READING TIME: 5 min 40 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/16/2025
For Misa Mocchizuki, the founder of Belvedere, wedding planning has never been about trends or tradition—it’s about emotion. Her journey began long before she became one of Japan’s most respected planners. “My aspiration to become a wedding planner stems from my background in stage production. I found joy in creating moments that make people shine,” she shares. “When I discovered the role of ‘wedding planner’ through a movie, it felt like a natural extension of that work.”
This foundation in stage direction laid the groundwork for her ability to orchestrate beauty, timing, and meaning. “What inspired me to start wedding planning was a strong conviction that Japanese weddings should be more free and possess a more refined beauty,” she explains. That conviction led her to launch Belvedere, a brand that reimagines what it means to celebrate love.
Their very first event set the tone for what Belvedere would become. “The first wedding we handled was an outdoor ceremony held under a large tent, which was still rare in Japan at the time. Thanks to that wedding, we became pioneers in outdoor weddings.” From that moment, Misa’s mission was clear—to express each couple’s life story through artful, meaningful celebrations.
At the heart of Misa’s approach is a simple yet profound philosophy:
We shape the aesthetics of life into a celebration.
She elaborates, “We view weddings not as mere milestones, but as stages reflecting life itself. By deeply understanding the couple's values, worldviews, shared journey, and hopes for the future—and translating these into space, experience, and presentation—we transform the abstract essence of ‘their uniqueness’ into a tangible reality.”
Every Belvedere wedding is built from scratch, tailored entirely around the couple’s essence. “At Belvedere, we view weddings not as a ‘product’ but as a ‘life-reflecting experience.’ Therefore, we do not offer standard package plans.” Instead, her process begins with listening—deeply. “We carefully listen to your values, lifestyle, and life story. Based on this, we design everything from scratch: venue selection, space design, staging, ceremony flow, attire, and paper items.”
For Misa, the goal is not to fit a couple into a mold but to co-create a world that belongs only to them. “Our defining feature is not ‘choosing from set plans,’ but ‘co-creating a worldview exclusively for you.’”
To Misa, wedding planning is an act of storytelling. “Drawing inspiration from the bride and groom's personalities, lifestyles, and fashion sense, we express the values and aesthetic sensibilities embedded within them as the worldview of the party venue,” she explains.
“I cherish above all else the time spent projecting their individuality into the space and designing it like a story,” she adds. That sense of intimacy and artistry defines Belvedere’s aesthetic—each event is not only visually stunning but also emotionally resonant.
Her creative direction is fluid yet meticulous, guided by meaning rather than convention. “We create moments worthy of life's milestones through designs rooted in ‘essence’ and ‘aesthetic sensibility,’ unfettered by trends or convention.”
Among the many weddings she has planned, one stands out vividly in her memory. “One couple had always felt a bit distant from their families, struggling to share their true feelings. But on their wedding day, I witnessed firsthand how letters and spoken words allowed them to convey their feelings directly to each other for the first time,” Misa recalls.
She describes the transformation with quiet reverence. “Awkward conversations gave way to smiles, and tears became a testament to their bond. In that moment, I was reminded that a wedding isn't just an event; it possesses the power to deeply reconnect people as a true turning point in life.”
And that, she says, is where her greatest fulfillment lies. “While gorgeous decorations and elaborate performances are important, what truly moves me most are the moments when this kind of ‘rebuilding of relationships’ occurs. It teaches us that a wedding isn't just a starting line, but a crucial passageway where lives intersect and connect to a new future.”
Misa’s approach to clients is rooted in collaboration, not control. “What we value most is not a ‘planner-led’ approach, but a mindset of ‘co-creating together with the couple,’” she says. “During our initial consultation, we carefully explore not just your preferences and ideals, but also your values, outlook on life, and cherished sentiments.”
For her, the planning journey is just as meaningful as the wedding day itself. “The preparation process itself is not about ‘fitting into a predetermined plan,’ but rather a ‘process of gradually approaching your ideal through repeated dialogue.’”
Every meeting deepens the shared vision. “We constantly verify that the couple's unique essence is fully reflected,” she adds. “By shaping the event into a form that resonates deeply from within, it leads not just to a superficial satisfaction of ‘it was a beautiful ceremony,’ but to a result where the couple feels their very lives have been expressed.”
Over nearly two decades, Misa has encountered every challenge imaginable—but two stand above the rest. “The greatest challenge we've faced so far has been navigating two major hurdles: nature and culture,” she admits.
Rain poses a significant risk, especially for outdoor weddings. We prepare multiple contingency plans in advance, ensuring we can seamlessly switch to alternative arrangements that preserve the overall vision and create an enjoyable experience even in rainy conditions.
Then there’s the cultural aspect. “To realize truly free and authentic weddings, we must carefully communicate our vision to numerous stakeholders—from venues and floral designers to caterers—and gain their understanding and support. It's not easy, but through repeated dialogue and negotiation, we're witnessing a gradual shift in the industry's mindset.”
When it comes to budget and planning, Misa’s advice is both realistic and encouraging. “Our support begins with clearly sharing the premise that budgets have realistic limits. Because a wedding is both a ‘dream’ and a ‘project,’ we carefully align the overall vision and cost expectations early on.”
“Above all, clarifying priorities is paramount,” she stresses. “Do you prioritize the venue design? The culinary experience? Or preserving memories through photography and videography? Even when it's difficult to fulfill everything, investing firmly in the core elements can significantly change your overall satisfaction.”
She continues, “When the gap between ideal and reality is large, we propose alternatives and creative solutions to bring you closer to your vision. We honestly communicate what is achievable while working together to find the best options within your budget—that is our approach.”
For couples and creators alike, Misa offers timeless wisdom. “Rather than searching for the ‘right answer,’ cherish your own story,” she says with conviction. “In Japan, many weddings still follow formalities and traditions, often getting caught up in the ‘how it should be’ framework. But weddings should be freer, more personal.”
She adds, “That's precisely why you should clarify the core questions: ‘What moments do you truly want to cherish?’ and ‘In what kind of atmosphere do you want to celebrate that love?’ Once you establish that foundation, all your choices will naturally flow in a direction that feels uniquely yours.”
Reflecting on her own journey, she shares advice she would give her younger self:
“Don't aim for perfection; first, clearly define the values you hold dear. Rather than chasing others' definitions of success, having a core purpose—asking ‘Why do I want to do this work?’ and ‘What future do I want to create?’—becomes the foundation of your business.”
“And instead of rushing to fulfill grand dreams,” she adds, “focus on sincerely engaging with each person right in front of you. The accumulation of small acts of trust will, before you know it, grow into a powerful brand.”
For someone who has designed weddings in countless spaces, Misa’s dream venue isn’t about grandeur—it’s about connection.
The ideal venue isn't predetermined; it evolves based on your shared vision and values. There are as many right answers as there are couples, and our role is to help you discover yours.
This belief perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Belvedere. Weddings, in Misa’s hands, become an art form—a dialogue between beauty and meaning, between two people and the world they create together.
Through her work, Misa Mocchizuki continues to remind us that a wedding is not just the beginning of a marriage—it’s the moment where two stories merge into one, and the essence of life itself is transformed into art.
