Double Celebration
On August 22, 2024, Cécile celebrated her thirtieth birthday. On that day, Jens had planned an extra big surprise for her... “Jens proposed to me on my birthday. I was, of course, super excited. It suddenly became a double celebration!” laughs Cécile.
Winners of Coeur Catering's Wedding Giveaway!
In October and November 2024, Cécile and Jens participated in the wedding giveaway by Gaston and Coeur Catering, celebrating Coeur's twentieth anniversary. Participants had to express their love through a unique menu; the entries were judged on originality, presentation, and engagement. As one of the three finalists, the couple advanced to the next round, where they presented their wedding concept in detail. With their original concept, including a sustainable approach, Cécile and Jens won the jury's hearts (nvdr: including House of Weddings!). They won their wedding valued at €15,000. Cécile: “We are extremely happy and proud to have won against all the strong entries and candidates. We put a lot of effort into the preparations, including a physical mood board, a model of rooftop Gaston, and preparing our own cocktails on site. The announcement was a moment of emotional release. We could now truly realize our dream wedding!”
Planning a Wedding at Record Speed
After winning the wedding giveaway, Cécile and Jens quickly started planning their wedding. According to the contest terms, their wedding party would take place on February 15, 2025. Cécile: “We only had three months to plan everything. Fortunately, rooftop Gaston was already set as the location, and Coeur Catering, the exclusive caterer for the venue, took care of the catering as planned. We didn’t have to contact many suppliers, and everything went quite smoothly. We planned our official ceremony, the civil service, two weeks after the party, on March 1, 2025.”
Creative and Sustainable Decor
Together with the Gaston team, Cécile and Jens handled the complete styling and decoration of their wedding. The decor and furniture were partly provided by Gaston itself. “We wanted to keep the decoration light and personal. It didn’t need to be overly strict – our guests wouldn’t lose sleep over the napkin color,” Cécile laughs.
For Cécile and Jens, it was important to make sustainable choices: “Instead of the usual flowers, we chose succulents and cacti, which our guests could take home afterward. We also provided an upload link, allowing everyone to share their photos online with each other and us.” Sustainability was also evident in the catering – from local, seasonal ingredients to the thoughtful menu. Coeur Catering is well-known for its sustainable choices. Their standard assortment has been resolutely at least 50% vegetarian for years, driven by the belief that sustainable catering is the only right (and delicious) way to do business. Annually, they cook for over 100,000 guests and cater more than 200 weddings. By focusing on a more plant-based menu, they significantly reduce their environmental impact.
The Big Day!
On February 15, 2025, Cécile and Jens' big day arrived! The wedding day began with a relaxing preparation moment. Hair & make-up artist Yana Jacquemyn ensured a stylish look for Cécile, while Jens got ready in his suit from Octobre by Sézane.
A Heartfelt Ceremony
One of the most special moments of Cécile and Jens' wedding day was undoubtedly their ceremony on rooftop Gaston. Cécile shares: “Our witnesses assembled the entire ceremony themselves. It was personal, sincere, and perfectly tailored to who we are. It was the most beautiful moment of the entire day for us. Moreover, we had our first-look moment during the ceremony and saw each other for the first time in our wedding attire.”
Photoshoot with Wild Weddings
After the beautiful ceremony, the newlyweds enjoyed a romantic photoshoot with photographer Wild Weddings.
Reception with Live Sketching
Following the photoshoot, there was a cozy reception on rooftop Gaston, offering a stunning view over Ghent. Illustrator KID Naomi added a creative touch to the aperitif moment with her live sketching of the couple and guests.
Sustainable Dinner by Coeur Catering and Atmospheric Live Music
Towards the end of the reception, live band Mi Tierra introduced the dinner with their Spanish and South American music. Between the dinner and dessert, they provided a warm musical atmosphere to welcome the evening guests. During dinner, the sustainable menu by Coeur Catering was greatly appreciated.
Dance Lesson for Everyone!
After the delightful dinner, Cécile and Jens chose not to have a traditional opening dance; instead, they had another surprise in store for their guests. Cécile explains: “We wanted something different from the usual first dance. So, we replaced it with a group dance lesson by Jugurtha from Lékipdance, a dance school in Ghent. Everyone joined in, creating a very fun and relaxed atmosphere.”
After the dance lesson, DJ Project Exclusive kept everyone on the dance floor, providing the right vibes until the early hours.
Looking Back
Cécile and Jens look back at their wedding with satisfaction: “From organization to catering and staff: everything was perfect. It was even a thousand times better than we expected. We'd like to thank Coeur Catering and Gaston for everything and making this day unforgettable. We can only keep smiling!”
Finally, Cécile shares one last tip for engaged couples: “Let it go. Don’t stress too much about the details; it will all work out!”
The entire House of Weddings team sincerely congratulates Cécile and Jens. Here's to even more love and happiness in the future!
Do you also want to be assisted by reliable and quality wedding suppliers?Book them now through House of Weddings.
Location, decor, table linen & furniture: Gaston / Catering: Coeur Catering / Photographer: Wild Weddings / Wedding Dress: Linx Hasselt (brand: Ronald Joyce) / Wedding Suit & Shoes: Sézane (brand: Octobre by Sézane) / Succulents & Cacti: Plantje.nl / Invitations: PeterPrint / Illustrator Live Sketching: KID Naomi / Live Music: Mi Tierra / Dance Lesson During Evening Party: Jugurtha, Lékipdance / DJ: Project Exclusive / Jeweler: Jolien Mees / Makeup & Hair: Yana Jacquemyn
