Sophie & Tom's Classic Castle Celebration: A Timeless Wedding at Kasteel van Brasschaat

Author: Natali Grace Levine
Wedding date: 06/13/2024
City: Antwerp

Love Story

Tom and Sophie's romance began in the halls of the school where they both teach. For Tom, it was obvious. "It was immediately love at first sight," he admits with a smile. "She had to be convinced," he adds, laughing. What started as a professional relationship quickly blossomed into friendship as they shared stories about teaching, traveling, and their shared passion for sightseeing. After two months of friendship, they began dating, and within a few months, they had moved in together.

Though Sophie had made it clear she wanted to marry before starting a family, Tom took his time planning the perfect proposal. "This was an amazing trip with beautiful nature, good vibes, food and a great culture. We booked one very fancy hotel and I went down on one knee at the hotel restaurant," he explains. “It was really romantic with just Sophie and me there."

About Your Wedding

Almost a year of planning went into creating Sophie and Tom's dream day. They envisioned a combination of classical style in a lush green environment, with a beautiful old mansion or castle as the backdrop.
"I think the best way to describe our vision was a combination of classic, ‘The Great Gatsby’ style, together with a night at the Oscars in black and white," Tom explains.

This vision came to life at Kasteel van Brasschaat,where their celebration took on an elegant, timeless quality, enhanced by a jazz band that created that perfect "Great Gatsby" atmosphere. With 168 loved ones in attendance, the day was filled with emotion, style, and unforgettable moments.

"What inspired me most during the preparation was the fact that my wife kept going and was amazingly creative during the whole process," Tom shares. "Also, all the people who helped us during the process, from the photographer to the florist, were really amazing."

Morning Details

Sophie’s creativity was evident in the wedding’s delicate details. She designed their invitations herself, weaving her professional design expertise into every element of their special day. The bride’s accessories, including elegant pearl earrings and a luxurious bottle of Chanel perfume, added a timeless touch to her look.

Tom, with a thoughtful and personal approach, visited Margot Declerck three times to select the perfect rings. “I knew she liked the combination of 2 rings, so I chose a design that could match both rings with each other,” he recalls. The engagement ring and wedding band beautifully fit together, symbolizing their love and commitment.

For Tom, the wedding day was also about remembering loved ones. He wore special shirt buttons, given to him by his aunt, the wife of his late godfather. "He died 10 years ago, and she gave it to him to wear at the wedding and remember him," Tom shares, reflecting on the sentimental value behind the gift.

As they prepared for the big day, the intimate details of their wedding—pearls, shoes, champagne glasses, and perfume—spoke volumes about the couple’s love for each other and their cherished memories. The items they chose reflected not only their personalities but also the love and honor they wanted to convey throughout their wedding.

Bride Getting Ready

Sophie's journey to find the perfect dress was extensive, with visits to nearly nine stores across Belgium and the Netherlands. "It took a few visits to make sure that she chose the dress that she really wanted, but it was worth it," Tom recalls. The chosen gown, the "Palm dress new white" from a store called "Keep its find" in Rotterdam, was a slip dress in liquid satin—”very classical and ideal for the “Oscar” style.”

On the morning of the wedding, Sophie prepared at her parents' home in Vremde, surrounded by her bridesmaid Eline and her family. Carolina from Lux Visual Storytellers captured every precious moment as Sophie added her finishing touches: earrings with pearls from "Maison Sabben," golden stilettos from "March 23," and a pearl bracelet from "A.B. Ellie." A long veil adorned with delicate pearls completed her bridal ensemble.

For her bouquet, Sophie chose a stunning arrangement created by Degroote Bloemen, a Belgian florist. "She was very professional and invited us several times at the store to make sure that she got everything we wanted spot on," Tom explains. The bouquet featured vibrant summer colors such as red and orange, complemented by softer pastel tones and elegant white flowers.

As for the bridesmaids' attire, Sophie gave them the freedom to choose their own dresses. "There was no real dress code so the bridesmaids chose it themselves," Tom notes. "The only restriction was no prints, to keep the clean, classical look throughout the whole day."

Groom Getting Ready

Meanwhile, at their home in Boechout, Tom was preparing with his best friend, Laurens. His custom-made tuxedo from Suitsupply in Antwerp was the perfect complement to Sophie's classic look.

First Look

The first look took place in the garden of Sophie's parents' house, beside a serene swimming pond. "There is a swimming pond and I stood there at the end of it," Tom recalls. "Sophie walked towards me and when she was behind me, I turned around and I saw her. There was not much sunlight because it was still cloudy, but it was a beautiful picture with the reflection of the water on Sophie’s shining dress."

