5 minutes with… Paris wedding planner Wonderstruck Weddings & Events

Paris wedding planner WONDERSTRUCK WEDDINGS & EVENTS is a boutique company specialising in bespoke planning and fine art design for the discerning couple. As a planner and designer, owner Ariel finds herself dotting the map, collecting inspiration from around the world. Those experiences, combined with a passion for bringing beautiful moments to fruition, forms the foundation behind WONDERSTRUCK WEDDINGS & EVENTS. Ariel tells us, "We believe that wedding planning is more than staging an aesthetically beautiful event — it is taking cues from your personal style, crafting details from your love story, and creating a thoughtful experience for you and your guests. To us, a fine art wedding is timeless and sophisticated, with every modern element perfectly balanced with its classic counterpart. Every detail of your wedding is creatively assembled, and feels like an extension of your art piece — intentional and cohesive in conveying your overall story."

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT HOW YOU BECAME A WEDDING PLANNER? I have a textbook Type A personality so a career in Event Management seemed fitting after university. As one might imagine, the corporate world was heavy in logistics and lacking in creativity, so after nearly a decade I found myself gravitating towards wedding planning. It was a natural transition into coordination and planning, but what excited me the most was designing and curating the visual elements of a wedding. I enjoy working with couples who appreciate the finer details, and share a love for luxury and travel. As such, I specialiSe in destination wedding planning where my passions and expertise align to provide a high-end wedding experience.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? My style is classic and feminine, without being overly girly. I appreciate luxury, but in an understated manner. Depending on my couples’ personal style, my work will often have a touch of modern tailoring, or a hint of old world charm. Couples who are romantics at heart are often attracted to my work, and share an enthusiasm for thoughtful choices behind their wedding design.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECT OF DESIGNING A WEDDING? I feel creatively empowered when a couple envisions more than just pretty flowers or decor for their wedding. It is always such a privilege to help incorporate meaningful details into their design; whether it’s drawing inspiration from a family heirloom, embossing a subtle monogram onto their cocktail napkins, or pampering their guests with thoughtfully assembled welcome care packages. Wedding design tells a visual story and I want my couples to feel like the completed design is an extension of their art piece — every detail carefully curated and assembled creatively.

WHAT TWO PIECES OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR BRIDES? Choosing a bridal fragrance is often overlooked, but I think wearing a scent specifically for your wedding day is incredibly special. Scent is tied closely to memory and emotions, so having a scent to hold onto long after the wedding celebrations are over, is priceless. Save your fragrance for special occasions such as anniversaries or birthdays, and it will always evoke the wonderful feelings from your wedding day.

At the start of an engagement, it’s easy to underestimate how much time wedding planning involves. Some brides may feel that having a planner is a luxury, but I believe working with a good planner is a necessity. A skilful planner enhances your ideas and offers solutions to problems you haven’t even considered. An experienced planner is always in the right place at the right time, but never intrusive. Most importantly, a professional planner truly allows you and your loved ones to enjoy the wedding day, without worrying about any logistics.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WEDDINGS? As cliché as it sounds, the most special moment is right before I send my bride down the aisle. All the months of preparation and emotions have built up to this quiet moment of reflection, and I always feel incredibly honoured to witness this intimate moment.

CAN YOU RECALL YOUR FAVOURITE WEDDING EXPERIENCE? Every love story I have the privilege of working with is rewarding in their own way but collectively, it is always extremely humbling when a parent praises my efforts at the end of an evening. There is no bigger compliment than being told that not only was I one of the best decisions they made, but that I clearly love what I do.

ASIDE FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS, THREE THINGS YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT? My passport, sugar (major sweet tooth!), and unfortunately my phone (definitely guilty of too much screen time).

WHERE WOULD WE FIND YOU ON A SUNDAY MORNING? If I’m lucky, sleeping in or doing a workout! But my 7 month old usually has other ideas, so a Sunday morning is typically spent making memories with my little family and meal prepping for the week ahead.

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF? I’m a little kid at heart, so I would happily spend my day off at Disneyland Paris. It’s hard to say who would enjoy themselves more — myself, or my little boy! If I can snag a coveted spot at Septime for dinner, my husband and I would get dressed up and indulge in the gastronomic experience this modern bistro has to offer. If not, I would be just as happy devouring a hot bowl of udon noodles at Kunitorya, capped with an evening stroll across the Pont Alexandre III.

Paris wedding planner WONDERSTRUCK WEDDINGS & EVENTS is a valued member of our vendor guide.
This boutique company specialises in bespoke planning and fine art design for the discerning couple. "We believe that wedding planning is more than staging an aesthetically beautiful event — it is taking cues from your personal style, crafting details from your love story, and creating a thoughtful experience for you and your guests. To us, a fine art wedding is timeless and sophisticated, with every modern element perfectly balanced with its classic counterpart. Every detail of your wedding is creatively assembled, and feels like an extension of your art piece — intentional and cohesive in conveying your overall story." You can find out more about them here.