Photo (above): Wedding Planner: MeetMarcel - Photographer: Joshua d'Hondt Photography
1. When you partner with MeetMarcel, you collaborate with 'dream designers'. Could you explain what you mean by this?
"When people organise a party, they often start with a practical plan: 'What will we do? Do we choose a venue or set up a tent? How much space do we need? How many people do we invite?' However, that's not how we work at MeetMarcel. We start with the end goal: what feeling do we want the guests to leave with? What emotions do we want to evoke? If guests leave thinking 'that was a nice party', we are not satisfied. We want to surprise them. There should be a feeling of 'This was different, this was unexpected, this was epic'. The practical aspects are second nature to us and must be perfect, but we aim to go beyond that…
“To achieve this, we ensure that every detail—no matter how small—is perfect. We personalise, surprise, and thoughtfully design each aspect of our exclusive events. This encompasses everything from the layout of the spaces, subtle eye-catchers, unexpected surprises, the choice of music, styling, and presentation of the dishes, etc. All these elements contribute to creating a unique experience, the perfect dream design. When you dream, you often can't recall the details, but you do remember the feeling the dream gave you. That feeling can be very intense and often lingers for a long time. That's exactly what we aim to achieve with our events. That's why we don't speak of themes or concepts, but of 'dream designs.' We evoke a wow effect in the guests, and you'll notice it resonates. It's not uncommon for us to meet someone who still talks about a high-end event we organised, sometimes 10 years ago. That shows we've succeeded in creating a lasting emotion. When you hear people talking about a specific event years later, you know it was a success. That's what we do it for.
2. What can a couple expect when working with MeetMarcel?
“Simply put: anything is possible. No idea is too crazy... For us, it goes without saying that everything runs smoothly from a logistical, technical, and organisational standpoint. We consistently work with precise floor plans, strict scripts, and detailed schedules for each event. However, to create something personal and unforgettable, you need to go beyond these standards. Every detail must align perfectly to add value to the celebration. You might not notice them all, but together they contribute to the overall experience. We are not your classic wedding planners, but many people come to us for organising their high-end wedding because we elevate the traditional wedding scenario to a higher level. A wedding by MeetMarcel evokes emotions.”
“Additionally, we find it important to build a personal trust-based relationship with our clients. They should have complete confidence in us and be able to look forward to their event without any worries. When a couple engages with us, they can attend their own celebration, as if they are guests themselves. Only then can they truly enjoy everything that unfolds that evening."
3. How does planning a wedding with MeetMarcel actually work?
"Everything starts with a few introductory meetings. During these, we mainly listen… We want to learn as much as possible about the couple and the celebration they envision. This helps us create a very personal connection and truly get to know these two people. Who they are, what they enjoy doing, where they plan to travel, what hobbies they have, what inspires them, etc. From there, we design their exclusive bespoke event. Conceptually, we develop a central theme and build the entire story around it. This way, we create a mood board that perfectly reflects the atmosphere, the vibe, see it as 'the soul' of the event. This allows guests to truly connect with what we aim to achieve—the venue, the furniture, the flowers, the invitations, food & drinks, etc. Additionally, a precise budget is drawn up, giving the couple a perfect overview of all finances. Once this atmosphere and the accompanying budget are approved, only then do we start the actual organisation of the event. All practical matters, the finalisation of graphic work, drafting floor plans, writing out the schedules, etc."
“After we've gone over everything with the bridal couple and received their approval, we proceed with the details. The mood board always serves as a guide here. Everything we discuss—music, clothing, cards, tableware—must perfectly fit within the 'dream design' we create. All these details are included in the planning guide. Depending on the scale of the event, we start the physical setup a few weeks or days before the celebration. Le moment suprême, the point where all elements must come together to create something extraordinary.”
4. What is your secret?
“We always ensure that an event organised by us exudes a relaxed, laid-back vibe. However, this is only possible through the solid organisation behind it. 'We'll see' is not a motto we know. For each wedding, we create a detailed plan that clearly states who does what and what needs to happen when. This way, we can ensure everything runs smoothly. At an event, you only have one chance to get it right. Everything happens live and needs to be spot on.”
“Additionally, we get to know the couple well through our extensive introductory phase. Naturally, you want the wedding to perfectly match the couple. Creativity is achieved in collaboration with them. The events we organise are always a fusion of the couple's character with the vibe of MeetMarcel. This way, we create the perfect experience for each client.”
5. Do you have any tips for couples planning their wedding?
"Above all, do it differently! Dare to think beyond today's traditional concepts. This can start with choosing an unexpected location or opting for an unconventional flow to your celebration. By sometimes letting go of the usual expectations, you ensure guests are pleasantly surprised. In our opinion, this doesn't happen enough at many conventional weddings. Why not have a wedding festival or wedding club instead of a traditional seated dinner with a dance party?"
"Changing the game is what we want, designing your dreams is what we do…”
Are you curious about the work of MeetMarcel? Discover more of their most beautiful weddings here.
