Tucked high above the valley just outside Madrid, a 16th-century monastery served as the setting for Janneke and Vincent’s strikingly personal wedding – a celebration where historic architecture, contemporary design, and Spanish craftsmanship came together in effortless harmony. Under the creative direction of THE WED member Open the Door Events, the couple envisioned a day that felt both culturally rich and refreshingly modern. Terracotta tones, Toledo lace, Cubist-inspired paper details, and sculptural floral installations created a layered visual language that moved through the monastery’s courtyards and gardens. The bride wore an elegant gown paired with heirloom earrings, and her custom engagement ring by Jonne Amaya, a member of THE WED, added a meaningful personal touch. The atmosphere transitioned seamlessly from a soulful ceremony to a vibrant celebration, which Pai Pai Prod beautifully captured on film. The wedding felt less like a production and more like a living portrait of the couple, their friends, and the city they now call home.
Our Rehearsal Dinner
Location & Vision
The night before the wedding, we hosted an intimate dinner on the rooftop of the Bless Hotel with our bridal party and close family, all gathered in Madrid after traveling from around the world. One long table, the skyline of Madrid, and shared plates of tapas being passed around set the mood, but mostly it was just that happy feeling of “everyone is finally here.” The vibe was relaxed and unmistakably Spanish on a warm October night. It felt less like an official start and more like an unplanned Indian summer evening, the city slowly lighting up around us as we realized the weekend had officially begun.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
We met during our student days in Amsterdam. Funnily enough, our story begins at different times for each of us. Although we'd seen each other before at social gatherings organized by the student association we were members of, we had never actually spoken. I remember the first time I actually met and spoke to Vincent was at a party in a bar. However, Vincent had already had his eye on me much earlier. “I saw her at a boat party, standing all the way at the back of the boat, and asked my friend, ‘Who’s that?!’” Months passed, and he lost track of me until the following year. The exact moment we really met that night at the bar is still under debate. We were both standing at the counter ordering drinks when “last call” was announced. I swear I turned to Vincent and asked if he wanted a drink; Vincent is convinced it happened the other way around. Either way, the verdict is clear: we had the same intention, and we both acted fast when the clock started ticking, haha.
After that night at the bar, we were inseparable. We had such a connection that we couldn’t stop talking. We couldn’t say goodbye, and even after the bars closed, we were still chatting in the living room of Vincent’s student apartment at 6 a.m. A fun fact is that we have a three-and-a-half-year age difference, and Vincent lied about his age during that first conversation at the bar. He was afraid I (was 23 at the time) would otherwise lose interest in a younger guy. Unfortunately, he had forgotten that his birthday was two weeks later and hadn’t anticipated that we would be exchanging numbers and texting, and that the question “How old are you again?” (he was turning 20) would quickly arise. Luckily, I laughed it off. In those two weeks, he had been able to show me he had what his family calls an “old soul,” and the age difference was just a number rather than a real issue. Things moved quickly from that moment on, and after one and a half months, we were exclusive.
The Proposal
After seven years of dating, we moved to Madrid from Amsterdam. I had just started my own interior design studio, and Vincent, after working in private equity for a few years, decided to pursue an MBA at IE Business School. We were instantly smitten. The city is so quirky and Spanish that we felt like we were in a new world outside our bubble. Through the MBA, we met many new international friends, including many Mexicans, and that first summer we decided to spend four weeks in Mexico, with our friends hosting us in various parts of the country. During that trip, we also booked a few days on a catamaran near La Paz in Baja California Sur, where we sailed on a clear blue sea while enjoying the extraordinary coastline—a beautiful setting! Vincent and the crew hatched a romantic plan, and on the first evening, during a sundowner cocktail, he got down on one knee (on the front deck there was literally space for only one knee, which we still joke about, lol). I was completely surprised and, of course, immediately said YES. What a romantic!
The Engagement Ring
In the months leading up to the proposal, Vincent hatched a plan with one of our best friends in Madrid, Joanna. She supported him in the search and accompanied to old Madrid jewelers and vintage jewelry dealers in search of THE ring. At first, he was looking for a vintage ring, but unfortunately couldn’t find the right one, so he decided to have one designed himself with jewelry designer Jonne Amaya, a Mexican designer living in LA. With a sneaky plan, he was able to pick up the ring in Mexico City from Jonne’s husband, who often traveled between LA and CDMX for work. He went to pick it up with a friend while another friend distracted me with a Pilates class. Just before the ring box disappeared into a shoe in his suitcase, I entered the hotel room. He's not good at keeping secrets from me, but pulling this off without anyone suspecting anything is still one of his greatest achievements.
