With a focus on detail, creativity, and luxury, AMK designs experiences that are as unique as our clients – from intimate marriage proposals to grand wedding celebrations in dream destinations…”
Alexandra Marton-Krenek, Founder, AMK Weddings & Events
Alexandra Marton-Krenek is the founder and CEO of AMK Weddings & Events, a boutique event planning agency based in Vienna, specialising in crafting personalised events worldwide. Together with her equally talented sister, the team focuses on staging events in Austria and Romania, their two home countries. Together, Andreea and Alexandra bring to life their shared passion for creating moments of joy and connection. Here we discuss the design philosophy of AMK and all that goes into staging a very special occasion…
C&B: “Alexandra, could you describe the design philosophy of AMK when it comes to creating memorable events and weddings and how it develops with each couple?”
AMK: “Our design philosophy is rooted in creating personal, one-of-a-kind experiences. At AMK, we begin by immersing ourselves in our clients’ stories – their journey, values, and dreams. From this foundation, we create a narrative that flows into every detail of the event, making it feel authentic and emotionally resonant. We look beyond aesthetics, focusing on creating a comprehensive event concept that reflects their story and offers an amazing guest experience…”
C&B: “You live in a part of the world that has many outstanding venues and a strong and very unique culture; which elements from Austrian and Romanian traditions do you generally incorporate into your event planning?”
AMK: “At AMK, music is often at the heart of our cultural fusion; Austria’s classical symphonies, born from legends like Mozart, blend seamlessly with Romania’s rich folkloric heritage. We bring these traditions to life in bespoke ways, such as a violinist playing Strauss during cocktail hour or a Romanian hora dance during the reception.We treat traditions as guides, not constraints, and we harmoniously integrate them into modern celebrations. With Romanian roots and an Austrian base, we understand diverse cultures and our priority is crafting events where everyone feels seen, heard, and celebrated…”
C&B: “That sounds incredibly atmospheric! Which are the most outstanding venues that you suggest to your clients?”
AMK: “Vienna has a variety of stunning venues! Iconic palaces like ‘Belvedere Palace’ and ‘Palais Liechtenstein’ offer historic elegance with grand architecture and lush gardens. For a luxurious imperial touch, ‘Hotel Sacher’ and ‘Hotel Imperial’ provide exceptional service and timeless Viennese sophistication. One of our favorite locations for an outdoor proposal is the Albertina Terrace, with views of the Vienna State Opera. For indoor settings, venues like the Belvedere and Albertina museums provide an unforgettable experience. An intimate setting with beautiful tropical baroque décor that we love to suggest to our proposal clients is Vienna Picnics Studio, a private luxury picnic studio set in the heart of Vienna´s historical 18th district…”
C&B: “Wow – this is the first we’re hearing about some of these incredible locations! Can you share a particularly memorable event you’ve planned in the area that highlights your design expertise?”
AMK: “One particularly memorable event was a wedding we organised for a Romanian couple living in Vienna. We brought the elegance of Viennese aesthetics to a grand baroque ballroom in Romania, drawing inspiration from the charm of Vienna’s iconic balls. The design featured elegant table settings, an opulent sweet table and a rich colour palette of red, gold, ivory and black that evoked the imperial beauty of Vienna. To honour the couple’s Romanian heritage, we incorporated traditional elements from their hometowns, including traditional drinks, Romanian folklore dancers and traditional music from parts of the country that hold significance to the couple. This harmonious blend created a celebration that was both unique, meaningful and reflecting of the couple’s shared story and cultural roots…”
Many of our brides love elegant, modern designers like Eva Lendel for romantic yet contemporary styles, along with Berta, Galia Lahav, Said Kobeisy, and Pronovias. For our Romanian brides, custom creations by renowned Romanian designers such as Otilia Brailoiu, Rhea Costa, Natalia Vasiliev, and Ersa Atelier are popular, offering a beautiful mix of tradition and modernity with intricate craftsmanship and cultural touches…”
Alexandra Marton-Krenek, Founder, AMK Weddings & Events
C&B: “The depth of detail you go into is amazing. Do you ever encounter challenges when planning events in these different cultural contexts?”
