Sarah & Louis' wedding

Where did you meet each other?

We met through a mutual friend. The first time we met was actually back in 2012, when we were both in other relationships, and we hardly noticed each other. The second time we met was in the King's Garden in Copenhagen on a spring day in May 2016. It was exactly two weeks from that spring day before Louis moved in with me in a small room in Sydhavnen, and we have been inseparable ever since.

How did he propose to you?

Louis had invited me to the King's Garden for a glass of rosé wine before we were to head to my home island Bornholm later that afternoon. At the exact same spot where we first met, he told me how much I meant to him and asked if I would make him the happiest man in the world and become his wife. He even had a tourist take pictures of the proposal.

Which Karim Design dress did you choose and how did you know it was the right wedding dress?

I had been to many different bridal shops before I found Karim Design – so I had a good sense of what cut and color of dress I was looking for. Early in my dress search, I knew I was looking for two dresses, each of which needed to be something truly unique. When I looked through the dresses in the store at Karim Design, my party dress was hiding behind a huge “ball gown,” and I knew immediately when I saw it that it was the one I would wear to my wedding. We designed my ceremony and reception dress together, and the outcome could not have been better.

The dresses are called Leonora and Mirabella

Describe your wedding day look

Ceremony look: Sophisticated and lovely.
Party look: The Great Gatsby meets 2020.

How did you feel in your dress on your wedding day?

I felt like the center of the whole day, without being too much in the spotlight. I was comfortable and beautiful. More beautiful than I had ever felt, and luckier than I had ever felt before.

Where did you get married? Tell us about where it took place - and about the style and atmosphere on your wedding day.

We got married in my childhood church, where I was both baptized and confirmed; Åkirke on Bornholm. The same priest who confirmed me married us.

The atmosphere was touching and filled with love. Everyone in the church shed a little tear during the ceremony. Especially for our wedding, Corona was well established in Denmark, which meant that our guests could not sit as closely as usual, and furthermore, there could be no singing in the church. Fortunately, I am lucky to have two fantastic choir singers in the family, Ulla and Claus, who created a wonderful concert atmosphere during the four hymns they sang. Additionally, Ulla sang the most beautiful version of Tove Ditlevsen's poem “So Take My Heart” with music by Michael Bojsesen. It is one of the truly great experiences from our big day that I will undoubtedly never forget.

What was the most challenging part of the planning?

One word: CORONA. It was totally and utterly nerve-wracking to plan your wedding based on the Corona restrictions that were in place at the time, knowing that the whole thing could be canceled the day before. It led to both tears and anger. But everything went as it should. Instead of having 94 guests, we had 74 – not because we “uninvited” some guests, but because they themselves assessed that it was most prudent to stay home. All guests were good at adhering to the restrictions while we had a fantastic day/weekend.

What made your day extra special?

Planning a weekend wedding was the best decision ever. On Friday evening, we went swimming and then had food and beer at a local restaurant. This way, we broke the ice between guests who had not met each other before. Saturday was the day for the ceremony, reception, and party. Sunday featured brunch and farewell coziness. But if I had to mention one single thing that made my wedding special, it was undoubtedly being surrounded by everyone you love: family and friends all at once. One must search long to find such happiness.

The funniest moment of the day was?

My sister had planned entertainment in the form of a shoe game, where Louis and I sat back to back and were asked some questions. For the questions, we had to answer whether it was one or the other of us that the question applied to. We did this by raising the shoe in the air that matched the person – we both had one of our own and one of the other's shoes. It was hilarious and something we talked about long after. The fact was that Louis and I only disagreed on two out of 25 questions! The company, and especially my sister, was very surprised and impressed by that.

Where did the honeymoon go?

We were so incredibly lucky that we managed to go to both Scotland and Mallorca on our honeymoon before all travel was advised against. First, 10 days in the Scottish Highlands with hiking, rain, and hot cocoa. Then 10 days in Mallorca with full sun and cozy excursions. Most attractions were closed due to Corona, and so were the restaurants. We were resourceful and thus had a different but thoroughly fantastic honeymoon!

Any final advice or wise words you can share with Karim Design's future brides?

It is okay to change your mind. Wedding planning is a difficult process, and anything you can delegate in small tasks to, for example, close family or bridesmaids is worth considering. The most important thing to get sorted from the start of your wedding planning is definitely the location for the party. Where do you want to hold the celebration? Call them up and see if it is even possible – before you dream further. Set a budget together – and set it conservatively, so there are no unfortunate, boring, expensive surprises. Imagine the location you have envisioned being the facilities for your day – does it feel right? Does it have the right atmosphere? No one decides what is right and wrong. Good advice can be nice to receive – but it can be a good idea to sort thoroughly through the advice you get from friends and family (especially family). Talk together about what kind of wedding celebration you each want, and meet each other in that. It is the celebration of your life, and it should be just as you want it….

Suppliers embraced by

The bride wore a wedding dress from: Karim Design. See our Leonora dress here and our Mirabella dress here

The bride's ring from: Engagement ring from Jane Kønig and wedding ring from Helene Duffáu

The groom wore clothing from: Suitsupply

The groom's ring: Magnus Enna

Photographer: KaleaWeddings

Wedding location: Hotel Nordlandet, Bornholm

Food from: Hotel Nordlandet, Bornholm

Florist: Lottes Blomsterværksted, Rønne

Hair & Makeup: Emilie Thorsen

Wedding planner: Sarah and Louis Westh Moe Christoffersen