Arkadia Events has recently been honored as Best Luxury Wedding Events Planner in Serbia, awarded by Luxury Lifestyle Awards—a global recognition of exceptional influence in design, execution, and client experience.

In this exclusive interview, World Luxury Chamber of Commerce President, Alexander Chetchikov, sits down with Gabrijela Brujić, Founder and Director of Arkadia Events, to talk about her path to the top, her bold views on luxury, and how Arkadia continues to set new standards in the event industry.

Alexander Chetchikov: Gabrijela, congratulations on Arkadia Events’ win at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards! In your view, what defines luxury in today’s world—and how has that definition evolved in the event space

Gabrijela Brujić: Today, luxury is defined by the client’s desires. One of the most important things we’ve learned is that every celebration — whether private or corporate — is a deeply personal experience. It should reflect the client’s style, needs, and budget. Our job is to combine all those elements with what’s possible in the market — to make it impactful, executable, and visionary. That’s how we create something truly new and memorable, not just for our clients, but for their guests as well.

AC: How do you balance the desire for exclusivity with the demands of scale in your growing international operations?

GB: It’s a daily challenge. On one side, we have a large, highly skilled team; on the other, we face unregistered and unregulated competition that can complicate things, especially in Serbia. Then there are the constant trends and innovations globally — and the question of which direction to take. Over the years, we’ve learned to trust our instincts, lean on our deep experience, and make team-based decisions. We listen to our clients very carefully. That’s what made the difference — and why today we’re recognized by publications like Vogue and by you, as leaders in luxury event planning. Behind the scenes is an enormous amount of hard work — and constant investment in team education and development.

AC: What are the key emotional triggers you consider when designing high-end events that aim to feel personal, yet globally relevant?

GB: Truly getting to know our clients. Before we even start the collaboration, we have a long list of questions — because we want to understand their habits, preferences, cultural background, and where their guests are coming from. That gives us the full picture. Combined with our multicultural knowledge and experience, it helps us design something that creates that one-of-a-kind emotional connection and transforms the event into an unforgettable experience.

AC: You’ve executed over 1,800 events and designed more than 3,400 settings. What drives the creative process for each project at Arkadia?

GB: The team. Truly, the dream team. Arkadia includes five designers, five master florists, and eleven wedding planners — and we approach each project collaboratively. We match team members with the right clients based on personality and style, and we often build entire projects together, so the final result always feels cohesive, inspired, and elevated.

AC: How do you ensure consistency of experience across regions as diverse as Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Italy?

GB: We’re in constant contact with our partners and teams in each country. We run projects across the region, and we’re always learning from one another. We share the same sensibility, and we speak the same language — culturally and creatively. We even have a team member who was born in Italy, which strengthens our connection with the local market there. Nothing is left to chance. We’re proud to be the first company in the region to launch formal training for wedding planners, and through that process, we also identify and nurture the next generation of talent.

AC: What would you say is Arkadia’s biggest innovation in the past five years?

GB: Winning the Apex Award for sustainable, eco-conscious events stands out. We were among the first in the region to introduce editorial-style productions into event planning, which brought a fresh creative layer to our work. We’ve also developed certified training programs to educate professionals in our industry and are continuously investing in business management programs to grow not just our creative side, but the operational and strategic sides of Arkadia as well.

AC: What future trends are you watching in the luxury events industry, and how is Arkadia preparing to lead in those areas?

GB: We’re actively involved in global industry congresses — from all over the world — staying in touch with emerging trends and new ideas. We’re always seeking out clients who are open to hearing and embracing our vision. Honestly, we have more ideas than we have time to execute — ha! — but that’s why we’re expanding our team with creatives who are constantly pushing boundaries, both their own and those of the industry itself.

Gabrijela, thank you for sharing your insight, vision, and energy behind Arkadia Events. Your perspective on luxury and your innovative leadership continue to inspire the global events industry.

If you’re envisioning a celebration that reflects your story, your values, and your dreams, visit https://en.arkadia.rs/.