Every little girl dreams that one day her prince will take her off by carriage to a castle and marry her. But of course these little girls grow up and humdrum reality makes them realize that this is just a fantasy. Or is it?
What if I told you that you can get married in a castle in rural Netherlands…and for way less than what a major hotel in your home town would charge for the same services? With air fares getting cheaper every year the distance doesn’t have to be an obstacle for a small wedding party.
Caslte Sterkenburg from the air.
In my case I had the advantage that my Dutch bride’s family all live in Holland so the challenge was to get just myself, Stella (my “Dutchie”) and my daughter, who was doing double duty as the maid-of-honour, to the venue.
Granted that this ceremony was our second as we had been married a few weeks before in Nova Scotia, our place of residence. This was where all the paperwork was done. The major reason for two ceremonies was that both our fathers were in their eighties and travel was problematic, so we simply “brought the mountain to Mohammed” and had weddings in two places so our dads could both attend.
Castle Sterkenburg centers around a 12th Century tower with the rest of the castle having been updated to something straight out of 18th century Vienna. Loaded with antiques, each room was huge and exuded charm. Stella and I were lodged in a suite worthy of Empress Maria Theresa while my daughter was exiled to “the Tower”, not as bad as it sounds as the room was large, quite round and luxuriously appointed in a more Medieval style.
Groom and bride on top of castle tower.
The day of our wedding found us aboard a carriage drawn by two huge black Frisian horses, much to my horse-loving daughters delight. We were greeted with applause by our guests who were scattered on the bridge which crosses the moat.
George and Stella approach the castle after arriving in a horse-drawn carriage.
The ceremony was ably performed by good friend Father Henry, my daughter providing a très romantique version of the Elvis classic, I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You. Afterwards a champagne toast, four course dinner and an exchange of toasts and stories.
Bride sitting by the window of our suite at Sterkenburg
They say one picture is worth a thousand words. If so the following video is worth a million. Check it out.
Special thanks to videographer Wouter Hoonakker and his drone for the fine video camera work. WouterMedia
If You Go… Castle Sterkenburg
Co-authored by George Burden and Stella van der Lugt
Photo Credits
Castle Sterkenburg from the air – courtesy Castle Sterkenburg
All other photos by Stella van der Lugt – All Rights Reserved
George & Stella, your wedding video was like no other we have seen. From the carriage ride to the top of the castle, the video kept us in awe. Beautiful, wonderful loving memories were made on this day and it showed. Congrats again.
So glad you enjoyed it! It was literally a fairy tale wedding. : )
Thanks for sharing! It was awesome, congrats to you both.
Thanks Tom!
so very touching..it brought tears to this cynic’s eyes. all the very best of everything to you both
Thanks so much Michael. It was a very special event.
I am speechless. Beautiful. Stunning. So very very happy for you!!
Best wishes to both you and Stella.
Thanks Anne. It was an awesome experience…a true fairy tale wedding!
Thanks!
Made me misty…congrats to you both, thank you for sharing. Your daughter’s voice is beautiful…an amazing version of the Elvis classic. A very feel-good post!
Thanks Carol!
congratulations to both of you a true prince and princess wedding. and the video is special to be sung by your daughter.
Thanks Jim
Absolutely romantic and beautiful!
Congratulations to you both!
Elizabeth Hill
Thank you!