Family First
The dresses from Episode 4 of SYTTD
The time has come: Season 9 of *Say Yes to the Dress Benelux* has begun! This season, we’re once again following brides as they search for the wedding dress that has it all at Koonings. Together with Fred van Leer, bridal fashion queen Ramona Koonings, and our styling team, they’ll experience special, emotional, and sometimes surprising moments during their search for *the* dress.
In each installment of our blog series, we take you behind the scenes and share the brides’ stories, wishes, and final choices.
Marina’s Wedding Dress
Dress chosen: Azuree Bridal Franky
Say Yes to the Dress: A Dress for a Day with Special Meaning
Sometimes a wedding date takes on a meaning that goes far beyond just saying “I do.” Marina (32) is getting married to Jordy next year in July, the birthday of her late mother.
Marina was 15 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and 18 when she lost her. The two were inseparable. The fact that her mother isn’t by her side as she picks out her wedding dress remains a great loss. Still, today Marina is surrounded by women who have played an important role in her life for many years.
Among them is her friend Denise, who promised Marina’s mother on her deathbed that she would always look out for her “girl.” On a day like this, that promise suddenly takes on even greater meaning.
Marina’s Wedding Dress
From the gym to wedding plans
With Jordy, love came unexpectedly—and at lightning speed. They met at the gym, and it felt right from the very first moment. They’ve been together for a year now, and they know one thing for sure: they want to get married next summer.
It’s just that dress… Marina isn’t quite as sure about that.
Strapless with a high slit? A big princess dress? Or maybe a form-fitting lace dress with long sleeves? Even a minimalist Hailey Bieber vibe is an option. In short: stylist Romy can go in any direction.
Two dresses, two completely different looks
The first dress by Modeca is romantic and rich in lace, with a soft skirt and delicate floral details. A true bridal look, but Marina is having second thoughts.
Time for the opposite. The dress by Oreasposa by Demetrios is clean, strapless, and minimalist. No lace or big princess skirt—just a modern look that’s much closer to that Hailey Bieber vibe.
And then Romy finds a dress where everything comes together just a little differently.
From the gym to wedding plans
With Jordy, love came unexpectedly—and at lightning speed. They met at the gym, and it felt right from the very first moment. They’ve been together for a year now, and they know one thing for sure: they want to get married next summer.
It’s just that dress… Marina isn’t quite as sure about that.
Strapless with a high slit? A big princess dress? Or maybe a form-fitting lace dress with long sleeves? Even a minimalist Hailey Bieber vibe is an option. In short: stylist Romy can go in any direction.
Two dresses, two completely different looks
The first dress by Modeca is romantic and rich in lace, with a soft skirt and delicate floral details. A true bridal look, but Marina is having second thoughts.
Time for the opposite. The dress by Oreasposa by Demetrios is clean, strapless, and minimalist. No lace or big princess skirt—just a modern look that’s much closer to that Hailey Bieber vibe.
And then Romy finds a dress where everything comes together just a little differently.
This one’s for Marina
The dress by Azuree is clean and elegant, but anything but conservative. The draped bodice, the strapless neckline, and that high slit give Marina exactly the modern, feminine look that suits her.
Marina says YES to the dress.
In July 2027, she’ll wear this dress when she says “I do” to Jordy—on her mother’s birthday, surrounded by the people who love her.
Her mother won’t be able to stand by her side that day, but the date alone ensures that she remains a part of Marina’s big day in a special way.
Are you in love with this style, too?
Get inspired by these dresses with a similar vibe
Carmelina’s Wedding Dress
Carmelina’s Wedding Dress
Selected dress: Pronovias Fashion Group Sorany
Say Yes to the Dress: From Mom Fashion to Bridal Fashion
With five children, there’s almost always someone else who’s number one for Carmelina (40). But not today. Today, it’s all about her. And that might take some getting used to.
Carmelina has been with Bas for six years, and together they have a large family with five children. A few months ago, their youngest was born: after four boys, they finally welcomed a girl. This fall, Carmelina and Bas will get married at a charming winter wedding.
But… what will Carmelina actually wear as a bride?
What is Carmelina like as a bride?
After five pregnancies, Carmelina realizes she needs to rediscover herself a little. Those doubts surface especially while she’s looking for a wedding dress. What does she like? What suits her? And above all: what will make her feel like Carmelina again?
