Meet Ariel Chiu: Luxury Paris Wedding Planner and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariel Chiu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariel, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Success can be defined in many ways, and is different for every person. For me, I view success as working with only a handful of couples each year, and providing a tailored and exclusive wedding planning experience. When my couples choose to work with me, I recognize how much they are investing in someone they just met — I want to invest the same amount of effort into them, if not more. By being exclusive with my services, I am able to provide my couples with an elevated experience that not only gives them a framework for their wedding, but also gives them back time. Whether that’s time for each other, or time for themselves, time is such a precious commodity that we are all constantly trying to acquire more of. I work diligently to gift my couples treasured time during their engagement, and I think that is one of the reasons behind my success.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Like most entrepreneur clichés, I felt trapped in my corporate job of seven years, but could never quite leave the comfort and security of being an employee. Once I took that leap of faith however, the world truly became my oyster — I discovered my potential, and I continue to grow both personally and professionally every day. In the last two years, I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the best in the wedding industry, and I’ve realized that any investment in myself and my brand is truly invaluable. The luxury wedding market is such a competitive space, so why should a couple invest in me, if I don’t invest in myself? To me, that means putting in a consistent effort to nurture my vendor relationships worldwide, and continuing to learn about, and develop thoughtful marketing strategies in this ever-changing digital landscape. Any good planner is detail-oriented and organized, so I think providing a high-end planning experience with seamless collaboration is part of my appeal to busy modern-day couples. I also curate my brand very carefully, so I’d like to think that couples are attracted to my work because they like my elegant and romantic style. When I design a wedding, I want it to be timeless and feel like an extension of your art piece — every element creatively assembled, and every choice intentional.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My hometown is Vancouver, Canada, but my love affair with Paris means I’m usually in France a few times each year. I’m a big foodie at heart, so in either city, a good time is always accompanied with great food! In Vancouver, that means a stop at Le Marche St. George for the best pain au chocolate and savoury gruyere crepes — it’s my go to fix for French pastry cravings! A trip to Vancouver is also not complete without a stroll through historic Gastown, a bike ride along the Stanley Park seawall, or a visit to Granville Island for people watching, and the best fish and chips! In Paris, I always recommend Le Servan in the 11th arrondissement for the quintessential bistro dining experience. However, if you can snag a coveted reservation for Septime, you will be blown away by the fine dining gastronomic experience, without the pretentiousness. Autumn is my favourite time of the year to visit Paris — you can easily spend the perfect afternoon people watching at Jardin des Tuileries, exploring antique shops in Le Marais, and watching the sun set over this magical city on the Pont Alexandre III.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without a doubt, my husband is my biggest fan and I owe much of my success to his unwavering belief in me. As an entrepreneur himself with over a decade of experience, he’s been in my shoes and felt the rollercoaster of emotions behind starting and building a business. Without his encouragement, I’m not sure I would have even left the safety net of my corporate job, let alone be where I am today. From business strategizing, to set up and tear down on a wedding day, he has traveled near and far with me as I follow my heart. He consistently shows up for me each and every day, and I feel so fortunate and grateful to have such a supportive partner. Any success I have, and continue to have, will always be a shared success.

Website: https://wonderstruck.events
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderstruck.events/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WonderstruckWeddings/

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Maricle Kang Remaining Photos: Maricle Kang, Beige Weddings, Blush Sky Photography