Monique and Jack met for the first time in Scheveningen in August 2021. “We ate at Werelds Restaurant,” says Monique. This is where we also got married in September 2022. It was our third marriage. We both felt like teenagers on our first date. “Normally, we are both confident in ourselves, but that day, both of us were nervous about the other’s opinion.”
Jack proposed to Monique after just six months of dating. Monique says, “Jack proposed at my house in front of (then) 6-year-old twin girls.” It was midnight, the 1st of January 2022. “I felt uncomfortable but also proud and happy.”
Shopping for the Dress
Monique visited WED2B Arnhem’s wedding dress shop. She says, “I found WED2B through Facebook.” It’s a beautiful shop. No appointment was necessary, and lots of staff took the time to help me out, and gorgeous dresses. It was fantastic.”
“I selected the Paola Mermaid Dress. I felt like a bride and myself in it. The saleswoman chose it even though I didn’t think a fitted style would suit me as I am not thin enough. It felt wonderful! The dress was fitted, but it then flared out into a train. “My three bridesmaids all wore WED2B Perrie dresses.”
A BEACHSIDE ARNHEM WEDDING
On 2nd September 2022, the couple married at Scheveningen Beach, where they first met. Monique says, “Our first kiss happened on the Ferris Wheel.” We took many photos. Werelds, the beach restaurant, was where everything took place. Everything was at Werelds, the beach restaurant.
“We’ve been here a lot, and it felt like everyone was on vacation for a day. Our guests were very complimentary. “It was where our relationship started, so it was wonderful.”
THE BIG DAY
“We got ready at the Carlton Beach Hotel, which was close to the wedding venue,” says Monique. “I was with my eldest daughter, my twin seven-year-old daughters, their seven-year-old friend (also a bridesmaid), and a good friend of mine, who is the wife of one of our witnesses.”
“The weather was gorgeous. My husband-to-be was waiting for us on the beach, along with all the guests. We played the song ‘I’m Sexy and I Know It’. Then I came in with my eldest son, who gave me away, and my three bridesmaids, to ‘Walking on the Water’ by Sita and Marco Borsato.”
“We were filmed by a lot of people, as it was a beautiful summer day and there were a lot of beachgoers,” says Monique. “My two eldest children were my witnesses (together we have eight children, all grown-up apart from the twins).”
“The most memorable moment was when we saw each other, me with no nerves, just happy and my children holding their proud smiles. My husband had tears in his eyes… that moment was the most beautiful for me.”
A RELAXED AFTERPARTY
The reception was in the beach pavilion, on a private part of the terrace where people could walk past.
“There were lots of snacks, wedding cake, balloons, flowers, fire tables, benches and a great clown for all the kids (and they also had their own snacks, ice cream, etc),” says Monique.
“Later, we had a luxury barbecue buffet. There was no dancing, it was just a relaxed atmosphere, with only happy people until the late hours. The service was fantastic.”
AN INFORMAL BEACH THEME
“We had a beach theme, of course,” says Monique. “Other than that, everyone was allowed to wear whatever they wanted. Music was a Spotify playlist made with friends beforehand and our favours were mini bottles of limoncello from our favourite Italian brand. They had ‘Drunk in Love, Mr & Mrs den Ambtman, 2nd September 2022’ on them.”
“There were also balloons with white hearts printed on them. The three-tier cake had delicate handmade sugar flowers and a topper that was the black silhouette of a wedding couple, with the bride in a mermaid dress.”
“Our guest book was a bottle (letter mail bottle) and the guests wrote down wishes for us, then rolled them up with a string to put inside. My bridal bouquet had pink roses, dried flowers and eucalyptus. The girls also had pink roses in their wicker baskets.”
THE BEST BITS…
“The most memorable thing was the joy of our guests,” says Monique. “Also, the happiness we felt at the beach. Everything!”
MY TOP TIPS…
“Choose a venue where they really work with you and the owners are also enthusiastic,” says Monique. “Somewhere where you are not just another wedding, but where they want to pamper you.”
MONIQUE AND JACK’S DREAM TEAM
Photographer: Stefan van Beek Photography
Arnhem Wedding Venue: Scheveningen Beach Restaurant Werelds
Wedding dresses Arnhem: WED2B
Cake: Patisserie Vermeer
Makeup and hair: make-upbyleonie.com
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