INTERNATIONAL WEDDING EXPERIENCE
Your passport to a global career.
WHETHER YOU ARE A PHOTOGRAPHER OR A WEDDING PLANNER, IWE WILL transform YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY.
Real-world experience, strategic connections, and international repertoire built in the field.
A 4-day immersion for photographers who want to elevate their international portfolio, mentored by Sam Sacramento, one of the top 5 photographers in the world.
A 4-day immersion for wedding planning professionals who are seeking new knowledge and international networking.
For professionals from different fields who want to experience IWE.
THE IWE METHOD IS based ON YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE GLOBAL MARKET.
The IWE Method was created based on decades of real-world experience in the international wedding market.
It is an exclusive methodology developed by Sam Sacramento, Rayana Sacramento, and Kellen Lauxen, professionals with over 50 years of combined experience in the industry, designed for photographers, wedding planners, and other wedding market specialists who want to refine their skills, expand their vision, and reach new levels of professional excellence.
More than a hands-on immersion, IWE is a complete learning and transformation process that combines technique, experience, and strategy.
Over several days, participants go through a journey that includes building an international portfolio, applying advanced techniques, developing brand positioning, and gaining a deep understanding of the luxury and destination wedding market.
The IWE Method covers all stages that make up the work of a high-level wedding professional, from creation and execution to relationships with clients, partners, and suppliers.
Each class, experience, and production is carefully designed to promote technical, artistic, and strategic growth.
Beyond its educational structure, IWE is also a human and immersive experience.
That is why accommodation, meals, and local transportation are included, allowing each participant to fully experience the learning process in an inspiring and welcoming environment.
The result is an education that goes beyond the portfolio:
a method that builds confidence, purpose, and international vision, preparing each participant to perform with excellence anywhere in the world.
OUR STORY
The IWE – International Wedding Experience was founded in 2018 by Rayana and Sam Sacramento, inspired by their own journey as international photographers and educators passionate about sharing knowledge.
At the beginning, the experience was still called “Workshop in Italy” and was created with a clear purpose: to offer wedding professionals a real opportunity to live, learn, and create in an international setting.
The idea was born after years of experience attending workshops and courses around the world.
Each new immersion brought technical, creative, and strategic insights that transformed careers — and it was precisely this transformation that inspired the creation of IWE.
Since its very first edition, the project has attracted photographers from different countries, becoming a global meeting point for talents and cultures.
Professionals from several continents have already participated in IWE, including attendees from countries as far away as Japan.
From the beginning, the proposal was to offer a complete and welcoming experience, different from traditional workshops.
Instead of leaving participants concerned with logistics, IWE began to include accommodation, meals, and local transportation, allowing each student to fully immerse themselves in the experience — focusing solely on learning, creating, and evolving.
Over the years, IWE has grown and evolved.
In 2023, wedding planner Kellen Lauxen joined the project, expanding its scope and integrating new areas of the wedding market, such as planning, décor, and floral design.
As a result, the experience moved beyond being exclusively for photographers and began to bring together professionals from different specialties, fostering deep exchange between perspectives and expertise.
This collaboration across disciplines elevated the level of the experience — photographers began to understand the planners’ perspective, and planners learned to value the photographers’ work — strengthening the concept of collaboration and excellence that defines the IWE method.
Today, the International Wedding Experience is recognized as one of the most complete and transformative experiences in the industry, combining technique, positioning, and purpose in an intense and inspiring learning environment.
Starting in 2026, IWE will be offered in two languages — Portuguese and English — further expanding its reach and opening space for new participants around the world.
More than a course, IWE is a journey of growth and connection — an experience that transforms not only portfolios, but also mindsets, relationships, and careers.
THE MENTORS
Sam Sacramento
An artist at heart and a perfectionist in vision, Sam is considered one of the top 5 wedding photographers in the world, having been honored by the World Photographic Cup (WPC) and the SWPP – Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers.
His career is marked by numerous international awards, including:
🏆 World Photographic Cup (WPC) – Team Gold (World Champion, 2020) and Team Silver (World Runner-Up, 2021)
🏆 SWPP – 2nd place as Photographer of the Year (2022) among more than 9,000 entries, in addition to multiple Gold and Silver awards in categories such as Wedding Day, Bride Alone, and Monochrome.
Among many others.
Rayana Sacramento carries within her the power of art in all its forms. Born into a family of artists, she grew up surrounded by creativity, which shaped her aesthetic vision and sensitivity. Her journey as a professional model and athlete instilled discipline, elegance, and refinement, while her experience in cinematic production and direction expanded her ability to tell stories with beauty and impact.
