In conversation with Andrea Naar Alba on Destination Italy for Wedding Tourism.
Andrea Naar Alba of WED Couture – Wedding Events and Design based in London and Milan has an extensive knowledge of weddings in Italy. She continues to amuse her clients with her unique and off beat ideas and executes them with an impressive flair.
Andrea can surely help us kindle our knowledge on the unexplored Italy!
WT: Andrea your roots in South America, hence what made you migrate to Italy?
ANA: I moved to Italy when I was a child for family reasons. I actually consider myself 50% Italian 50% Colombian. I spent the most important part of my life in Milan, being always influenced by the colourful and enthusiastic colombian culture.
WT: Tell us about WED Couture? When you began and when it all started?
ANA: It all started about 8 years ago with corporate events organisation (for fashion and luxury brands companies) following my 10 years background working for different Italian and International companies and in different roles. The wedding planning business started by chance, after one of my clients asked me to organize the wedding of his daughter. I did not expect such a great success and word of mouth that came after that wedding. I’m very proud and happy to say that today my core business is weddings!
WT: Italy has been a listed destination for Indian Weddings off which Florence and Venice have been in news for the Big Pocket weddings. Can you recommend other locations in Italy for Indian Weddings ?
ANA: Of course. Amalfi coast with Capri and Sorrento are perfect spots for Indian weddings. Puglia is a booming region, in great expansion and investing a lot in destination weddings.
Actually the amazing and breathtaking Borgo Egnazia Resort has already hosted a very succesful Indian wedding.
Sicily is a region with a huge potential with incredible landscapes and authentic venues, great food and a good value for money.
WT: Is there any exclusive venue or heritage where celebrations can be done?
ANA: Yes, there are exclusive venues that require special permits and authorization, besides customised fees to be paid to get the bureaucracy and proper procedure be implemented.
WT: Five star alliances or heritages you suggest ?
ANA: The Venaria Reale in Turin and the Sforzesco Castle in Milan, so as the certosa of San Giacomo in Capri are examples of exclusive heritages for memorable events.
WT: What’s exclusive about these cities?
ANA: Turin and Milan are both fashionable and glamorous, with quite a peculiar flair that Florence and Venice (which are very touristic) do not have. Capri represents the Italian dolce vita, the island has a mythical charm.
WT: Are there any Indian restaurants that are well known for outdoor catering?
ANA: Rangoli in Milan and Chakra London are top notch restaurants for outdoor catering.
WT: Tell us about what services you offer?
ANA: We organize from A to Z bespoke weddings and events in Italy, moments of luxury and high quality. By showing our clients the absolute excellence of Italy, of its cultural heritage and stunning panoramas, we want you to get the feeling of Italy as the one-and-only match to couples dreams of the perfect one-of-a-kind event.
Events in which only the top quality products, the best raw materials and the finest professionals find their place. Whatever we do, we always pride ourselves in exceptional attention to detail, quality and value for money.
We recognise that everybody is different, which is why from the moment our clients pick up the phone through to after their event has finished, they can be sure that our friendly, dedicated and caring staff will treat them with level of personal attention and customer service that one’s would expect from a concierge service.
WT: What destinations you have been catering your services to apart from Italy?
ANA: Mediterranean (Spain, Morocco, Greek islands)
WT: What’s your USP?
ANA: “Only by delving into an unmatchable heritage of culture and refined taste, we can be inspired to be truly innovative”. This motto is what characterises my vision of life and my work. The reason for which my boutique-style agency was born. By entering, couples feel the world of true Italian excellence. When they leave, their vision of what Italy and the Mediterranean area can do for them will be changed, leaving them with a sensation that they’ve found something special, something precious. Like a glove fitting one’s hand perfectly, our Maison will fit their top-notch event.
WT: What do you like about Indian Weddings?
ANA: We love the colors, the deep traditions, the warmth and happiness…
WT: Are there any cruise line for celebrating these private affairs?
ANA: I think there are no limitations to get any Italian cruise line where to host a private affair.
WT: What is the basic cost to do a wedding in Italy?
ANA: Being specialised in bespoke weddings and events, we never talk about a basic cost to do a wedding in Italy. The costs vary according to the number of guests, the number of days involved, the location etc.
About Andrea Naar Alba:
Andrea Naar Alba is the head of WED Couture, a premier events agency founded in 2009 to create luxurious celebrations for VIPs and international clients. Her wedding expert status among the industry was emerged through her speaking invitations at Engage Borgo and Karen Tran’s Master Class in Venice.
Merging a global perspective with extensive work experience in fashion, accessories and luxury goods, she exceeds expectations, especially regarding taste, style and management. Skilled in marketing and communications and fluent in three languages, Andrea has built an expansive international network through her travels and multicultural background. Having lived in different countries, it is ultimately Italy that inspires her unique, bespoke concepts and creation of truly unforgettable experiences.
Supported by international staff and long-established suppliers, WED Couture is the choice for destination weddings and events in Italy and the Mediterranean. Its 2013 opening of London-based ITALIAN WEDDINGS & EVENTS LTD sparked exponential growth amongst prestigious clientele from Russia, Lebanon, the Far East, UK and US, all of whom trust this international and multicultural agency to make their distinct wishes come true. With its London locale and roots in Milan, coupled with Andrea’s international background, the company is perfectly positioned to interpret trends.