Iris & Alex - A Wedding That Unfolded Through the City

This wedding took place at the Gemeente Amsterdam on the Amstel, and it was one of those days where the city itself quietly became part of the ceremony.

The day started in the city center, at the couple’s home. Getting ready together, family nearby, conversations moving in and out of rooms. Nothing rushed. Nothing staged. From the beginning, it was clear that this wedding would be about moving through the day as it came, rather than stopping it for formal moments.

Instead of doing portraits before the ceremony in a fixed location, we walked. From the house, through the canals, towards the Amstel. Family joined at first, then slowly the couple decided to fall behind. At one point, it started to drizzle. Just enough rain to bring out umbrellas, reflections on the pavement, and a different rhythm to the walk. Summer clothes, light rain, quiet laughter. The groom held the umbrella. I stayed close, photographing as things unfolded.

On the way, they stopped at a bakery. A practical pause before the ceremony. The bride wanted a few photos there, so we stayed a little longer, then continued walking. These are the kinds of moments that don’t always appear in wedding timelines, but they often become the most meaningful memories.

The ceremony itself took place in the main room at the Gemeente Amsterdam on the Amstel. At the time, the room still had the rotating table, something that no longer exists there. The ceremony lasted around forty minutes and felt grounded and warm. I photographed quietly from the sides, including the moment the registrar signed the documents. A small detail, but one that anchors the day in reality.

After the ceremony, we stepped directly onto a boat waiting outside. The toast happened on the water, navigating through the canals towards the city center. Family gathered, glasses raised, the city passing slowly around us. From the boat, we arrived at Damrak.

From there, we continued on foot. A group photo in front of the Berlage building, at the door facing the canal, and then inside for the reception. Everything remained connected. No hard transitions. Just one part of the day leading naturally into the next.

My coverage ended with the cake being cut inside the Beurs van Berlage building. The party continued, but my role finished there. By then, the day already felt complete. Intimate, full, and honest. Around 25 to 30 guests, but the atmosphere stayed close and personal. Family introduced me to one another, conversations overlapped, and the couple stayed present throughout.

This wedding reminded me why I love photographing days that move through the city. Walking instead of posing. Pausing when needed. Letting weather, people, and place shape the story. Amsterdam did not act as a backdrop here. It participated. And sometimes, that makes all the difference.

Until next time in Amsterdam,

Joanna

Your Photographer in Amsterdam