Celebrity wedding culture is…a lot. The enormous affairs that require contingents of staff and family members to fly across the globe; booking either the most secret or public locations depending on their level of exposure and preferences; the enormity of staging a location that is likely to be seen in magazines and blogs all over the planet… It’s a lot. Celebrity weddings require an extraordinary amount of coordination, expertise, clandestine planning and execution, and the highest level of attention to detail: it’s a tall order for even the most experienced and seasoned planner.

The Rundown

From the travel planning to the bridesmaids’ dresses and canapés, there’s so much planning to be done! All that planning is broken down into brackets that usually include the following considerations.

1.   The Guest Experience- A Production

While the bride and groom are the focus of the day, naturally, at the level of a celebrity wedding they’re looking for more than having their guests herded from place to place and put up in a chalet: they’re looking for a guest “journey” that is almost as remarkable as their own.

To begin with, planners will need to coordinate with a trusted private jet charter company to ensure that the bridal and groom parties and all guests are flown seamlessly from their point of origin to the venue in as much comfort and luxury as is humanly possible. Then there’s the accommodation: if the venue doesn’t have it, a planner will need to source it (and ensure that this adheres to the same security and privacy standards as the wedding venue itself) and make sure everyone is happily installed and has EVERYTHING that they need, and things they didn’t even think they would need but oh boy are they glad are available.

Arrival at the big event must be choreographed for seamless flow, and the bridal party must have a separate arrival route available, so the planner needs to pay particular attention to the flow of the venue. Dietary preferences and requirements, wedding outfits, and the like must be checked and confirmed so as to ensure there are no disruptions from outfits that fall outside the dress code.

2.   Privacy and Security Are Part of the Event Design

This is where the big guns are brought out. Celebrity couples and likely at least a portion of the guest contingent are well known: people follow them around recording them on grocery runs, so you can imagine what a wedding day will bring out of the woodwork. The privacy of the event may need to be preserved with an NDA; outside areas may need to be canopied to avoid drone footage being taken; suppliers will need to be selected for their discretion, not just their ability to deliver; security guards will need to walk the perimeter constantly, and a rigorous cellphone policy may need to be enforced at the door. Every privacy and security measure you could possibly imagine (and then some) will need to be considered.

 

3.   A Nice View Is Nice…But We Need More From a Venue

That bay side view is important, yes, but an ideal venue needs so much more.

• A dramatic waterfront or beachfront outlook for special moments and pictures
• A private or high-control entrance, as we mentioned previously
• Ample back-of-house space for catering and production
• Definitively separate supplier and guest access points
• Secure “backstage” areas for personal belongings and gifts
• Private bridal and groom suites with every luxury amenity possible
• High-end luxury accommodation either on site or nearby
• A tried and tested, reliable luxury infrastructure
• Indoor and outdoor spaces for weather flexibility: the importance of contingency plans here cannot be overstated
• Easy access for luxury vehicles and chauffeur drop-offs or valet
• Experienced, discreet staff and general event management.
• Strong and tested relationships with premium caterers, florists, and production companies

4.   Food and Bev Service at A Michelin Level

Those caterers we mentioned: they can’t just be good; they have to be 5-Star, Michelin kitchen, innovative, and superbly talented. The menu may need to be designed around the couple’s favourite restaurant dishes or maybe even their favourite takeout: expect the unexpected and plan with changes in mind. Service must be choreographed like Swan Lake: elegant, smooth, seamless, and with no room for error.

5.   Contingency Plans Are Non-Negotiable

We aren’t talking about a simple “Oh, if it rains, we always have the indoor space” contingency here. You need contingency plans for absolutely everything that could go wrong in any and every part of the production on the day. Weather contingency is the biggest issue, especially if the wedding is taking place in Australia, but the planner will also need to consider meal contingencies, a plan for uninvited guests or media who somehow infiltrate the venue, a backup dress for the bride, and things like that.

6.   Media Management

This will most likely fall to the celebrity couple’s managers, but it will be essential to liaise with them on which media, if any, will be permitted at the event and what steps will be taken to keep any unauthorized media far away from the proceedings.

7.   Entertainment- An Even Bigger Production

This will not be a “DJ with a playlist” experience. Celebrity couples and guests are looking for live performances by well-known and skilled performers and a very high level of production value. The nature of these performances and experiences will vary from couple to couple: one may want a tarot reader and fortune teller while another may want a full choir, but one thing that won’t happen is negotiation on these points. Be ready to include even the wildest requirements in your planning because one of the most disastrous things that could happen is for the wedding entertainment to be blah.

The Recap

• A celebrity wedding, whether it’s in Australia or some other country with an awe-inspiring coastline, begins with privacy and seclusion instead of aesthetics.
• The ideal venue should offer both an exceptionally beautiful and either unique (for the more contemporary or quirky wedding) or classic (for the more traditional wedding) aesthetic, but also a high level of control over who is entering which parts of the property.
• Exclusive venue hire is usually the best starting point for planning a celebrity wedding. A celebrity event like this functions best (and often outright requires) when there are no members of the public around. Booking out an entire venue is almost always the way to go, as it eliminates potential outside guest encounters with the wedding party and guests.

The rest is up to you! Be you planner, bride or groom, let your creativity take center stage and dream up something truly magical for this special day.