I personalise weddings by taking the time to truly understand each couple’s love story, personalities, and vision. Through thoughtful conversations, I incorporate meaningful details – whether it’s a a custom ceremony script, personalised vows, or unique décor elements that reflect their journey together. From selecting symbolic colors and cultural traditions to curating music and experiences that resonate with them, every detail is tailored to make their wedding a true reflection of their love. My goal is to create a celebration that feels authentic, unforgettable, and uniquely theirs…”
Michaela Grote, ÈCLAT Destination Weddings
Michaela Grote is the owner and creative director of ÈCLAT Destination Weddings. Her agency caters to international couples seeking a stress-free, impeccably organised celebration with a focus on sophisticated aesthetics and refined style. Her full-service luxury destination wedding agency is based in Vienna, Austria, and specialises in creating unforgettable weddings in the most beautiful locations across Europe. Here we discuss all the finer details that go into designing a major wedding and how Michaela approaches the planning…
C&B: “Michaela, your work is incredible – we’d describe it as ‘regal’ and ‘immaculate’; you evidently provide an elite service to your clients. Can you share your journey into the world of wedding planning and what first inspired you to pursue a career in this field?”
MG: “With family and friends, I’ve always been known as the ‘organised’ one – someone who loves paying attention to every detail and enjoys planning everything to perfection. These qualities have always been a natural part of who I am, however my true inspiration for pursuing a career in wedding planning began with a deeply personal moment in 2013: the birth of my daughter. Growing up with my mother, I experienced an upbringing filled with immense love and support. My mum was a hardworking woman who balanced her job and her own business while giving me everything I could ever need. However, we never celebrated birthdays or had special events – no cakes, no parties. It wasn’t because she didn’t want to; she simply didn’t have the time. When my daughter was born, I felt an overwhelming desire to give her everything I had missed; I wanted her to feel the joy and magic of celebrations that I never got to experience as a child. Her birthdays became my creative outlet – each one more stunning and memorable than the last. That’s when I realised my passion. It became even clearer when one of my best friends asked me to plan her wedding. I dived in headfirst, started organising and planning and exploring my creative vision – I haven’t stopped since!”
C&B: “That’s a fascinating insight! How do you incorporate your cultural heritage and Austria’s unique elements into the weddings you plan, especially for international clients?”
MG: “The journey begins with selecting the perfect venue – one that breathes the history of the Austrian Empire. Beautiful and elegant heritage rooms, adorned with intricate decor and steeped in stories of the past, set the tone for an unforgettable celebration. These venues not only offer stunning backdrops but also invite guests to step into a world of grandeur and tradition with all their paintings, historic furniture, ceiling decorations and frescos. Every wedding vendor involved plays a role in bringing a piece of Austria to life. Catering showcases the essence of Austrian flavours with traditional dishes, aromatic spices, and, of course, our renowned chocolate cakes, chocolates and Austrian wines, sourced from the country’s best regions. Not to mention our hospitality, warmth, humour and impeccable punctuality!”
C&B: “It’s fantastic that you’ve cultivated these important qualities; Austria truly has some beautiful formal venues, as you’ve described – what are some of the most memorable weddings you’ve planned, and what made them stand out?”
MG: “Every wedding is memorable in its own unique way, but what truly stands out are the raw, genuine emotions that make each celebration so special. Those moments of pure joy and connection are what drive me. If I had to mention a few, one unforgettable wedding was for an Austrian-Bosnian couple, whose just a few-month-old son played a central role in their day. Watching the groom dance the entire night with his baby boy in his arms was heartwarming beyond words. Another was an American couple’s wedding, where their adorable dog served as the best man, and then there was an Austrian-German wedding with guests from six different nationalities. They laughed, cried, sang, and danced together as if they had always been one big family. It was a beautiful and unforgettable!”
C&B: “That sounds incredibly sentimental and emotional. When dealing with these very different cultures, how do you manage to balance the various expectations and traditions of the couples?”
MG: “The key is listening closely to the couple’s wishes and truly understanding the unique customs they want to honour. To achieve this, I often take the time to research the meaning behind each tradition. I don’t just organise the items or rituals they mention – I strive to understand why they are meaningful, how they should be incorporated, and what they are meant to express. This deeper understanding allows me to thoughtfully weave these elements into the celebration, ensuring they are honoured in a way that feels authentic and respectful…”
C&B: “We’re sure they must appreciate that true interest in making their big day meaningful! Besides cultural themes, what are the trends you currently see emerging in the wedding industry, particularly in luxury and upscale events?”
