Meet Zuza: The Woman Behind Whole Lotta Love Weddings

I’m Zuza — a feminist, a wife, a mum, an animal lover, and the proud creative mind behind Whole Lotta Love Weddings. I’m a London-based wedding planner with a passion for design-led, personality-filled celebrations that feel as unique as the couples I work with.

I’ve often described myself as an introverted extrovert — a loud, complicated woman with a heart of gold. I’m also proudly neurodivergent. Being wired a little differently helps me see the world from unexpected angles, which I count as my superpower.

What Defines Me

If I had to sum myself up in a nutshell, I’d say I’m unapologetically honest, fiercely passionate, loyal to the core, and absolutely do not suffer fools. My passions? Fashion, music, interior design, and dancing.

These are more than hobbies — they’re the essence of my style and taste. My design inspiration doesn’t come solely from typical wedding trends or Pinterest boards but from art, fashion, architecture, and music icons who dared to be different.

Where My Inspiration Comes From

Fashion has always been my biggest influence. I’m endlessly inspired by the styling, mood, and colour stories of fashion campaigns — particularly during Alessandro Michele’s era at Gucci. His vision for Gucci — the maximalist, eccentric, 70s-inspired aesthetic that blurred gender and art — completely shaped my creative direction. I adored the way he styled Harry Styles, Jared Leto, Florence Welch, and Lana Del Rey. The romantic chaos of it all speaks to my soul. Now that he’s moved to Valentino, I’ve followed him there — his touch still inspires my creative palette.

Music icons like David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Cher, and Diana Ross, as well as Bianca Jagger and Jane Birkin who also play a huge part in my creative thinking. I love artists who created entire worlds around themselves — identities so distinct you could recognise their influence in a second. Bowie’s constant reinvention, Bianca’s unapologetic glamour, and Ross’s stage presence — that’s the energy I bring into weddings.

Then there’s interior design and architecture. I’m obsessed with mid-century modern — the sleek geometry of 60s Californian homes, the works of Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Michael Graves. Since we don’t have those here, I love marrying that modernist spirit with the charm of old Georgian or Victorian spaces. That contrast — the old meeting the new — is exactly what excites me.

The Story Behind the Name

“Whole Lotta Love” comes from Led Zeppelin’s iconic song. I’ve always been a huge fan, and for years I used to sign my emails off with Whole Lotta Love long before my business even existed. When I finally decided to start my own company, the name was already there, waiting. It just felt right — soulful, powerful, unapologetic.

How I Became a Wedding Planner

I’ve been to more weddings than I can count, and after a while, I noticed something: they all started to blend into one another. The same colours, the same styles, the same formula. Everything felt safe and predictable.

Then lockdown happened. Suddenly, creatives had the space and freedom to experiment — and social media became the new inspiration hub. Instagram and Pinterest exploded with new ideas. I realised there was space for something different — something braver and more design-led. I wanted to help couples create weddings that reflected them, not a Pinterest board or magazine template.

That’s when I decided to lend my creative brain to likeminded couples who wanted more — more meaning, more style, more personality.

My Style

If I had to describe my aesthetic, I’d call it rock & roll glamour with a luxe edge. I plan high-budget weddings for couples who are bold, stylish, and unapologetically themselves. They’re not afraid of colour, of texture, of breaking a few “wedding rules.” They love good food, great music, and unforgettable guest experiences.

That said, I also appreciate modern minimalism. I’m a complicated woman — I don’t like being pigeonholed. To me, luxury isn’t about tacky opulence. It’s about thoughtfulness, creativity, and atmosphere.

The Couples I Work With

My ideal clients are visionaries. They know their style, they value good design, and they want a wedding that feels personal. They’re often busy professionals who understand how time-consuming planning a wedding really is — around 300 hours of work. They might have a vision in their heads, but they don’t know how to translate it to suppliers or how to bring it to life. That’s where I come in.

I translate their vision into a tangible, cohesive design — creating detailed visual boards that cover everything from florals and lighting to tableware and stationery. And most importantly, I handle the logistics so they can actually enjoy the journey.

Couples usually choose me for my design sensibility, but they also choose me for me. Our energies have to align — it’s always a two-way choice.

