In conversation with Annick Labonté and Mariana Castanheira
As a wedding photographer, I have had the joy of seeing how every detail, every emotion, and every collaboration between creative professionals can transform a wedding into something truly unforgettable.
Among the inspiring people I have met along the way, Annick Labonté and Cecilia, cofounder of Uh Lala Weddings & Events, stand out for their warmth, dedication, and creative vision.
Based in Tuscany and Apulia, Uh Lala Weddings is a boutique wedding planning agency known for creating elegant, heartfelt celebrations that reflect each couple’s unique story.
In this feature, I had the pleasure of speaking with Annick about her philosophy, her journey, and her advice for couples dreaming of a destination wedding in Italy or beyond.
Mariana: Can you tell us a bit about UhLaLa Weddings and what your concept is?
Annick: UhLaLa Weddings and Events is a boutique agency founded by Cecilia and me. We both bring years of experience in events, catering, and wedding planning, and we truly love what we do! We are fully dedicated to our clients: we listen carefully, understand their needs, and always find solutions in a stress-free atmosphere. We stay calm while managing all the challenging situations behind the scenes.
We are transparent, empathetic, and efficient. Communication is key for us, and we speak English, French, Italian, and Portuguese fluently. This makes a big difference for our international clients, ensuring clear communication and easy collaboration with our trusted network of vendors.
We are problem solvers who always keep a smile. Joie de vivre is part of our DNA! Our goal is to create the best days and most memorable moments of our couples’ lives.
Mariana: Do most of your weddings take place in Italy, or do you also plan abroad?
Annick: Yes, most of our weddings take place in Italy, mainly because we have such a strong network of highly skilled vendors here. However, we are always open to destination weddings abroad. We know how to organize events in different countries and build the right local connections to make everything run smoothly.
Mariana: From your experience, what advice would you give to couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Annick: Great question! First of all, trust me: hiring a wedding planner is essential if you want a smooth (and often less expensive!) wedding experience, especially when planning from abroad.
Without local knowledge, couples often face challenges they didn’t anticipate. For example:
· They book a venue without realizing the curfew is midnight, when they wanted an all-night party.
· They hire catering but later discover coverage is only for 6 hours instead of the 8+ hours they need, and then face extra costs.
· They fall for a trendy bar service on Instagram, only to pay a huge bill because the company is based across the country.
With a planner, you save money, avoid stress, and have transparent information from the start.
Nowadays, with social media, AI, and the internet, couples think they can plan everything themselves. And yes, if you have lots of time and budget, you can. But planners not only connect you with the big-name Instagram vendors, we also introduce hidden local gems who do incredible work, sometimes at a fraction of the price.
Apart from that, here are the key first steps to start your planning:
· Decide together with your partner on a baseline budget you want to dedicate.
· Define approximately how many guests you want to invite.
· Clarify if your vision is for one day only or a 2–3 day celebration with family and friends.
· Identify what is most important for you: music, food, flowers, entertainment, photography, etc.
Mariana: When it comes to choosing vendors, do you mainly work with Italian professionals, or do you enjoy collaborating with creatives from different parts of the world?
Annick: We mainly work with local Italian and European vendors because they know the territory best. However, since most of our clients come from the USA, Canada, the UK, and Brazil, we are always open to collaborating with international creatives, especially when couples suggest them.
Mariana: What made it so special for you working on weddings?
Annick: Almost 20 years ago, I married my husband in Tuscany. I’m originally from Canada, French-Canadian, and at the time I was living in Germany. With the help of my mother-in-law, we organized a wedding of over 300 guests, with people traveling from all over the world.
Being a “destination bride” myself showed me first-hand how difficult it can be. That experience helps me understand my clients on a deeper level.
Since then, I’ve worked in marketing, events, and more, but wedding planning has always remained my greatest joy. It’s hard work, yes, and often stressful, but the emotions during a ceremony always move me. The relationships I build with couples are something I truly cherish.
Mariana: How do you tailor your services to reflect each couple’s unique story and personality? How do you incorporate diverse traditions and styles into your planning?
Annick: Cecilia and I both have international backgrounds, so we naturally understand and embrace cultural diversity. Our couples have different personalities, expectations, dreams, cultures, and religions and for us, each wedding is a new journey.
We always start by listening carefully. From there, we propose venues and design ideas that reflect who they are. Together, we build their dream celebration, whether it’s one unforgettable day or a full 3-day wedding.
Mariana: What are the three venues you believe are the best in Italy?
Annick: It really depends on the couple and their vision, but a few of my favourites include:
Each offers something special, from breathtaking scenery to timeless Italian charm.
Mariana: Many couples feel overwhelmed by all the decisions — how do you help guide them without taking over their vision?
Annick: We guide couples step by step, one decision at a time. For example, when it’s time to choose a vendor, we share our top 3–4 recommendations, get quotes, and help them compare, always based on their requests and vision.
We also create and share a detailed budget file, so they always know where they stand financially. And most importantly, we help them understand compromises: if décor and flowers are less important, but photography is essential, then we help them prioritize their budget accordingly. It’s about guiding, not imposing.
Mariana: What’s your favourite type of venue to work with: a historical villa, a beachside location, the countryside or a modern space?
Annick: Definitely historical villas, beachside locations, and countryside estates. For us, that’s the true essence of Italy.
Mariana: Where can couples find you online?
Annick: Couples can discover us here:
Final thoughts about my conversation with UhLaLa Weddings and Events
UhLaLa Weddings and Events is more than a planning agency. Annick and Cecilia bring together creativity, precision, and heart to craft celebrations that feel effortlessly elegant and deeply personal.
For couples dreaming of saying I do in Italy, their approach combines Italian beauty with genuine warmth, ensuring every wedding is not only beautiful to photograph but unforgettable to experience.
