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#EnzoaniRealBride: Justine & Stephan

An Unexpected Romance Turned Happily Ever After

Despite living very closely to one another, Justine and Stephan might have gone their whole lives without ever meeting. But one fateful night, Justine made a simple decision to say "yes" and go out on the town with a mutual friend...and the rest was history. It soon became clear that they had found their match in one another, and marriage was the next step.

THE DRESS

"I chose the dress Jacqueline in the store De Bruidstuin in Elburg, The Netherlands. When I walked in the store, my eyes were immediately drawn to this dress. I had in mind a small, tied (corset) dress because I am small slim so I thought that was my best option. But I was sold when I put on this dress and I walked out of the dressing room and saw my mother and aunt cry. At that moment I knew I would never find a dress like this one, I felt so special."

THE LOVE STORY

"We met in a local bar; my friend heard Stephan was single again and was interested in him. I didn't want to go, but she convinced me to go with her so she wouldn't have to go alone. I went with her, but it didn't go as planned for her...Stephan liked me more and wanted to talk to me the whole time haha. (She didn't mind, later she told me! Haha) During our talk, we found out that we lived just 200 meters apart from each other, but we never saw each other before. He even gave my brother soccer training. From that moment on, we had many dates and found out that we were made for each other. We planned to move in with each other a year after that and bought a house together, but I really wanted to get married. He "just didn't" was his answer each time. I was a bit disappointed, but loved him anyways and waited for a day that he maybe turned around. That day came on December 23rd, 2014, my 26st birthday. He surprised me with breakfast in bed, kneeled down on one knee, and had a beautiful ring for me!"

THE WEDDING DAY

"The most special moment on our wedding day was that my father was the person who led our wedding ceremony, and was the person who closed our marriage by the Dutch government, which we went to court for confirmation on oath. Not many people can say that her father did that, and it made a special day even more special. It was very personal, our guests told us afterwards, because he knows us both very well and is an excellent public speaker."

MY ADVICE...

"Listen to what you heart wishes for on your wedding day - don't become too distracted by advice from other people who think they might know it better or have another opinion than you. A lot of people have good ideas, but stick with what feels good for you and your future husband.

We loved to confirm our love with the presence of all our family and best friends, that was the main reason we wanted to get married. This was really a once-in-a-lifetime-experience, and I wish everyone could have a day like we did, we laughed so much and had the greatest fun with each other."