Marisa Event Planner

Who is Marisa behind ‘Eventplanner Weddings’? How did your journey in the wedding industry begin?

I am a person deeply connected to people and their stories. I was already working in the events industry when, almost by chance, I entered the world of weddings. I never imagined it would become my profession, but I quickly fell in love with the emotion, the dedication, and the unique magic of each day.

Over time, both my experience and passion grew. The most beautiful part of this work is being part of one of the happiest moments in a couple’s life, and even more special is continuing to accompany them through other stages of life, creating close relationships and friendships that last forever.

Was there a specific moment or wedding that made you realise: “this is what I want to do for the rest of my life”?

I don’t think there was one specific wedding. It was a collection of weddings and experiences. There was a moment when I finished a season completely exhausted, yet with a huge smile on my face, and I realised I no longer wanted to divide this passion with another activity. I wanted to dedicate myself entirely to weddings.

That was when I understood that this was what truly made me happy and where I felt I was genuinely good: creating experiences, moving people emotionally, and making others happy. In the end, it was the combination of incredible couples, wonderful suppliers, and a very positive energy around me that allowed this passion to grow and gain even more meaning.

How would you describe your essence as a person, and how does that influence the way you plan a wedding?

I am naturally a happy, optimistic, and energetic person. I’m always smiling, with my mind full of ideas. I enjoy thinking differently, creating, and imagining unique experiences — and creativity is an essential part of my work.

At the same time, despite all this energy, I have a strong ability to calm and reassure couples. I know they go through the process with their hearts racing, full of emotion and anxiety. It’s essential that they feel calm, confident, and secure with the person guiding them.

I believe this balance between energy, creativity, and serenity is fundamental when organising a wedding.

How would you define your style as a wedding planner? And what does that mean to you?

My style always begins with people. For me, it’s essential to understand the couple’s essence so that the wedding truly reflects who they are — so that everyone present immediately feels: this could only belong to this couple. Their DNA must be present in every detail.

From there, I like to go further and exceed expectations. As I get to know them better, I propose new ideas — whether in décor, by daring unexpected combinations, or in entertainment and performances. I increasingly believe that a wedding should be a complete experience, not just a beautiful event.

My goal is that everyone — both the couple and their guests — leaves not only saying that everything was beautiful, but carrying with them an unforgettable experience. In essence, my style is about personalisation, boldness, and a constant desire to surprise.

What are the biggest challenges you face when organising weddings outside Portugal, and how do you overcome them?

Organising weddings outside Portugal is always challenging — and that’s exactly what I love most about it.
There’s always that nervous excitement, especially regarding logistics: guests arriving from different countries, hotels, transport, local suppliers, and very precise timings.

Each destination brings its own challenges. It may be coordinating transportation in cities with many international guests (as in a wedding in Seville), or managing more complex access, such as island weddings (like one in Venice), where everything depends on boats, schedules, and minute-by-minute planning. In these situations, an extremely detailed timeline and strong adaptability are essential.
Unexpected situations always arise, but that’s where experience, calmness, and problem-solving come in — ensuring that neither the couple nor the guests feel any tension.
Ultimately, it’s this balance between precision, flexibility, and passion for challenge that allows me to turn complexity into a smooth and unforgettable experience.How do you incorporate specific traditions from different nationalities into the weddings you plan?

There are countless ways to incorporate traditions from different nationalities into the weddings we plan. From music, cuisine, and décor to favors, stationery, dress codes, and more, the possibilities are truly endless. We pride ourselves on never limiting our creativity and always tailoring our approach to each couple’s preferences. Whether they’re looking for something unique and unexpected or a timeless, classical touch, we’re always excited to suggest ideas that honor their heritage and make their celebration truly special. Our goal is to seamlessly blend cultural traditions with the couple’s personal style, creating a wedding that feels authentic and unforgettable..

What was the most unusual or challenging destination where you organised a wedding, and what did you learn from it?

The most unusual weddings are not always the most distant ones, but often the most personal.

Weddings held in family homes — parents’ or grandparents’ houses — are incredibly special and intimate, but they demand enormous logistical attention: access points, bathrooms, circulation between spaces, and very close coordination with the team on the day.
One of the biggest challenges I experienced was a New Year’s Eve wedding held in a tent, on an elevated location, during a week when the entire country was under a yellow weather alert. Heavy rain, strong winds, and moments of real tension. There were critical situations, such as access points starting to collapse due to rain, and it was necessary to act quickly, calmly, and with immediate solutions — never allowing what was happening behind the scenes to show.

This experience taught me that beyond planning, this job requires composure, quick decision-making, and the ability to resolve everything discreetly so that, for the couple and guests, the day remains perfect.

