Kate + Arthur’s long-distance love story started in Las Vegas of all places. This international couple was introduced by a colleague and fell hard for each other despite the fact that Kate called San Francisco home while Arthur was based across a continent AND an ocean in Belgium.

The heart wants what the heart wants, though! After a courtship that included plenty of travel and time difference math, Kate packed up and moved to Belgium to be with Arthur, and the rest is history.

When it came to wedding planning, these two wanted to honor the effort many of their guests had made to travel to Antwerp for the festivities, so they made an entire weekend of it!

Kate, a designer herself and the mind behind Analogue Archives, collaborated with Arthur and with planners from Wonder Weddings to orchestrate a string of beautiful events that celebrated their love all over the Belgian port city. Everything culminated in a ceremony and reception at the architectural marvel that is The Royal Atheneum, a school founded by Napoleon himself during the French occupation of Belgium in the early 1800’s.

Photographer Leentja Loves Light was there capturing it all—even the couple’s motorcycle ride through the historic city!! Let’s take a peek!!

These stunning invitations were designed by friend of the couple Annie Clark and illustrated by Arthur’s sister Merel Eyckerman. The beech leaves are a nod to Kate + Arthur’s historic home which is named Het Beukenhof (The Beech House) because of the beech trees that fill the property.

On Friday…

City Hall

First order of business for Kate + Arthur was to make it official in a civil ceremony that took place at the local Stadhuis, or city hall. Kate rocked the Cotton Candy Sheer Midi Dress in cream from Chicwish.

Take a look at some of our fave city hall and elopement bridal looks if you’re thinking of tying the knot civil-ceremony-style.

You know we love a billowy veil pic!!

After their moment at city hall, Kate + Arthur hopped on their restored vintage BMW motorcycle and zoomed through the streets of Antwerp.

An Outdoor Celebration

Kate + Arthur wrapped up the first day of their wedding weekend with a garden party at their home, Het Beukenhof. These yummy specialty cocktails were made with apples from Arthur’s parents’ apple grove, and the labels were illustrated by Arthur’s super talented sister Merel Eyckerman, just like the invites!

Food trucks from Boxel & Butlers served up delicious dinnertime options…including these Belgian fries 😍

On Saturday…

The First Look

Okay, cue the waterworks. Kate + Arthur chose to start Saturday off with a first look at the beautiful Antwerp Centraal train station because it was the sight of so many joyful reunions and tearful goodbyes during the long-distance portion of their relationship.

Arthur had a tradition of bringing Kate cream-colored roses when he met her at the train station. On top of that, it’s Belgian custom for the groom to present the bride with her bouquet, so Arthur got to bring things full-circle by meeting Kate at the station with flowers like he always used to do.

Speaking of flowers! Florist Stek filled the day with pinks and muted autumnal tones that added so much moody romance to this October wedding.

While home in the US for Christmas, Kate’s said ‘yes’ to a lacy strapless BHLDN gown from Anthropologie Weddings. When she got back to Antwerp she realized she wasn’t quite as sold on that gown anymore. It needed something. So she enlisted the help of De Rode Schaar to create a sheer tulle overlay with lace sleeves she’d been envisioning. The resulting combination is this absolute stunner of a one-of-a-kind wedding dress!!

Arthur’s chic light khaki suit is by Café Costume. Take a look at this one from Indochino if you’re loving his look.

The Ceremony

Beech leaves from Het Beukenhof were worked into the day’s florals as yet another lovely tribute to the couple’s home and its beech trees.

The ceremony took place on the playground at the Royal Atheneum which is still a school in addition to being a masterpiece of a building. (Look closely and you might spy a soccer goal!)

Just have to give a nod to Kate’s excellent pale pink wedding day mani. Check out some of our favorite bridal nail looks if you need more inspo.

We can’t get enough of Kate’s relaxed-yet-intricate updo. Add it to the list of inspiring wedding hairstyles!

This confetti cannon full of streamers was a total surprise!!

The Reception

The amazing Italian meal catered by Francesco & Julia was an homage to the fact that Kate + Arthur got engaged in Italy.

The Royal Atheneum‘s stunning great hall, also known as the Athena Room, was put to good use for Kate + Arthur’s reception.

Ikebana-style arrangements added delicate floral details to each table while tall floral installations created WOW moments throughout the space.

WonderRentals outfitted the reception’s banquet tables with taper candles in different autumnal neutrals and simple, elegant dinnerware and glassware. And talk about cohesive!! The napkins were custom made for the day and cut from the same fabric used to wrap the stems of the bridal bouquet.

The light!! This tablescape still life that looks like an old-world oil painting.

This breathtaking great hall was devastated by a fire in the early 2000’s that left behind plenty of damage, but after the space was restored elements of the fire’s damage have become part of its dramatic, moody charm.