Name: Carolina Mosquera
Dress + Designer: Lirio - Cortana
Vow Renewal Date: 25-08-2025
Wedding Venue: Neuendorf House, Mallorca
Photography: Lux Visuals Storytellers
Hair & Make-up: make_up_taisiia
Wedding planner: www.atelierrose.be
Styling: www.otrocantar.com
Catering: www.organichefs.es
Light & sound: panela.productions & bombillas_y_flores
Calligraphy: Assialucki

Could you take us back to the beginning: how did you first meet and what makes your love so strong after all these years?

We met fifteen years ago at the opening of a new wing of the art academy in Ghent. I had had a bit too much to drink, he was talking non-stop, and the next day he sent me a message reminding me of all the things I'd forgotten. From that first chaotic moment, we clicked.

What keeps our love so strong is that we fundamentally want the same things from life. We dream of the same kind of days, build the same home, fill it with four children, and share a passion for films, good food, and artistic expression. We both have an entrepreneurial spirit and founded Lux Visual Storytellers together.

Maarten is calm, thoughtful, and sometimes beats around the bush a bit. I am temperamental, direct, and sometimes a little too sharp. Two opposing characters who nevertheless fit together seamlessly. We stand side by side, in our business and in our family. He is as present as a father as I am as an entrepreneur. That balance, that shared vision, is what has sustained us all these years.

What prompted you to renew your vows? Was there a special moment or feeling that set this in motion?

The past ten years have been a rollercoaster. We got married, started Lux in the same year, while I was pregnant with our first child. Then followed ten moves, three more children, and the growth of a small idea into a real business. With highs that make you soar, but also deep lows that wear you down.

We got through it. Not unscathed, but stronger and still by each other's side. We wanted to celebrate that. Not just our love, but the fact that we still feel as much, or more, for each other. Our family felt complete with the arrival of our youngest. The timing just felt right.

How did it feel to say 'yes' again, ten years after your wedding day?

It felt heavier. More beautiful. Intense.

When we first got married, we had no idea what marriage truly entailed. Now we know: it's a choice, every single day. Supporting each other through storms, truly getting to know each other, and seeing how parenthood both challenges and deepens your relationship.

The magical moment was when I said my vows and our youngest son, Dantes, couldn't hold back his tears. He ran up to me for a hug. That pure, unfiltered moment said everything about what we've built, not just as a couple, but as a family.

You had already worn a wedding dress at your first wedding. What did you want your dress to convey this time?

At our first wedding, I wore a copper-coloured silk dress. This time, I wanted something more minimalist and purer: a warm ivory tone.

Comfort was paramount. I wanted to be able to move freely, breathe, and not constantly worry about my insecurities. When I saw Cortana's dress online, I immediately knew: this could be it. Minimalist in cut, but rich in fabric and movement. The way the dress flowed as I walked reminded me of water, exactly fitting the theme of our renewal.

How did it feel when you put on the dress and looked in the mirror - what made that moment special?

It fit perfectly. As if it were made for me. My friends saw it immediately: this is your dress.

It felt like an extension of who I am, simple, powerful, and elegant. No frills, no show. Just me, in my purest form.

If you had to describe your style in three words, what would they be?

Minimalist, comfortable, and powerful.

How did you approach choosing a dress for a vow renewal, compared to the first time?

The first time, I designed it myself and had my dress made. This was the first time I actually went to boutiques to try on dresses. That felt surprisingly intimate and fun, especially since I did it with two of my best friends.

What made your experience at Wild At Heart so special, and perhaps different from what you expected?

Wild At Heart opened shortly after our first wedding, so I couldn't go then. This time, I deliberately made the long journey. The boutique already looked beautiful online, but it was even better in person.

We received a warm welcome and a great explanation of the collections. I had prepared well and knew exactly which dresses I wanted to try on. We were given ample time to feel, move, and weigh our options. In the end, I chose the dress I came for, although I briefly hesitated between two.

Where did your vow renewal take place and why did you choose that specific location?

We celebrated our vow renewal at Neuendorf House in Mallorca, better known to locals as Casa Rossa.

I discovered this place eight years ago after an endless search. It had to be child-friendly, with space for the children to run around freely and enjoy themselves. But equally important: the aesthetic had to be right. Clean lines, beautiful interplay of light and shadow, architecture that breathes.

The house feels pure, earthy, and calming, with just enough dramatic elements in the landscape. The forty-meter swimming pool and tennis court made it perfect for our family.

What was the most memorable or emotional moment of the ceremony for you?

The moment our youngest son, Dante, couldn't hold back his tears during my vows and came to hug me. That was so pure and sincere. It touched us deeply and reminded us of what it's all about.

Did you have a theme or color scheme that gave the day extra meaning?

We chose black and silver. Drapes, water projections on the walls, mirrors on the table, white orchids, and black lava stones. It created a calm, natural atmosphere with a touch of drama, exactly who we are.

We both love peace and water. We both prefer to wear black. For the second day, when we baptized the children and had brunch, we chose red: tomatoes, red fruit, and children's drawings on the table. Warm, playful, and perfectly fitting for them.

Was it an intimate gathering or did you make it a big celebration? Who were the people who absolutely couldn't miss it?

We consciously chose intimacy: about sixty people, including children. It felt warm and real. Everyone who was there meant something to us. No obligations, just the people who truly matter.

Looking back: which moment of the day stands out most vividly in your memory?

The entrance during the ceremony. Walking forward with the children, Maarten waiting for me with our four kids beside him, his emotions visible. The music, the glances, the realization of what we've built together, that image I will never forget.

Were there things about the planning that you perhaps underestimated or that surprised you?

Since I have a lot of experience with weddings myself, there were few surprises. Together with Silke, I had prepared everything meticulously, and she handled everything perfectly. The only stressful moment was when the make-up artist cancelled the night before. Luckily, she suggested a colleague who did an excellent job. As a backup, one of my bridesmaids was also ready, always handy.

Looking back, what felt different or perhaps even more beautiful than during your first wedding day?

Everything felt more beautiful, and also calmer.

We have shared and endured so much more. The children who experienced everything and enjoyed it. The vacation atmosphere. Only the people who truly know us. No awkward guests. It felt more intense, more real, and therefore even more beautiful.

What advice would you give to couples considering renewing their vows?

Just do it.

It's not comparable to the first time. You're not just celebrating your love and a new beginning. You're reflecting on everything you've built together: the life you created, the children you brought into the world, the version of yourself you've become alongside each other.

After all these years, you truly know each other, as partners, as parents, as people who have grown. That makes it so much deeper. It resonates in a way you can't explain. It's worth it.