After receiving countless inquiries from couples around the world over the past months, we decided to create this luxury wedding planner interview Muriel Saldalamacchia format to address the most frequently asked questions about luxury destination wedding planning. With 17+ years of orchestrating extraordinary celebrations across Southern France, Lake Como, and Dubai, Muriel has built a reputation for transforming dreams into reality for international clientele with budgets ranging from €200,000 to €800,000+. This unique interview format compiles all the insider insights, planning philosophy, and expert advice that couples are most curious about when considering their destination wedding journey.
Let’s dive in with no shortcuts in this luxury wedding planner interview!
The Journey: From Passion to Luxury Wedding Planning Empire
Q: Muriel, let’s start from the beginning. What drew you to wedding planning, and how did The International Wedding Planner come to life?
Muriel: My journey began in 2008, though we officially launched operations in 2009 from our studio in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of love, culture, and celebration. What started as a passion for creating beautiful moments evolved into something much deeper – I realized I had a gift for understanding couples’ visions and translating them into reality, especially when those visions crossed cultural boundaries.
The “international” aspect wasn’t just a marketing choice; it became our signature. I’ve planned weddings with up to 11 different nationalities in attendance, and there’s something magical about watching families from different corners of the world come together to celebrate love.
Luxury Wedding Planner Interview Muriel Saldalamacchia: The Awards & Recognition
Q: Your accolades are impressive – three-time TOP 100 World Luxury Planners winner. How does this recognition impact your work?
Muriel: Being recognized as one of the Most Influential in the World in 2022, 2023 & 2024* is incredibly humbling. I have to say, this luxury wedding planner interview wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging that these awards reflect not just my work, but the incredible team and vendor relationships I’ve built since 2008. The recognition validates my approach and gives couples confidence that they’re working with a proven expert in luxury destination weddings. It’s wonderful when potential clients mention seeing the awards – it immediately establishes trust and credibility.
*Building 2025: hoping for a 4th award!
Exclusive Service: Why Only 10-12 Weddings Per Year?
Q: You limit yourself to just 10-12 weddings per year in Europe and 5-7 in Dubai. Why such exclusivity?
Muriel: Quality over quantity, always. Each wedding deserves my complete attention and creativity. When you’re orchestrating a three-day celebration for 200 guests with family flying in from multiple continents, every detail matters. This limitation allows me to be fully present for each couple – I’m not just their planner, I’m their guide, their confidante, and sometimes their cultural translator.
My clients often tell me I’m more than their wedding planner – I become their muse, helping them discover what they truly want for their celebration. That level of service is impossible when you’re juggling 50+ weddings a year.
International Clientele: Who Seeks Muriel’s Expertise?
Q: Speaking of your clients, who typically seeks out your services?
Muriel: About 70% of my clients are US-based couples, typically aged 30-40, with the remaining 20% from the UK and 10% from the Middle East. They’re sophisticated, well-traveled individuals who value experiences over things. They’re not just looking for a wedding; they’re seeking a transformative celebration that reflects their journey as a couple.
These are couples who jet-set across the globe, appreciate diverse cultural experiences, and understand that true luxury lies in personalization and attention to detail. They often have wedding budgets ranging from €200,000 to €800,000+, but more importantly, they share my vision for creating something truly extraordinary.
luxury wedding planner interview
The Planning Philosophy: Crafting Your Unique Love Story
Q: What’s your planning philosophy?
Muriel: I believe every wedding should tell a story – your story. My role isn’t to impose my vision but to uncover yours and bring it to life in ways you might never have imagined. I spend considerable time in the initial phases understanding not just what you want, but who you are as individuals and as a couple.
Nothing is too big of an ask. I’ve had couples change their wedding venue to a different country mid-planning, and we made it happen seamlessly. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial in this business, especially when you’re working with international clients across multiple time zones.
luxury wedding planner interview
Six-Phase Planning Process: From Vision to Reality
Q: Can you walk us through your planning process?
Muriel: Absolutely. We follow a structured six-phase approach that ensures nothing is overlooked:
- Phase 1: Initial Consultation – We begin with a detailed consultation to understand your vision, preferences, and requirements.
- Phase 2: Customized Offer & Budget – We craft a personalized project tailored to your expectations, budget, guest count, and wedding style. This process generally lasts 2 weeks, depending on your availability.
- Phase 3: Agreement and Deposit – Once you’re completely satisfied with our proposal, we formalize our partnership.
- Phase 4: Venue Selection – Based on your desires and our incredible knowledge, we curate a selection of stunning venues in the South of France, Lake Como, and Dubai for your consideration.
- Phase 5: Key Vendor Selection – This is where my 17+ years of relationships really shine, connecting you with the finest suppliers.
- Phase 6: Design and Aesthetic Collaboration – We love bringing your vision to life, but also create a unique one if you’re unsure about the style to choose for each of your wedding weekend.
The entire journey from first contact to contract typically takes about 28.5 days, with most couples booking 6-12 months in advance.
luxury wedding planner interview
Dubai Expansion: Bringing Luxury to the Middle East
Q: You’ve expanded to Dubai recently. What drew you there?
Muriel: Dubai represents the perfect intersection of luxury, international clientele, and year-round celebration opportunities. The city’s cosmopolitan nature aligns beautifully with my international approach. I’ve established strong vendor relationships there and can offer 5-7 exceptional weddings during the peak season from November to April.
What excites me most about Dubai is the opportunity to blend traditional Middle Eastern hospitality with contemporary luxury – it’s a planner’s dream canvas.
