she liked, so she kept searching and found me… I was so honored that she wanted me to come to Brussels.It was going to be an international wedding, since Erin and her family are from the US, and Jamie and his family are from the UK. So all their friends and family had to travel a long way, which made it extra special. Erin and Jamie met in Brussels, and before they are moving to the US in a few weeks, they wanted to show the beautiful city of Brussels to all their loved ones and just throw a big party. And we got to be a part of it, wohooo!
So last Friday, the day finally came for me and my husband Fandy (my assistant/driver/2nd shooter because of my pregnancy) to travel to Brussels. We had a hell of a drive with lots of traffic jam, but it was all worth it of course. Erin and Jamie booked a perfect hotel for is, right in the center of Brussels. We decided to take a quick walk through the city (and take a look at the famous Manneke Pis!). Erin and Jamie didn’t want a rehearsal dinner, but in stead they organised a walking tour through Brussels including all their favorite places. What a great idea! So we joined the tour to could get to know the couple and their family and friends a little better. Friday started out great, we couldn’t wait to see what Saturday was going to be like!
Saturday morning Fandy and I took a tram to Erin’s apartment. We were so surprised to see all the bridesmaids were getting ready at the bookstore downstairs! Imagine yourself in a bookstore with all these French books, the gramophone playing songs from ‘The Supremes’.. Dresses hanging at the bookshelves.. It just felt so unreal. Like I was in a movie, something like ‘Love Actually’ 🙂 Oh boy what a way to start your wedding day! The ceremony took place at Commune de Saint Gilles. What a beautiful building! After an emotional ceremony (where the groom played a self-written song at the piano as a surprise for his bride, Oh my, are you kidding me!) it was time to have some traditional Belgium beers and lunch at the cutest little café called ‘La Biche’. After several beers were conquered we all took the tram to a beautiful panorama to take some pictures. After that, we walked with all the guests to the Royal Parc for a champagne reception. The street musicians played some lovely music and created the best vibe. When the guests got ready to walk to the venue for dinner, the couple and I stayed at the parc for a short photoshoot.
The rest of the day took place at Bozar, also a special place for the couple as this is the place where their friendship began… A gorgeous table setting with flowers, books and little golden dinosaurs was the first thing I saw when I walked into the beautiful space. How cool that they managed to make one long table for 90 guests! We all got to enjoy a lovely shared dinner and laughed and cried over the speeches of the family members. After that, it was time to dance the night away. I’m sure the party wasn’t over when we left.. We walked back to our hotel and shared a paper cone of Belgium Fries.. A perfect ending of a perfect trip <3
I can’t thank Erin and Jamie enough that we got to be a part of these amazing days. Both Erin, Jamie and all their friends and family made us feel so welcome! We enjoyed this weekend to the fullest and are very grateful that they chose us as their wedding photographers. Thank you a thousand times! X
And for all those awesome couples out there that are getting married abroad, whether it’s Belgium, the UK or the States or somewhere else; we are more then happy to travel and capture your wedding as well 😉
Love, Susan Noëlle & Fandy