Creating a luxury wedding experience requires more than just an eye for detail—it demands a deep understanding of the couple’s vision, seamless integration of cultural elements, and the ability to transform venues into breathtaking spaces. In an exclusive interview, Diane Khoury of DK Events shares her insights on orchestrating luxurious weddings that are as unique as they are memorable. With years of experience designing and directing lavish events globally, Diane offers a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous planning process that goes into each celebration.
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So let’s go behind-the-scenes with Diane and learn how to craft a luxury wedding experience!
How do you decide on a location and venue for your couple?
The journey to a luxury wedding starts with understanding the couple’s vision and how it aligns with their background, cultural elements, and the all-important budget. Diane Khoury emphasizes the importance of the initial consultation, “It’s really about listening to the couple and what is most important to them.” She also points out the significance of considering the F&B spend, season, sunset, and daylight savings times, alongside the logistics of the venue.
How do you decide on a theme for a luxury wedding?
The process of setting a theme for a luxury wedding is closely tied to the chosen location. Diane explains, “The location the couple falls in love with plays a huge role in setting the theme for styling.” Whether it’s a heritage building or a blank canvas venue, the theme is developed to enhance its beauty or transform it entirely. The theme encompasses not just the visual elements but also the entertainment and food offerings to create a holistic luxury experience.
What is your advice to future brides planning their luxury wedding?
Diane advises future brides to be open to suggestions that might initially seem outside of their vision. She highlights the importance of thoroughly understanding contracts and considering the guest experience, stating, “It’s all about creating personal touches that make your wedding memorable.”
What are some of the things that are often missed when planning a luxury wedding?
In planning a luxury wedding, couples often overlook essential logistical expenses, such as bump in/out fees, labor costs, and security requirements. Diane Khoury emphasizes the importance of meticulous scheduling to ensure all events flow seamlessly and the critical nature of adhering to timeframes and deadlines for securing suppliers—particularly for custom installations which require advanced booking. Additionally, weather considerations, especially for outdoor events, necessitate a well-thought-out contingency plan to circumvent any unforeseen challenges.
Diane points out a common misconception among couples that luxury weddings solely consist of elaborate styling elements like florals and chandeliers. She underscores the necessity of creating a balanced experience, reminding that luxury also emanates from the quality of food and entertainment provided, crafting an immersive experience for guests that goes beyond visual aesthetics. “Some couples think that luxury weddings mean elaborate florals, chandeliers – in general, all styling items. It is important to balance and not forget that luxury is also created through evoking experiences through food and entertainment,” Diane Khoury advises, highlighting the essence of true luxury in wedding planning.
List some of your game-changing hacks when planning a luxury wedding
Diane shares several hacks for planning a luxury wedding:
- Get yourself a planner/stylist!
- Spreadsheets will be your best friend! Detailed budget excel documents and keeping these up to date throughout the planning process.
- Online Wedding RSVPs
- Be over-organised… there is no such thing as being too organized!
- Dividing your priorities between must-haves and nice-to-haves so that you remain realistic and don’t set yourself up for disappointment
- Rather than trying to spread your budget and do everything, it’s more impactful to create unforgettable moments by being through your guest entrance experience, food activations, entertainment. It’s best to focus on key areas
Diane Khoury’s approach to crafting a luxury wedding experience centers on personalization, meticulous planning, and creating moments that resonate with the couple and their guests. Her expertise in blending tradition with innovation ensures each wedding is not only luxurious but also a reflection of the couple’s unique story and journey together.
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