Interview with the Founder of Barcelona Brides

We were very excited to be featured on the member spotlight for Aisleplanner and took the chance to publish the interview here on our blog. We hope you enjoy getting to know a bit more about our founder and wedding planner Rebecca.

What inspired you to enter the wedding industry? 

Before entering the wedding industry I was working for a fashion label managing their expansion into other markets. Part of my job was organising really fun store launch parties and customer loyalty events. I had to think up fun elements such as signature cocktails and decoration but also logistical elements such as transfers for all the guests. It was such an honour to be a part of those events but also the perfect use for my skills and personality (we had to source a lot of these things as collaborations or at least on a tight budget which required a lot of negotiation and imagination). These experiences made me realise I loved organising original events to reflect the personality of each client.

Why did you start Barcelona Brides?

Starting my own business was the best way for me to be able to give my all to the clients and also enabled me to be 100% creative with ideas and solutions.

If you could change one thing about the weddings and special events industry, what would it be?

The reputation of those working in the wedding industry is often that we charge a premium just because we can. I would like it if we could shed this reputation and instead understand that if prices are slightly higher it’s due to the heightened level of responsibility, stress, time, communication and attention that goes into each and every element of a wedding. It’s not just any kind of event. It’s the event most couples (and often families) have been waiting for their entire lives.

If you weren’t the Founder of Barcelona Brides, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like?

I have a lot of different dream life scenarios, take your pick. I’d like to run my own Boutique hotel with a pool, a small organic vegetable garden, horses and some animals, it would be kid friendly omg other things. I would also love to be a full time florist as I enjoy studying flower types and styles. Both of these scenarios still somehow connect me to weddings though.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming a wedding and event planner?

 Be prepared to work all Summer, there are no holidays and no proper breaks most wedding days, so you have to work hard. You will also need to have endless patience and be kind and complementary to all your clients (even if you can’t stand them personally).

What’s your personal philosophy on becoming a great wedding and event planner?

 You should always be learning.

 What lights your creative fire?

There are many things. Of course travelling to different places and witnessing the architecture, food and culture of faraway places. But back in Barcelona going to Museums, art galleries and flea markets provides me with endless inspiration.

Is there anything you are particularly excited about working on this year?

 This year (2020) worked out a little different than expected due to the international pandemic. For this reason I am particularly excited about using the down time to improve on processes, create new content and get to know our 2021 clients even more. It’s highly unlikely we will end up having weddings this year unfortunately.

What’s the most used tool in your emergency kit?

 Safety pins always come in handy!

 I’m dying to design a wedding or event in… (and why)

Costa Rica, I love the wild tropical landscapes and beaches and I think the laid back food and music could be a great compliment  to a destination wedding.

Your favorite shoes to wear on event day?  

Believe it or not Crocs stock a sandal design which is really elegant, comfy and barely look like crocs. They are a lifesaver on 15 hour days.

If you could plan any celebrity’s wedding, who would it be? 

Rosalia’s. It would have to be fun and unique but also very Spanish in character.

If you could go back in time, what’s one thing you would change about your wedding?

 I am not married (me and my partner both work in the wedding industry and never seem to find the time). But if I was, my wedding would have been very easygoing and not at all formal with a lot of music, food and drink.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever created for a wedding or event?

We created a Baz Luhrman Romeo and Juliet inspired water gun escort display, see here. I loved coming up with the idea and design for this using vinyl and paint.

During your time as a wedding and event professional, what’s the biggest mistake you made and how did you recover from it?

There have been many I won’t lie but they are always a huge learning experience.

If a client gave you an infinite budget, what would you do differently?

I would rent one of the unbelievable venues on offer in Barcelona city such as the MNAC or the Maritime Museum (they are around 10k just to rent for a few hours) and also provide famous artists for entertainment: Rosalia for the ceremony, Beyonce for the cocktail.