Luxury Wedding Planner Interview: Marina of Alaia Événement in Biarritz, FRANCE

As a wedding photographer, one of the greatest privileges of my work is the people I get to meet along the way. When you spend long hours working side by side, sharing intense moments and the responsibility of creating a once-in-a-lifetime day for your clients, something deeper naturally forms. Beyond collaboration, real connections—and often friendships—are born.

The past May, at the enchanting Château du Clair de Lune in Biarritz, France, I had the pleasure of working closely with Marina, founder of Alaia Événement, for the Franco-American wedding of Regan and Bixente. From the very beginning, there was an immediate sense of trust and alignment. The day flowed naturally, with a sense of calm and ease that made everything feel both elegant and deeply human.

Today, I’m delighted to share this interview with Marina. Her approach to planning luxury weddings goes far beyond aesthetics. What truly sets Marina apart is the way she connects with her couples, the care she brings to every step of the process, and her ability to truly understand who they are and what they want to experience on their wedding day.

Hi Marina! What inspired you to become a wedding planner and eventually create Alaia Événement?

I have always been deeply drawn to experiences that bring people together, to attention to detail, and to the emotion that emerges from thoughtful, seamless organization. To me, a wedding is one of the rare moments where aesthetics, human connection, and logistics must align perfectly to create a truly memorable experience.

Before founding Alaia Événement, I spent several years working in international event planning, particularly in Latin America, as a project manager. I collaborated with large companies on incentive trips and large-scale events, developing a strong sense of rigor, anticipation, and coordination. These experiences profoundly shaped the way I design events today: with precision, structure, and a constant focus on the lived experience.

Creating Alaia Événement then felt like a natural step. Returning to Biarritz (France - editor's note), my hometown, gave me the momentum to develop a more personal project centered on supporting couples. My goal was to offer a reassuring, high-level, and caring framework, and to transform each vision into a sincere, elegant, and deeply human celebration.

How would you describe your signature approach to planning refined, design-driven weddings for modern couples?

My approach always begins with listening. Before thinking about design or aesthetics, it is essential for me to understand who the couples are—their story, their sensibility, and how they want to experience their celebration. Each project is born from in-depth conversations, where intention matters more than trends.

Refinement, as I see it, lies in balance and coherence. I pay close attention to the precision of each choice, the harmony of volumes, materials, and atmospheres, to create weddings that feel elegant, contemporary, and timeless, without ever becoming excessive.

Design then becomes a guiding thread, serving emotion and experience. Every detail is meant to have meaning and to fit naturally into the whole. My objective is to create deeply personal celebrations in which couples fully recognize themselves, and where each element contributes to a fluid, sincere, and memorable atmosphere.

What are the most challenging aspects of working as a high-end wedding planner today, especially in multicultural or destination weddings?

One of the main challenges of high-end wedding planning lies in managing an ever-increasing level of complexity, often invisible to couples. Destination or multicultural weddings involve high expectations, guests traveling from all over the world, cultural and linguistic differences, and extremely precise coordination among many professionals.

Added to this is the need to anticipate every detail well in advance: logistics, timing, technical constraints, local regulations, and venue-specific conditions. Our role is precisely to transform this complexity into a smooth and serene experience, allowing couples to fully enjoy their wedding with complete peace of mind.

WHAT IS THE MOST UNEXPECTED, UNUSUAL, OR “CRAZY” REQUEST YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED FROM A COUPLE—AND HOW DID YOU HANDLE IT?

Some requests stand out for their spectacular or unexpected nature. One groom, for example, wanted to surprise his future wife by organizing a helicopter arrival on the wedding day, flying from the church directly to the estate. On another occasion, a couple was determined to include a drag queen at the heart of their celebration.

In these situations, my role is first to assess the feasibility of the project, identify the most suitable vendors, and then orchestrate everything with precision. These experiences perfectly illustrate the balance I enjoy between creativity and rigor, ensuring that each bold choice integrates naturally into the overall celebration.

WHAT DOES THE DAY AFTER A MAJOR EVENT LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? HOW DO YOU RESET, UNWIND, AND RECHARGE YOUR CREATIVE ENERGY?

The day after is usually dedicated to rest. I try to protect this time as a transition, without a packed schedule. A walk, time outdoors, gentle movement, or simply leaving space for unplanned moments helps the pressure gradually ease.

It’s also a time for reflection, to look back with perspective and return to simple things. This slower rhythm is essential for regaining clarity and allowing inspiration to return naturally before diving into new projects.

WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO COUPLES STARTING TO PLAN THEIR WEDDING, ESPECIALLY THOSE SEEKING A SOPHISTICATED AND DEEPLY PERSONAL CELEBRATION?

I would first encourage them to define the experience they truly want to live, beyond trends or external expectations. A sophisticated wedding is not about accumulating elements, but about creating a celebration built with coherence, intention, and sincerity.

Surrounding themselves with the right professionals and accepting to delegate is essential. It frees them from mental load, leads to more thoughtful decisions, and allows them to enjoy the process with serenity. Trust, time, and staying true to who they are are, in my opinion, the keys to a truly successful wedding.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST: AFTER COORDINATING A FULL WEDDING DAY, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COMFORT FOOD OR GO-TO MEAL TO ENJOY ONCE EVERYTHING IS WRAPPED UP?

After an intense day of coordination, I tend to seek simplicity and calm. More than a specific meal, what I truly look for is a moment to decompress: a glass of wine, a few bites, and time to sit quietly and reflect on the event that has just unfolded.

It is this suspended, almost silent moment that really matters. After a wedding, I’m often still carried by emotion; taking a few moments to recentre myself, let the intensity of the day fade, and savor the calm after the excitement is very much part of my ritual.



Thank you Marina, for this conversation and for sharing your story so openly. It was such a pleasure working together, and I truly hope we’ll have the chance to collaborate again in the future!

Find Marina on her website www.alaia-evenement.com or on Instagram @alaia.evenement