A romantic garden in bloom, parasols drifting between the trees, and soft piano melodies composed by the groom himself—Marleen and Joery’s wedding in Vlierden felt like a celebration rooted in nature and intimacy. With just over fifty guests, their summer day unfolded between the bride’s childhood home and a nearby field transformed into an outdoor ceremony space, surrounded by wildflowers, laughter, and quiet, personal touches.
Location: Vlierden, Netherlands
Style: Romantic, family-oriented, intimate
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 50
Setting: Garden
Season: Summer
Marleen and Joery first met during physics class in high school, where a friendship quickly turned into something more after the summer break. What began as a long-distance relationship eventually grew stronger, and four years later they moved in together without hesitation. Nearly eight years after their story began, Joery proposed on a private deck in South Africa, surprising Marleen with a romantic setup at sunset after a game drive, under the impression it was simply a birthday getaway.
Morning
Marleen and Joery chose to spend the morning of their wedding away from the preparations, just the two of them. After their first look, they drove together to Kasteeltuinen Arcen—a historic garden estate in the south of the Netherlands—for a quiet photo session before the ceremony. The overcast sky, romantic silhouettes of fountains, and rows of summer flowers created a cinematic calm around them. Holding hands, walking with parasols between rose beds and tree-lined paths, they took time to simply be together.
"Walking in the beautiful gardens of Arcen, laughing, kissing, chatting, just the two of them."
Photographer Dian Franken captured this part of the wedding with remarkable softness and intention. Her analog frames rendered the morning light and textures of nature exactly the way the couple had envisioned their wedding: gentle, unhurried, and full of emotion. The intimacy she preserved in each frame made the images feel like memories already—quiet, tangible and timeless.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place just beyond the garden, in an open field edged by tall trees and an old iron gate. Guests followed a short path to reach the spot, where wooden chairs stood arranged in the grass beneath a natural canopy of green. Wildflowers lined the aisle, echoing the loose, organic florals in the bride’s bouquet. The atmosphere felt calm and grounded, with soft wind moving through the trees and petals tucked into linen cones, ready to be tossed.
Marleen wore a romantic A-line gown by Milla Nova, with a long train that trailed behind her as she walked toward the altar. Her veil by Poirier caught the breeze, adding movement as she crossed the field. She completed the look with a diamond bracelet from Abrazi and Goddess by Burberry, while her hair and makeup, styled by Silke Goossens, stayed fresh and natural. “I wanted a unique and romantic dress with a bit of drama, but it still needed to match our venue,” she shared. Joery wore a black suit by Guglielmo from Koonings, paired with an ivory tie and Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf.
At the altar, their celebrant Janka Nooijens-Timmermans led a ceremony filled with humor and emotion. Piano music written and played by the groom filled the air as Marleen walked in—an entrance that guests said they’d never forget. The ceremony lasted around forty minutes and closed with a joyful kiss, followed by guests showering the couple in rose petals hand-picked from their own garden. It was a quiet, emotional chapter that felt beautifully in tune with the setting.
"The entrance of the bride was something guests would never forget, and the whole setting felt like a dream."
Reception
Back in the family garden, the reception unfolded under colorful parasols and soft evening light. Guests gathered around a floral-covered cake table where the couple cut their lemon and white chocolate cake to the sound of a live saxophone. The outdoor bar kept the energy relaxed and social, while the couple’s attention to detail shaped the atmosphere—from wooden signs handmade by the bride’s father to a thoughtful seating layout set by Marleen and Joery themselves.
Dinner was served at long tables styled by the couple, with handwritten notes placed at each guest’s seat—one of the most meaningful gestures of the day. A musical performance, heartfelt speeches, and a playful quiz added warmth and rhythm to the evening. After an amazing celebration, the couple made their exit under a tunnel of sparklers, held high by their friends and family. The golden glow lit up the garden one last time, closing the day with joy, laughter, and the quiet sense that every detail had been exactly as it should be.
"Seeing everybody you love, celebrating your love is the best feeling."
Advice from the couple:
• It’s all in the details, make them personal! And above all: spend the day together! We didn’t leave each other’s side throughout the day, celebrating our love to the fullest.’
PHOTOGRAPHER Dian Franken | VENUE Kasteeltuinen Arcen | BRIDAL BOUTIQUE Koonings bruidsmode | DRESS Milla Nova | SUIT SHOP Koonings bruidsmode | VEIL Poirier | JEWELRY Abrazi | FRAGRANCE Burberry | SUIT Guglielmo | TIE Viktor & Rolf | MUAH Silke Goossens | CELEBRANT Janka Nooijens-Timmermands | LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Ruth Behind The Camera | TENT Tent solutions
