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Meet Monica from Dandelion Celebrations
Tell us your story
Italian by birth, I’ve adopted London as my home, even if I regularly fall in love with destinations around the world that make me feel instantly at home.
From a young age, my parents took us to places that were well outside the norm for the town I grew up in. Our summers meant visiting family in the Aeolian Islands (Sicily), then travelling somewhere in the UK to satisfy my mum’s love of immersing us all in British culture. Those contrasts sparked a curiosity that has never stopped growing, and a passion for exploring beyond the well-trodden path that sits at the heart of everything I create for my couples.
That love of travel and languages really took hold when I moved to the UK to study. My studies in Tourism and Event Management took me around the country and to Mexico for a few months, and it was then that I understood travelling to be so much more than visiting a place. It’s about going beyond the tourist hot spots, immersing yourself in the richness of a culture and discovering beauty that genuinely takes your breath away.

How long have you been working in the wedding industry?
I have been working in events since completing my Masters in Event Management 16 years ago, and worked for a luxury wedding and events company before launching my own business in 2020.
What made you get into weddings & elopements?
I’ve always worked in events across different industries, from luxury parties to immersive brand experiences. I loved the variety, but something was always missing: the uniqueness of personal stories and the authenticity in the way they’re told.
After some time exploring South America, I was ready for a big change. I realised that the best events are the ones where the wow factor comes from real, personal stories; celebrations that honour the values shaping our everyday lives, shared with the people you love most in breathtaking settings. Moments that feel real rather than staged. Where you’re truly immersed and wish you could press pause just a little longer.
Image by Tozzi Studio
Image by Tozzi Studio
Image by Tozzi Studio
What do you love about intimate weddings and elopements?
Intimate weddings and elopements have a special kind of aura: as if time intentionally slows down. You get to treat yourself and your favourite people to a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s entirely about you and your love.
There’s no script. We build your celebration from scratch, free from the limitations that larger weddings can carry. Every choice is intentional, fully reflecting your values and with a lighter impact on the destination and its people.
We build your celebration from scratch, free from the limitations that larger weddings can carry. Every choice is intentional, fully reflecting your values and with a lighter impact on the destination and its people.
– monica
How would you describe your approach to your work?
Collaborative, intentional and thoughtful. I believe in beauty that’s kind, not beauty at all costs. Every option I present during the planning process, whether a supplier choice or a design idea, is made with its impact in mind.
To achieve this, collaboration with both couples and suppliers is essential. The result is beauty that’s kind, feels meaningful, treads lightly, and carries value beyond aesthetics alone.

What’s your favourite part of a wedding day?
This is a difficult question because I often cherish a different part of the day for each couple. There’s usually a moment we’ve poured a lot of attention into, or that the couple has been looking forward to most, and seeing their happiness when it’s unveiled is truly the most wonderful feeling.
My couples typically love spending time together around the table with good conversation, a glass of wine and local cuisine. That art of intentional, slow gathering is something we invest a lot of thought into, shaping every detail to feel inviting, personal and unpretentious, yet still elevated.
That art of intentional, slow gathering is something we invest a lot of thought into, shaping every detail to feel inviting, personal and unpretentious, yet still elevated.
Image by Alberto Alessandra
Image by Alberto Alessandra
Image by Alberto Alessandra
What advice would you give couples who are in the process of planning a wedding or elopement?
Don’t put your values on hold. This isn’t just one day, it’s months of decisions, big investments and memories you’re building together. You want to look back on this time without regret, so make sure every choice feels aligned.
The easiest way to do that is to hire a wedding planner you trust, one who shares your values. It will stop you from getting sidetracked, confused and overwhelmed. I might be biased, but it’s the best and most important investment you’ll make in your planning journey, because it will inform and guide every other decision.
Image by Jackie Chick Photography
When you’re not at a wedding, what do you love doing?
I love travelling and watching wildlife in its natural habitat, and sharing this passion with my husband makes it even better. When I’m not planning weddings, I’m planning our next adventure. Even in and around London, we seek out hikes and countryside escapes, always hoping to spot local wildlife.
Otherwise, I love a good exhibition (the V&A is my favourite museum), trying different restaurants and cuisines, and going to concerts and shows by musicians and artists I love. Day to day, I also enjoy lifting weights, which keeps me strong and active for both adventures and long wedding weekends.
Do you have a dream wedding or elopement you’d love to do?
I have several!
An intimate wedding in the Aeolian Islands (Sicily), including a sunset cruise with dinner on board and nature’s own fireworks: Stromboli is an active volcano that typically erupts every 10 to 15 minutes.
An elopement or intimate wedding in the Azores. This is also a bucket list destination for me personally. I love whale watching, dramatic island vistas and, clearly, have an obsession with volcanic landscapes.
An elopement at the end of the Earth. Having travelled to both Patagonia and Antarctica, this one is for the true wild adventurers. I promise it will be like nothing you have ever seen.
A week-long intimate wedding experience in Morocco, starting in the buzzy heart of Marrakech’s Medina, followed by a wedding in the Atlas Mountains and a few days unwinding in the Sahara desert.
I clearly don’t do things by halves!
Learn More About
Dandelion Celebrations


