YES, I DO!

About 15 years ago, Wijnand (25) and Joram (39) were both members of the same music association in Ede. There was no connection between the two at the time, simply because they were 14 years apart. But when they matched on 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 agreed to go to the movies. Joram was supposed to pick me up at home, but he wasn’t there at the agreed time. When I called him, he said: “I’m almost turning into your street.” And indeed, a silver-colored car stopped in front of the door. I got in, turned around… and there was the neighbor behind the wheel! I had gotten into the wrong car. Joram turned out to be driving behind with his – also silver-colored – car. Quickly I got out and into his car.

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

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

Wijnand: ‘Because I find organizing a wedding incredibly fun, I wanted to get on with it immediately. I did go a bit overboard with the organization, by the way. Besides all the essentials, 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 with personalized handkerchiefs during the emotional ceremony…’

Joram: ‘For the location, we almost immediately settled on Van der Valk Hotel Veenendaal. It is 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 at one location: the dinner, the ceremony afterwards, the party, and everyone who wanted could stay overnight at the hotel. Everything was incredibly well organized, nothing was too much to ask. Our wedding day was absolutely amazing because of that!’