A Holland Wedding 💍

Some trips mark places on a map. Others mark moments in your life.

This one did both, because somewhere between train rides, quiet conversations, and shared tears, our family grew in the most beautiful way ✨

The Unofficial Start of the Wedding 🫶

My parents and I took the train to Woodbridge to meet my brother, Chris, and his fiancée, Gabby, and honestly, the second we arrived, it finally hit me: this is happening. We were all staying together at The Bull Inn, which made everything feel even more special. It was the last bit of calm before the chaos of wedding celebrations, and I was so grateful for that.

We spent the afternoon just being together. Sitting outside, talking, laughing, soaking in the surprisingly sunny UK weather (a rare win) ☀️, and enjoying those small moments that don’t sound dramatic but mean everything. Even though it was only one proper day with them before the wedding madness began, it felt so precious. Those quiet hours really do stay with you.

We exchanged a few gifts and chatted endlessly, and halfway through, my brother’s fiancée and my mum popped over to check out the wedding venue. When they came back, we all sat together again, talking and catching up like time hadn’t passed at all.

Later, we headed back to our rooms, and this was one of my favourite parts of the day. I had my own room right next to my brother’s, so Gabby and I ended up watching The Summer I Turned Pretty together. Funnily enough, it was a wedding episode, very on theme, and we were fully invested. We’d been dying to watch it together, and finally getting to do that, just the two of us screaming at the TV like we were part of the show, felt oddly perfect. Team Conrad, obviously.

That evening, we rushed downstairs to meet my cousin and her family, which made my heart so full. Spending time with her and her kids, who are genuinely the cutest humans ever, was so special. We all had dinner together at the hotel, which was exactly what we wanted: simple, easy, and focused on family rather than plans or schedules.

After they left, Gabby and I went back upstairs to finish our episode. Yes, we were obsessed. No regrets.

The Celebrations Officially Begin 🍾

The morning started with my mum and I getting our hair done before packing up and heading out. While waiting in the lobby, I got to meet my dad’s best friends, some of whom I hadn’t seen in years. It was such a surreal and happy moment, filled with hugs, laughter, and a lot of embarrassing stories about my dad, which became a running theme of this trip.

We then headed to the church where my brother was going to get married. It was absolutely beautiful, exactly how you’d imagine a wedding church to be. We had the rehearsal there, which is also where I got to meet my sister, Charlotte, after two years of not being able to see her. I’d never been to a rehearsal before, and it made everything feel even more real, and different in the best way.

After that, we arrived at Butley Priory, where we’d all be staying together, my family, my brother and his fiancée, and her family too. The place was stunning. My parents and I had this gorgeous space with a massive room and a bathtub, and downstairs I had my own room, complete with the sweetest little gifts waiting for me.

That evening was the barbecue night, and it was honestly perfect. I finally got to see the rest of my family after almost a year, catch up with cousins, meet new faces, and just exist in that happy, buzzing pre-wedding energy. There was great food, music playing softly in the background, lots of laughter, and the most beautiful sunset while we ate, the kind that makes you pause and think, this is a moment I’ll remember.

When it got a little chilly, we moved inside, where the space felt cozy and warm and somehow even more intimate. It was one of those evenings that wasn’t about doing anything big, just being together, talking, laughing, and letting the wedding excitement slowly sink in.

And just like that, the celebrations had truly begun.

The Wedding Day 💍

The morning started early. Well, earlier for everyone else, but still early for me. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. because there was a hairstylist coming to help all of us get ready. I had my hair done with Gabby sitting right next to me, also getting ready, and honestly, that felt like the perfect way to start the day. Calm, exciting, slightly nervous, but really special.

After my hair was done, I quickly did my makeup, got into my dress, and then my parents and I went to see my brother while he was getting ready elsewhere, since he couldn’t see Gabby. He was wearing a sherwani. Yes, a British man in an Indian sherwani, and it looked incredible. It felt so meaningful that he chose something Indian, but also made it his own. It wasn’t just different, it was his choice, and it was so unique and perfect. We took a few photos, shared some emotional moments, and then just like that, he was off to the church.