As the brand’s creative director, Rayana oversees productions, develops visual concepts, and creates the artistic layouts for albums.
Kellen Lauxen
A renowned wedding planner who began her career as a decorator in Italy, she is recognized for producing weddings and creating unique and creative event designs. With nearly two decades of experience, her company serves a diverse clientele, including Brazilian and international couples who choose Italy as their wedding destination.
In 2018, Kellen stood out for designing the intimate wedding of actress Sthefany Brito, celebrating the union of Sthefany and Igor. The prestige of her work did not go unnoticed, earning her features in renowned magazines such as Vogue and Caras. Her creations have also been featured in prestigious publications such as Bride and Tonic, Carats and Cake, Inesquecível Casamento, and Wedding Wonderland.
OUR STORY
The IWE – International Wedding Experience was founded in 2018 by Rayana and Sam Sacramento, inspired by their own journey as international photographers and educators passionate about sharing knowledge.
At the beginning, the experience was still called “Workshop in Italy” and was created with a clear purpose: to offer wedding professionals a real opportunity to live, learn, and create in an international setting.
The idea was born after years of experience attending workshops and courses around the world.
Each new immersion brought technical, creative, and strategic insights that transformed careers — and it was precisely this transformation that inspired the creation of IWE.
Since its very first edition, the project has attracted photographers from different countries, becoming a global meeting point for talents and cultures.
Professionals from several continents have already participated in IWE, including attendees from countries as far away as Japan.
From the beginning, the proposal was to offer a complete and welcoming experience, different from traditional workshops.
Instead of leaving participants concerned with logistics, IWE began to include accommodation, meals, and local transportation, allowing each student to fully immerse themselves in the experience — focusing solely on learning, creating, and evolving.
Over the years, IWE has grown and evolved.
In 2023, wedding planner Kellen Lauxen joined the project, expanding its scope and integrating new areas of the wedding market, such as planning, décor, and floral design.
As a result, the experience moved beyond being exclusively for photographers and began to bring together professionals from different specialties, fostering deep exchange between perspectives and expertise.
This collaboration across disciplines elevated the level of the experience — photographers began to understand the planners’ perspective, and planners learned to value the photographers’ work — strengthening the concept of collaboration and excellence that defines the IWE method.
Today, the International Wedding Experience is recognized as one of the most complete and transformative experiences in the industry, combining technique, positioning, and purpose in an intense and inspiring learning environment.
Starting in 2026, IWE will be offered in two languages — Portuguese and English — further expanding its reach and opening space for new participants around the world.
More than a course, IWE is a journey of growth and connection — an experience that transforms not only portfolios, but also mindsets, relationships, and careers.
THE MENTORS
Sam Sacramento
An artist at heart and a perfectionist in vision, Sam is considered one of the top 5 wedding photographers in the world, having been honored by the World Photographic Cup (WPC) and the SWPP – Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers.
His career is marked by numerous international awards, including:
🏆 World Photographic Cup (WPC) – Team Gold (World Champion, 2020) and Team Silver (World Runner-Up, 2021)
🏆 SWPP – 2nd place as Photographer of the Year (2022) among more than 9,000 entries, in addition to multiple Gold and Silver awards in categories such as Wedding Day, Bride Alone, and Monochrome.
Among many others.
Rayana Sacramento carries within her the power of art in all its forms. Born into a family of artists, she grew up surrounded by creativity, which shaped her aesthetic vision and sensitivity. Her journey as a professional model and athlete instilled discipline, elegance, and refinement, while her experience in cinematic production and direction expanded her ability to tell stories with beauty and impact.
As the brand’s creative director, Rayana oversees productions, develops visual concepts, and creates the artistic layouts for albums.
Kellen Lauxen
A renowned wedding planner who began her career as a decorator in Italy, she is recognized for producing weddings and creating unique and creative event designs. With nearly two decades of experience, her company serves a diverse clientele, including Brazilian and international couples who choose Italy as their wedding destination.
In 2018, Kellen stood out for designing the intimate wedding of actress Sthefany Brito, celebrating the union of Sthefany and Igor. The prestige of her work did not go unnoticed, earning her features in renowned magazines such as Vogue and Caras. Her creations have also been featured in prestigious publications such as Bride and Tonic, Carats and Cake, Inesquecível Casamento, and Wedding Wonderland.
MORE THAN AN EVENT, IWE IS AN IMMERSION DESIGNED TO position you IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET.
IWE is your opportunity to turn theory into real results through an innovative methodology. Over 4 intensive days, you will actively participate in the creation of complete luxury editorials and a real wedding. This is not a passive workshop; it is a hands-on experience designed for you to return with a strong portfolio, photographed in authentic international settings. In addition, the IWE Methodology ensures that every strategic decision elevates your work to the global luxury wedding standard. Limited spots available for those who are truly seeking international expansion.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Stay tuned for the upcoming editions and secure your place among the protagonists.
