The Replacement Bride & Groom: How to Get Married During the Corona Crisis
For several years now, I have been organizing a styled shoot every year with a large group of entrepreneurs, which we turn into an inspiration magazine called 'Trouwow.'
Currently, it's a challenging time for us as wedding suppliers. The whole world is upside down. Entrepreneurs can't practice their profession, and as suppliers, we see our schedules emptying. Couples are uncertain... the day they planned so far in advance seems to be falling apart. They have to adjust their expectations, and in most cases, their weddings must be postponed. At a time when we should all be in the midst of the wedding season, we look back with nostalgia at last year... So, Corona is keeping us, as suppliers, quite busy in our minds...
Therefore, it's time for something fun. I woke up one morning and decided to do something that brings me positive energy. Something that makes me happy and allows me to engage with my passion.
Inspired by an American wedding photographer, I came up with this idea
I saw a fantastic Barbie wedding on the website of an American wedding photographer, and I thought: I want to do something like that, but different. Thus, the idea was born to capture the wedding of two mannequins. Together with Pascal from Eclairgebak and Ingrid from Samen-Trouwen, we worked out this hilarious idea.
And so, I started organizing locations and suppliers for this unique styled shoot with mannequins. The party could begin: In my imagination, I wanted to capture an entire wedding day. Together, we called various locations and arranged things. Thursday, April 30, was the big day. At 1:00 PM, I loaded up my car and headed to the first wedding supplier: the florist, to pick up the bridal bouquet and other creative flower decorations.
A tight schedule for this styled shoot I had a tight schedule that we had to adhere to, taking into account the 1.5-meter distancing measures of the RIVM. This meant styling with a 1.5-meter distance and taking turns. When I was in one room, Pascal and Ingrid were in another room. The mannequins and decorations were set up, all with a 1.5-meter distance. Then I could start taking photos. Subsequently, I made room for the cameramen (a couple) to shoot the film. Breaking down happened in the same way. One by one and again that 1.5 meters, which made everything take about 10 times longer for setup and breakdown... something that you can normally do together.
Everything was transported in the Eclair van Fortunately, Pascal had a large van
The two mannequins, the wedding cake, and the bridal gown were transported in it. In my small car were the groom's suit, my cameras, the flowers, two inflatable palm trees, a pump, a beach bag, and some other styling items.
Ultimately, it was a day that gave all of us a lot of energy
In the garden of Castle Terworm, we attracted a lot of attention while dressing and dragging our bride and groom inside. It became even more hilarious when Ingrid, complete with a face mask and gloves, joined the "unreal" union of the bride and groom. Everything present at a real wedding ceremony was there. So complete with sugar wedding rings and two plush unicorns as witnesses. Even the vows were exchanged... For this, a couple would normally stand up. In this case, it meant assembling the legs first. Also, a very special experience.
And then there was even a kissing moment to photograph
Of course, with a kissing moment... which, given the flexibility of the mannequins, happened under duress. And that tear... of course, we had also thought of a tear. A brilliant move by Pascal. A sugar tear that still had to convey some emotion. The ceremony was over, and it was time to follow our schedule again. The mannequins were disassembled again, and we said goodbye to Ingrid (just smile and wave), because our group had to stay small. On to the next location, in 3 separate cars.
The rest of the styled shoot we did at Castle de Hoogenweerth
Off to Castle de Hoogenweerth: Meanwhile, it was pouring rain, but once we arrived, fortunately, the sun broke through. Here, my two palm trees had to be inflated for the honeymoon. Unfortunately, I had forgotten the caps, but Laurens fortunately had a creative solution in the form of two caps from Aperol Spritz bottles. He quickly pumped up the trees for me. Meanwhile, we had placed the mannequins on the balcony of the bridal suite for a real waving scene from the balcony.
And on to the next scene, where I thought a "first look" should not be missed. Laurens placed the groom on the stairs, I put the bouquet between his fingers, and Laurens hid himself under the bridal gown, letting the bride come down the stairs.
The next shot... the honeymoon ;-)
The mannequin bride and groom also went on their honeymoon. This scene took place outside at Castle de Hoogenweerth, in swimsuits. Unfortunately, the bride couldn't wear the cute flamingo sunglasses (what do you expect when you only have one ear). They also couldn't sit, so we took off their legs again and photographed them up to their waists.
And then, with a knife taped to the bride's hand, we cut the wedding cake :-) On to the beautiful wedding cake. With some tape, we attached the knife to the bride's fingers. The bride hadn't looked happy all day, but when she saw the cake, there seemed to be a change (a real woman). Unfortunately, we couldn't get her husband to help her cut the cake; he turned out to be quite wooden.
Common Barbie, let's go party!
A smooth first dance at the beautifully decorated "Rebelle" was not possible with this groom. No matter how hard Gabriëlla tried with her beautiful voice, singing to them in a charming way: "Common Barbie, let's go party"... it remained a plastic fantastic affair.
And then a romantic wedding night :-)
in the bridal suite at Van der Valk Even when Pascal had placed them romantically in their bed in the bridal suite at Van der Valk, with a delightful bottle of champagne, he still refused to hold her hand.
End result: a hilarious day, lots of fun, but we don't know how long this marriage will last unfortunately ;)
