Fairy Tale Weddings
The dresses from Episode 5 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.
Emma’s Wedding Dress
Favorite dress: Azuree Bridal Abigail
Say Yes to the Dress: Emma & Joey Prove That True Love Comes from Within
Some love stories really do show beautifully what it’s all really about in the end. Emma and Joey’s story is one of them.
Ten years ago, they met in an Efteling fan Skype group. They ended up in the same group of friends, and sparks flew at Comic Con. Emma soon realized she didn’t want to spend a single day without Joey anymore.
A lot has changed since then, but their love for each other hasn’t. Emma is a trans woman and Joey is a trans man. They met before their transitions, fell for each other’s personalities, and have since watched each other grow into the people they are today.
Emma’s Wedding Dress
If that isn’t love for the inner self, I don’t know what is
On April 26—exactly ten years to the day since they started dating—they’ll say “I do.” And, of course, Joey proposed to Emma at Efteling, surrounded by their closest friends.
A dress for her very own fairy tale
Their wedding day will be totally Emma and Joey, too. They’re getting married in a fantasy-themed castle, and even the guests are encouraged to dress in style.
For Emma, that means only one thing: bring on the princess dress.
She dreams of a romantic, princess-style wedding dress, preferably with embroidered flowers. Her mother and the rest of her entourage envision the same thing: a truly glamorous dress that will make Emma feel like the princess of her own story for just one day.
Together with stylist Romy, she begins her search with the Cassi dress from Azuree: romantic, feminine, and featuring a soft tulle skirt. Next up is the Casy Lee dress from Azuree, a more understated dress with a flowing silhouette.
But for a fantasy wedding in a castle, there should be just a little something extra…
Is this her fairytale moment?
With Ramona van Koonings Couture , that princess feeling is getting closer and closer. More lace, more volume, and that romantic look Emma is looking for.
Until Romy Abigail from Azuree .
A romantic princess dress with floral lace, a full skirt, and exactly the soft, fantasy-like look Emma had envisioned.
This is her dress.
Emma says YES to the dress!
After ten years together, during which Emma and Joey watched each other change, grow, and become more and more themselves, their next chapter begins on April 26. Not because they’re still the same people they were when they first met, but because all this time they’ve remained in love with who the other person is on the inside.
And honestly? We couldn’t have written a more beautiful fairy tale ourselves.
Are you in love with this style, too?
Get inspired by these dresses with a similar vibe
Esra’s Wedding Dress
Esra’s Wedding Dress
Favorite dress: Aire Barcelona Kloe
Say Yes to the Dress: From College to a Fairytale
During the week, Esra (36) works as an assistant professor at the University of Twente, but on the weekends? That’s when she might just transform into Tinkerbell or a princess. Esra and her fiancé Paul proudly call themselves a truly nerdy couple. Fantasy events, fantastical worlds, and thinking outside the box: that’s totally their thing.
So it should come as no surprise that their wedding day will be anything but ordinary. Next year, they’re getting married at a castle, with a touch of fantasy. And a setting like that naturally calls for a dress that looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale.
One important accessory: wings
Esra is looking for an A-line wedding dress with flowers or leaves—and, above all, something special. But there’s one detail stylist Romy needs to keep in mind: Esra has brought her homemade wings with her.
The neckline shouldn’t be too high, but it certainly shouldn’t be too low either. The dress should make Esra shine and complement her fantasy look perfectly.
Meanwhile, her friends and family hope she’ll dare to surprise herself a little. Her sister Ilja thinks Esra sometimes doesn’t realize just how beautiful her figure is, and her friend Naomi would love to see her venture off the beaten path. So, no standard bridal look. Fortunately, that wasn’t exactly what Esra had in mind either.
Looking for a match made in fantasy
The first dress by Cizzy Bridal sets the tone right away: a sheer corset, lots of refined details, and a romantic look. Next up is Maggie Sottero, where flowers and lace take center stage even more.
With Azuree , the look takes on a more playful character. Flowers, loose sleeves, and a soft skirt: there’s certainly no shortage of that fantasy vibe.
