09-08-2025
The best hikes in Senja
July 2, 2025
Fotocredits: Niels Weltens fotografie // Joakim Mangen
On top of the mountain, in the midst of nature, we said YES!
At 7:30 our paths split: Olivier heads to the cabin his parents rented, while Zoë stays in our house. Friends and family gather around her—Stefanie at her feet painting nails, Sharon braiding her hair, Niels capturing every moment. Zoë’s mom helps her into the dress. No stylists, ny hairdresser, just love and talent. Intimate, sweet, and princess-like. “I’ve never felt more cared for,” Zoë describes this moment.
On top of the mountain
We meet for the first time, all dressed up, at the start of the trail. A thousand butterflies explode in our stomachs as we walk toward each other on the forest road. We will never forget the sparkles in each other’s eyes as we get closer. Our hug isn't without a tear. How beautiful to share this moment before walking up the trail to the top of the mountain together. The day has only just begun!
As we reach the tree-line, the wind grows stronger—but we are simply celebrating our moment. While we stay hidden from our guests, who are making their way up the same trail, Zoë’s dress dances in the wind and our smiles only spark more. Soon we will get married, here on the top of this mountain, with all our beloved guests!
Ceremony
Our ceremony was everything we dreamed of. The wind roared across the mountain, yet we found a hidden spot where our guests could sit, sheltered, on benches we had carried up with 10 friends the day before.
From our secret hiding places, we walked out together with Olivier’s mom and Zoë’s dad, crossing 300 meters along the mountain ridge as Yellow by Coldplay drifted through the wind. At the end of the ridge, Koen’s smile welcomed us. Our dear friend, standing there to marry us on the very top of the mountain. He made everyone laugh, he made everyone listen, he made us feel at home. And then… he made us husband and wife.
And of course the first thing to do as husband and wife is to hike down the trail and take the bike home, for a good big gardenparty!
Wedding dress
Zoë’s wedding dress is 100% selfmade!! Zoë carefully asked her sister Noa: “Hey Noa, do you think it’s possible to make a wedding dress in one week?” “Depends on the dress,” Noa said, “but it’s possible.” That is all Zoë needed to hear, pretty sure her dress would be one of the easier types.
Once in the Netherlands, Zoë, her mother and sister had five days to buy fabrics, shape the wishes, draw the patterns, cut, sew, adjust, solve unforeseen problems, and create a fitting dress. Three passionate Agasi women on one ship under time pressure – it turned out a little less romantic than it sounds. The house went through some fiery moments. Honestly, at that time it was hard to truly enjoy, and guilt piled up Zoës feelings: a sister taking days off for her, a mother working day and night… Doing it “on our own” doesn’t just happen. It takes effort, sometimes pain, sometimes tears..but isn't that where things are shaped?
Zoë wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Proud of her mother and sister who poured so much work and love into it, into her. The days were intense, but also rich. How much more do you shine in a dress made by hands full of love? A dress with passion, with character, with a story. How much more do you shine when that dress, dancing in the mountain wind, is made by the people you love. Indescribable. Special. There are no words to thank you dear Noa and mom! Zoë felt beautiful! She felt pure!
Wedding rings
Also our wedding rings are selfmade. In winter we brought reindeer antlers home while we worked with the reindeer herders in the mountains. We started cutting by hand, but quickly realized we needed a sturdy drill to make holes the size of our fingers. Then came the handsaw to cut them down, and endless sanding (with a bandsaw and later by hand) to get the right shape and thickness.
With our bags packed — tent, sleeping bags, the rings, and lots of different grains of sandpaper — we set off. On the most beautiful summer’s day, after a swim in the lake, we sat down and shaped the rings exactly as we wished.
Handcrafted, natural, and full of meaning. We hope they’ll last. And if they don’t… well, we’ll always have this beautiful project together. (And psst… we secretly made two each).
Our house turned into a beautiful garden party. Fires were burning everywhere while our guests were guided on a treasure hunt through the houses and the garden. All around, small “food stations” were set up. The food was a mix of Belgian, Norwegian, and Dutch meals.
The idea behind the stations was that our guests wouldn’t sit still all evening, but instead move around the garden, meeting new people along the way. Just like the game we played: each guest received two little notes with a cryptic description of another person at the party. Throughout the evening, they had the chance to find each other.
Our biggest wish was to create a personal wedding with lots of interaction. And it worked — we received the most beautiful stories and created so many unforgettable memories!
