READING TIME: 4 min 46 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/12/2026
When you ask Manuela Speroni, the founder and creative force behind Agnese Sogna Sempre, how her wedding planning journey began, her answer comes with warmth, clarity, and a deeply human touch.
“I’ve been working in this industry for about thirteen years,” she explains, her tone easy and reflective. It was 2013 — a life-changing year for Manuela personally and professionally. “I was about to give birth to Agnese (hence the name of my agency). I was driven by the desire to create something of my own — a magical place where dreams, love, and desires were the true focus of my work.”
What started as a personal challenge has grown into a thriving destination wedding planning business beloved by couples from around the world. Over the years, her focus shifted organically toward international clients seeking weddings that feel rich in story, emotion, and authenticity.
“When I think about my path, I see growth not only in scale but in meaning,” Manuela reflects. “The projects are very different from the weddings I started with, but I’m still the same; the energy and joy that drive me are still there.”
Manuela’s background didn’t begin in wedding planning — she came from a place filled with humanity and curiosity. “I love humanity in general and am a very curious person,” she shares. That curiosity fuels her love for destination weddings, where she has the privilege of connecting with couples from all walks of life.
“I enjoy creating a project that reflects not only the aesthetic we envisioned but also the couple I worked with,” she says. And it’s that attentive, people-centered approach that defines her work.
“I also love the beautiful country where I live, Italy, and I love being able to share this love with my couples who choose my country for their wedding,” Manuela continues. Her passion for Italy — its culture, its light, its history — becomes part of every celebration she crafts. “I feel compelled to welcome them and their guests in the best possible way and to bring a little bit of our Italy to their event.”
Agnese Sogna Sempre is guided by one fundamental belief: planning should feel as good as the wedding day itself.
“My philosophy is very simple: we treat with love, we behave with love, and we act with love,” Manuela says thoughtfully. That love isn’t just emotional language — it’s deliberate intention woven into every step of the planning journey.
“A wedding should be a pleasant experience to plan, not a nightmare to remember later,” she explains. In an industry that often emphasizes perfection, Manuela places human connection and calm interaction at the forefront.
Unlike many planners who offer tiered packages, Manuela’s approach is fully bespoke. She works closely with couples from the beginning, listening deeply and tailoring every detail to reflect their individuality.
“I work exclusively on the overall event organization, both organizationally and aesthetically,” she shares. But what makes her process truly special isn’t just what she does, but how she does it.
“I’m not so presumptuous as to impose my own taste just to follow a trend,” Manuela says with a smile.
I prefer to follow my couple, not necessarily the trend of the year.
For her, the most meaningful celebrations are those that feel authentic — reflections of the couple’s personalities, values, and life stories.
When asked about the most memorable wedding she has ever planned, Manuela doesn’t point to a single event — but to a season in her life that defined resilience and commitment.
“In 2018, I gave birth to my second child (Oliviero) at the end of May, and wedding season would have begun at the beginning of June,” she recalls warmly. “That season was crazy. Olli followed me to 13 events, from north to south of Italy. It was difficult, but I'm proud I did it.”
There’s a kind of poetry in that memory: love, family, and work all intertwined in a way that couldn’t be separated.
Manuela approaches every client relationship as a partnership rooted in trust and understanding.
“I enjoy listening a lot,” she says gently. But she also recognizes when a couple needs guidance. “I like to guide the couple when I notice they’re feeling lost on a topic.”
Her belief is simple: what might feel obvious to a planner is entirely new for the couple — and that’s where empathy becomes indispensable.
While based in Milan, Manuela’s heart often lies in the south of Italy. From coastal vistas to rustic countryside estates, she finds inspiration everywhere.
“I love Southern Italy even though I live in Milan,” she says.
I love traveling and I have to say that (apart from the mountains :-) ) I like everything.
Rather than offering a fixed roster of venues, Manuela values the freedom to match each couple with the perfect location — always with care and consideration for the story they want to tell.
Every wedding planner faces unexpected moments — and Manuela is no exception.
“There comes a time in your career when, if you want to grow, you have to take a leap,” she says. For her, that leap coincided with the global upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I had big plans, but I had to postpone everything,” she reflects. “It wasn’t easy.” But it was in those moments of pause and uncertainty that she found new depths of resilience.
When helping couples navigate budgets, Manuela offers guidance grounded in reality and experience.
“I always try to encourage them to dream with their own minds and not just collect unrealistic inspirations,” she explains. By offering well-considered supplier options and thoughtful direction, she helps couples make strategic decisions without losing the magic of their vision.
Her advice is heartfelt and practical:
“Hire a wedding planner — and I personally recommend a local, Italian one.”
“Italian culture needs to be understood,” she says. “Speaking Italian isn’t enough. You need to know how to deal with suppliers, you need to know how to wait for Italian timing, have a smile at the right moment, and be firm at the right moment.”
In her words, planning becomes less about stress and more about savoring every step toward something unforgettable.
If she could speak to herself at the start of her journey, Manuela’s message is unwavering:
Go straight on your path, if you believe in yourself, you can do it! And work hard!
For her, growth is not accidental — it’s intentional, human, and born from the courage to bring one’s whole heart into the work.
When it comes to dream locations, Manuela doesn’t limit herself to a single place. Having explored so much of Italy’s beauty, she feels fortunate and inspired — and isn’t searching for one “ultimate” venue. For her, every new couple and every new place brings a fresh story waiting to be told.
