Name: Rumailah Burden
Dress + Designer: Halfpenny London - Rose Skirt & Sandra Mansour - Third Wisdom
Wedding Date: 10-10-2024
Wedding Venue: Ravello, Italy
Photography: Luis Mendoza at Lightfeelswedding
Hair & Make-up: Moi, myself and I 

How did you two meet?

I was 21 and Robert was 27, both early in our careers. I was interviewing for a position at the company where Robert worked, located in the World Trade Center in Amsterdam. The interview took place in a meeting room with glass walls. Everyone in the office could see in, and I was facing the glass wall. Robert happened to walk by and looked in at just the right moment, seeing me sitting there. It quickly became a very awkward interview, because from that moment on, Robert walked back and forth thirty times, peeking in and studying me. Afterward, I heard that he approached my then-manager after the interview and asked, “If you don’t hire her, can I have her phone number?”

I hadn't even left the building that day when I received a LinkedIn connection request from Robert Tuuk. Robert left the company before I started working there, though I secretly looked for him on my first day. Fortunately, we ran into each other while out in Amsterdam. We danced around each other for years, trying to be 'friends' first; the attraction was clearly too strong.

What should a wedding dress radiate for you?

I believe a wedding dress should be a reflection of your style. You, but 'elevated'.
For me personally... I had more of the idea, "If we're going to do something, we're going to do it right!" That was slightly our motto, but also the joke we'd share with each other. In other words: traditional 'bridal' like what we grew up with from 80s cake toppers and movies. But with a strong eye for design, silhouettes, and material.
I love so many different styles, from classic to ethereal to bold. But I also wanted the venue to complement my dress and vice-versa. At the same time, a truly classic wedding dress with a modern twist. You only get a few chances in your life to wear such special dresses; your big day is one of them. So I seized the opportunity.

What feeling did you want to have when you put on your wedding dress?

The feeling that it was truly my wedding dress, one that somehow tells a story through its silhouette, structure, and material. Also, that it complimented my body in all the right places, ensuring I would feel comfortable and confident all day long.

How would you describe your style in 3 words?

"A bit glam, vintage-inspired, bold, as well as 80's inspired. Very feminine with a touch of androgyn”

What made your dream dress perfect for you?

Because I'm quite petite (under 1.60cm), I quickly got lost in 'big' wedding dresses. You might think that big dresses aren't for me, but I didn't give up. That's why I was so happy to find Halfpenny London's Rose Skirt. It made a statement but also had something tender and dreamy, and at the same time something 'airy' that suited my body type. It was my dream dress because I was able to put it together exactly as I wanted. I combined it with a Danielle Frankel corset from New York. The dress I chose from Sandra Mansour was wonderfully edgy and beautifully crafted, which made me fall in love with it instantly.

What were your expectations of a bridal boutique?

I found it incredibly exciting and sometimes overwhelming, the idea that you have to choose/find your most precious dress within a short time. There's just so much beauty! You used to talk with your friends about what your 'dream wedding dress' would be. But you change as a person, and you can't know beforehand how wedding dresses will look on your body. So I really hoped that with the right care and guidance, I would make the right choice.

What made your experience at Wild At Heart so special?

First and foremost, how I was received! There's so much calm when you step into Wild at Heart. The ladies are all fantastic, understanding, very patient, and knowledgeable. It almost felt like I was doing this with my 'friends' or someone I knew. It felt familiar, and therefore less daunting to make the choice. And that was incredibly nice.

What does getting married mean to you personally?

Getting married for me was the 'cherry on top' of our relationship and everything we've built together. My husband and I had been together for years, and sometimes I thought, it already feels like we're married. BUT no one can explain to you beforehand how special such a journey is. It shapes you/both of you even more. What makes it magical is the realization that this isn't just a ceremony; it's the beginning of a new chapter, a shared story that you continue to write together every day. A commitment that you can celebrate together, with your dearest ones. Something that your children will also always look back on, in the form of photos, videos, and stories.

What was your favorite moment of the wedding ceremony?

Oh, so many! The ceremony itself, from beginning to end. Our groomsmen & bridesmaids walking down the aisle first, followed by our children one by one, and of course, seeing Robert standing there, at the end of the aisle, with tears in his eyes!

Did you have a specific theme or color scheme for your wedding? How did this influence your dress choice?

I first chose the 'Rose Skirt' by Halfpenny London. Roses hold significant meaning for Robert and me, so the color red organically kept recurring, and it actually matched everything! The roses and the 'old Hollywood glam' feel we wanted to incorporate into the wedding theme perfectly complemented each other.

Did you have an intimate wedding or was it a big celebration? Who were the people you absolutely wanted to have on your big day?

We had about 65 guests, which for us is actually quite intimate. We truly only invited our closest loved ones. At the party itself, it felt like there were 100 people!

What was the highlight of your wedding?

A few moments come to mind: The fact that we were able to bring all four of our parents, that we could bring our dear friends and family to such a special place, the beautiful vows where Robert surprised me by doing a part in my Filipino dialect, and our 8-year-old Gigi’s speech during the welcome party.

Because of this, I think the speeches were the highlights of the evenings. Each one so beautifully worded by his brother and my sister, my father and his mother, but also by Robert's best friend, Dian, to whom Robert donated his kidney a few years ago. When Dian said during his speech, "Robert, if you weren't here, I probably wouldn't be. You saved my life." At that moment, no one could hold back their tears. After this, our eldest daughter, Helena, stood with the microphone in her hand. She ended her speech with a live rendition of 'My All' by Mariah Carey. Helena is 15 years old, our wedding meant so much to her. She was so overcome with emotion, everyone felt it and cried with her. Even the toughest men couldn't hold back their tears. "Helena made so many people cry tonight" was a phrase we heard many times.

Did you underestimate anything about planning your wedding?

How much planning is involved, haha! If you can afford it, having a wedding planner by your side is really not an unnecessary luxury. 

What advice would you give to future brides?

Don't let all the trends or what you/you both think is expected drive you crazy. It's your day, and you can plan it exactly how you want. Choose from the heart; the rest will follow.

When you look back at your wedding day, what is the first thing you remember?

All the joy from those 3 days, all the beautiful memories we created together. Every time we see our guests again, all those special moments come back to us.