Prestigious Venues: Villa d’Este to French Riviera Gems
Q: Let’s talk about venues. You work with some incredible locations.
Muriel: I’ve been blessed to work with venues like Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Villa d’Este, Mandarin Oriental Lake Como, Villa Sola Cabiati, Le Beauvallon, and Château d’Estoublon. But it’s not just about prestige – it’s about finding the perfect backdrop for each couple’s story.
In Southern France, you have the rustic elegance of Provence, the glamour of the French Riviera, and everything in between. Lake Como offers that perfect blend of Italian romance and sophisticated luxury. Each destination brings its own character to the celebration.
Investment & Value: Understanding Luxury Wedding Costs
Q: What about the practical side – budgets, timelines, logistics?
Muriel: Transparency is key. My full-service planning starts at €17,800, which breaks down as follows:
- €13,700 for comprehensive wedding planning
- €4,100 for coordination by two of my trained planners on your wedding days
We require a €7,000 deposit to secure your date and begin the planning process.
For couples seeking something more intimate, our Elope With Allure packages range from €7,600 to €27,000+, with planning fees between €1,900 and €5,200. We also offer family staycation planning starting at €4,500+ and have just launched The Planning Muse consultancy for couples who prefer to self-plan with expert guidance.
Expert Team: The Academy-Trained Coordination Specialists
Q: You mention working with a team. Tell us about that.
Muriel: I work with five incredible freelancers, all graduates of my wedding planning academy. They handle coordination while I focus on the creative vision and client relationships. This structure ensures consistency in our approach while allowing me to maintain that personal connection with each couple.
Every team member understands our standards and philosophy. When you book with us, you’re getting a cohesive team, not just me with random assistants. I’m always available via WhatsApp at +33 607 410 117.
Vendor Relationships: 15 Years of Curated Excellence
Q: What’s your approach to vendor relationships?
Muriel: Relationships are everything in this industry. I’ve spent 15 years building a network of vendors who share my commitment to excellence. I look for responsiveness, quality, reliability, and most importantly, respect – for the couple, for the process, and for the celebration itself.
We work on a commission structure with vendors, typically 5-10%, which allows us to negotiate better rates for our clients while maintaining those crucial relationships. Every vendor must carry professional RCPro insurance, and we maintain strict communication protocols with 2-hour response times during business hours.
Wedding Day Mastery: Stress-Free Celebration Management
Q: How do you handle the stress and pressure of wedding day coordination?
Muriel: Preparation is everything. By the wedding day, we’ve anticipated every possible scenario and have contingency plans in place. I maintain a three-tier crisis management system, and my team knows exactly how to handle any situation.
But honestly, when you’ve done the groundwork properly, wedding days flow beautifully. I’m there to ensure every detail is perfect, but also to be the calm, confident presence that allows couples to truly enjoy their celebration.
Current Trends: Multi-Day Celebrations & Cultural Integration
Q: What trends are you seeing in luxury destination weddings?
Muriel: Multi-day celebrations are becoming the norm rather than the exception – 100% of my clients now book welcome dinners or rehearsal dinners. Couples want to create an experience, not just an event.
There’s also a growing desire for authentic cultural integration. Couples aren’t just choosing destinations for their beauty; they want to incorporate local traditions, cuisine, and artisans into their celebrations.
Privacy and exclusivity are increasingly important too. Couples want venues where they can truly be themselves without worrying about outside interference.
The Planning Muse: Democratizing Wedding Planning Expertise
Q: You’ve recently launched The Planning Muse. What inspired this new service?
Muriel: I realized there was a gap in the market for couples who want expert guidance but prefer to handle the execution themselves. The Planning Muse offers four tiers of consultancy:
- Quick Muse Consultation: €380
- Muse Essentials: €980
- Muse Intensive VIP Day: €2,580
- Muse Mentorship: €4,980
It’s about democratizing access to professional wedding planning expertise while maintaining the high standards our brand is known for.
Beyond Weddings: Anniversary Programs & Corporate Events
Q: What’s next for The International Wedding Planner?
Muriel: We’re launching our Anniversary Celebration Program in June, offering couples the chance to recreate that wedding magic for milestone celebrations with three tiers:
- Intimate Luxury
- Weekend Getaway
- Anniversary Event
We’re also expanding into corporate events and luxury family experiences. The goal remains the same: creating extraordinary celebrations that exceed expectations and create lasting memories.
Expert Advice: Essential Tips for Future Brides
Q: Any advice for couples beginning their wedding planning journey?
Muriel: Start with your vision, not your Pinterest board. Understand what you want to feel on your wedding day, what experience you want to create for your guests, and what story you want your celebration to tell. The details will follow.
Also, invest in the right team. Your wedding planner should be someone who gets you, who shares your vision, and who has the experience to execute it flawlessly. Don’t choose based on price alone – choose based on connection and capability.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of what you do?
Muriel: Those moments when everything comes together – when I see a couple’s faces as they walk into their reception for the first time, or when family members from different cultures are laughing together at the welcome dinner. I’m not just planning weddings; I’m facilitating connections, creating memories, and sometimes even healing family relationships.
I recently had a client tell me I was more than their wedding planner – I was their guide and muse. That’s the impact I strive for with every couple.
This luxury wedding planner interview Muriel Saldalamacchia reveals why she's become the go-to expert for couples seeking extraordinary celebrations in France, Italy, and Dubai. With 17+ years of experience and international recognition, Muriel continues to set the standard for luxury destination wedding planning.
