READING TIME: 4 min 23 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/12/2026
In destination wedding planning, true brilliance rarely comes from excess. It comes from intention, structure, and the quiet confidence of someone who knows how to lead. Brilliant Wedding was created with exactly that mindset — weddings designed with beauty, guided by clarity, and executed with control.
At the heart of the studio is Simona Parisi, a destination wedding planner based in Italy, working primarily between Sicily, Rome, and other iconic Italian locations. With over eleven years of experience, Simona is known for bespoke, design-driven celebrations created for international couples who value elegance, authenticity, and emotional intelligence as much as aesthetics.
“I’m Simona, a destination wedding planner based in Italy,” she begins simply. Her journey into wedding planning didn’t follow a conventional path — it was driven by instinct and discipline.
“I started in wedding planning out of pure passion,” she says. Before it became her profession, Simona immersed herself in the industry independently, studying specialized books and building knowledge on her own. That foundation eventually led her to a professional course in London, where she refined her understanding of event structure and international standards. “That experience confirmed that this was exactly where I wanted to be.”
Her first wedding was small, but formative — a destination celebration for a couple from London. “I realized very quickly that this job is not about ‘pretty details,’” Simona recalls. “It’s about problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and leadership.”
That experience shaped her philosophy early on. “If you’re calm, prepared, and honest, couples trust you,” she says. “And when they trust you, everything flows better.”
What ultimately inspired Simona to become a wedding planner was not only the creative aspect, but the responsibility behind it.
“You’re not just designing a day — you’re holding someone’s memories in your hands,” she explains. The role required someone willing to absorb pressure so the couple could stay present. “I loved the idea of creating something meaningful while being the person who absorbs the stress so the couple doesn’t have to.”
Over time, her approach became increasingly intentional. “I don’t chase trends, and I don’t do copy-paste weddings,” Simona states clearly. Instead, she works closely with each couple to understand how they live, how they host, and what truly matters to them. From there, every celebration is built to feel natural, refined, and unmistakably personal.
With 11 years of experience, Simona describes what she loves most about wedding planning in precise terms: balance.
“I love the balance between creativity and structure,” she says. For her, planning is about designing meaningful experiences while managing complex logistics with precision. “Most of all, I enjoy being the calm, reliable presence that lets couples fully enjoy their wedding, knowing everything is under control.”
That sense of control isn’t rigid — it’s protective. It allows couples to relax, trust the process, and experience their celebration without managing it.
At Brilliant Wedding, everything begins with a single mantra:
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
It’s not a decorative phrase — it’s a filter. It defines which projects Simona takes on, how she plans, and how she leads. Beauty, in her world, is inseparable from intention, clarity, and restraint.
Simona offers full-service wedding planning and design, guiding couples from the earliest concept through the wedding day and all related events. Her services include budget management, timelines, vendor sourcing and coordination, design and styling, logistics, guest experience, and on-site coordination.
“I don’t believe in rigid, pre-set packages,” she says. “Every couple, every location, and every celebration is different.”
Each project is structured around priorities rather than assumptions — allowing the experience to unfold with coherence rather than excess.
Choosing a single memorable wedding is difficult, but one stands out — a large-scale, multi-day destination wedding in Rome for an international couple.
“It was a very big production,” Simona recalls. Working closely with a bride who was a designer, the process became deeply collaborative and creatively rewarding. The scale was significant, but so was the trust — a combination that defines her favorite kind of work.
Simona’s process always begins the same way: listening.
Before talking about design or logistics, I want to understand who the couple is.
She focuses on how they live, what they value, and what they want their guests to feel. Only then does she build structure — priorities, budget allocation, timelines, and a shared direction.
This clarity, established early, becomes the anchor for every decision that follows.
Over the years, Simona has built strong relationships with some of Italy’s most renowned venues, including Villa Miani, La Posta Vecchia, and Villa Tasca.
Her work spans Sicily, Rome, and beyond — always guided by the same principle: the venue must support the experience, not define it.
The biggest challenges Simona has faced were rarely logistical alone.
“Managing expectations under pressure is the hardest part,” she says — shifting timelines, stretched budgets, heightened emotions, and multiple stakeholders with different opinions. “Challenges are rarely just about logistics. They’re about communication.”
Her role, especially in those moments, is to stay calm, make clear decisions, and shield the couple from unnecessary stress.
When it comes to budgeting, Simona is known for her honesty.
“I help couples stay on budget by setting clear priorities from the very beginning,” she explains. “We decide what truly matters and where it’s worth investing — and where it isn’t.”
Her advice is direct: “You can’t have everything.” And that clarity, she believes, is what ultimately leads to better, more meaningful weddings.
“My advice is to focus on what truly matters to you,” Simona says. Trends, opinions, and social media can distract couples from their own vision.
A clear vision makes every decision easier.
Looking back, Simona would remind herself of something essential: “Clarity, boundaries, and consistency are what actually build a strong business.”
Not every client is the right client — and understanding that, she says, changes everything.
When asked about her dream wedding venue, the answer is immediate: La Posta Vecchia. A place where history, elegance, and atmosphere align — much like her own approach to weddings.
For future Top selections, Simona is happy to recommend vendors she trusts deeply, including Paola Colleoni, whose work aligns with her standards of quality, consistency, and care.
