YES, I DO!

About 15 years ago, Wijnand (25) and Joram (39) were both members of the same music association in Ede. There wasn't a connection between them at the time, simply because they were 14 years apart. But when they matched via a dating app 5 years ago, they started talking as if they had known each other for years and fell in love.

TEXT: MARTINE VAN DER DEIJL
PHOTOGRAPHY: NOPOINT STUDIO'S

Wijnand: ‘For our first date, we had arranged to go to the movies. Joram would pick me up at home, but he wasn't there at the agreed time. When I called him, he said, “I'm almost on your street.” And indeed, a silver-colored car stopped at the door. I got in, turned around... and there was the neighbor behind the wheel! So I had gotten into the wrong car. Joram turned out to be driving behind with his - also silver-colored - car. I quickly got into his car.

From that first date, the love has grown. At that time, I wasn't always feeling great, but Joram was always there for me. After half a year, I moved in with him. And soon I knew: I want to marry him. Anyway, getting married has always been a dream of mine.’

Joram: ‘I didn't really feel the need to get married, but still, I proposed to Wijnand during our vacation in Tenerife. On a beautiful rock with a great view of the sea, I went down on one knee. Fortunately, Wijnand said an emphatic: “Yes, of course!” After which we both cried hard tears of happiness. We soon started thinking about what our wedding day should look like.’

Wijnand: ‘Because I find the whole organizing of a wedding incredibly fun, I wanted to really get going immediately. I kind of went overboard with that organization, by the way. Besides all the essential things, like setting a date and finding a location, I designed a layout with lanterns and pink hearts. You could see that design, for example, in the invitation and menu card. And the toughest men could dry their tears at the emotional ceremony with personalized handkerchiefs…’

Joram: ‘For the location, we quickly settled on Van der Valk Hotel Veenendaal. It's close to our home, and we always find the quality of the Van der Valk Hotels very good. So that choice was easy for us. We also wanted everything in one location: the dinner, the ceremony afterward, the party, and everyone who wanted to could stay overnight at the hotel. Everything was incredibly well organized, nothing was too much to ask. Our wedding day was, partly because of that, really amazing!’