Paola Rossi is the founder of Weddings in New York, a reality specialized in organizing dream weddings in the Big Apple. Originally from Milan, Paola moved to New York following her husband and turned her passion for organization and communication into a new profession. After years of experience in banking, she chose to reinvent herself as a wedding planner, creating a business that combines attention to detail and passion.Thanks to her empathy, Paola accompanies each couple on a personalized path, transforming each ceremony into a unique and unforgettable moment.
From Milan to New York: when did you realize that the Big Apple would become home?
I moved to New York in 2011, fourteen years ago, following an opportunity that changed our lives. My husband, who was then working for an American bank, had received a proposal to move here, and so we decided to leave. I had also been working in banking for several years, and with our son, who was just four years old at the time, we arrived with the idea of staying only for a couple of years.But time passed and the city began to captivate us: we extended another two years, until we were offered the chance to stay. It was a turning point. At that point, with roots now deepening here and a sense of belonging growing every day, we chose to stay. New York was no longer just a stop in our lives: it had become home.
From bank work to wedding planning: how did this new venture come about?
In fact, the idea blossomed almost immediately after the move. I felt the need for something completely different. I started looking around, looking for a way to reinvent myself by taking advantage of what I had: Italian, of course, and my innate organizational skills. I also wanted to work with happy people, with those who arrived in New York loaded with dreams, enthusiasm, a desire to celebrate something beautiful. But, most of all, I wanted to change my life. It was as if everything aligned itself. Ideas took shape naturally, as if I had finally found my place. I started by looking for Italian or bilingual collaborators, people who could understand not only the language but also the emotion behind such a special event. I started to build packages, for weddings at the town hall or for more intimate and personalized ceremonies in iconic locations like Central Park.At first I worked with an agency that offered experiences in New York: I had a small section dedicated to weddings. Then, when I realized it was not just an experiment but a new avenue, I opened my own company and website. I had never been a wedding planner before: I learned everything from scratch, day after day, event after event. The part I love the most? Creating happy moments that remain etched in the memory of those who rely on me.
What is your target customer base?
My main audience is Italians who live in Italy and dream of a wedding in New York, a different wedding, far from traditional conventions. These are often intimate ceremonies, with just a few guests, or even more intimate celebrations: just the bride and groom, perhaps together with their children. Many are couples who wish to experience their special day with simplicity and authenticity. Others, on the other hand, are looking for a unique experience to combine with a dream honeymoon: staying here in New York, continuing on to the Caribbean, or setting off on an on-the-road trip to the United States. Each couple brings with them a different story, and this is what makes my work so exciting: there are those who want a symbolic ceremony among the skyscrapers, those who dream of exchanging vows among the colors of Central Park, those who want a touch of America without sacrificing Italian elegance and warmth.An important aspect of my service is that the weddings I organize are also regularly registered in Italy through the consulate: once back, the bride and groom are officially husband and wife in their home country as well. Sometimes I am also contacted by Italians already living in the United States or by mixed couples, but the basis always remains the same: to maintain a strong connection with Italy and to live a unique experience at the same time.
How important has the Italian community been to you?
The Italian community played a key role from the very beginning. When I decided to take this new path, I started looking for collaborators and partners online, but it was word of mouth, especially within our community, that gave me that extra push. For me, working with other Italians is something special: sharing the same language, the same culture, that sensibility that only those who live in New York can understand, makes each project more authentic and rewarding. I also like the fact that, through my work, I can give opportunities to really capable people who, like me, have made resilience and passion a driving force to get here. The Italian community is strong, and living in it has given me the opportunity to build a team that is practically my American family. With some of my collaborators, we have known each other since it all started, and to see how much we have grown together is immensely satisfying. Living in New York has been for us, really, an experience that has shaped every aspect of our lives. A challenge, but also a unique opportunity to grow, as individuals and as a family.
It is definitely a story of great change. How do you see the future of your business?
It was a huge change, a journey that required a lot of courage and a willingness to put yourself out there in a new context full of unknowns. But, as I always say, if you have a good idea and the determination to make it, New York City offers you opportunities that other cities would never give you. It is a city that challenges you to grow, that pushes you to push your limits and, if you have the strength to endure, gives you back so much. It is not a place for the weak, but if you have the right mindset, the city pays you back. In the future, I have the ambition to expand further, exploring new horizons related always to the world of event planning, but going beyond weddings. I want to create events ranging from the most intimate ceremonies to corporate events, product launches, private parties … in short, any occasion that deserves to be celebrated with style and originality. When I look back at my life before arriving in New York, I feel like I’m talking about another world. The city changes you in every aspect: both in your work and personal life. It is not only the professional opportunity it gives you, but just the strength to adapt, to reinvent yourself every day. Of course, in the beginning I was fortunate to have the support of my husband, whose work gave me fundamental stability. But, in the end, what really allowed me to realize my dream was determination and the ability to seize the opportunities that this city offers to those who are willing to get involved.
What makes the experience special for couples who rely on you?
My mission is very clear: to make customers happy, to fulfill their every wish and pamper them as much as possible. When they come here, they should feel free to relax, to enjoy their vacation. Because, in the end, that is also what I offer: a break in the hustle and bustle of daily life. The wedding is the culmination of a special experience, but it is not just the day of the “yes” that makes the difference. It is the entire journey, the path that accompanies the couple every step of the way, that must be enjoyable and stress-free. I work with a team that shares this same spirit. The collaboration between us is harmonious and smooth, and that is what makes the atmosphere so special. When the bride and groom choose us, they feel welcomed, surrounded by people who sincerely participate in their happiness. At such a delicate and emotional time in their lives, knowing that there are professionals around them who not only do their job, but also participate in the joy of the day, makes everything even more magical. The thing that satisfies me the most is to see that people are happy, that they are satisfied with their experience here. This is my accomplishment, what gives me joy: to know that they have experienced something unique that they will remember forever. And it’s not just about weddings. Some couples have come back to renew their vows, maybe after two or five years, and that excites me every time. These relationships that turn into lasting bonds, that go beyond the wedding day, are one of the greatest satisfactions.They still write to me, we still exchange good wishes, we still keep in touch. It is beautiful, because it means that, in some way, I have managed to leave a mark in their lives. I helped to make special a moment that, for them, was crucial — and as a result, it is for me as well.
The article The magic of a unique wedding in New York: interview with Paola Rossi comes from TheNewyorker.
