By Joanne – Luxury French Wedding Planner

Searches for wedding venues in France soared by a whopping 771% on our Venue Finder last month, and with travel finally allowing us to dream of a destination celebration then it’s really no surprise. Those holiday vibes are real folks!

But if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed and are thinking it’s time to bring in the experts then let us introduce you to Wedding Planner By Joanne – as the custodian of some beautiful chateau venues in France, we’ve worked with Joanne for many years.

For Joanne, connecting with her couples on an emotional level is important, and when I watched her film I really felt this passion and authenticity – it’s a pleasure to introduce you.

Jo says…

I am a mum of three and moved from Wales to the South of France 13 years ago. We sold up and moved our family to France for a different life experience, we had a blank canvas and no real plan, but we just wanted to see if we liked living here and if we could earn a living. I was asked to manage and market a chateau that had been empty and never used so I started marketing it for holiday rentals at first, but then one day I got asked by a couple if they could get married there and I said yes, why not? I had planned large scale events back in the UK so my skillset, experience and knowledge in the events industry was a perfect fit, and as they say – the rest is history.

I have over 25 years’ worth of experience in marketing and event management. My portfolio consists of glitzy Oscar-style award ceremonies, celebrity events, business exhibitions, fashion shows, black tie dinners for 1500 guests, and luxury weddings. I have established myself as one of France’s leading destination wedding planners, working with international clientele who want a stylish and glamorous wedding abroad.

My Ethos

My approach is built around authenticity, integrity, and exclusivity. I endeavour to bring you a wedding day that is unashamedly you. One that is planned with purpose, delivered with intention, and remembered for its distinction.

Because ‘extraordinary’ is never just an accident. It’s a delicious combination of your desires, peppered with your personality and orchestrated with expertise. At By Joanne, ordinary isn’t an option. I originally wanted to be a vet as I have had horses all my life, but soon realised it was a long time to study and I am squeamish when it comes to blood. Plus I can’t look at a needle so opted for a business and marketing degree in university before working in the private and public sector in the events industry for 12 years. I became a wedding planner basically because I got asked to. I used to plan gala dinners for 1500 guests with glitzy award schemes and used to create all the visuals for all the table settings, literature and set design. Plus I planned my own wedding which is still being talked about today 20 years on so I knew I could do it and would excel at it. I thrive on pressure and deadlines!

I love making people’s dreams a reality. It is so rewarding to take ideas and a couple’s vision and produce a beautiful seamless wedding for them and their guests. Being freelance I am also able to make and control my own destiny.

My Services

I only offer full-service wedding planning along with an esteemed network of French and International wedding suppliers at my fingertips, and a host of prestigious, exclusive and luxury destination wedding venues. I fully immerse myself in a couple’s celebration, collaborating with them as their vision evolves throughout the planning experience. Every intricacy of their wedding day is thoughtfully taken care of, from the aesthetic elements of the event right through to the organisational and logistical areas.

We strive to achieve:

Peace of mind – We want our couples to feel happy, calm, and safe, with a clearly timed planning schedule and communication plan.

Connection – Humans need and long for love, acceptance, understanding and belonging. Connection is the reason they are getting married, so it is vital to ensure we are a good fit and connect. The same is true of our relationship with venues and vendors involved on a wedding day, I work hard to build strong working relationships.

Originality – Your wedding day is a unique love story and the start of your lives together. Every wedding is one-of-a-kind and represents each couple’s individuality. The process is a collaborative one and whatever direction it takes, or input required, I am here to tell your story.

I am selling the dream of being able to make anything happen, creating lifelong memories for everyone, an aspiration for my couple’s inspiration.

My promise is to help couples plan and style their wedding with creativity, elegance and style true to their vision, to make their day exceptional and magical. My cheerful, calm demeanour and confident expertise will put them at ease and reassure them they are in safe hands. I do this better than everyone else as I take the time to get the insight into their desires and wishes. I am a French wedding expert with over 12 years’ experience. I have the drive, passion and ambition to ensure every wedding exceeds expectation and I always over-deliver. Your results will always be great if you love what you do. This is not just a job, I am more than just a planner – I am a storyteller, event dreamer and memory maker.

Planning Tip

Always trust your wedding planner and communicate openly. I want all my couples to feel relaxed, safe and secure, I want them to be open and honest as communication is key throughout the planning process. We are embarking on a journey together so we need to be on the same page so we can be imaginative to create a real, honest emotional story of their love and life.