My Process and Philosophy

I only take on a limited number of weddings per year — my sweet spot is six full-planning weddings per season, though I’ll stretch to ten if they’re well spaced. I never take on more than one per month, because my couples deserve my full attention.

Different planners have different business models, and that’s fine — but I’m not about quantity. I do my best work when I can fully immerse myself in a couple’s story.

My pricing is percentage-based, usually between 10–15% of the total wedding budget, with a minimum starting fee. Every wedding is different, so I tailor each proposal individually. I believe in complete transparency — couples will always get honesty from me.

Why Work With Me

Anyone can plan a wedding. But having someone like me on board saves you time, stress, and money — and perhaps most importantly, it saves you from overwhelm. I’ve seen couples start out confidently, then lose their way halfway through. Sometimes by the time they reach out, it’s too late to course-correct without losing deposits or redoing work. That’s why I rarely take on partial planning.

When I work with couples from the start, I can ensure that nothing is missed, no supplier is ill-matched, and every detail flows seamlessly.

What I Say “No” To

If our aesthetics don’t align, or if I know we won’t click personally, I’ll decline the booking — even if the budget is right. Life’s too short to spend months working on something that doesn’t bring joy. I’d rather plan one wedding that fills my soul than thirty that drain it.

On Trends and Taste

I follow trends when they make my heart sing. I adore textiles, draping, and tablescapes — when done beautifully and at scale. What I can’t get behind are matchy-matchy bridesmaids or staged, over-styled setups that lack soul.

I’m inspired by the floral artistry coming out of places like the US, Australia, and even Russia — modern, sculptural, expressive design that feels alive.

Venues and Practicalities

Give me a roof any day. I’ve done my fair share of festival weddings, and while they can be magical, the British weather isn’t always kind. I love stately homes and dry-hire venues — spaces where we can let creativity run wild. But no matter how beautiful the venue, a solid Plan B is non-negotiable.

Light is also key — natural light can make or break your wedding photography. I always help my couples choose venues with this in mind.

What I Love About This Industry

The wedding industry is full of incredible women. There’s a real sense of sisterhood and mutual support, and that’s something I hold dear.

What I dislike is the lack of regulation. It allows underpricing and undercutting, which confuses couples and devalues the work of professionals. True sustainability in business comes from fair pricing and mutual respect.

Seasons and Style

My favourite season? Spring — though I love them all for different reasons: the light, the colours, the mood.

I also created a Seasonal Personality Quiz to help couples identify their style before we even begin planning (you can take it for free).

Each season carries a distinct energy:

• Spring is fresh, modern, and full of optimism.

• Summer is traditional, warm, and romantic.

• Autumn is bohemian, earthy, and sustainable.

• Winter is luxurious, sharp, and dramatic.

Most people are a mixture of two. I’m a Spring-Winter mix myself — which also happens to describe most of my couples.

Advice for the Newly Engaged

Before you rush to book suppliers or venues, start with the big picture. Talk about your budget, your guest count, the atmosphere you want, and what matters most to you. Don’t let trends dictate your day — let you dictate it.

Do your research. Understand the value behind each supplier’s pricing, and don’t be swayed by misleading “average wedding cost” stats online. Planning a wedding properly takes time, skill, and expertise.

And above all, keep it simple. You don’t need to fill your day with extra trinkets from cheap websites — most of those things go unnoticed or end up in landfill. Focus on what truly matters: love, joy, and connection.

How to Work With Me

If you’re dreaming of a design-led, deeply personal celebration, the best way to get in touch is via my website contact form. Once you enquire, you’ll receive an automated response so I can check availability and get to know your plans before we set up a discovery call.

If you love my style but can’t stretch to full planning, my Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide is available on my website — it’s packed with my process, insights, and downloadable tools to help you plan with confidence.

Whole Lotta Love Weddings is more than a business to me — it’s a philosophy. It’s about celebrating individuality, creativity, and authenticity. It’s about making every wedding feel like an extension of the couple’s story.

If that sounds like your kind of vibe, I’d love to meet you and start creating something extraordinary together.

Whole lotta love,

Zuza