I’m really proud of our deeply personal and design-led approach; our style is romantic, polished, culturally fluent, and always ‘client-centered.’ I have a background in hospitality, having trained as a sous chef and sommelier before running events for a private bank and a UHNW members’ club in Mayfair. Therefore, luxury service, food, and wine always sit at the heart of our work at AFTR!”
Gabriela Olukoya, Founder, A Flair To Remember Events
Gabriella ‘Gabby’ Olukoya is founder of A Flair To Remember Events (AFTR), based in Virginia Water, Surrey, England. Her clients are affluent families from around the globe including Europe, North Africa and beyond. A Flair To Remember Events specialises in bespoke, unique, authentic events and destination weddings. Here we discuss venues, locations, and Gabby’s motivation…
C&B: “Gabby, you have a very impressive background in hospitality; what first inspired you to specialise in wedding planning?”
GO: “At my core, I’ve always been a romantic. I’m a sucker for a great love story, and my inspiration is also deeply rooted in a trio of passions: travel, incredible food, and the art of hospitality. Before I became an event planner, I grew up in a home where food and laughter equaled love, and a family gathering could transform an ordinary week into a lasting memory. I also trained in Biarritz, France, as a sous chef, learning to appreciate the little details, such as quality organic ingredients and presentation. Subsequently, I ran events in one of London’s largest private banks and later at a Mayfair private members’ club. For me, weddings became the perfect intersection to weave my passions and practice into one. A destination wedding isn’t just about a beautiful backdrop; it is a sensory journey that encompasses the taste of locally sourced wines, music, centuries-old villas, and vibrant culture. I aim to create holistic experiences of real adventure and a collection of memories that extend far beyond the traditional “I do…”
Lake Como is one of those places that captures my heart and imagination. The first time I stood on a Como terrace was at a friend’s wedding, and I thought, ‘Gosh! Paradise on earth.’ Como possesses an ethereal romance that you can feel immediately upon arrival, and my hospitality background appreciates that! Italy allows us to weave incredible food and wine into the experiences without it ever feeling fussy…”
Gabriela Olukoya, Founder, A Flair To Remember Events
C&B: “Clearly locations are very important to you – which are your favourites for a wedding or other special occasion?”
GO: “That’s like asking a parent to choose a favourite child! Each location offers its own unique soul. However, France and Switzerland currently hold a very special place in my heart. France, having trained and lived there and explored its many cities, allows me to say that nowhere captures romance quite like France does. There’s an undeniable sense of history and timeless elegance that surrounds you the moment you set foot on the grounds of a French château. It’s the entire aura. For me, France is always both grand and deeply intimate at the same time.”
“Then there’s Switzerland, a destination that truly took my breath away. I had the privilege of exploring this stunning country during a seven-day ultra-luxury experience organized by Swiss Tourism, alongside a select group of wedding planners from around the world. It left an unforgettable impression. In my view, it remains one of the most hidden gems in the world of destination weddings. Its natural beauty, sophistication, and exclusivity are truly world-class. For me, the majestic snow-dusted peaks and crisp mountain air were dramatic. Switzerland offers a sense of purity and grandeur that is completely different from the sun-warmed romance of Italy or France, but just as compelling.”
“However, I also adore the Athens Riviera for its luminous evenings, Marrakech for its colour and craft, and a handful of grand hotels in London; my bias will always be toward places where hospitality is a language, not a performance.”
We believe a wedding is more than a day; it’s the first page of a couple’s and two families’ greatest chapter together. Our philosophy is that the celebration should be as meaningful and extraordinary as the story it represents.”
Gabriela Olukoya, Founder, A Flair To Remember Events
C&B: “Can you share a favourite moment from a wedding you planned in a stunning location that you feel truly captured the essence of love?”
GO: “There are so many! But one that always comes to mind is an intimate two-day wedding we created at Lake Como. We had 30 guests, which allowed for a truly personal and heartfelt celebration. It was a blending of traditions and two very outspoken families, and we poured so much love into delivering each family’s wishes and the little details. The vows were read over a terrace overlooking the lake as the sun set. What made it special was the laughter and joyful tears from both families. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, including my own! Both families had been through a rollercoaster of events leading to the wedding. I couldn’t divulge for confidentiality reasons, but the vows that day were a powerful, unfiltered expression of their journey and their commitment. That raw, palpable love story is the very essence of why I do this.”
C&B: “What advice would you give to couples planning a destination wedding to ensure they have the best experience?”
GO: “My advice boils down to two fundamental elements: Trust and Clarity. First, you must trust your planner. Planning a wedding from afar requires a huge leap of faith, and it’s our job to earn that trust. Choose someone whose work and ethos resonate with you and allow them to guide you. Let go of the need to control every single detail. Your role is to be the star of your story, not the director of the production. When you trust your planner, you free yourself up to be present and actually enjoy the entire process, from the planning stages to the last dance.”
“Secondly, have clarity, not just on colours or flowers, but on how you want your wedding to feel. Sit down together, away from Pinterest and magazines, and talk about the atmosphere you wish to create. Do you want it to feel like a vibrant, energetic party, or a relaxed, intimate family gathering? When you are clear on the emotions you wish to evoke, every decision that follows becomes easier. That clarity is the guiding star for your planner to build an experience that is a true reflection of your dream event.”
The wedding day itself should feel like an exhale for the couple. The key is to create a bubble of calm for them, starting from the moment they wake. We get to know our couples so well that by the wedding day, we know their favourite coffee, the music that soothes them, and their love language…”
Gabriela Olukoya, Founder, A Flair To Remember Events
C&B: “What do you find most challenging about planning overseas events?”
GO: “The logistics can certainly be complex, but I would say the biggest challenges are often rooted in communication and culture. You are not just dealing with a language barrier; you are navigating different cultural approaches to time, business, and deadlines. The wonderfully relaxed ‘domani’ (tomorrow) attitude in some parts of Italy, for instance, requires a very different approach than the clockwork precision you might find in Switzerland. It is a dance with people. To navigate this, we have built an incredible network of trusted local partners over the years. We do not just hire local suppliers; we cultivate deep relationships with them. They become our eyes and ears on the ground. They understand the local landscape in a way we never could from afar, and that collaboration is absolutely crucial. They are an extension of our team, and having that trusted, on-the-ground presence turns a potential challenge into a creative advantage.”
C&B: “How do you create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for couples during their wedding day, particularly in such vibrant settings?”
GO: “The wedding day itself should feel like an exhale for the couple. The key is to create a bubble of calm for them, starting from the moment they wake. We get to know our couples so well that by the wedding day, we know their favourite coffee, the music that soothes them, and their love language. My role on the day is to be a serene presence for them, but a logistical powerhouse behind the scenes. I often use the analogy of a swan: gliding gracefully on the surface but paddling furiously underneath the water.”
C&B: “What would you say is the most satisfying aspect of being a destination wedding planner?”
GO: “Without a doubt, it is the moment at the end of the night, after the final song has played and the guests are happily drifting off. The couple will find me, and often, with tears in their eyes, they will give me a hug and say ‘thank you.’ That hug, that heartfelt expression of gratitude, holds the weight of months of planning and dreaming. Knowing that we did not just execute an event, but that we created a core memory for them and their families, is the most fulfilling feeling in the world. Beyond that, it is the beautiful human connections and the creative family of suppliers we forge across the globe.”
CONTACT: http://www.aflairtoremember.co.uk
