Natalia Ortiz is the founder and CEO of Weddings and Events by Natalia Ortiz and, today, who started organizing her own destination wedding, is already a wedding planner specializing in destination weddings in Spain that receives countless couples looking for a destination wedding as spectacular as the ones Natalia performs.
And not everything is weddings, as she also carries out engagement parties, children’s parties, courses, workshops… With an entrepreneurial soul and in constant training and growth, Natalia leaves her skin in every event.
We had the pleasure of chatting with our favorite destination wedding planner in the form of an interview, where she tells us about interesting topics such as what brides and grooms prioritize when it comes to their destination wedding, why so many choose Spain, the trends of where destination weddings are headed, and so on.
Don’t miss it!
A little birdie told us that it all started with your own wedding, how did you end up organizing other weddings and why did you choose to become a wedding planner specialized in destination weddings?
Well, it all started with my own wedding, and is that although I was getting married in Spain I lived in Bilbao but we wanted to do the wedding in Barcelona, as it is where we met, where most of our friends were … So the whole process of organization was at a distance. I had to go to Barcelona several times to meet with each supplier, to visit venues, etc… and it was complicated to manage. That’s when I thought: What if a couple from abroad wants to get married in Spain and they are not even in our country? And on top of that they don’t speak the language… That’s when I thought that I had to help other couples and specialize in this type of weddings.
The wedding industry is constantly growing, new trends are emerging and more and more couples are breaking with tradition. Where do you think the trends in destination weddings are heading?
Totally, I agree that more and more couples are breaking with tradition, which is why more and more couples are opting for intimate and small weddings, or even elopements with only a few people present, with a maximum of 20 guests or even just the bride and groom.
Considering that destination weddings can be costly for guests due to travel expenses, lodging, among others, many couples choose to reduce the guest list to ensure that everyone is comfortable and not forced to take on additional expenses. In addition, by limiting the number of guests, the bride and groom can more easily take on these additional costs and create a more exclusive experience for their loved ones.
On the other hand, the elopement concept offers the opportunity to celebrate love in an intimate and special setting, such as a lake or a castle. This allows the couple to save on expenses related to the banquet and allocate that budget to other important elements, such as decoration or the honeymoon.
In short, both intimate weddings and elopements are going to be trends in destination weddings.
What sets you apart from other wedding planners? Why do brides and grooms choose you for their destination wedding?
My specialization focuses on organizing multicultural weddings, a passion that was born out of my own personal experience. My Russian-Mexican wedding was a mix of cultures, with Orthodox and Catholic rites, as well as a variety of dishes that fused the best of both culinary traditions. From start to finish, every detail reflected the diversity and cultural richness we share as a couple.
This unique experience inspired me to specialize in planning multicultural weddings, as I understand the importance of honoring and celebrating the different traditions and heritages of each couple. My goal is to create events that are truly representative of each couple’s shared identity and love, whether it be intimate weddings, elopements or larger scale celebrations.
I firmly believe that this specialization is what sets me apart as a wedding planner, as my personal experience and my focus on inclusion and diversity allow me to offer a unique and personalized service to each couple that trusts me to make their special day a reality.
We know that you only work with suppliers that offer professionalism and guarantee that everything will be perfect, but what if a bride wants to have another photographer or makeup artist?
We understand that each couple has their own preferences and visions for their big day, so we have no problem if they decide to use suppliers that are not in our network. We always respect their choice and support them in making their dream wedding a reality.
However, we always recommend our own vendors for several reasons. We work with a team of professionals with whom we have a strong relationship and mutual trust. These vendors have proven their ability to work as a team and coordinate efficiently to ensure that every detail is executed to perfection. In addition, having collaborated on numerous occasions, they know the ins and outs of working together and can anticipate the bride and groom’s needs more effectively.
Despite our recommendations, we recognize that the final decision rests with the bride and groom. Your satisfaction and happiness are our top priority, and we are committed to doing everything we can to make your special day unforgettable, regardless of the vendors you choose. In the end, we want you to feel confident and satisfied with every aspect of your wedding, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
You are also a specialist in engagement parties, what is the procedure to choose with the bride and groom the style of the engagement? Is the groom clear about what he wants, or do you usually give them several ideas to decide the style?
I am passionate about helping to organize engagement parties and I dedicate special attention to each planning process. The truth is that each client is unique and has their own preferences and visions for this special moment.
Some clients prefer to explore different options and are open to our suggestions. In these cases, we present them with a variety of options that we think they might like, based on our previous experiences and their personal style.
On the other hand, there are brides and grooms who have a clear idea of what they want for their wedding proposal, whether it is the exact location or the specific decoration. In these cases, we adapt completely to their wishes and make sure that every detail is perfectly aligned with their vision.
You offer your service all over the country, what is it about Spain that makes so many couples want to have their destination wedding or proposal here?
First of all, Spain’s geographical location is ideal for many couples, as it is in the center of Europe and accessible from a variety of countries. This makes it easy for friends and family from different places to get together comfortably.
In addition, Spain’s climate is very attractive for couples who want an outdoor wedding or proposal in a natural setting. Fairytale landscapes, including castles with sea or mountain views, are an enchanting option for those looking for a unique and romantic setting.
Another important factor is the value for money that Spain offers compared to other popular European destinations such as Italy or France. Here, couples can enjoy excellent gastronomy, with a wide variety of international dishes, at more affordable prices.
Many couples also choose Spain because they have already visited the country and have fallen in love with its beauty and charm. They take advantage of their vacation to organize an engagement or wedding here, combining the celebration with an unforgettable trip.
Since everything is remote, how is your contact with the bride and groom during the planning of the event?
While some brides and grooms choose to meet in person and tour the available spaces together, most of our clients choose to coordinate everything remotely.
We use tools such as Zoom or WhatsApp to maintain fluid and constant communication with the couples. Through these platforms, we discuss their preferences, ideas and expectations for their wedding day.
Once we establish initial contact, we create a shared folder where we share all relevant documents and details of the planning process. This allows the bride and groom to access the information at any time and add their own ideas or suggestions.
Our commitment is to be available to them whenever they need us. We make calls as often as they need. We want them to feel comfortable and confident at every stage of the planning process, and our ongoing communication is essential to achieve this.
Our ability to adapt and maintain constant contact allows us to provide exceptional service regardless of physical distance.
After this interview, we are just as surprised as you are. Yes, we know why so many brides and grooms choose Natalia as their wedding planner specializing in destination weddings.
We always choose quality professionals and bet on exclusivity and guaranteed success, and it is clear that Natalia is one of them.
So, if you are thinking of celebrating your destination wedding in Spain with Natalia, we understand you. But don’t delay in contacting her, we don’t want you to run out of time with the preparations!
What are you waiting for, Spain is waiting for you and your wedding planner specialized in destination weddings too!
If you want to know more about Natalia, click here.