Parisian Splendour: Planning Intimate Events in France with Le Secret d’Indirihya

TEXT BY LINDA WALLENTINE

Creating glamorous “Love Celebrations” since 2017, MunaCoterie member Anaïde Luciate di Belle Garde is the Founder, Creative Director, and Executive Wedding planner of her fashion-forward destination wedding planning agency: Le Secret d’Indirihya.

With her headquarters close to the Place Vendôme, a hallmark of luxury, elegance, and French savoir-faire in Europe, Anaïde has worked with more than 50 couples and executed countless haute couture editorials. She specializes in intimate high-end destination ceremonies and strives to push the boundaries of fashion, bringing Black Excellence, Style, and Beauty centerstage. In doing so, she has made a distinct name for herself in the destination wedding industry.

“I am the one and only Event Maestra crafting iconic, glamorous, and fashion love celebrations in Europe,” she says with well-earned confidence. “I have a strong brand, I embody the Femme Fatale, the Powerful Woman who knows exactly what she wants. My female clients also have this deep desire for themselves.” Her real-life couples and models embody her essence of confidence, swag, and glamor all while wearing high-fashion looks set against luxurious locales in France and beyond. Anaïde explains, “[My bride] wants me because I look like her and shine like what she wants most in the world: to be an icon.”

Keep reading for our exclusive interview with Anaïde on all things fashion, creating meaningful, impactful micro weddings, and advice for event planners working in the Europe wedding scene.

Who and what inspires you when planning a couple’s most cherished moments?

I am mostly inspired by the couple, their story, how they interact together, and how they look at each other.

In the process, my detailed questionnaire (or the discovery call) plays an important role. The emotional connection that I will create with the couple is the inking point of all our future collaboration. I know perfectly well the needs, the desires, the hidden desires (the ones that he or she will not say), then it's up to me to understand and defuse the non-verbal communication of my client.

What role does fashion play in your event designs as you create luxurious, Haute Couture destination weddings and elopements?

As far as I remember, fashion has always played a role in my personal and professional life. I love dressing up, creating looks for a night out, for events, and any occasion is an excuse to buy a new dress, new jewelry, or a new lipstick.

When it comes to weddings, I always encourage my couples to define several looks because they are not just coming for their wedding celebration, but for a true European experience. Sometimes it is the first time their family members come to Paris, and they want and need to create memories worthy of the most iconic movies.

A destination wedding over 3 days gives you the opportunity to create colorful and stylish outfits. Imagine it: a rehearsal dinner on the theme of the cruise has fun, a cruise on the Seine, by night, an experience both cultural and so glamorous. I visualize it at nightfall. I envision, of course, artists, a cocktail around the world, and a design with a multitude of flowers.

The sparkling Eiffel Tower is the highlight of the show. The wedding will be elegant and modern. Why not be inspired by Chanel; black, white, and notes of pink more pronounced, and finally, touches of crystal. We visualize a nuanced monochrome, warmed by touches of pink, very editorial. But what could be more elegant than black and white?

If my client mentions that she likes Cartier a lot, then I will work with my artistic team on the house's codes. Cartier red, the love ring, touches of gold...Oh, the monogram of the couple, the invitations... It's all in the details. We are truly artisans of excellence.

To finish, a pool party in a privatized castle. Still, there are so many possibilities. I create mood boards with links for dedicated outfits, swimwear, sandals, men's outfits, and accessories.

We will also focus on the staging of cocktail pieces, everything will be very visual (cocktails, bar, candy bar, design ...) why not crepe and artisanal ice cream stations? As the Fashion Event Stylist & Artistic Director, I create bespoke Designs thanks to the fumes of an elusive inspiration.

What are your essential planning tips for executing a luxurious, impactful microwedding in France?

Everything is in the details. I think about how to be recognizable, different, and iconic.

If we conceive an event, whatever it is, with the desire to confer a mysterious, iconic, glamorous dimension, then we impregnate ourselves with the codes of the couple. We embody their story with modern and very fashionable notes, sometimes dramatic. Or we go for the Renaissance and the Baroque.

It's SO EXCITING because it's always a blank canvas where everything remains to be designed. Like architects, we are inspired by nature, the place, a word, an expression of the couple. There are infinite possibilities.

In what ways can planners elevate an intimate ceremony?

I am an emotional person, so to be able to witness love is so magical. My one and only motivation is to give them back this dream. After the exchange of vows, it's so beautiful to take a cruise on the seine, just for the two of them.

We can already imagine a second outfit for a more modern look. Why not a black dress with tulle and transparency for her, gloves with feathers, and a boa? And a beautiful jacket in the eggplant tone for him. One raises the ultra-masculine side of the man while remaining elegant, sober, and modern to him.

And then we reserve a sports car, that the man will be able to drive (a wink on the Place Vendôme for example). You would be surprised to see how much the couple adoooore to play the stars, to feel like James Bond, in Paris, it is magic.

We don't plan an event, we create indelible memories.

Why is France a great place to say I-do?

I love this question! We have castles if you like the classic and elegant look. We have palaces and hotels for a luxurious celebration.

The Garnier Opera House or the Petit Palais are historical monuments that give such a sumptuous scope to your event. Nothing can match a wedding in such an iconic place.

Paris is an open-air museum, everywhere you go, there will be treasures, nuggets, and small, atypical streets for an elopement. But we also have this opening in the world. Europe is as much history, monuments, historical or modern places. A wonder of every moment.

I also like to evoke the variety of the weather and landscapes. It is possible to produce everything in France. The sweetness of the Dolce Vita of Provence, the glamour of the photo credits:

French Riviera, Paris… our gastronomy, and the French art de vivre is not a myth. List your top 3 locations/venues in France for a micro-wedding/elopement and briefly explain why they stand out.

For an elopement or intimate wedding, I would recommend a small château near Paris or a Hôtel particulier like Musée Rodin or La Maison de Sylvie in Chantilly. For the most luxurious, I would choose Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, which is splendor and will amaze your guests. These 3 venues are the best options for the right balance between History, Glamour, and Iconic.

Advice for other planners trying to establish themselves in the wedding planning industry. You need to be recognized as your best brand ambassador. Who better than you can embody your brand and your signature? Do not be afraid to be different, do not be afraid to be borderline sometimes. You have it all.

I have surrounded myself with premium partners, who have always made it a point of honor to sublimate any celebration I design. And last but not least, always do everything for love and by love.

It is the perfect marriage of passion, devotion, and emotion to inspire the most iconic and memorable love celebration.

MAESTRA PLANNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Anaïde Luciate di Belle Garde of Le secret d’Indirihya ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Noha Rahli of Le secret d’Indirihya PHOTOGRAPHER: Olivier Neuville Photography LUXURY DRESS: Milia London BEAUTY ARTIST: Dorée Paris ICONIC CINDERELLA : Alisson SPORTY VINTAGE CAR: Retro Motors Collection VIDEO: Jon Guerrero FLOWERS: Fahira Fazlic of Luv Box