Name: Lotte Monshouwer
Dress + Designer: Rebecca by Prea James
Wedding date: 24-06-2024
Wedding location: Borgo Castello Panicaglia, Umbria, Italy
Photography: byJay (Eva Janssen)
Hair & Makeup: Sandra Bierens

 

 

What should a wedding dress radiate for you?

A beautiful, elegant reflection of me as a person, in which I feel my most beautiful and confident self.

What does a wedding dress mean to you?

For me, a wedding dress is much more than just a piece of clothing: it's a statement piece that marks an important moment in life and stands for love and femininity.

 

Did you have certain expectations of a wedding dress beforehand? Were they met?

I had a completely different idea of my wedding dress beforehand. Based on Pinterest, I was in love with dresses with lots of lace and texture. Until I tried on such a dress: it didn't feel like me. The Wild At Heart girls quickly noticed this and recommended the elegant and minimalist Prea James dress. And holy, how good, beautiful and comfortable I felt in it!

How would you describe your style in 3 words?

Minimalist, elegant, and a touch casual.

What made your dream dress perfect for you?

The cut-outs on my dress were the icing on the cake for me. The dress already had a fantastic back and décolletage, but the cut-outs made me feel incredibly feminine and sexy. That feeling told me it was the perfect dress.

What were your expectations of a bridal boutique?

My expectations were mainly based on "Say yes to the dress" programs, where brides quickly go through the store, try on 2 or 3 dresses, and then have to make a choice. I'm so glad my expectations weren't met: at a good boutique, they take their time with you, you can try on as many dresses as you want, and you don't have to make a decision right away.

What did you enjoy most about your experience at Wild At Heart?

The beautiful collection of dresses and the incredibly friendly service. The ladies at Wild At Heart helped me wonderfully: I visited three times, and with each visit, I felt completely at ease and my wishes were well listened to.

 

What does a wedding mean to you?

A big celebration of love. Besides officially sealing love, a wedding for me is also a big party where you celebrate love with the people you love most and express this to each other.

Who all attended?

Since we got married abroad, we invited a small group: 36 people in total. Our best friends and family were part of our wedding weekend.

What was the highlight of your wedding?

Celebrating love for three days, in beautiful Italy, with our dearest family and friends is one big highlight. If I had to name one specific moment, it would be my father giving me away to the man of my dreams with the Italian hills in the background. And this was extra special because half an hour before, there was a huge storm, and the chance of an outdoor ceremony was virtually 0%. The weather gods, however, had other plans for us :)

Did you underestimate anything about planning your wedding?

We were fortunate enough to hire a wedding planner, and she was worth every penny: we didn't experience a single second of stress during the wedding planning.

What advice would you give to future brides?

It's your day, and don't let other people's opinions influence you. Do what feels right for you.