After that, we met the rest of the family and got onto a special red bus that took all the guests to the church together. It was such a fun idea, everyone arriving as one big group. When we got there, my brother was already standing at the entrance of the church, waiting for us. Hugging him before going in was such a surreal moment.

The church was stunning, filled with gorgeous flowers and decorations that made it feel even more magical. By this point, I was already emotional and nervous, because I knew I had to read a poem later in front of everyone.

Once we were seated, the ceremony began, led by the sweetest vicar. Then came one of the most beautiful moments of the day, Gabby walking down the aisle with her father. She looked absolutely stunning. We hadn’t seen her dress at all beforehand, so this was the first glimpse, and it was perfect. The dress, the veil, everything about her, she looked gorgeous. It was emotional, joyful, and overwhelming, and yes, I was crying. Everyone was. Shortly after, it was my turn to read the poem. I stood up already crying and barely able to speak, but somehow I managed to compose myself and say it. It might not have been loud enough, but I did it, and I’m so grateful I got to be part of the ceremony in that way. My brother letting me do a reading meant so much to me, and it’s a moment I’ll always hold close.

After the ceremony, we followed the bride and groom out of the church, congratulating them as everyone wiped away tears. I hugged my brother right after my parents, and that moment is hard to put into words. I was crying again, obviously, but I was just so proud of him and so happy for him and his wife. I hugged Gabby too, and that’s when I realised I had just gained such an amazing sister. We hugged the rest of the family, took lots of photos outside the church, and headed back on the bus to the priory. ❤️

Once we arrived, the drinks reception was set up outdoors in the most beautiful space. At first, it was just the guests, and then the bell rang and the bride and groom made their entrance, such a fun touch. All of us cousins were chatting when my brother joined us, and we had this small but incredibly special moment together, celebrating him as a husband and also recognising what an amazing brother he is to all of us. It was simple, but being surrounded by my siblings and cousins made it feel huge and unforgettable.

We took more photos, and then it was time for lunch.

The indoor setup was gorgeous, with flowers and table décor making everything look so elegant. But the most special part by far was the personalised notes each guest received. Every single person had one. My sister and I were crying again, after reading the notes my brother had written for us. It was such a thoughtful and emotional gift, one of those things you never forget. After lunch came the speeches, another beautiful moment. My dad gave a speech that was perfectly balanced, emotional, heartfelt, and of course full of jokes. It was so him.

Later on, some of us got changed, the band started playing, and the whole atmosphere shifted into full celebration mode. Music, dancing, laughter, the perfect way to celebrate the bride and groom and end such an unforgettable day. The night ended, with just family in that room, making it a special moment to end the night. As the music played and the night slowly settled in, it really hit me how special the day had been. It wasn’t just about the ceremony or the celebrations, it was about family, love, and being together in a way that doesn’t happen often. Watching my brother start this new chapter with Gabby, surrounded by the people who love them most, is something I’ll never forget.

The Morning After 🥹

The next day felt like a soft, quiet ending to all the celebrations.

We came together one last time for a relaxed brunch, with both families and our closest friends around. There was no rush and no schedule, just conversations, laughter, and that slightly bittersweet feeling that comes when something really special has come to an end. It was the perfect way to say goodbye, soaking in those final moments together before everyone slowly went their separate ways. Unfortunately, I did have to say goodbye to my cousins, but I can’t wait to see them again next time.

But for us, the trip didn’t end there, instead our family got to spend a couple of days in London, still celebrating the wedding. ✈️

Here is the playlist that played while memories were being made, which has a mix of different types of songs:

https://music.apple.com/in/playlist/holland-wedding-x-rh/pl.u-76oNzg3IvG1egW5