You’re engaged, congratulations! Now begins the best part of the preparation: the search for your perfect wedding dress. Whether you already know exactly what you want or are still completely in the dark, creating a wedding dress mood board can help you immensely in identifying your style and preferences. And yes, it’s just as much fun as it sounds!
At Koonings you can choose from over 4500 dresses. Such a large collection of wedding dresses is overwhelming if you don’t yet know what you are looking for. In a wedding dress mood board, you can bring together your inspiration, dreams and preferences. This is useful not only for you, but also for the stylist who is going to help you find the dress that is just right for you. By collecting images of dresses, fabrics, silhouettes and accessories, you will create a concrete image of your style.
Have no idea what you like? No problem! Often you know what you like íne less. A “no-go” mood board can be just as useful. By excluding what doesn’t suit you, you get closer and closer to what you do want.
Creating a wedding dresses mood board is easier than you think, and most of all a lot of fun! With our handy tool you can easily select your favorites and create an overview of everything that inspires you. And don’t forget to bring your moodboard to your fitting appointment.
You can also take screenshots of dresses you find online, cut from magazines or even add physical fabrics and accessories.
Did you finish your mood board? Super! Bring this with you to your first appointment at Koonings. This will give our stylist a good idea of your taste and preferences. She can search through our assortment and show you dresses that perfectly match your style.
Haven’t had time to create a mood board? No stress! During your appointment you and our stylist can still discover what suits you. But trust us: the process of creating a moodboard is a party in itself, and you will see that it gives you a lot of insight. Want to know more about how to go to your first appointment well prepared? Then read this blog >
We have great news: our new wedding castle, Kasteel Oost – The Wedding Castle, has officially opened its doors! Starting this fall, you can not only visit our famous wedding palace, but also this fairytale castle in the heart of beautiful Valkenburg. Have you been dreaming of an unforgettable search for your dress in a real castle? Then that dream is now coming true!
In the presence of our Koonings team, the press and everyone who helped make this dream a reality, the golden ribbon was festively cut by Ramona Koonings and Mayor Daan Prevoo himself.
For Ramona, this was a moment full of emotion. Kasteel Oost is not just a wedding location; it is a piece of her heart. ‘I can’t imagine a more beautiful place than Valkenburg,’ Ramona told me with a tear of happiness. This iconic location, an ochre-yellow national monument that had been vacant for eight years, came on the market after an award process. That Ramona was able to realize this castle is the culmination of years of dreams, plans and hard work – not to mention, the work of all the professionals who made it possible.
After the official opening moment, Ramona herself took the guests on an exclusive tour of the renovated castle. Each room exudes character and history – the perfect setting to find your dream dress in peace and quiet. Although this is only the first phase (later we will also open the restaurant, hotel, beauty salon and the Orangery, among others), the castle already exudes the charm and elegance of a fairy-tale location.
After the tour, a social drink was waiting in the castle, complete with snacks and drinks. This special moment gave the opportunity to toast the new adventure together.
Yep, a new season of The Real Housewives is coming! You can brace yourself for 8 new faces you haven’t seen in the series before! Because this time we are diving into the glamorous world of the South. And who better to follow than our Ramona herself!
Ramona Koonings, owner of Koonings The Wedding Palace and its newest location The Wedding Castle in Valkenburg, brings her flair and entrepreneurship to the screen in the new season of The Real Housewives. A successful businesswoman and expert in the wedding industry, Ramona gives us a unique insight into her life full of glamour and business.
Don’t miss any of her adventures and personal highlights, both in her career and behind the scenes! We’ll keep you posted!
In the spring of 2025, you will enjoy the new season of The Real Housewives of the South on Videoland.
Eight enterprising and successful ladies from the South’s high society take us into their lives, in which they not only talk to each other, but also about each other, which occasionally causes heated discussions.
Who else will we be following this season?
Your wedding requires months of planning. On the most beautiful day of your life, of course, everything should run smoothly. In reality, however, this is not always the case. Ideal if you are optimally prepared. Our Koonings stylists have put together the most useful pieces for you that should not be missing in your wedding bag.
No matter how early or late it is on your wedding day, you always want to feel completely fresh. Therefore, we recommend a deodorant (preferably in a space-saving travel size), your favorite perfume in a travel bottle, which you can buy for just a few euros, and mint lozenges or gum to freshen your breath – after all, it’s nicer to kiss with fresh breath as a newlywed couple.
To refresh your look, it’s also wise to bring a small selection of your makeup and – depending on your bridal hairstyle – also a hairbrush, hairpins and hairspray, so you’ll have a great hairstyle all day. One more tip from our glam team: especially for this day, use plenty of day cream under your makeup so that your skin is nourished for a long time and looks fresh all day. If you don’t already, use a setting spray as a makeup finish to keep your look looking great for as long as possible.
