For today’s interview we have Camelia Lambru! Camelia is a renowned destination wedding planner and the founder of Camelia Lambru Event Production, a boutique agency known for crafting exceptional celebrations across Italy. With decades of experience and a trusted network of top-tier Italian vendors, she brings both creative vision and deep industry knowledge to every wedding she designs.
Beyond her work with couples, Camelia plays a key role in shaping the global wedding industry as the producer of leading events such as the International Wedding Summit, the Italian Wedding Awards, and WEDx. As an international speaker and the Italian voice for select elite agencies worldwide, she continues to influence and inspire the future of destination weddings in Italy.
Your Journey
Camelia, can you tell us about your journey into the world of event production and what led you to create Camelia Lambru Event Production?
My journey into event production comes from the world of corporate events, managing international projects, congresses, and roadshows across Italy. I’ve always been drawn to the creative and organizational side of events, but I truly fell in love with the wedding industry after helping a friend with a wedding. That experience inspired me to launch my own agency in 2012, which later evolved into Camelia Lambru Event Production—where I now create bespoke, high-end events and destination weddings across Italy. Since 2016, I’ve also created and organized industry-leading platforms such as the Italian Wedding Awards—the first national award for Italian wedding suppliers—as well as the International Wedding Summit and WEDx, among the first international conferences for the wedding industry in Italy.
Your Signature Style
How would you describe your signature style, and how do you ensure each celebration reflects the individuality of your clients?
My signature style is deeply rooted in individuality—I don’t believe in ‘cookie-cutter’ weddings. Each celebration should feel unique and personal, because every couple is different. I focus on understanding their story, personality, and vision, translating it into a tailored experience with distinctive details that truly reflect who they are
Designing Experiences
You often speak about creating immersive, refined experiences rather than simply organising events. What does that philosophy look like in practice when designing a wedding?
A wedding in Italy is an experience for both the couple and their guests. I include Italian traditions, flavors, and fragrances that create lasting memories, using local details, flowers, and artisanal touches to make each celebration immersive, personal, and truly unforgettable
Working with International Clients
Many of your clients plan their weddings from abroad. What are the main challenges they face, and how do you guide them through the process with confidence and ease?
Italy is magical, but planning a wedding from abroad comes with challenges like logistics, cultural differences, and communication nuances. That’s why couples who choose an Italian planner need to trust someone who knows how to navigate these aspects—reading contracts, coordinating vendors, and managing every detail—so they can enjoy the experience with confidence and peace of mind
The Planner–Photographer Relationship
From your perspective, what defines a strong and successful collaboration between an event producer and a photographer?
A strong collaboration between a planner and a photographer is all about teamwork. We work together to create a truly special event, and I often involve the photographer during site inspections to see the venue from their perspective. We discuss lighting, the best positions for the couple, distances, and timing—ensuring that every moment is perfectly captured and the day flows seamlessly
Creating Seamless Celebrations
Your weddings feel effortlessly executed. What are the key elements you focus on behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and beautifully flowing wedding day?
Planning well in advance, knowing the venue inside out, and working with professional vendors are key to avoiding unpleasant surprises. This careful preparation ensures the day flows smoothly, allowing the couple and their guests to fully enjoy every moment.
Attention to Detail
Your productions are known for their refined details. are there specific elements that you believe truly elevate a wedding from beautiful to exceptional?
What truly elevates a wedding is creating personalized touches that remind the couple of special moments in their love story or something they genuinely enjoy. Personalization isn’t just about adding initials on napkins—it’s about meaningful details that make the celebration unique and deeply memorable
Trends vs Timelessness
In a world of ever-changing trends, how do you strike a balance between contemporary design and creating something that feels timeless?
Elegance never goes out of style, but I love to add a touch of fresh, trendy elements. It’s about balancing timeless sophistication with subtle modern details, so each wedding feels both classic and current
Inspiring Locations
You work across a variety of stunning destinations, are there particular venues or settings that consistently inspire your creativity?
If I were getting married today, I honestly wouldn’t know which venue to choose because I love them all! Each location reflects the style and charm of its region. I must say I’ve recently rediscovered Sicily, and I’m really inspired by the new venues there—they’re incredibly beautiful and full of character.
Advice for Couples
For couples just beginning their planning journey, what advice would you offer to help them create a meaningful and cohesive wedding experience?
My advice for couples just starting their planning journey is to work with a local planner. Beautiful venues online with perfect websites don’t always reflect reality, and it’s easy to overlook logistics or special conditions. A local planner always finds the best solution—balancing style, budget, and expectations and....avoids unexpected costs!
A Memorable Celebration
Is there a wedding you’ve produced that has stayed with you, either emotionally or creatively? What made it so special?
One wedding that stayed with me was for a couple from Saudi Arabia. It was unforgettable because I needed to fully understand their culture, approach, and the dynamics of guests from different generations. Crafting a celebration that respected their traditions while creating a beautiful experience for everyone made it truly special. But as I always say, a memorable celebration is the next one—there’s always excitement and inspiration in what’s coming.
Final Thoughts
To you, what defines a truly unforgettable wedding experience?
A truly unforgettable wedding is one that stays in the hearts of the couple and in the minds of their guests. The bride’s happy tears and her words of thanks—when the day exceeds her expectations—are the ultimate proof that you’ve done your job well. And when, years later, guests still share and repost photos because they had such a wonderful time, it shows that the celebration was truly memorable for everyone.
Thank you Camelia!