Autumn has officially begun! That means the high season for our spring and summer brides is over. We certainly still have a few very special brides getting married in autumn or winter, but the real peak is behind us.

It's the perfect time to look back at all the beautiful weddings, special brides, and unique stories we've encountered. It's always incredibly special to get to know brides in such a short time and to share something as intimate as choosing THE perfect wedding dress.

In the coming period, we will share more stories from our brides. We're starting with Adinda Leene - van Kuijk. She captured our hearts with her engaging smile and wonderful energy. And what a beautiful wedding she had in Italy!

 

Name: Adinda Leene-van Kuijk
Dress + Designer: Rae by Anaïs Anette
Wedding Date: 21.05.2022
Wedding Location: Borgo Petrognano, Val D'elsa, Tuscany
Photographers: Milan Goldbach, Ruben Duipmans, Sterre Loots

What should a wedding dress express for you?

Above all, a wedding dress should express who I am as a person. I really wanted to feel like myself in the wedding dress, but I also challenged myself by stepping a little out of my comfort zone. The open back of the Rae dress was exactly what I was looking for.

What does a wedding dress mean to you?

Celebrating love with my fiancé in the most beautiful dress, which I also knew he would find stunning. The dress will forever have a special meaning because it reminds me of one of the most special days of my life.

 

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

I was quite pragmatic beforehand and had to see if I would know when it was 'the dress' during the fitting. (I heard that so often) For the first appointment, I had already done my homework well, and the Rae dress was on my list. I tried on a total of 8 dresses, with the Rae dress being the last. Tears welled up in my eyes when I saw myself in this dress. So… I thought to myself ;-) I was still torn between a model by designer Laure de Sagazan, but the second time, tears again sprang to my eyes. That’s when I knew enough, of course!

How would you describe your style in 3 words?

Sexy, romantic, stylish

What made the Rae the perfect wedding dress for you?

The open back, the flowing fabric, and the lace on the front and back. Everything I was looking for in a dress. The buttons - which we had added next to the zipper - completed it perfectly. It's funny how such a small detail can make such a big difference. That was such a good tip from you!

 

And the veil, of course. I thought: I'm only going to get married once, I want a veil! I chose the Jane veil by Anaïs Anette. A veil of very thin tulle, so the open back was still clearly visible.

What were your expectations of a bridal boutique?

I actually only had one bridal boutique in mind, and that was yours. I felt in my gut that I would definitely succeed here. I expected many dresses to my taste and a team of young, but experienced, women. They could have been my friends, and I found that feeling important to have when making such an important choice.

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

All the lovely ladies! You feel so incredibly at ease, and they quickly understood what suited me. You experience this every day, of course, but you were genuinely so happy for me. It was special to see that enthusiasm and to feel that you genuinely empathize with a bride-to-be.

What does a wedding mean to you?

Celebrating love with all the dear people around you. Choosing each other and creating a deeper layer in the relationship – with our two beautiful daughters in our case – by truly choosing each other in the presence of family and friends.

 

Who all attended?

In total, we had 63 guests. All our dearest friends & family were there.

What was the highlight of your wedding?

It’s hard to choose one highlight; it was a succession of so many beautiful moments. My brother and mother who played such an important role, our two daughters, the morning I got ready, our witnesses and good friends who gave such beautiful speeches, and the Moluccan song Gandong é that was sung by my family – too many to mention.

But if I have to name one highlight: everyone visibly enjoyed themselves! The whole group matched so well with each other. The wedding was personal and intimate; it felt like a gift to everyone.

 

What advice would you give to future brides?

Really enjoy every second. It sounds cliché, but truly tell yourself to enjoy every second; it goes by so fast. Also, enjoy the preparations with your partner. From the beginning, we said we wouldn't stress about anything. You often get married in a beautiful and special place anyway, all your loved ones are there, and there's food & drink. You don't really need anything more than that :-) If something goes wrong? Then it goes wrong. In my opinion, people often feel their wedding has to be absolutely perfect, but because of that, you forget to enjoy it. A wedding doesn't have to be perfect; by letting go, you'll enjoy it much more.

Additionally, we found it important that there was plenty of food & drink. That always creates a connection, fostering a pleasant atmosphere among everyone. And musicians! We preferred to allocate budget for this rather than spending a lot of money on expensive flowers that – so to speak – no one notices anyway… Guests ultimately remember the atmosphere, and a bouquet of flowers, in my opinion, doesn't do as much.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your wedding day?

It was fantastic, and we still receive feedback about it from family and friends weekly. It was a bubble we lived in for three days, and when your guests also experience it as special, that's truly a gift. We hope to still be talking about it when we're old and wrinkled.