For you, what was the most memorable wedding you organised, and why?

It’s a difficult question, because what makes a wedding memorable for me is feeling the love — the connection between the couple, the joy, and the gratitude of family and guests. That happens in many weddings and is always what matters most.

But if I had to highlight one, it would be a three-day wedding in Venice. Not only because of its beauty, but due to the enormous logistical complexity: three completely different celebrations, in different locations across the island, travel arrangements, suppliers arriving by boat, carefully planned surprises, and décor with thousands of flowers. It was an extremely intense experience, both physically and emotionally.

In the end, I was exhausted. A few days later, when I watched the video bringing together all three days, I was deeply moved. It was a moment of immense pride — looking at everything and thinking: I created this experience. That wedding will stay with me forever, not only for the challenge, but for how it made me feel.

Marisa, what does it mean to you to see one of your projects come to life on the wedding day?

It’s a wonderful and difficult-to-describe feeling. Months of meetings, ideas, and decisions exist only in our minds — and then, on the day itself (or the days before, depending on the wedding), everything begins to take shape, each detail fitting exactly as imagined.

That moment is very special. It’s what motivates us to continue, to want to do more and better, to constantly challenge ourselves and create increasingly impactful experiences. In essence, it’s seeing a dream become reality — and that is truly wonderful.

How important are small details to you — from décor and timing to service and guest comfort — and how do you manage them without overwhelming the couple?

I place enormous importance on small details because they ensure the event flows smoothly and is truly well experienced. I’m not only referring to décor, design, unique menus, or surprising entertainment — although those are essential — but also everything related to guest experience and comfort.

I take particular care with people’s wellbeing, especially at outdoor events: ensuring seating for everyone, attention to elderly guests, seating plans, noise levels, cold or heat. These are often invisible details, but they make all the difference.
Service must be exceptional, attentive, and almost intuitive, so that nothing needs to be requested. Timing is equally crucial: I create very detailed timelines for the event, setup and breakdown, with clear schedules for all suppliers, ensuring everything flows naturally.

Above all, I take care of the couple so they don’t feel overwhelmed. I plan the bride’s schedule — makeup, hair, photos, dress changes — calmly, ensuring she has time to enjoy, laugh, eat, and experience the day lightly and joyfully.

Is there any element or detail you consider your “signature” in the weddings you produce?

Without a doubt, my signature is surprise. Couples who come to me already know there will always be something distinctive, something out of the box. I love creating unexpected experiences — moments that leave a mark and stay in memory.

I feel many couples connect with me through emotion, energy, and joy, but above all because they trust that I will create something unique — not different just for the sake of it, but always aligned with their story and identity. Surprising, while creating something deeply personal, is what defines my work.

Is there a couple’s story that deeply touched you and shaped the way you see your work?

es, there is one story that marked me deeply. I worked with a couple who had to postpone their wedding for two years because, midway through the process, the bride was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a very difficult period. The bride — who is truly a gentle soul — went through a long and demanding treatment process, including several trips, always with incredible courage.

When, two years later, we finally held the wedding, it was an absolutely beautiful day. More than the celebration itself, it was what that wedding represented: overcoming a huge obstacle, unconditional love, family support, and immense emotional strength.

This story reinforced what I deeply believe: it is love, trust, and positive energy that align everything. And that is what I carry into every wedding I produce.

What have you learned about yourself throughout your career?

Over these 20 years, I’ve learned above all to be more assertive. That comes from professional experience, but also from maturity and age. Today, I feel more serene, calmer, and much more balanced.

I remain naturally energetic, cheerful, and always smiling — that’s part of my DNA and won’t change — but now with a much stronger foundation of confidence and equilibrium. This personal and professional evolution is something I value deeply and consider truly wonderful.

What do you value most in the suppliers you work with?

What I value most is commitment, responsiveness, and above all, a true sense of partnership. When something doesn’t go as planned during setup, it’s essential that everyone gets involved and works together, even beyond their specific roles.

Despite being different companies and disciplines, at that moment we are one team. That team spirit, combined with positive energy, good mood, and genuine enjoyment of working together, makes all the difference to me. That’s why I often work with the same suppliers — when the team is good, you don’t change it. I feel deeply grateful and truly fortunate for the incredible teams that accompany me.

Are there any future projects you can share with us?

My near-future projects focus on the events I already have scheduled for this year. I can say that completely out-of-the-box celebrations are coming — very different from the usual, truly surprising.

I’m experiencing a mix of positive anxiety, endless ideas, lots of work, and enormous enthusiasm. I feel deeply grateful to have incredible clients who trust, take risks, and genuinely want to create something different. I can’t reveal much more, but I invite you to stay tuned — what’s coming will be truly amazing.