Lado a Lado Wedding

Where were you “born” professionally, and how did you find your way into the world of weddings?

I was born professionally in the world of Human Resources, in France.
I spent several years in the corporate universe, where I learned the value of human connection, listening, and emotional intelligence.
But love — and a deep desire to create experiences that truly made sense — spoke louder.
I planned my own wedding in Portugal, and that’s when I realized: this was what I wanted to do.
It was a transformative moment — living the process from afar, in another country, understanding each challenge, and at the same time meeting incredible professionals who deeply inspired me. Among them, João Almeida, who believed in me and showed me the importance of building genuine relationships with vendors, based on respect, trust, and sharing.

From that moment on, there was no turning back.
I trained and learned alongside the best wedding planners and celebrants in France, immersed myself in the world of destination weddings, and created my own approach: human, demanding, emotional, and passionate.
That’s how Lado a Lado was born.

You work between Portugal and France — how did that connection come about?

France is where I was born and grew professionally. It’s where I learned how to structure, plan, and deliver a service of excellence.

But Portugal… that’s my heart. It’s the country where I feel alive — where emotions are genuine, and where I want to build my future.
Working between both countries is the most authentic way to unite who I am: a Franco-Portuguese soul, shaped by two cultures and two ways of living love — the French elegance and romanticism, and the warm generosity of Portugal.

Today, I’ve turned that duality into strength, combining French savoir-faire with Portuguese hospitality.
It’s a natural bridge that allows me to create destination weddings filled with soul, elegance, and authenticity.

What does “Lado a Lado” mean to you? What promise lies behind that name?

“Lado a Lado” — “Side by Side” — is more than a name, it’s a life philosophy.
It means truly standing beside couples, guests, and suppliers.
It’s a promise of presence, empathy, and genuine partnership.
My role is always to stand beside — never ahead, never behind — to guide, support, and transform stress into serenity.

Over time, “Mel” was born too.

Because when people are with me, they feel so at ease, so close, that everyone ends up calling me Mel — couples, guests, vendors.
It’s not just the company. It’s the person.
And that’s my greatest pride: creating an atmosphere of trust, lightness, and sharing, where everyone feels part of something greater.

What striking differences do you notice between French and Portuguese couples?

Each couple brings their own energy, but yes — there are cultural traits that stand out.
French couples highly value planning, aesthetics, and visual coherence.
They like to understand every detail, to feel that everything is under control, and that their day will reflect their story exactly.
Portuguese couples live the wedding with their hearts — emotion, spontaneity, contagious joy, and a deep family bond.

In destination weddings, those worlds meet — and that’s the great challenge: building trust from a distance.
Many couples arrive full of love, but also with fears: they don’t know the country, the vendors, the language, the traditions, or how things work locally.
My role is to be that bridge — making the unknown feel light, accessible, and beautiful.
And the true beauty lies in blending both worlds: rigor and ease, luxury and soul.

What has been the biggest challenge in building a brand in the wedding world, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was establishing a strong identity in a saturated market, in a country where I knew no one.
I literally started from zero — no name, no network — just a genuine desire to do things well and to care deeply.
At first, I felt I had to prove I belonged, that I could become a reference between France and Portugal.
I overcame that by staying true to myself — through hard work, patience, consistency, humanity, and faith.
I don’t sell unrealistic dreams — I offer a real experience, built on trust and dedication.
Today, I see that my greatest strength has always been authenticity. I didn’t need to be someone else — I just needed to be Mel, always striving to be my best self and to keep improving, every single day.

What’s the most demanding wedding you’ve ever organized — and why?

Without a doubt, the wedding of the nephew of the President of the Dominican Republic — organized in just two months.
A true logistical, emotional, and cultural challenge:
international guests, protocol rules, French legal requirements, a trilingual planning process, and an absolute demand for perfection.