Some brides are a little upset by the crowds. Are you one of them? Make sure you carry a stomach tablet with you just to be sure. A headache tablet in your purse can’t hurt, as can band-aids or blister plasters. Speaking of blister plasters, don’t wear your wedding shoes until your big day. Use the weeks in advance to run them in a bit in a safe environment. Wear them while vacuuming the apartment or during your next girls’ night out when you run to the kitchen to get drinks. That way, you can be sure beforehand that the shoes are as soft as possible and will provide you with optimal comfort on your wedding day. Still unsure if you’ll last all day in your dream shoes? If necessary, bring an extra pair of flat shoes so you can dance and party all night.
Also remember that something can always go wrong. A button comes undone unexpectedly or a detail slips. Therefore, be sure to carry a needle and thread in the color of your wedding dress so you can quickly fix any small mistakes yourself. Are you wearing tights? Make sure you carry a spare or, if there is a hole, use Trick 17 and brush it with clear nail polish to prevent it from getting bigger.
Something that should not be missing under any circumstances are handkerchiefs, because on this special day there are bound to be a tear or two of joy. We also recommend that the bride and groom have a small snack, such as a granola bar, in their handbag. Between all the congratulations and photos, it might make sense to have a quick snack.
You see, from care to emergency packs, there’s a lot to think about. There should be no shortage of inspiration – or the right bag? Here, too, we can help you. Let your stylist advise you in our accessories store and find the right bag for your bridal look.
Psst! One more little note in conclusion: your bridesmaid may also keep these items for you, so that you have only the essentials with you.
In a few hours, the time will come. You say “yes” to your true love and with that you say yes to a future together. What an important day! And of course, for most people this is bound to be accompanied by many emotions. But what should prevail – in the days before and especially on the morning of the wedding – is the anticipation.
How you can avoid unnecessary stress in the last meters and experience a relaxed “preparation” for the wedding morning, we have summarized for you here. Speaking in advance, good preparation and clear communication will help you in any case.
On the morning of your wedding day, you only need to be concerned with the most important things. You should be able to focus on your well-being and your styling. If you use the night before to prepare properly, you will have a relaxed morning. And when we talk about preparation, we especially mean having everything you need ready the night before for the next day. Make sure the dress is hanging wrinkle-free, the shoes are underneath, all the accessories are ready and your bag is already filled with everything you need. Not sure if you have everything? In our blog you’ll find even more helpful tips on what should be in every bridal handbag. Also lay out your clothes for the upcoming day that you will be wearing during your preparation. No one wants to have to spend the last few hours gathering something.
Do you style your own nails? Then the night before is the perfect time. Here you have enough time to let everything dry safely and not to get ugly stains on your nail polish. At the same time, you can be pretty sure that they are not chipped the next morning and that the ring is placed on your beautifully groomed hands.
Is everyone informed, are they aware of the timing and do they know which address to go to? Great. Feel free to share – even at short notice – your bridesmaid’s phone number with your service providers, such as photographers, venues, cake bakers, drivers, musicians, etc., so they can answer any short questions. It is also helpful to display the schedule and all important information in an email or on a DIN A4 sheet. This takes a lot of organizational pressure off you on the day itself – trust us.
Schedule plenty of time in the morning for your me-time. A long shower and a hearty breakfast – rather than a quick snack between styling and dressing – can work wonders. Do you prefer to start the day with your favorite music or in silence, with the window open and birds whistling, or with a short walk alone? Whatever you decide, do what feels best for you, but most of all in peace.
After your personal me-time, things can start slowly. Pro tip: The clothes you wear during Getting Ready should be especially comfortable and easy to take off. Do not wear a bra or socks in the morning and only wear clothes that do not leave prints. Best is a zippered bathrobe or sweatshirt jacket so you can be sure not to ruin your hair or makeup while changing after styling.
Depending on how difficult your hair and makeup styling is, schedule at least 2 hours of time. Again, it’s best not to plan too tightly. You don’t want to have to jump into the dress and then go. Allow yourself time to put the dress on quietly and possibly take your first photos. This calmness will radiate from you at the wedding and it will be reflected in your photos.
Speaking of photos. Will the wedding photographer accompany you during your preparations? Make it clear in advance what you do and don’t want photographed. You should be able to feel comfortable at any time without having to explain yourself all the time that morning. If you have someone accompanying you during the Getting Ready, such as your maid of honor, you can also inform her, so she can support you accordingly and make sure the photographer captures exactly what you want.
Is your preparation taking place at home and is the photographer going with you? Make sure there is plenty of daylight in the room and use the night before to do some cleaning up so the background looks nice in the photos.
Think carefully in advance about who you want at your Getting Ready the morning before the wedding. The emotions start here, you don’t need anyone to make you nervous. Is there exactly such a person in your area and you don’t know how to stop them? Our tip: divide tasks! This will keep them busy, make them feel involved and you can enjoy your quiet morning.
We hope you find useful tips here and wish you a wonderful and relaxing start to your wedding day.
You are engaged – congratulations! And now? Where do you start, what to look for and most importantly, how do you find your dream dress for the most important day of your life?
At your first appointment at Koonings, your own stylist will help you find your wedding dress. From a selection of more than 4,500 wedding dresses on some 11,000 square meters, she will guide you through different models and styles from which you can choose your favorites, which you can then try on in your own spacious dressing room.
