On April 10th 2021 I received an email from Caroline. She asked me if I was available to attend her wedding in Denmark and be her wedding photographer. Of course I was very surprised but also very excited and wondered how that wedding would be. I don't speak Danish and I never been to Denmark either. But now I just got back home and even know a few Danish words such as skål, bryllup, snegle and smil! I spent almost two days to reduce the almost 3000 images into the best 100 which are right here! Big, big THANK YOU to Caroline and Jens Christian, who put all their trust in me by just booking me without even knowing me, only by seeing my work. It was truly an honor to work with you!
After driving half a day and traveled 700km I finally reached the Bed & Breakfast Åløkke in Nyborg. At this wonderful place I had the chance to stay for a week and check out the area. After visiting several castles [Egeskov and Nyborg] and cities such as Odense and Copenhagen I had an appointment to meet up with JC and Caroline. This was on the day before the wedding and was also at the Holckenhavn Castle. The entire wedding would be here as well so I could also check for the best photospots. The castle is remarkeble because it has a very old chapel under its roof! And that makes it a perfect wedding location because you don't have to go to a church and back because it's all there. The chapel was so beautiful I had to be careful not to take all images there! At the big day I started to capture the 'getting ready' of Caroline. Different as I'm used to in Holland, all ladies are welcome to join here and watch it all happen. And it's also handy to have some extra hands for the bride getting into her dress. Meantime Jens Christian was getting ready and went to the chapel to meet up with the guests getting inside the chapel for the service. I could quickly get some images before Caroline arrived with her father. Then Louise the manager was waiting for me and had set up Caroline and her father for a beautiful formal portrait. When the wedding bells ringed, they went downstairs to the chapel to JC which was waiting there to see his bride for the first time. Also a very beautiful moment to capture! The service was in Danish and I could not understand it so I had to watch it closely. Caroline had given me all the details of what was going to happen and I have all the important shots so that went well. After the service there was champaign and cake. Then it was time for the formal pictures. I started at the chapel and worked from inside out to the front of the castle. There was also a nice bridge and a small tree lane but to get there we had to pass the guests again. After a small break I could get some more portraits until the groom had to change for his tuxedo. We went inside for the large dining room with the stunning roof. During dinner there were quite a lot of speeches [which I couln't understand but skål! which means cheers!] Just before midnight I set up my lighting outside in the yard. The bride and groom would come there together with all guests for a Danish tradition. The waltz was played for the first dance and all guests clapped there hands and were closing in. So tight that the couple couldn't dance anymore and then the guys grabbed JC and lifted him up. Armed with scissors they took off his shoes and cut off a piece of his socks. Many congratulations Jens Christian & Caroline, thank you again for everything, it was such an amazing experience for me and I am very happy it all went so well! it was also fun talking to other guests and you both have a wonderful family. Take care and wishing all the best for you both!
Wedding cake: Dreamcakes - Evgeniya
Bridal hair and make-up: Nordic Hair - Louise
Wedding dress: Julie Jespersen Couture
Suit: Deerest CPH
Smoking: Mond of Copenhagen
Flowers: Holckenhavns florist Jette Leth
Wedding venue: Holckenhaven Slot
Wedding photographer: Jan van de Maat