Planning a wedding for the rich and famous comes with absurd requests – ones that only those with infinite zeros in their checking account could ever dream up.
Take it from Michelle Rago, one of the most sought–after event producers among the world’s most elite.
After three decades building up her business, Rago, owner and founder of Michelle Rago Destinations, has cemented herself in the circle of high–net–worth individuals.
In 2022, she rose to a more public level of fame after she swooped in to save Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham’s headline–making ceremony at the eleventh hour after the couple sacked two planners for failing to meet their orders.
Iron–clad non–disclosure agreements have Rago sworn to secrecy on who is behind such over–the–top demands as imported tequila and requests to change the weather.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, she lifted the bridal veil to reveal a peek at the madness she faces in the wild world of orchestrating events within the highest echelons of luxury.
‘I’ve had somebody ask me if we could do a cloud seeding (a weather modification method used by US states, particularly in and around airports, or to increase water supply) because bad weather was coming,’ she said of one job she worked in Italy.
‘After many months of planning they were sad to learn that a terrible storm was coming and that we wouldn’t be able to proceed with the original plan.
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s wedding planner has shared what it’s really like providing luxury events to the uberwealthy
Michelle Rago is one of the most sought–after event producers thanks to her ability to craft occasions that are both personal and extraordinary
‘[The client] said she had heard there was a method for disrupting the weather.’
When these types of requests come in, as ridiculous as they sound, Rago must keep a straight face. On this occasion, Rago approached the Italian government with her weather change request – it was swiftly declined.
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It’s not unusual for big asks to pop up at the eleventh hour when the final details of the event have long been arranged and put in place.
Most of those last–minute demands are due to a client suddenly having a change of heart, and Rago must swoop in and get it done.
‘The day before you get a lot of “I’m going to change my mind,”‘ she told the Daily Mail.
‘I’ve had someone say the night before that they’d like to send Sedans to the airport for every single guest arriving tomorrow.
‘I basically set myself up almost like having an on–site concierge service.’
During the COVID pandemic, Rago was chartering private jets to fly tequila to many of her events because guests were guzzling it down en masse.
Rago’s weddings have taken place all over the globe, including in the gardens of La Fortaleza, Mallorca, with views looking out to the Mediterranean
She said that the most difficult clients are the ones who everyone says yes to – and the ones not used to working with a horde of staff
‘Everyone was drinking,’ she remembered.
‘I got tequila from wherever I could find it. We bought from distributors and restaurants… honestly wherever I could find it. We flew it to the Caribbean, Indiana and Ireland.’
Despite money normally being no problem for a chunk of Rago’s clients, she claimed that some still struggle with the weight of their investment on weddings.
‘Everybody has sticker shock,’ she said.
Perhaps surprisingly, she said the uber-rich clients are easier to deal with than those who are perhaps new to having a lot of money in the bank.
‘I would almost say that if you have an aspirational client who’s not used to working with a team of people, it’s almost stickier,’ she told the Daily Mail.
‘A high–net–worth client has personal assistance. They have a trove of people: security, hair, makeup.’
In theory, this can be more helpful because it means Rago’s team has a wider net of support.
What’s the wildest request YOU would actually consider for your big day?
‘I’ve had somebody ask me if we could do a cloud seeding because bad weather was coming,’ Rago told the Daily Mail
Rago is the owner and founder of Michelle Rago Destinations and has hosted everywhere from Belmond Resorts to Claridge’s in London and private islands in the Caribbean
Still, the most difficult clients, she revealed, are the ones everyone says ‘yes’ to.
‘I’m not paid to say yes,’ she continued. ‘I’m paid to tell you what the truth is and tell you what’s possible.
‘So, you find a way to professionally and respectfully say, “I’ll tell you why this doesn’t make sense for this party,” or, “It’s a great idea, just doesn’t belong here.”‘
As for the stereotypes that surround billionaires and other high–net–worth individuals, she stressed that people who are wealthy are ‘not disproportionately meaner’ than people who are not.
‘Mean is mean if she’s got $10 or she’s got $10million,’ Rago said.
When it comes to the big day, Rago explained that she leaves no stone unturned. The expert gives particular attention to the details that others might deprioritize, such as making sure the groom doesn’t get overlooked.
‘I’m always careful to make sure that the groom is not forgotten,’ she told the Daily Mail. ‘I say that because I don’t think men are terrific at thinking about how they will spend their day.
‘There’s so much emphasis on the bride, and I’m always very cognizant of [asking the groom], “Who are you going to hang out with today? Are you going to have lunch with your dad and your groomsmen?” or, “Who’s going to come and get dressed with you?”‘
She also noted the importance of the bride being able to take a break and to have some quiet among the chaos.
‘Hair and makeup with a lot of people is a thing, but it’s also very overwhelming energy wise,’ she said.
‘I think it’s important to have a separate room that the bride and maybe her mom, you know, or a maid of honor, can retreat to if they need to.’
The inclusion of children at weddings has long been a subject of contention. Throwing kids into the mix can be another added element of stress for the bride and groom, but Rago explained that this can easily be quelled with an extra pair of hands and planning.
‘I don’t think the kids have to be at everything,’ she said. ‘I think they can come for parts of things, and you can have a kid’s room and games and the food they like.
‘If you’re going to have them, I think you should really cater to children in the right way and don’t assume that they can just fold into the day.’