Because a wedding like this is as beautiful as it is elaborate, we’ve listed a few helpful tips for you here. This will not only make your fitting appointment a success, but also allow you to look forward to your first appointment and the search for your wedding dress with ease and pleasure.
You choose a wedding dress that is ordered especially for you and then perfectly tailored to you. We recommend that you book your fitting appointment around 8 months before your wedding day, as delivery time can take several months for some models. You can then schedule about 2 hours for the fitting appointment itself.
Think in advance about the budget you want to spend on your wedding dress and also consider the cost of customizing the dress and accessories such as shoes, jewelry and veils. If you start your search with an exact budget and communicate it to your stylists, you’ll save yourself the huge disappointment of falling in love with a dress that is out of bounds. Your stylist is happy to advise and support you. At Koonings you will find a huge selection of different dresses in different price categories. The cheapest models start around €1,500. For reference, brides on average spend about €2,400 on a dress.
Do you already have a clear idea of what your wedding dress should look like? Take screenshots, pin your favorites and create a mood board of wedding dresses to bring to your appointment. This allows your stylist to understand exactly what you want, so she can work with you to find the perfect wedding dress in the range.
Besides, even if you have absolutely no idea what suits you or what your dream dress should look like, you probably know what you don’t want, right? This also helps and is definitely worth a no-go mood board!
Do you already have the right shoes or certain jewelry you definitely want to wear on your wedding day? You may bring anything to your appointment. This helps when choosing clothes and gives you a chance to get everything right from the start. Did you know that at Koonings we also have our own accessory store? Contact your stylist and they will advise you on the right shoes, (hair) jewelry, veils and underwear.
And here’s a little professional tip: ideally, wear seamless, skin-colored underwear, while trying on. This prevents it from showing through and gives you an even better impression of your dress.
Many people will certainly want to experience this special day with you. However, we encourage you to listen to yourself and think about who you really want to be there with. Not only do many opinions sometimes make a decision more difficult. Usually you know exactly how reserved or direct the people around you share their opinions and what feeling they give you. Looking for a wedding dress is your big day when you go in search of your dream dress – keep this in mind when choosing your entourage and trust that your stylist is always #teamBride!
If you find it difficult to listen to your own voice when there are so many opinions, we have the following tip for you: ask your entourage in advance to keep their opinions to themselves when you step out of the locker room. This allows you to get a feel for the dress, look at yourself in the mirror and form your own opinion.
Between you and me, even though TV and movies suggest this, we can tell you that very few brides actually cry when they find their wedding dress! Most people save their tears for the big day! So don’t wait and doubt that this magical dress is really for you just because there are no tears. If you feel comfortable and see yourself walking toward your future partner, then the decision is the right one. You feel it!
Dear brides, with these tips we are sure that finding your wedding dress will be an unforgettable and beautiful experience. Can’t wait? Our stylists are happy to help you at Koonings – the largest bridal store in the world.
During your first appointment at Koonings, you found your dream dress; a wedding dress that will make you shine on your big day. Your wedding dress has been ordered for you. In addition, the first alteration ideas and wishes have already been discussed.
Now your dress has arrived and it’s time for the second important appointment: accessories and fitting.
Of course, a bridal look is only complete with the right accessories. From the veil or tiara and jewelry to the perfect shoes – the bride needs to think carefully about this. During your second appointment, you will have the opportunity to do this in the Koonings accessories department. Together with your stylist, who will give you expert advice, you can shop for the right accessories. Additional advantage: You can match all the accessories directly with your wedding dress here and really find the right additions to your look.
One accessory that plays a particularly important role on your second date is the right shoes. Not only that, you obviously want to stand, dance, laugh and party in them all day. Your shoes or the heel height you choose will also determine the length of your wedding dress. In Koonings ‘ own accessory store, we have a large selection of a wide variety of bridal shoes in different colors and styles – matching your wedding dress.
During your second appointment, the official fitting will also take place, where immediate changes to your wedding dress will be made or noted. Besides desired size adjustments, more lace and sequins or removing the sleeves for example, the wedding dress can of course also be shortened or lengthened to your length. For this it is important that you wear the right shoes during the fitting. Of course, during your second appointment your own stylist will be by your side as usual and will be happy to advise you with a practiced eye. Want to know more about bridal shoes beforehand? Read all about finding the perfect wedding shoes here.
Your wedding dress is customized to you and your wishes and hand tailored for you. Finally the time comes and the third and final date follows: pickup! We know how exciting this appointment is for you, because it also signals that you will soon be walking down the aisle to finally be able to say “Yes – I will!” to each other.
As mentioned, the time has already come: picking up your wedding dress. We have implemented all discussed changes for you. At your third and final appointment we will have a final fitting to make sure that all adjustments are to your liking and that your wedding dress fits perfectly. Then it is finally time for you to take your wedding dress home.
But how do you properly transport your wedding dress? And how best to store it at home? You can read all this and more in this blog.
If you keep these tips in mind, it will be perfect for your wedding day. If something unexpected happens in the meantime, you can always call us. We will be happy to help you and give you tips.
Deurne
Valkenburg