AMK: “At AMK, we thrive on embracing cultural diversity while planning events worldwide. Challenges often arise when balancing distinct traditions or managing emotions during high-stress moments. Andreea’s expertise as a psychologist is invaluable, helping not only couples but also our team navigate emotions with empathy and resilience. Speaking five languages and being seasoned travellers gives us a deep understanding of cultural nuances. Logistical hurdles? Due to my extensive background in logistics and our experience in planning events in different countries, we’ve mastered contingency plans and leverage our RSVP network for global vendor connections. With family at our core, we focus on harmony, ensuring every event is seamless and joyful…”
C&B: “Tradition obviously plays a major role in the events you plan; however, do you ever find yourself needing to incorporate more contemporary themes into the wedding or event design?”
AMK: “Yes, we rely on Bridal magazines, national and international fairs, along with our memberships in RSVP and Colibri Club by Nadine Metgenberg that give us insight into current trends, both Austrian and Romanian, as well as global ones. However, the cornerstone of our philosophy is tailoring every detail to the client. Trends are valuable for inspiration, but we never impose them. Instead, we maintain our focus on understanding the couple’s personal style and vision, ensuring that their event looks and feels authentically theirs…”
C&B: “Still on the theme of cultural and global influences, what role does sustainability play in your event planning and design practices?”
AMK: “We believe luxury can coexist with sustainability and have taken steps to integrate eco-friendly practices into our business. This includes operating a paperless office, reducing the carbon footprint of our events, reducing waste – for example, by reusing flowers or donating them to hospitals and retirement homes after an event. We prioritise working with local vendors to reduce transportation emissions and offer sustainable alternatives to meet the needs of eco-conscious clients, especially Gen Z. While there’s more to be done, we’re proud to create beautiful events that align with our commitment to the planet!”
C&B: “How do you manage the ever-so-important vendor relationships to ensure a seamless experience for your clients?”
AMK: “We treat vendor relationships as a cornerstone of flawless event execution. We build long-term partnerships with trusted vendors worldwide, ensuring they align with our commitment to quality and excellence. Our RSVP community membership also connects us with top-tier global vendors, ensuring access to the best resources for any wedding or event destination. Each vendor is vetted for professionalism, creativity, and reliability, and we maintain open communication through continuous feedback, detailed timelines, clear contracts, and regular updates. Our approach is collaborative: we provide vendors with creative briefs, hold pre-event walkthroughs, and ensure they understand their role in the bigger picture. By staying proactive – with backup plans and troubleshooting on the spot – we eliminate potential disruptions, guaranteeing our clients a smooth experience…”
C&B: “What’s the best advice you can offer couples who are in the early stages of planning their wedding?”
AMK: “Our journey with couples often begins with proposals and continues through weddings, baptisms, and beyond. From this privileged perspective, our advice is: choose someone you trust to guide you – a planner who resonates with your personality, understands your needs, and prioritises your vision. Building this relationship creates a safe space where you can feel heard and supported throughout every milestone. The right planner will not only create an event but will curate a personal and stress-free journey for you and your loved ones…”
C&B: “How do you balance creativity with practicality when designing an event?”
AMK: “Balancing creativity with practicality is very important when we create an event. We start by understanding our clients’ vision, on which we then base the event concept, and subsequently translate into an action plan. With careful attention to budget, timelines, and logistics, we collaborate with trusted vendors to ensure every detail enhances the experience without compromising comfort or functionality. Our goal is an event that’s both visually stunning and well executed, where the guest experience flows seamlessly…”
C&B: “What is your personal vision for the future of event design and wedding planning in Austria and Romania?”
AMK: “I believe in the future couples will seek personalised celebrations that honour their unique stories and cultural roots, while embracing sustainable luxury. Cutting-edge, innovative design and AI-based technology will greatly influence the future of our industry. I think Austria will shine with eco-conscious practices and locally sourced products, while Romania will beautifully fuse traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics and the latest technology. At the heart of it all, the focus will be on meaningful details and an experience that embraces the changing interests of our clients and the world they live in!”
CONTACT: http://www.amkweddings.com
PHOTO CREDITS:
FELIX ABRUDAN, IMAGOGESTALTER • SEBASTIAN HOCHLEITNER – RECORD17PRODUCTIONS • EMILIO BADOLATI PICTURES • RAIANN PHOTOGRAPHY