MG: “In the world of luxury and upscale weddings, I think personalisation continues to take centre stage. By personalisation, I don’t necessarily mean personal gestures like presents, but rather couples spending more time with their guests, expressing their values and character, and showing who they truly are. One of the most popular approaches is hosting wedding weekends, where there is enough time for the couple to fully enjoy the company of all their guests. This includes offering activities that reflect the couple’s favourite pastimes, serving their favourite foods, naming drinks after them or their shared memories, and incorporating their personalities, hobbies, or meaningful places into the celebration. Manifesting their favourite colours in the wedding décor is another beautiful way to make the day truly unique. Couples are moving away from traditional templates, placing a greater emphasis on creating memorable guest experiences. The wedding day should be much more than just a single day – it should be a grand experience. This often includes features like exceptional musicians or bands, artists, breathtaking oversized and overwhelming floral arrangements, dramatic stages, high-standard services, exquisite cuisine, and, of course, luxury venues…”
C&B: “With the extravagance of today’s weddings, as you’ve just described, does sustainability play a part in your wedding planning process? We know that issue does concern many individuals who don’t like the idea of waste…”
MG: “In the luxury sector, sustainability can be challenging to fully implement, as the focus is often on creating a grand experience, as I mentioned earlier. However, we always recommend and propose working with local vendors and partners, sourcing seasonal and regional cuisine, and incorporating digital stationery when appropriate. That said, luxury weddings often feature abundant florals, specialty foods, and premium champagne that may come from different regions/ or even countries, as well as exclusive photographers or live entertainment flown in for the occasion. As you can see, in my opinion, it is very difficult to fully incorporate eco-friendly practices in this segment…”
C&B: “We totally appreciate that! Sometimes it’s just not possible, no matter how much you’d want to be 100% ethical about it. You mentioned all the various elements that contribute to an upscale wedding; how do you ensure that every detail is executed flawlessly, from the initial concept to the final moment?”
MG: “To be perfectly honest, this part is the most stressful and challenging, as it’s essential not to overlook, underestimate, or overestimate any aspect of the wedding agenda. The key is to fully understand the couple’s requirements, assess each vendor’s expertise, and bridge any gaps by selecting the most suitable and reliable professionals. For every vendor or partner, we conduct thorough due diligence and build strong relationships to ensure smooth collaboration. Another crucial factor is creating a realistic and achievable plan. This plan is carefully discussed with all involved parties to gather their input, secure their commitment, and ensure that everyone is fully informed and understands their responsibilities. We document every detail meticulously, ensuring that what is written is also clearly communicated and understood by all, as we must function as a team…”
C&B: “Yes, securing the right vendors is crucial. In what ways do you work with them to ensure a seamless production?”
MG: “Collaboration with other vendors and professionals is essential. Each trusted partner is an expert in their field, and we rely on their expertise to deliver excellence. From initial planning to execution, we work closely with every vendor – whether it’s the florist, caterer, photographer, 3D designer, entertainment, cake designer, logistics team, wedding stationery designer, or guest managers – to ensure everything is executed to perfection and expectations are aligned. This includes regular meetings, detailed timelines, and contingency planning to eliminate any last-minute surprises…”
C&B: “Your career is much more pressurised than most people realise! How do you manage to stay inspired and continue to bring fresh ideas to each wedding you plan?”
MG: “This is a difficult question to answer, as inspiration comes from many sources. For me, the main inspiration is the couples themselves. The moment they begin visualising their big day, I start designing – listening to their dreams and exploring different ways to bring their vision to life. A great source of creativity also comes from the top vendors we collaborate with, whose expertise and innovation elevate every detail. Additionally, I draw inspiration from fashion, art, architecture, and nature – there is always an element that can be adapted or incorporated. Not to mention, all the talented colleagues in the wedding industry, whose creativity and passion contribute significantly to the inspiration…”
C&B: “On a final note, Michaela, what advice would you offer couples who are in the early stages of planning their wedding, particularly those considering an international destination?
MG: “My advice would be to work with a wedding planner. Not only does this ease the wedding planning process, but it also ensures that the wedding day itself is enjoyable and stress-free. With a planner in place, couples can relax knowing their big day will unfold exactly as they envisioned. They can fully immerse themselves in every moment of the celebration, without worrying about timelines, vendor coordination, or any other details. A wedding day is an emotional, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and every couple deserves to enjoy it to the fullest, free from stress or distractions. A wedding planner knows the market inside and out, has access to spectacular wedding venues, and works with a network of reliable partners. Many couples underestimate the complexity of wedding planning, and as a result, the joy of their big day can get lost in the process, which is truly a pity. A skilled planner ensures that every detail is taken care of, allowing couples to focus on what matters most – celebrating their love and creating new memories…”
CONTACT: http://www.eclatdestinationweddings.com
