SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT: NULYWEDS

Welcome back to the Supplier Spotlight series!! Today I’m introducing a wonderful person, fantastic and passionate wedding planner and, I’m not gonna lie, one of my favourite people – Olivia from the Nulyweds. 

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF

My name is Olivia Santos and I am a destination wedding planner creating colourful wedding days in Portugal for adventurous couples!

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

I had been working in the UK for quite some time, with a mix of independent wedding planning and in-house venue coordination. But I felt very stuck living and working in London. I felt I couldn’t really make my mark in London with the style and scope of weddings I really wanted to create. Having lived in Portugal as a teenager, I knew the country well and felt truly enamoured with the potential here. Not only does Portugal have delicious cuisine, sunny summers and diverse landscapes, it is also home to some truly incredible creatives, who can do fantastic things. I saw the opportunity in Portugal to bring my English sense of customer service, my passion for all things colourful and my understanding of the Portuguese market to create a unique destination wedding planning service for couples from around the world!

HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

I’m not going to lie to you and say I wake up at 5am, medidtate for half an hour, drink kombucha and write in a gratitude journal, before starting my work refreshed and serene, conquering every task with precision and grace. Entrepreneurship is rarely so simple and orderly. To tell you the truth, my days are very varied but typically I wake up quite late (around 10am) because most of my couples are overseas, and therefore hours behind. I get ready, and plonk myself in front of my laptop to tackle the inbox before moving on to any big projects. Most of a planner’s work is done behind the computer whether that is scheduling a weding day, researching supplier recommendations for couples, devising a budget, creating moodboards, booking appointments, having Skype calls with new potential clients or anything in between. I finish my work day at around midnight.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

The best part is seeing my couples happy and married on their wedding day! It sounds cringey but really their happiness on the day is all that really matters. As a creative, I also love the moodboarding and concept stages to crafting the look of their day in divine detail.

AND WHAT IS THE WORST PART?

Worst part of my job is working with suppliers that don’t gel with me. I have spent alot of time curating my supplier list and get on with almost every supplier I meet, but once in a blue moon, the couple will have booked a supplier separate to me and the service is just not there. It can get really frustrating to work with a supplier that isn’t delivering but I always do my best to get the very best work out of everyone to make your wedding day amazing!

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

Feel the fear and do it anyway!
It’s gotten me through alot of scary decisions.

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT COUPLES TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

I want my couples to know that wedding planning is a partnership in the truest sense. For 12-18 months, we will be working together to craft your ideal wedding day. It takes alot of trust, consistent communication, openness and a solid relationship for wedding planning to go smoothly. So please please choose the right planner for you as a person. It’s crucial that you get on and that they understand you.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR COUPLES PLANNING A WEDDING?

My advice is to take things one step at a time. I’m sure you’re already super busy people, so cramming in a long list of wedding tasks into your week is simply not sustainable or wise. I create a curated checklist of things to do for my clients that guides them through the process one step at a time, so you’re always in control but also don’t feel overwhelmed with it all. Relax into the process and you’ll get things done, slowly but surely.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DIDN’T WORK IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY?

I would be a pilot! It was my childhood dream.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR TIME OFF?

I’m a huge movie buff and love nothing better than going to the cinema solo or with friends.

DREAM HOLIDAY?

Riding horses in South America.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?

In 10 years I will own my own wedding venue in Portugal and have built it to be ultimate wedding venue, with all of my years of planning expertise poured into it. I want my venue to be my baby!

You can find Olivia’s directory page here, check out her website, and should definitely follow on Instagram and Pinterest or just shoot her an email to start planning your Portuguese dream wedding right away!

All pictures by Marni of Marni V Photography 

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