Music, hail and love; Ton and Gesina say yes  :)

Not every couple gets the chance to get married because of their living conditions, such as poverty, addictions or homelessness. Today they do.  

It is a rainy day in Amsterdam, with drops slowly sliding down the gutters and leaving circles in the canal. The facade of the building on Herengracht is cheerfully decorated with coloured balloons. Inside, guests can be heard greeting each other. Today’s bride and groom – Gesina and Ton – take refuge for a while in the Gelagkamer, an authentic room with the charm of a bygone century. ‘’Are we going arm in arm?’ asks Gesina nervously to her best friend. ‘’We should listen carefully to the music and walk slowly, just quietly,‘’ the two deliberate gently. The groom, dressed in a black suit with a beige bow tie, seems calmer. While taking the wedding photos, he briefly tunes his trumpet. Meanwhile, the last guests trickle into the glass greenhouse, where the wedding will soon take place. Most come in jeans and a thick jumper, a few in a three-piece suit. The final preparations are being made. The choir members bend over the musical notes intently, their fingers sometimes moving with the lines, the live painter lays out her brushes neatly in front of her. After the final soundcheck, everyone is ready. The ceremony is about to begin. 

 


The wedding was organised by Let Love Rule, a collaboration between Serve the City and festival The Spirit of Amsterdam. ,,The initiative started at The Spirit of Amsterdam, which thought it was a great idea to let two couples – who don’t have the opportunity themselves – get married,‘’ says Brigitte Vonck-Makkinje, founder of Serve the City. ‘’This couple had not been able to organise a wedding themselves, and in this way we can make a difference. These people also want to celebrate love, together with their loved ones and on a par with society, although this wedding – with a free hotel stay and a boat trip on the canals – is quite elaborate,‘Vonck-Makkinje laughs. 

Gesina and Ton are both musicians with the Straatklinkers, Amsterdam’s homeless choir. ‘’The groom has had a life full of bumps. He was injured in the army and can no longer walk properly with his one leg. Besides PTSD, he also struggles with a brain tumour. His life has not always been about roses.‘ 


The entire wedding is organised by volunteers. ‘’We get to use the space for free, get a donated cake and half the bubbles are free,‘’ Vonck-Makkinje continued. ‘’I believe that when you do something for another, something happens in your heart. By looking at the world in this way, you step beyond your judgement. That’s special; you don’t come into contact with these people otherwise.‘’ 

Loud cheers are heard as the bride walks into the greenhouse. People jump up from their seats and stare wide-eyed at her wedding dress. As agreed earlier, the bride quietly walks towards the altar, where her future husband is ready. Gesina fills up at the sight of all her loved ones. ‘’I want to thank everyone who made this day possible, also thank God, who is always watching over us.‘’ The official tells of their first meeting in café Het Monumentje, where their shared passion for music soon proved to be the connecting factor.  


Meanwhile, the raindrops turn into small hailstones crackling on the greenhouse. Yet there is one sound that will dominate later, Gesina closes her eyes and starts singing. Ton blows at the top of his lungs on his instrument. The guests – most of whom belong to the Street Vowels – also sing along merrily. But before the party erupts, it goes silent once more for that one question.

‘What is your answer to that?’ 🙂

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