Sien and Pieter's rustic wedding day

Sien and Pieter met at a school friend’s house in 2004. “He was the boy next door and I fell in love instantly,” says Sien. “We saw each other every week, because I often visited my friend, and we both ended up in my friend’s dad’s horse-driving team. Pieter was a marathon groom, I was a dressage groom. We have lived as brother and sister for years and eventually formed a team together in the driving sport. Then, at the end of 2016, we became a couple.”

Sien getting into her lace wedding dress

A surprise birthday proposal

Pieter proposed on Sien’s birthday, 9th February 2020. “It was a very unexpected proposal, as Pieter had said he didn’t want to get married,” says Sien. “He had invited some friends (who all knew about it) and asked me to go to the stable. He then took my favourite horse out and she had a blanket on which was embroidered with the words,

‘Will you marry me?’. Then he got down on one knee and asked me again. Of course, I said yes! Then our one-year-old son gave me a bouquet of flowers and a note that read, ‘Yay, Mom and Dad are getting married’. I was completely blown away, surprised and delighted.”

Sien's bridesmaids fastening her lace wedding dress

Shopping for the dress

A friend of Sien’s told her about WED2B. “After a fairly disappointing visit to a well-known shop in the area, I visited the WED2B store in Ghent,” she says. “I went through with the staff what I wanted and what I certainly didn’t want… lace! However, the saleswoman said she had the dress for me. It was India, which was full lace, as it turned out! She suggested I start with that and try on my chosen dresses.”

"So I did, and when I turned to the mirror I thought wow, this is it! I loved the beautifully cut open back, the subtle cleavage and the spaghetti straps, as well as the silhouette and the train."

Sien on the morning of her coral wedding

“I didn’t have this feeling at all in the expensive boutique, where they’d also told me I’d been watching too many wedding programs! So, the lace dress I didn’t think I’d like at all became ‘The One’. Also, my witness and my bridesmaid were with me and they completely agreed. The service at WED2B was also super friendly and helpful.” (For similar styles try Elysia, Bohdi and Diego)

Sien and Pieter embrace on their rustic wedding day

The big day

The couple married on 22nd July 2022. “We chose to marry in a marquee on the grass track where we ride our horses,” says Sien.

“We wanted a cozy atmosphere that was open and green, and this was just what I had in mind.”

Sein and Pieter's family on their wedding day

Sien got ready at home with her bridesmaids. “It was a cloudy day with pleasant temperatures, ideal weather to enjoy our party,” says Sien. “My son, my godchild and the child of my best friend, plus my bridesmaid walked into the marquee first. I entered to ‘Not Easy’ by Laura Tesoro. I gave a speech and my husband and my father-in-law also gave a short speech. Walking into the ceremony was very emotional.”

Sien and Pieter's cloudy but beautiful wedding day

The afterparty

“After the ceremony, guests mingled and enjoyed tapas boards,” says Sien. “Everyone could sit where they wanted or chat as the caterers came around with the dishes. Then there was a dessert buffet to follow.”

Sien and Pieter's rustic wedding day

Fun for the kids

“There were three nannies to look after the kids,” says Sien. “Two for the two bouncy castles and the drawing board and one who looked after the kids who were sleeping,” says Sien.

“Our opening dance was ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You’ by Shania Yan. It has super beautiful lyrics and she has an angelic voice, which makes it even more romantic. We were enchanted by this song.”

Sien riding her horse on her wedding day

A relaxed coral wedding theme

“We didn’t really have a theme,” says Sien. “I only had one colour for the bridesmaids and the flowers, which was a coral wedding theme. Other than that, it was just casual. Everything was allowed, nothing was essential, so enjoy and have fun! This was also reflected in our concept of a kind of walking dinner, with no fixed places, no table set ups. This was very well received and created a relaxed family feeling instead of a stiff affair.”

Sien on her wedding day riding a horse

“Our food was simple but beautifully presented and super tasty,” says Sien. “There was no wedding cake but there was a dessert buffet. This was handed out by serving staff, so there was no waiting or joining a queue. For favours, we had nuts, coins and candies with thank you notes. Later we had our super DJ, DJ Cape Prisun. The dance floor didn’t stand still for a minute from 9:30pm to 6am!”

Sien and Pieter walking through the fields on their wedding day

The best bits…

“I loved the carriage ride to the barn where I said yes, entering the tent and the very short photoshoot in the cornfield and on horseback,” says Sien. “I also loved the opening dance and the dance party itself.”

My top tips…

“Enjoy yourself and keep timings flexible, so that you aren’t too busy and can enjoy everything 100%,” says Sien. “Do it the way you want it and not the way anyone else would. It’s your day, enjoy!”

Sien and Pieter’s Dream Team

Photographer: Laura Beeckmans Photography

Wedding Dresses Ghent: WED2B

Catering: Share A Dinner

Florist: Elvira All About Flowers

DJ: DJ Cape Prisun

Carriage driver: Glenn Geerts

Hairdresser and face painter: Loubna van Hairlin

If you would like us to feature your big day, like this coral wedding, then please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Your nearest WED2B is closer than you think, click here for more details about WED2B’s bridal shops Ghent