She herself has no idea yet, but luckily she’s brought along six women who are more than happy to help. And their opinions are remarkably unanimous: it could definitely be a little sexier.
Sister-in-law Annelotte envisions a bohemian look, friend Shiara thinks it should be sleek and revealing, and her in-laws also hope Carmelina will really go all out. Meanwhile, her mother Loes is as critical as ever: she can tell right away when something truly suits her daughter.
Stylist Ramona, good luck.
From a romantic side to more and more Carmelina
The search begins with Aire Barcelona. First, a romantic dress with long lace sleeves, and then another one Rosa Clará—a softer A-line silhouette, once again featuring beautiful lace. Two truly bridal looks, but is this also the modern-day Carmelina?
With Rebecca Ingram , the look becomes lighter and softer. No more long sleeves—just a feminine lace bodice. Little by little, we’re getting a better sense of what kind of bride Carmelina wants to be.
But then Ramona pulls out one more dress…
Hello, bride!
The dress by Pronovias is anything but understated. A strapless bodice, a full skirt, and large floral details that give the whole look that little extra something.
And suddenly, it’s not just the mother of five standing in front of the mirror. There’s Carmelina. As a bride.
So she no longer has to hesitate: Carmelina says YES to the dress!
After years of putting her family first, today was finally her day to shine. And what about later, at her winter wedding with Bas? Then she’ll get to do it all over again—just once more.
Are you in love with this style, too?
Get inspired by these dresses with a similar vibe
Anna’s Wedding Dress
Dress chosen: Azuree Bridal Annelore
Say Yes to the Dress: This “YES” Means Just a Little Bit More
For Anna (24), getting married is like a fairy tale. She can still look at her ring and think, “Wow, I’m actually getting married.” Next September is the big day, and she’ll say “I do” to Lucas, with whom she’s been living for three years now.
But before she can walk down the aisle, there’s, of course, one very important thing left to take care of: the dress.
And this fitting appointment is especially special—not just for Anna, but especially for her mother, Katerina.
Anna’s Wedding Dress
A moment to remember forever
Katerina has a progressive eye condition. She is blind in one eye, and with her other eye she can only see a small area. To see Anna clearly, she therefore has to focus on her very deliberately.
No one knows what her vision will be like on Anna’s wedding day. But she’s here today. Today, she can still see her daughter in her wedding dress.
And that makes the moment when Anna comes out of the fitting room in a little while suddenly very special.
Together with her mother, her mother-in-law Britta, and her friends Yasmijn and Daphne—who now think of Anna as their little sister—the search is about to begin.
Flowy, elegant, and a little bit like a fairy tale
Anna doesn’t yet have a very clear picture of her dream dress. In fact, she’s never even tried on a wedding dress. She does know, however, that she’s looking for something flowy that will be a perfect fit for their wedding at a castle.
Fortunately, stylist Romy is ready to showcase the different sides of herself as a bride.
She begins with Enzoani: an elegant, form-fitting dress with a romantic off-the-shoulder neckline. Next up is Azuree, featuring a corset-style bodice and soft draping.
But maybe a castle calls for a little more of a princess vibe? Next up Etoile by Enzoani features a full skirt and romantic off-the-shoulder details. A completely different look.
Three dresses. Three completely different Annas.
And then Romy comes up with number four.
This is the fairy tale
In the dress by Azuree , everything falls into place. The flowing skirt gives Anna exactly that airy, flowing feel she was looking for, while the refined bodice and sleeves create a romantic look that we can just picture her wearing at a castle.
But the best thing about this dress isn’t the silhouette, the fabric, or how it looks on her.
It’s just that her mother can see it in her today.
Surrounded by the women who mean so much to her, Anna says YES to the dress!
Next September, her fairy tale with Lucas will begin. But what about right now? No one can take that away from Anna and her mother anymore.
Are you in love with this style, too?
Get inspired by these dresses with a similar vibe
Find your dream dress at Koonings
Have you seen a dress on *Say Yes to the Dress* that stole your heart? Or does the style of one of the brides appeal to you? At Koonings, we’ll take you on a journey into a world full of magic, experience, and personal attention. This is where your fairy tale begins.
Schedule your appointment now and experience for yourself what it feels like to say “yes” to your dress. Because that one magical moment… you won’t want to miss it.