5 minutes with... Italian wedding planner Caterina Lostia

Playing the role of architect, stylist, image consultant and party planner, Italy wedding planner CATERINA LOSTIA grew up within the sophisticated world of fashion and elegance before moving into wedding planning. Read on to find out more about her journey.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A WEDDING PLANNER? I had the privilege of growing up in the sophisticated world of fashion and elegance. Fate unexpectedly threw the doors of Visual Merchandising wide open to me, offering me the opportunity to work for world-class luxury companies. It was an extraordinary experience that lasted over 25 years and taught me the importance of timing and determination. I came to private events slowly, set-up after set-up. Now I am extremely happy to be working in the wedding world, it is the most exciting industry.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? It is the attention to detail, the refinement of ideas and the artistry of event execution that make my wedding moments worth remembering. Being a wedding producer and designer is a vocation for me and my team; every couple deserves a unique wedding, which is why we come up with novel and original concepts to celebrate such a significant event. During my weddings all the senses are stimulated in a dance that combines to perfection the aesthetics of the location and the materiality of the decorations. Sounds, scents and flavours from gourmet menus make the event enchanting. I am Italian and I love my country, those who come to Italy for a wedding must see, touch and taste my country in all its beautiful and complex richness. Beauty for us means being able to interpret our clients' desires and go beyond their expectations. Our desire is to dazzle with delicacy, with elements of timeless elegance capable of inspiring emotions.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECT OF WEDDING PLANNING? Entering my clients' fantasy world and making it real. I love the empathy and emotion in conducting an orchestra, a world of colours sounds and scents. Every couple has their own. Having a paper in front of me with sketches and colours that then materialise in the set-up. Each event follows a plot and has its own rhythm, just like a play. Conception and staging must create an alchemy, a symphony of colours, scents, sounds, and flavours that blend and enhance each other harmoniously All our styling choices, as well as the gourmet and musical proposals are hymns to the love of the couple in front of us, but they are also celebrations of the beauty of the location hosting the event.

WHAT TWO PIECES OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR COUPLES? Imagine, dream and fly.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WEDDINGS? The attention to detail, the refinement of ideas and the craftsmanship of the execution. Being able to balance taste and research with feasibility and the enchanted and excited look on my clients' faces when they arrive. The concepts around which the customisation of the event revolves are uniqueness, delicacy, sophistication.

Can you recall your favorite wedding experience? Honestly, no. My clients are so different that I get excited and surprised again each time.

Aside from family and friends, what are the three things you cannot do without? Good wine and good food!

How would you spend your ideal day off? At the beach, it is a relaxing and creative environment.

Italy wedding planner CATERINA LOSTIA is a valued member of our vendor collective. "Fate unexpectedly threw the doors of Visual Merchandising wide open to me by offering me the opportunity to work for world-class luxury companies. It was an extraordinary experience spanning over 25 years that taught me the importance of timing and determination. Each event follows a plot and has its own rhythm, just like a play. Setting up a performance must create an alchemy, a symphony of colours, scents, sounds, and flavours that blend and enhance each other harmoniously." You can see more of her portfolio here.