Interview with Clare Doane
Why & when did you set up Barcelona wedding?
I had the idea for Barcelona Wedding soon after giving birth to my youngest son Nico, in March 2005-and my first wedding was in October of that year. I´m not sure what gave me the idea. I knew that people were looking to marry in Barcelona, as I casually helped a few people in my previous job as a reservations clerk at an accommodation portal in Barcelona.
I also think the thought of being a stay at home mum, in Catalunia with very few other mothers as friends- and in a culture where there are few stay at home mums, scared the hell out of me!
- How has it grown since its inception?
Barcelona wedding has had many stages. I have been there throughout and have worked with employees, and had a fairly disasterous business associate at one stage. I have had offices in Badalona, and at present work from home in El Masnou. Something that I think is a very helpful as a mother. I am presently considering growth again, and developing other sectors of the un-tapped market, but exactly what form that will have is still yet undecided.
- What does Barcelona wedding offer?
Barcelona Wedding aims to offer the knowledge, contacts & experience to help couples create the wedding of their dreams in Barcelona, or Catalunya. I offer a very personalised service, and couples are normally thrilled to be organizing their big day,with someone that has been there before, speaks Spanish & copeswith bridezilla behavior (most brides have their moment). I also provide a useful buffer when family situations are strained, and take a lot of the pressure off the bride & their families, so they can actually enjoy themselves.
I offer a very cost effective and smart solution to what for most modern brides & grooms can be an event that they will be paying for themselves, and they want to make sure their money and precious time is well spent, whilst here in Barcelona.
- What are the main reasons couples choose to get married in Barcelona?
Sunshine, sea, spectacular architecture and countryside- Fabulous food and wine & as a catholic country couples can celebrate a catholic wedding, ( which is often particularly important to the families) Barcelona/Catalunia has brilliant connections & wedding suppliers & is generally a very good place to get married.
- Can you explain a little about the process of organizing a wedding in Barcelona?
I need to gain the confidence of the clients, that I have a good idea what they are looking for, and think Barcelona will be a good option for their wedding, and me the wedding planner to help them with their plans.
Then they generally come over for a visit, and I drive them around to show them the best spots, and then the venue, date, and ceremony can be booked- then we can get on with organizing the food, flowers, accommodation, photography, video, music, make up & hair etc etc.
Generally clients will visit once more during the process, and try the wedding menu for the day- which is also a good time to fine tune details, hear bands or meet suppliers etc..
Then I send them a schedule detailing the bills that need to be paid, and the details & timings of the various activities during their stay, and a lot of detail about the day- such as the ceremony content, music choices, timing of speeches etc etc and then….they fly out to enjoy the wedding with all their nearest and dearest.
I´ll be at the wedding from the arrival of the first supplier to getting the stragglers on the coach at the end of the night.
- What are couples’ main concerns when they speak to you about planning their wedding?
Distance & not being in control of things themselves possibly. Also, finances- the cost of everything, & whether the food etc will be popular with their eldery relatives, and that everyone will come & have a good time.
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Normally how long does it take to organize a wedding?
I´ve organized weddings in anything from 3 weeks, to a 2 year planning process (too long). I think the perfect planning time is between 6 months and a year.
- Where do most of your clients come from?
I think I have helped couples from a huge variety of places, but clients are mainly English, Irish & American .
- Is it stressful or enjoyable being involved in what should be one of the happiest days of a person’s life?
Both very stressful, and very enjoyable.
- What was the most challenging aspect of setting up a business in Catalunya?
Everything, but I dont believe I would have done it if I had stayed living in the UK, so I cant complain.
- How much help & advice were you given when you set up your business?
Very little.
- Do you think Catalunya is sympathetic to entrepreneurs?
I don’t think it is easy for women to set up in business and have a family anywhere in the world. I believe there are schemes to help, but to be honest I didn´t know about them, so it is hard for me to say.
- How do you find juggling your business and looking after your children?
I usually enjoy juggling the two, but the hours can be very demanding particularly in the summer, which is bad timing with the school holidays. It definitely helps being my own boss ,on the whole, and the boys have always seen me do this. I have never enjoyed their childhood without Barcelona Wedding, so it´s all we know!
I think on the whole we are very blessed in an increasingly unstable and volatile world!
- What advice would you give to women thinking of setting up their own business?
Do it!
- What are your goals for the future?
Be a good mum to my two gorgeous boys, whilst enjoying organising weddings for many more happy clients. I hope to find a good life work balance, and keep growing as a person.
(Jan 2011)
