Yes, that’s why I was away from my blog for a long time! I was preparing my wedding! And I did it all myself. I arranged the marriage in Denmark, because of the paperwork. So, marriage license, paperwork, place to stay, invite a few people, became more people, arrange for places to stay, look up planes and trains, arrange a wedding brunch, decide on dress, buy material for dress, make dress, more people are coming, so arrange for a wedding dinner also, make coat, try to find fabric for coat, order a bouquet holder for the flowers, etc. etc.
So I have made two dresses, one marriage dress, one evening gown, and two corsets, and a tiara, and a nice warm clutch coat. I forgot my camera so I don’t have better pictures of the corset for now, but here it is:
The corset is made of white coutil with the same fabric the dress was made of as the top layer. The busk is gold plated, the lace is from England, it’s made by the last factory in England which still makes real cotton lace, made on antique machines, with antique patterns. They were the ones who also made the lace for the recent Royal wedding. But of course my wedding is way more important!
This is the back of the corset:
This is the dress, almost finished. My stand is antique, from 1880, and it is smaller than I am, and shorter too, so the dress hangs a bit loose. I used a vintage vogue pattern from 1953. I first made two toiles, before cutting the actual fabric. The fabric is a creamy white with embroidered vines with leaves and flowers. I brought fresh water pearls from China and I sewed one pearl on every flower. It also should have a petticoat underneath.
Here I am wearing it all! Trying out the snooty fifties model look! The petticoat was surprisingly warm. The gloves are vintage (the something old) The earrings and necklace were gifts from valued friends, (the something new), and I had sewn a blue ribbon bow inside the dress, and a silver coin.
The umbrella is a pagoda umbrella from the excellent Danish designer Lisbeth Dahl, I love the umbrella, and it was particularly appropriate as we got married in Denmark! I am wearing the coat here as well, it is made of a creamy white wool/cashmere blend, and lined with the same fabric as the dress. I did the flowers myself too. I brought the roses from the people at the flower market I have brought my flowers from since I was a student, the ivy (you can’t see it) is an ancient symbol of love, marriage, fidelity and growing together, and it is from my garden. I had three darker pink roses which a friend brought with her, they are a variety called ”Ribe Ruse” or something like that… This is important because we got married in Ribe in Denmark!
We got married in Denmark because the paperwork in the Netherlands made it impossible to get married in my country, and the process was horrendously complicated and we could set no dates aside and it was too problematic to get married in America. Also it took way too long!
In Denmark, EU country, Schengen country, it is very simple to get married. Very simple paperwork, very simple process, and I got in touch with a Danish Wedding planner who made the whole process a wheeze, as well as being very helpful with all the extra arrangements because we had a lot of friends and family coming.
So anybody who wants to get married and has too much hassle with paperwork and silly rules in their own country, or if you just want a beautiful, super romantic destination wedding, contact Rita at Wedding Denmark.
Aafke.Art 
You’ve been a busy girl! I’m so happy for you, Aafke. Wishing you both all the blessings of happiness and love in the world. xox
Oh yes! Very busy! Thank you, I am very happy and so is the Q!
Awww, congrats!! You look so happy 😀
And I am still happy!
I want to see more pics!!!
You are just glowing and make such a beautiful bride.
I’m writing you right now, but it’s taking a while because I have an infected eye and I broke my glasses so don’t spend much time behind the computer. I will send you all the pictures!
Great photos! You look darling! 🙂 Thanks for sharing and congrats again!
Beautiful!!! I had a panic attack thinking of all you had to do! Wow! Congratulations on a great job! I’m with Carol. I wanna see more pictures.:-)
Congratulations! You are a beautiful bride!
I am sorry I can’t share pics of me with the Q, but he doesn’t like to have his person bandied about on open internet sites. He looked lovely too! 😉
I was really well organized, and although I had to work late hours everything was ready on time and everything went well!
Kathy, I hope you can see the earrings and pendant? 😀
Congrats Aafke – wishingyou many years of joy, love and laughter . You make a lovely bride and all home made too or should i say self-made 🙂 very impressive.
This is WONDERFUL!!!! Congratulations from Regan and me. You look gorgeous. Wishing you and the Q happiness and fulfillment for all of your days.
Thank you Radha, I wanted a dress with sleeves, that basically forces you to make it yourself 😉
wildstorm, Thank you, we are still very happy, although I am back in the Netherlands and missing him a lot! I have a lot of lovely photos to show you 🙂 We even had a carriage!
I can’t wait so for you to return. I married Regan and did not moved to Texas for nine months. Let me know when you get back. We’d love to have you both over for supper.
I will let you know! I am planning for January, but it depends how far I am with the moving plans.
Best of luck!
Sewing…another thing I used to do. I sewed 80% of my wardrobe for a few years before cycling passion bit me.
I don’t have a tv, so when other people watch tv, I am sketching, or reading or making clothes!
Now I know what you’ve been up to! Aafke, you had a truly artistic wedding. The gown is so original and so perfectly done, the coat is gorgeous and oh, your flowers! Beautiful! I hope the day was a lot of fun for you and your husband, and that you have memories you will cherish.
You should have known I had plans! Even better, last week my immigration visa came through and now it’s hey ho for Dallas!
It was actually three days. I had a great time. I loved it. I did the flowers myself! I will send you some more pics 🙂