Meet the wedding coordinator Weddings by Felicia in Barcelona

Background and experience

Felicia was born and raised in Umeå but moved to Barcelona almost 10 years ago. Even as a child, she dreamt of one day working in weddings – a dream that has now become her reality. Felicia began her career as an assistant wedding coordinator in Barcelona and, after a few years, once she had gained sufficient knowledge of the industry, she began taking on her own couples and planning weddings independently under the name Weddings by Felicia. Today, she is happy and grateful that she didn’t give up on her dream. Working in weddings is, as she herself describes it, her great passion. According to Felicia, it is an honour to earn the trust of bridal couples to work together to create unforgettable memories.

PHOTO // JUAN JOVEGA

Inspiration and style

Couples who have previously enlisted Felicia’s help with their wedding planning describe her, amongst other things, as attentive, detail-oriented, a great sounding board and always with a smile on her face. She is also often told that she is very discreet on the wedding day itself, something she herself considers very important.

“My job on the wedding day is to make sure everything runs smoothly, not to be the centre of attention. I’m happy to stay in the background and don’t like to disturb the bride and groom unnecessarily. At the same time, I want the bride, the groom and all the guests to know that I’m always nearby should anyone need me,” she says.

When asked how Felicia would describe her style, she explains that she is often drawn to a more natural and relaxed look.

– Over the years, I’ve noticed that both I and many couples who come to me prefer a cosy, relaxed and authentic feel to the wedding. That said, I’m always open to trying new things and thinking outside the box. The most important thing for me is always the couple’s wishes and vision. Last summer, for example, I photographed a wedding just outside Barcelona where the theme was a festival and Burning Man. The bride and groom and all the guests had dressed up in colourful, glittery festival outfits, which was absolutely brilliant,’ she says.

PHOTO// WITEK PHOTOGRAPHY

The process behind a destination wedding

Planning a destination wedding is both exciting and nerve-wracking, but it can also be a challenge precisely because it involves another country. It also involves a different language and a culture that can sometimes differ significantly from Swedish culture. To make things easier for the couples Felicia works with, she usually follows a clear plan and draws up a list of priorities. Once the bride and groom have a clear picture of what they’re dreaming of for their big day, the first step is to find and book a suitable wedding venue. Some popular venues receive enquiries several years in advance, so once the couple have found a venue they like, it’s important to act as quickly as possible to secure their preferred date. Many venues also work exclusively with a few selected suppliers when it comes to, for example, catering, sound and lighting, and florists – which is yet another reason why the first thing you need to do is find and book a venue. Once the wedding venue is booked, it’s easier to move on with the rest of the planning and contact other suppliers.

Free consultation

Felicia knows that choosing a wedding coordinator is an important decision, as the person you choose to work with can have a major impact on how the wedding turns out. To make things easier for the couples who contact her, she therefore always offers a free consultation in the form of a video call. The aim of the call is for both parties to get to know each other better. During the call, Felicia tries to get a sense of the couple’s vision for their wedding, whilst also giving them a better understanding of how she works and what the next steps in the planning process might be.

Packages of varying scope

Some couples want help with every aspect of planning and coordinating their wedding and would prefer not to have any contact with suppliers at all. Other couples are happy to handle a large part of the preparations themselves but need someone on hand to coordinate matters on the wedding day itself. In other words, no two couples are alike, and to cater for the different preferences, Felicia offers several packages of varying scope.

PHOTO // JUAN JOVEGA

The benefits of a destination wedding in Spain

Spain is a popular destination amongst many Swedish couples when it comes to getting married abroad, and it’s not hard to see why. There are many advantages to a destination wedding in Spain: its proximity to Sweden, the weather, the culture, the food and drink, and, not least, the stunning settings, to name but a few. Whether you’re dreaming of a wedding on a beach with the horizon as a backdrop, a grand city wedding in the heart of the metropolis, or a relaxed ceremony at a vineyard surrounded by vines, there’s something for everyone in Spain. To add an extra Spanish touch to the wedding, you could serve sangria, paella or tapas and surprise your guests with a flamenco show right in the middle of the wedding reception.

5 useful things to bear in mind when planning a destination wedding

01. Often, a wedding venue will already have a coordinator. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that this person’s main role is to ensure that everything to do with the venue, food and drink runs smoothly. Other tasks, such as helping with the design, printed materials, transport and finding nearby hotels for guests, are rarely part of their job.

02. It’s worth bearing in mind that although many people speak English in Spain, this is by no means true of everyone. Whilst many understand a great deal, people are often not comfortable speaking English themselves.

03. Remember that things sometimes take longer in Spain than in Sweden. It may therefore be a good idea to try to stay calm if, for example, you’re waiting for a reply to an enquiry or some other kind of feedback. Sometimes it can even be quicker to get clarity by phoning the person or organisation in question.

04. When it comes to destination weddings, it’s important to inform guests well in advance so that they have enough time to plan for the wedding and the journey to the destination. Bear in mind that guests may need to take time off work, arrange childcare, book flights and hotels, and save up some extra money.

05. Make sure you’ve got the legal aspects sorted. For example, don’t forget to apply for the examination of impediments to marriage from the Swedish Tax Agency well in advance of the wedding. Some couples choose to register their marriage with the Swedish Tax Agency before travelling to the destination where the wedding is to be held. It is also possible to get married under Swedish law abroad through the Church of Sweden or the Swedish Embassy. In other words, there are various ways of going about it. You’ll need to find out what applies in the specific country where you’re getting married and what options are available there.