If our clients dream of eloping to an incredible destination like Paris, complete with unforgettable cuisine, beautiful floral arrangements, and a violinist playing music exclusively for the two of them, we’ll make that happen ! It’s their day, so we make sure to personalise it to reflect their unique vision…”
Amanda Novena, Founder, Amanda Novena Weddings
Amanda Novena is the Creative Director and Principal Planner of Amanda Novena Weddings, a luxury boutique wedding planning and design company specialising in weddings both locally in New York City and in destinations around the world. In this discussion, we explore the process she takes her clients through and her favourite wedding locations worldwide…
C&B: “Amanda, we love your stunning Valentine’s imagery shot at Le Meurice in Paris, one of our favourite European palace hotels! Can you tell us what initially drew you to the field of wedding and event planning as a career?”
AN: “My passion for event planning has been a lifelong journey, sparked by the excitement of my own 10th birthday party. The art of discovering the ideal location and harmonising it with exceptional vendors – caterers, musicians, decorators, photographers, and more – has always been a source of immense joy for me. Crafting these unforgettable moments for couples and clients is truly the most rewarding experience. While I relish the opportunity to create these experiences globally, New York City and Paris hold a special place in my heart. Their historic venues and wealth of creative talent provide an endless source of inspiration…”
Crafting an event that authentically reflects my couples’ love story is my greatest passion. To achieve this, I invest time in understanding each couple’s personalities, preferences, and dislikes; this allows me to create a personalised design and select the perfect vendors for their wedding or special event. An intimate celebration, such as an elopement, can be both elegant and filled with surprising WOW! moments. Ultimately, it’s about creating whatever experience the couple desires.
Amanda Novena, Founder, Amanda Novena Weddings
C&B: “We entirely agree – both cities have the most fantastic venues for special events. How do you tailor your services to cater to the unique needs of clients planning weddings, proposals, and elopements on an international scale?”
AN: “I pride myself on creating bespoke events that are tailored to the unique needs and desires of each client. To achieve this, I invest time in getting to know my clients personally and understand their vision for their special day. For destination weddings, I delve into additional considerations, such as crafting a memorable experience for the guests as they travel. I also ensure that I have additional support in place at the destination, including a local contact who speaks the language and can provide on-the-ground assistance before we arrive…”
C&B: “Staying in NYC for just a moment, what ways do you incorporate the cultural and architectural essence of this amazing city into the events you plan?”
AN: “New York City’s vibrant culture and stunning architecture provide endless inspiration for my event planning. My design philosophy centers on enhancing a venue’s existing beauty and incorporating elements that reflect my clients’ vision. The venue often holds deep personal significance, and my goal is always to elevate the experience without overshadowing the space itself…”
Streamlining our planning process with digital tools allows us to maintain organization and transparency. By tracking all aspects of the wedding digitally, both our team and clients can access and view updates in real time. This includes everything from monthly checklists and budgets to timelines and designs…”
Amanda Novena, Founder, Amanda Novena Weddings
C&B: “Could you describe the process you follow when designing a bespoke wedding experience for a couple?”
AN: “My approach to the wedding begins with a personalised design workbook for my couples. Through questions about their preferred colours and flowers, as well as their personal style at home or favourite travel destinations, I gain insight into both their wedding vision and their individual aesthetic. This allows me to seamlessly integrate the two into a cohesive design. From there, I develop a mood board and then a comprehensive deck outlining all elements of their wedding weekend, from the rehearsal dinner to any additional events, such as a post-wedding boat ride…”
C&B: “What are some of the most rewarding aspects of planning proposals and elopements, compared to traditional weddings?”
AN: “It’s truly an honour to be a part of such a significant moment in my couple’s lives. The beginning of a proposal and the intimacy of an elopement are both incredibly special, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to create these precious memories for my clients. I understand the importance of finding the perfect location and designing them to suit them as a couple!”
C&B: “How do you handle the logistics and challenges of organising destination weddings, given the varied legal and cultural considerations?”
AN: “When planning a destination wedding, it’s crucial to invest time in understanding the chosen destination. This involves familiarising myself with the local rules and laws, as well as learning how to communicate effectively and respectfully within the cultural context of the city or country concerned. Additionally, I find it incredibly valuable to connect with local individuals who live and work in the area and are interested in joining the team for the event. Their knowledge and expertise can be invaluable in ensuring a successful and authentic experience…”
C&B: “Yes, it’s crucial to have that insider knowledge of a location! What trends in luxury wedding and event planning do you foresee becoming prominent in the next few years?”
AN: “Trends I see being prominent in the next few years for the luxury wedding market are to find a unique and extravagant destination location with a multi-day celebration full of events, custom attire for the couple, lavish but intentional florals and candles, unique and experiential cuisine and unforgettable party favours…”
C&B: “How does Amanda Nova Weddings maintain a balance between offering the clients innovative ideas while respecting traditional aspects they also wish to incorporate?”
AN: “I believe that every wedding should be a unique reflection of the couple’s personalities and desires. Once I have the opportunity to get to know my clients and understand their vision, I’m excited to suggest innovative ideas that can be seamlessly integrated into their special day. My goal is to create a personalised celebration that honours their traditions while incorporating creative elements that make their wedding truly one-of-a-kind.”
C&B: “Finally, Amanda, of all the wedding locations you’ve researched around the world, which do you believe are the most romantic?”
AN: “My favourite romantic hotels and venues include The Plaza in NYC; Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York; Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris; the Shangri-la Paris; Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat in the South of France; Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como, Italy; the Splendido in Portofino; the Santa Marina in Mykonos; the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort in Spain and, finally, the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – each of them provides such an unforgettable experience!”
CONTACT: http://www.amandanovenaweddings.com
PHOTO & VIDEO CREDITS: CHRIS JORIANN • AUDE LUCAS • PIERRE F ROGER FILMS • SIOBHAN STANTON PHOTOGRAPHY • FRED MARCUS STUDIO • AMY MULDER PHOTOGRAPHY
