Paulien and Roel are a lovely couple, and I had a wonderful time finding pretty angles in and around their lovely home, and they chose a lovely local church for their ceremony, with a lovely theme - “The Little Prince” - and their wedding day was just truly lovely all around.
But perhaps even more than usual, everything at the first wedding I’ve photographed in the age of the corona virus seemed so much sweeter and vibrant because it was by no means certain that it would happen at all. In the Netherlands, virtually all large gatherings - including weddings - were not allowed at all for several months this spring, and for a while, it looked like Paulien and Roel’s wedding would have to be postponed, too. But gradually, more and more events were allowed to be held again, and their early August ceremony at the Pelstergasthuiskerk was thankfully able to proceed.
Before we arrived at the church, I got to take some portraits of the bride and groom in their beautiful home - which also used to be a church! They had this spectacular spiral staircase that I made Paulien walk up and down a bunch of times because I couldn’t get enough of it. Then we travelled in style in a vintage Volvo to the vast fields of the Onlanden just to the south of the city for a few shots with their sweet ride and the bridge where Roel used to bike into town from the village where he grew up.
At the ceremony inside the church, which is connected to one of Groningen’s many characteristic “gasthuizen” - almshouses - the guests were very well spread out throughout the green, curving pews, and although there were no customary Dutch cheek kisses in the moments after the couple said “I do”, it was still a moving and beautiful occasion to be a part of: my favourite detail was their rings, which depicted the snake that swallowed an elephant/hat from “The Little Prince”.
Between the ceremony and the reception, Roel and Paulien were able to sneak away for a couple more portraits in the intimate courtyard just as the light was getting truly magical. It felt downright miraculous to witness these two people getting to have their special day surrounded by so much love. Thank you for having me!