Our Wedding
The Vision
The vision was to tell the story of Madrid, the city we’ve been living in for over two years, in our own language: blending authentic Madrilenian craftsmanship with unexpected modern elements, just like the city itself. Inspired by Spanish Cubism, local materials like terracotta and Toledo lace met sleek contrasts to create something both familiar and new. We wanted to weave our own passions—design, food, craftsmanship, music, fashion, and family and friends—through this vision. A wedding that felt cool, layered, and deeply rooted in place.
Our Team of Vendors
This wedding was a true collaboration with an exceptional creative team. Together with Open the Doors, the concept was shaped and elevated through bold creative production and meticulous attention to detail. As a creative myself, it was important for me to be part of the design concept and creative direction of our wedding. Fortunately, Opi (Open the Doors) was completely open to this, and we were incredibly aligned in our idea of unconventional creativity and artistry. We absolutely wanted it to be nonstandard, but even within an out-of-the-box concept, still classy enough for a wedding. Each vendor brought their own artistry, turning the vision into something far beyond our expectations. From the floral artist Metatopy to the creative caterer GAB Foods and the show-cooking BBQ team, every vendor contributed their own talent to the overall concept. We truly felt that energy during the big day—a dream come true.
The Location
The celebration took place at the Monasterio de Lupiana, a 16th-century architectural gem just outside Madrid. Its historic stone courtyards and serene cloisters created the perfect backdrop for a story about old and new existing side by side. The architecture itself became part of the design language.
The Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the former church of the monastery. We instantly thought, this place is magical: the original walls still stand, but the space is roofless, with whistling birds flying among the large trees. By the old altar, an ancient statue still stands, and faded frescoes adorn the vaulted walls. Truly a fairytale. Open the Doors knew the space needed little decoration, allowing the architecture and atmosphere to speak for themselves. Minimal interventions—like the beautiful asymmetric altar flower installations—highlighted the emotional moment and created a sense of intimacy and togetherness. It felt grounded, honest, and deeply present, just like we wanted.
Vincent’s twin brothers were the celebrants. Individually, each of them has a great sense of humor and charisma, but together they are fireworks. They led the ceremony with humor, love, and spontaneity, introducing every speaker in an original way. The speakers were Vincent’s best friend and best man Tobias, Janneke’s sister Charlotte, and David, a close friend of both of us. We had live music by Trio Concuerda during our entrances and between moments, which added beautifully to the authentic atmosphere of the setting. Our vows were a moment when time seemed to stand still. Being able to express our love for each other in front of all our friends and family was truly magical.
The Cocktail Hour
The cocktail hour was conceived as an immersive experience where our passions for food, craft, and design really came together. We wanted this part of the day to feel dynamic, encouraging people to discover and connect. Five experimental food stations set up by GAB Foods reinterpreted classic Madrilenian flavors—the typical Madrilenian gilda, steak tartare, charcuterie, Fromaje cheeses, bread, and gazpacho, all from Madrilenian vendors—in a playful, modern way.
The live act by Art & The Gipsy Band during the cocktail hour was the cherry on top. Our bridal party gifted us a live painter who created a large canvas in an abstract expressionist style (our favorite art movement), which now hangs in our living room as a physical memory. Vincent’s one request was to have a venenciador, a traditional champagne pourer, handing out champagne right after guests walked from the church into the courtyard after the ceremony. Opi surprised us with a live ceramic artist spinning terracotta vases in the middle of the courtyard. All of these acts together added an unexpected layer of craftsmanship and movement—a big pinch-me moment for both of us.
The Reception
As night fell, the monastery transformed into a dramatic dining setting. Open the Doors outdid themselves with the dining space, which was in the back garden of the monastery overlooking the valley, with round tables arranged around the fountain. They hung large rice paper shades scattered throughout the space, inspired by the Akari lights of one of Janneke’s favorite designers, Isamu Noguchi. Since I work a lot with vintage pieces in my interior design projects, my dream was to have a mix of vintage chairs from different styles and eras around the dining tables, creating a playful and asymmetrical effect. Opi and her team did an amazing job—people were in awe. The live BBQ cooking was set up next to the dining area, so during dinner speeches you could smell the aromas coming from the kitchen. Vegetables, meat, and fish were served to guests on vintage silver trays at the tables.