It was a three-day wedding, with unpredictable weather and high-profile guests — from priests to ministers and CEOs from New York — and the need to create elegant, safe, and innovative solutions.
I became the central link between suppliers, guests, and the couple — calming tensions, anticipating problems, and turning obstacles into flow.
In the end, it was a complete success — proof that with love, organization, and a calm mind, even the impossible becomes possible.

What’s the true secret to flawless organization and a serene experience for the couple?

Active listening.

Before I plan, I observe, understand, and translate what the couple feels — even when they can’t put it into words.
Then comes my threefold relationship: taking care of the couple, the guests, and the vendors.
Without happy, respected vendors, there’s no magic. Without calm couples, there’s no real emotion.
And of course, my day-of plan is extremely detailed, designed so that even when the unexpected happens (because it always does), everything is easy to solve.
My team is not there just to organize — we’re there to pamper, welcome, calm, and care.
We have a true sense of human attention.
I confess, I’m very demanding — with myself and with my team. I never fully relax on the day. I prefer to stay alert to everything and everyone.

Even the couples and vendors often say: “Mel, relax and eat something!”

What’s something few people know about you, but that deeply influences your work?

I’m deeply sensitive.
I feel people — their emotions, their stories — and that’s what allows me to create weddings that truly touch hearts.
I’m also a mother, and that has completely changed the way I welcome, protect, and care for others.
It’s given me even more empathy, presence, and humanity. I’m protective, loyal, and fully committed to those who trust me. And when needed, I’m also the one who “goes to battle” to defend couples or suppliers.
Another thing few people know is that I have a very full life, with multiple family and professional responsibilities. I’ve gone through moments of deep exhaustion — it’s true — but I never stopped being where I was needed, always with a team behind me.
Still, I make it a point to always be present, no matter the day or the hour — for my couples and my vendors — because this work isn’t just a profession; it’s passion, dedication, and a true sense of service.

What’s the most meaningful feedback you’ve ever received from a couple — and how did it make you feel?

“Mel, you saved our wedding. What would we have done without you?”

It was the greatest compliment I could receive — especially coming from the bride of the President’s nephew.
I felt gratitude, humility, and a quiet pride.
The most beautiful part is knowing I was part of something that will live forever in their memories — that they felt heard, supported, and safe during one of the most important moments of their lives.

If you had to describe Lado a Lado’s aesthetic and experiential signature in three words, what would they be — and why?

After reflecting on everything I do, I’d choose: Excellence, Emotion, and Warmth.

• Excellence, because I believe in high standards, attention to detail, and true craftsmanship.

• Emotion, because it’s the thread that runs through everything I create — everything has a soul.

• Warmth, because people are my priority: closeness, humanity, joy, and presence.

What message would you like to leave for all the couples preparing to get married?

Live the process — not just the day.

A wedding is a celebration of love, but also a journey of unity and discovery.
Surround yourselves with people who truly understand and trust you.
The rest… will flow.

Is there a dream project you’d still like to make happen?

I don’t have a “must-do” destination. Portugal and France are my pillars — two cultures I know deeply, and where I now also work as a celebrant, in three languages.
Developing my multilingual celebrant side has been a true dream — understanding the cultural nuances of French and Portuguese couples, their emotions, their values, and their ways of living love allows me to create ceremonies that make sense to everyone, no matter the language.
But yes — I would love to create a wedding in Spain, especially one that was recently proposed to me, where the bride knows nothing.
A surprise wedding — typically Spanish, full of passion, intensity, and theatricality.
Let’s see…

Any upcoming projects you can share?

Yes! I want to launch the Lado a Lado Wedding Bootcamp — an innovative program for couples and professionals: an immersive experience where, in just one weekend, all key wedding decisions can be made with expert guidance.
And perhaps a training program for wedding planners — where I share everything, no secrets — from real documents to branding, communication, and management strategies as an entrepreneur.
Because this life changes everything — and we’re not always prepared.
It’s a project I’m developing with a very special colleague, Magaly Zarka, a true reference in the French wedding world.