LATEST EDITIONS
Umbria, ITALY 2025
In 2025, IWE arrived in Umbria, the green heart of Italy. An authentic setting filled with history, architecture, and breathtaking landscapes. The immersion brought new perspectives, expanded horizons, and reinforced the purpose of living experiences that inspire, connect, and leave lasting marks on each participant’s journey.
Toscana, ITALY 2024
The return to Tuscany was a reunion with the essence of IWE. Amid cinematic landscapes and unique experiences, each moment celebrated growth, creativity, and the exchange between brilliant minds. An edition that established IWE as a synonym for excellence, sophistication, and transformative experiences.
Toscana, ITALY 2023
Tuscany was the stage for an unforgettable experience. Surrounded by golden hills, vineyards, and charming villages, participants lived intense days of learning, inspiration, and genuine connections—an immersion that united culture, art, and purpose in a setting of pure Italian magic.
Testimonials
THE EXPERIENCE IS UNIQUE — but the results speak for themselves.
Those who have been here have a lot to say. Below, see some testimonials from photography professionals who took part in the immersion.
IWE TESTIMONIALS
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IWE CLUB
Where your journey continues.
At IWE, every experience is just the beginning. After living the immersion, you become part of something even greater: the IWE Club, an exclusive community made up of photographers, wedding planners, and partners who share the same vision—to elevate the luxury wedding market through art, technique, and sensitivity.
More than a group, the IWE Club is a global circle of belonging, created to strengthen connections, foster collaborations, and keep alive the essence of the experience lived—one that unites purpose, aesthetics, and legacy in every story told.
By becoming a Club member, you gain access to an international ecosystem of opportunities, creative collaborations, mentorships, and early invitations to new IWE experiences. It is the space where former participants, new participants, and partners remain connected, inspiring one another and contributing to the growth of a community that transcends borders.
If you have not yet experienced IWE, know that your participation is the first step toward joining this global circle, where professionals and brands share the same commitment to excellence, respect for art, and the pursuit of authentic storytelling.
IWE Club. Where your story connects with many others, and the luxury wedding market grows stronger as a community.
WE WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU!
IWE Partners was created with professionals from diverse fields in mind. Get in touch with us so we can tailor your IWE experience.
WE WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU!
IWE Partners was created with professionals from diverse fields in mind. Contact us so we can customize your IWE experience.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Before registration, we conduct a careful review of your professional profile—whether you are a photographer, wedding planner, or a partner in the wedding industry. Our goal is to ensure that the experience aligns with your current career stage and that you have the foundation, maturity, and genuine interest to grow within the international luxury segment.
If there is alignment, we proceed with the seat reservation.
The editions are organized according to the destination and the audience: some take place in Portuguese, others in English, or in a bilingual format. All language information is always clearly communicated on the official pages of each edition.
If you are interested in participating in an edition where the primary language is different from yours, IWE may provide simultaneous interpretation with headphones to ensure full understanding and enjoyment of the experience.
Not necessarily.
What we look for is:
• professionals with a solid technical foundation (for photographers),
• a minimum professional structure (for planners and partners),
• and a genuine interest in the global luxury market.
IWE is an immersion for those who want to elevate their level, reposition their careers, and expand global opportunities.
IWE always takes place in carefully selected international destinations. In addition to exclusive accommodations, each edition features distinct locations for editorials, hands-on classes, and a full wedding day—everything thoughtfully planned to deliver real experiences, refined aesthetics, and authentic settings.
Yes. Accommodation is arranged for all participants throughout the immersion days, ensuring comfort, convenience, and the shared experience that is part of the essence of IWE.
Yes. Each edition offers its own format, but it generally includes daily breakfast and special dinners—such as the welcome dinner and the closing dinner.
Transportation during the workshop days—between locations, productions, and official activities—is included and organized by the IWE team.
However, airport transfers to and from the host city are not included. Each participant is responsible for arriving at the official meeting point of the edition. From there on, all internal logistics of the experience are handled by us.
Yes. We offer options for companions who wish to experience the destination with us, even without participating in the technical activities.
As this is an exclusive experience with limited availability, refunds are not offered. In cases of force majeure, we allow participants to reschedule for a future edition or transfer their spot to another person.
It depends on your field:
• Photographers: camera, lenses, flash, flash trigger, and computer.
• Wedding planners and partners: useful materials for notes, documentation, and integration with the production team; no specific technical equipment is required.
An immersion that transforms lives and careers.
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