The moody lighting, asymmetrical flower arrangements by Metatopy, and layered textures created a cinematic atmosphere that contrasted beautifully with the historic back façade of the monastery. After dinner, the church—where we had also held our ceremony—became a nightclub, lit in a red glow. It was a really cool contrast with the old architecture. The sunken floor in front of the DJ booth gave the space a real club feel with an actual dance floor. Because the space was outdoors and everything happened within the roofless walls, we danced until our feet fell off with all our friends and family. Our bridal party came up with a fun party starter: they handed out wigs similar to Vin’s signature big blond hairdo (it was really long when we first met) and bunny ears inspired by Janneke’s last name, which means “hare” in Dutch. Everyone transformed into their own party character, which was so fun. Vincent’s best man Willem, part of the DJ duo Makez, surprised us with a set together with a live percussionist, which really got the party going.
The Special Touches
There were so many! As described above, every detail was intentional—from cubist-inspired folded menus and graphic signage to draped fabrics moving through the courtyard. Vintage-sourced serving pieces, experimental food styling, and moments of live craftsmanship added authenticity and surprise. These small gestures brought the entire story to life. We both grew up in large families where hospitality and hosting were always a big part of our lives. It was important to us that this part of who we are would be reflected in the wedding.
We wanted everyone to feel completely taken care of and for everything—down to the smallest detail—to feel intentional. From live musicians during the ceremony to serving our two signature cocktails (spicy margaritas and Americanos) during the cocktail hour, Spanish dinner table names like “Los Jefes del Baile,” and surprising guests with a party bus on the way back—everything had to feel like a day with us and reflect the idea that life should be celebrated. It’s the moments together that count.
Our Favorite Moment
It was really the combination of every moment that made it special, all carried by the energy of our loved ones around us. We felt it most intensely during the ceremony and later on the dance floor, when it seemed like the whole room was moving as one. But it was also in the in-between moments: walking around during dinner and watching people arrive at the table as strangers, then leave as friends. Getting married is the merging of two lives, and seeing that merger become visible in real time is something that genuinely warms our hearts.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
For the wedding day, I chose a Rime Arodaky dress, paired with Odare Antwerp shoes and heirloom Cartier earrings borrowed from Vincent’s mother.
The Groom Looks
As the dress code was black tie, Vincent wore a black tuxedo with a white jacket on the wedding day. For the post-wedding lunch, he wore a double-breasted green linen jacket combined with a patterned silk blouse, beige pleated trousers, and leather tassel loafers from the authentic Spanish brand Meermin.
Our Bridesmaids’ & Groomsmen's Looks
We gave our bridesmaids complete freedom in choosing their dresses, but asked each of them to lean into soft earth tones that blended beautifully with the Monasterio’s autumn garden. The groomsmen all wore black tuxedos, as the dress code was black tie.
Our Advice
For the Planning Process
Enjoy the process. Deadlines can suck the fun out of planning, so we tried to make even the “hard to-dos” feel a bit like a ritual: pour a good glass of red wine, put on a playlist, and just get it done. And don’t cling too tightly to the original plan. Thinking outside the box pays off, and honestly, some Plan Bs end up better than Plan A. Our original location fell through (and in hindsight, it was full of red flags), so with nine months to go we had to start over. Opi quickly came up with this monastery, and it ended up being an even better fit than what we first had in mind. It also happened to have our exact wedding weekend available. Meant to be!
For On The Day
Right after the ceremony, we walked into the cocktail hour and were a little overwhelmed—in the best way—by everyone coming up at once to congratulate us. Our advice: take a tiny moment for yourselves first (two minutes is enough), breathe, and then step into the crowd once everyone is settled with a drink. It helps you arrive properly instead of feeling like you’re instantly “on.”
For Post-Wedding
We genuinely wouldn’t change a thing about the post-wedding event. If we have one piece of advice, it’s this: do it. Some people only host a pre-event instead, but we loved that we saved this moment for the day after, when everyone already knew each other. There were no awkward clusters—just people hugging their dancing buddies from the night before and sliding straight back into the good energy.
Vendors
Couple: Janneke, Vincent
Photographer: Días De Vino Y Rosas
Videographer: Pai Pai Prod
Venues: Monasterio De Lupiana, Finca Astilbe
Wedding Planner & On the Day Coordinator: Open the Door Events
Wedding Stylists: Open the Door Events, Gab Foods
Florist: Metatopy
Stationery: No Naked Design Studio
Catering: Gab Foods
Music: Trio Concuerda, Art & Gipsy Band, Willem Mulder, Los del Pichón
Hair & Makeup: Imanol Fuentes
Style
Ceremony Dress: Rime Arodaky
Shoes & Accessories: Odare Antwerp, Cartier
Wedding Ring: Charlotte de Koomen
Engagement Ring: Jonne Amaya