ONE important accessory: wings
Esra is looking for an A-line wedding dress with flowers or leaves—and, above all, something special. But there’s one detail stylist Romy needs to keep in mind: Esra has brought her homemade wings with her.
The neckline shouldn’t be too high, but it certainly shouldn’t be too low either. The dress should make Esra shine and complement her fantasy look perfectly.
Meanwhile, her friends and family hope she’ll dare to surprise herself a little. Her sister Ilja thinks Esra sometimes doesn’t realize just how beautiful her figure is, and her friend Naomi would love to see her venture off the beaten path. So, no standard bridal look. Fortunately, that wasn’t exactly what Esra had in mind either.
Looking for a match made in fantasy
The first dress by Cizzy Bridal sets the tone right away: a sheer corset, lots of refined details, and a romantic look. Next up is Maggie Sottero, where flowers and lace take center stage even more.
With Azuree , the look takes on a more playful character. Flowers, loose sleeves, and a soft skirt: there’s certainly no shortage of that fantasy vibe.
Finally, Esra appears in Rosa Clará. An elegant A-line dress with a lace bodice and a flowing, full skirt. A beautiful dress, but is it really *her* dress?
Not a “happily ever after” just yet
This time, the search doesn’t end with a ” YES to the dress.” None of the dresses give Esra that magical feeling she’s looking for.
And maybe that’s exactly what suits someone who makes her own wings: why settle for a dress that’s almost right?
So Esra’s fairytale dress is still hanging somewhere, waiting for her. And as soon as she finds it, all she’ll need to do is put on those wings.
Are you in love with this style, too?
Get inspired by these dresses with a similar vibe
Christelle’s Wedding Dress
Dress chosen: Azuree Bridal Alouise
Say Yes to the Dress: Christelle Goes for La belle vie
Christelle (55) is certain of one thing: her wedding day should feel like la belle vie. She’s getting married to the love of her life, Leroy, in France, and she can already picture it perfectly: sunshine, a warm, friendly atmosphere, and, of course, limoncello.
It’s no coincidence that France holds a special place in her heart. Christelle was born there and spent her early years there. Around the age of six, she moved to the Netherlands with her mother. Soon she’ll be returning to her homeland, but this time for an entirely new chapter: her wedding.
Christelle’s Wedding Dress
Ask 50 times and then finally get a “yes”
Leroy met Christelle through her brother and apparently knew exactly what he wanted very quickly. By his own account, he asked her out at least fifty times before Christelle finally gave in.
A classic proposal on one knee? That wasn’t in the cards. During a Suzan & Freek concert, Leroy came up with his own version of the big question: “As for your wish to get married… let’s just go ahead and do it.”
Romance, Leroy-style. And so the search for the dress can begin.
Sexy, chic, and definitely not Sisi
Her entourage has plenty of ideas about that dress. One thing everyone agrees on: no princess dress.
Her mother-in-law envisions a modern dress with a form-fitting bodice, a flared skirt, and an open back. Her friends are going for sexy, lace, and a little glitter. Maybe even a subtle touch of pink. And her boyfriend Marcel? He thinks Christelle should definitely try something daring.
So stylist Chamilla knows exactly what she has to do.
Christelle begins with Milla Nova: romantic, sparkly, and with a soft A-line silhouette. Next are two dresses from Pronovias, with the silhouette gradually shifting toward the fitted look her entourage had been hoping for.
With Enzoani , lace is making an increasingly prominent comeback. Beautiful, feminine, and elegant… but Chamilla has one more dress.
YES, this is the one!
And then Christelle appears in Azuree.
A fitted wedding dress covered in romantic lace, with a sheer bodice and a stunning silhouette that flatters her figure. Sexy without being over the top, chic, and just daring enough.
Christelle says YES to the dress!
No Sisi, no huge princess dress, and no traditional, demure bridal look either. Instead, a dress that lets Christelle be completely herself.
Now all that’s left is to head to France, chill the limoncello, and complete that French ” la belle vie” vibe. Cheers to Christelle & Leroy!
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.