When asked about his first thought upon seeing Sophie, Tom's answer is immediate and heartfelt: "WOW!"

"We were both excited and relieved when we saw each other and then we knew everything would be all right," Sophie confesses.

Photoshoot Before The Ceremony

For their pre-ceremony photoshoot, the couple chose a location brimming with sentimental value—a picturesque square in the heart of Antwerp. "It was our idea to shoot at the square because that was the place where Sophie and I had our first date. That place means a lot to us," Tom explains, his eyes lighting up at the memory.

The couple arrived in style, pulling up in their classic Mercedes 190 SL oldtimer that perfectly complemented their vintage-inspired wedding aesthetic. The public setting created some unexpected but heartwarming moments. "A lot of people passed by on a Saturday afternoon and they smiled or said that we looked amazing," Sophie recalls.

After capturing memories at this meaningful location, their photographer Carolina had another inspired suggestion. "After that we also went to a store called “Cafe Costume”," Tom continues. "They had a beautiful bar which fitted perfectly in the current scene of our wedding. We drank some champagne there, also with the crew of Lux. It felt great."

Ceremony

The ceremony took place under clear skies in the gardens of Kasteel van Brasschaat. As Sophie walked down the aisle to Bill Withers' "Just the Two of Us," tears welled in Tom's eyes. Though they didn't have flower girls, the aisle was adorned with beautiful blooms from Degroote Bloemen, creating a lush pathway for Sophie's entrance. Tom's sister served as his ring bearer, while Sophie's brother carried her ring.

Among the most emotional moments was when Tom's mother spoke about him growing up. "Also the speech from Eline, Sophie’s bridesmaid, was beautiful and left Sophie in tears when she told about her and how their friendship is so important after all these years," Tom recalls.

Photoshoot After The Ceremony

Following the ceremony, the couple returned to the castle grounds for more photographs. The setting sun cast a golden glow over the castle, creating the perfect backdrop. "At that time, there was more sun so the photos were amazing at the front of the castle with the sun shining on the stairs," Tom explains. "Our ‘Golden moment' when the sun was setting down in the evening was amazing. People still look amazed when they see the pictures of that special moment!"

Wedding Venue & Decor

The color palette for the day was strikingly simple yet effective—Sophie and Tom in classic black and white, standing out against the colorful attire of their guests. "There was no restriction for the guests (except no prints). We took a guess there because Sophie was afraid people might wear the same colour, but it turned out to be a perfect combination," Tom admits. "The result was that everybody chose to wear all kinds of colours, together or a combination on a dress or suit."

Inside the castle, warm, colorful flowers mingled with white and pastel blooms, creating an elegant atmosphere that complemented the venue's classic architecture. "We visited different kinds of buildings (mansion, villa, old farm) and wanted to combine this with a green environment like a park, forest or somewhere in the countryside," Tom explains their venue choice. "It was also important that the building inside was classic, but also renovated. Old and dusty was not our thing, but the castle was a good combination of both things so we were very happy with the decision. "

Reception

As the evening began, the couple shared their first dance to Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon," swaying together beneath the twinkling lights of the castle's grand hall.

In a clever nod to Sophie's surname, they served special champagne during the reception. "We chose a special kind of champagne bottle because my wife’s last name is ‘Champagne,’" Tom explains with a smile. They paired this with strawberries from Hoogstraten, Tom's hometown, known for producing the best strawberries in Belgium.

One of the highlights came when the couple "popped" a large champagne bottle with a sword, creating what Tom calls a "wow factor for everyone." The jazz duo Doublette provided the perfect soundtrack for the elegant affair, enhancing the "Great Gatsby" atmosphere they had envisioned.

Looking back at their cooperation with vendors, the couple shares: “It's difficult to compare different experiences, but what stood out most to us was the importance of having an eye for every detail that matters on such a special day. Keeping track of everything isn’t easy—especially when you're getting married for the first time! Everyone approaches this in their own way, but we were grateful to rely on their expertise in these moments. We couldn't be happier with our choice to have Lux Visual Storytellers capture our wedding. Having Carolina and Simona by our side felt incredibly comfortable—they were calm, professional, and effortlessly blended into our day, making every moment feel natural and beautifully documented. Their work reflected exactly the style we had dreamed of, capturing every emotion and detail with artistry and authenticity. We are beyond grateful for their talent and presence on our special day!”

As the night progressed, guests danced and celebrated until the early hours, surrounded by the castle's timeless elegance and the warm glow of friendship and love.