READING TIME: 6 minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/27/2026
There’s something quietly powerful about a celebration that feels entirely its own — not shaped by trends, not defined by expectations, but created with meaning at its core.
For Jessy Karam, founder of Strawberries & Champagne, this is where everything begins.
“I always knew I wanted to work in celebrations. There is something powerful about bringing people together for a moment that carries so much meaning.”
With over fifteen years of experience and a creative presence spanning Paris and Beirut, Jessy has built a world where weddings are not simply planned — they are imagined, shaped, and brought to life with intention.
Her journey began at home.
“I planned my first wedding in Lebanon, which is home, and I’ve now been doing this for over fifteen years.”
What has never changed is her fascination with transformation — the quiet magic that happens when a space becomes something more.
“What still fascinates me today is the transformation of a place — how, for a few hours, it becomes the stage for memories that will stay with people forever.”
Today, Strawberries & Champagne designs luxury destination celebrations across Europe and beyond, moving seamlessly between cultures, locations, and scales. Yet at the heart of every project remains the same idea: creating something that feels deeply personal.
In an industry often driven by aesthetics, Jessy approaches weddings with a different mindset — one rooted in meaning rather than visual repetition.
Every celebration is built from intention. Every element has a reason to exist.
“Every celebration should feel deeply personal to the couple and connected to the place where it happens. Nothing is added without meaning.”
It is this philosophy that shapes the kind of weddings she is drawn to — not the predictable, but the ones that open space for imagination.
“I’m most inspired by weddings that allow us to imagine something entirely new — transforming a place into an immersive world that feels authentic, emotional, and impossible to replicate.”
No two weddings within Strawberries & Champagne look alike — and that is entirely the point.
The process begins not with design, but with understanding.
It begins with listening. Understanding who they are, what matters to them, and how they want the celebration to feel.
From there, ideas take shape — evolving into a creative direction that feels both surprising and familiar at the same time.
“The goal is always the same: to create something deeply personal that the couple may not have imagined themselves, but instantly feels like theirs.”
This approach naturally extends into the services the company offers. Each celebration is fully bespoke, combining design, planning, and production into one seamless experience.
At the same time, equal attention is given to guests — not just logistics, but how they experience the celebration as a whole. From curated travel recommendations to accommodation, transportation, and activities, every detail is considered with care, allowing the wedding to unfold effortlessly.
Some of the most defining moments in Jessy’s career are tied not just to the couples, but to the places themselves.
“The most memorable weddings are often the ones where we are able to create a celebration in a place where it has never happened before.”
There is something особливе in working with spaces that carry history — places that already hold stories, waiting to be reawakened.
“Designing the first wedding ever held at the Greek Theatre of Taormina, organising the full buyout of Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay after its restoration, or reviving the historic Grand Sofar Hotel & Casino in Lebanon that had been closed for forty years are moments that stay with me.”
These are not just events. They are moments when a place breathes again.
“Not just because of the scale, but because for one night, a place with history comes back to life.”
While there are venues that naturally become part of the journey — spaces where trust and understanding grow over time — Jessy is always drawn to the unknown.
“There are certainly venues we enjoy returning to — places that are both inspiring and comfortable to work in.”
But it is often the unexpected locations that bring the most excitement.
“Some of the most exciting projects come from places that were not originally intended to host events, but where we see the potential to transform them into something entirely unique.”
Behind the beauty of each celebration lies a reality that requires adaptability and strength.
“Today we are based in France but originally we are Lebanese. Working in a region where circumstances can change quickly has taught us resilience.”
From political instability to global uncertainty, these experiences have shaped not only the business, but the mindset behind it.
It forces you to stay calm, adapt, and always find a way forward.
Creating something exceptional also requires clarity — especially when it comes to budget.
“Once the design is defined, we prepare a very detailed budget outlining the cost of every element.”
Transparency becomes the foundation, allowing couples to see the full picture and make thoughtful decisions.
“This transparency allows couples to clearly understand how the overall budget is built and to prioritize what matters most.”
With careful planning and guidance, the balance between creativity and practicality becomes natural.
“Planning well in advance gives us the flexibility to propose alternatives and negotiate when needed, ensuring the celebration remains both thoughtful and well balanced financially.”
When asked what matters most for couples, Jessy’s answer is simple — yet often overlooked.
“It’s a celebration. Let go a little and enjoy it.”
Because in the end, the most meaningful weddings are not defined by perfection, but by presence.
“The most beautiful weddings are the ones where the couple is truly present in the moment.”
After fifteen years in the industry, there is a quiet confidence in Jessy’s perspective — grounded, yet still curious.
“I would remind myself to stay passionate and trust the process. Building something meaningful takes time.”
Growth, for her, has never been about speed, but about consistency and integrity.
“Stay curious, work hard, never compromise on creativity or integrity, and surround yourself with the right people.”
When it comes to dream locations, the answer is not a single place — but a feeling.
I can’t pick just one. What excites me most is discovering new spaces, especially those with a strong sense of history.
Because for Jessy, it has never been about the venue itself — but about what it can become.
“There’s something very special about transforming a place that already carries so many stories into the setting for a new one.”
In the world of Strawberries & Champagne, weddings are not simply created — they are felt.
They exist for a moment, shaped by intention and emotion, and then gently become part of something larger: memory, place, and story — all at once.
