The primary piece of the wedding planning puzzle? Décor for sure. Your set-up will create the right atmosphere for the celebrations to follow in addition to becoming a photo-op for both your guests and you. Floral or monochrome, the options to personalise and bring your vision to life are endless. We got three wedding planners to share their ideal “I Do” backdrop. Whether you’re thinking traditional or looking to go more experimental, they’ve got you covered.
For the modern bride
Imagine an unusual venue and a contemporary bridal outfit paired with modern jewels and sneakers. If this mise-en-scène appeals to you, Vedika Mohan has done the math to match the décor. The creative director at The Wedding Design Company orchestrated Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s Lake Como wedding as well as Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha’s nuptials closer to home. “A big decor trend this season is emphasising illuminating elements like bespoke candles, lighting as a strong component and visual effects that stray away from stereotypical choices. Designing events around interactive experiences and games has become important as well,” shares Mohan.
Flowers
“Some of my favourites are button daisies, wax flowers, and of course, the quintessential desi gulab. They lend towards all aesthetics, from classic and romantic to quirky and pretty. Accentuate flowers with curated details like handmade vases.”
Furniture pieces
“Rely on statement pieces such as accent chairs to uplift curated corners. Custom upholstery is great too.”
Accents
“Prints and textures are interesting ways to highlight décor elements and add a visual interest to tablescapes and installations. Create focal points by combining wall art with different textures and printed fabrics.”
Colours
“Neutral tones and pastels seem to be a firm favourite. I strongly suggest going tone-on-tone with the palette this season.”
Personalisation
“Personalisation is the bedrock of weddings. Customised favour tags with heartfelt thank you notes or a specially printed newspaper are some fun ideas. For my wedding in February 2024, we exchanged vows instead of a ritualistic ceremony. I also wanted an ethereal all-white setting. You can do different versions of this concept, which could be traditional Indian with chikankari fabric or even modern contemporary with lace textures.”
Themes
“Weddings haven’t moved away from tradition, but they are now being contemporised with inspiration from varied sources. On the other hand, I’m foreseeing the ‘minimalism is maximalism’ approach towards the big day. For the sangeet, artist curation, be it performing or musical, plays a key role.
For the avant-garde bride
If you took an artistic approach for your bridal trousseau, consider giving done-to-death decorations a rain check too. Say “Yes” to aspects that are out-of-the-box yet in line with your personality, says celebrity planner Ambika Gupta of The A-Cube Project™️, who was wedding designer to Alanna Panday - Ivor McCray and Kajal Aggarwal - Gautam Kitchlu among others. “Bold use of colour, dramatic ceiling installations including lush hanging florals, unique lighting fixtures and restaurant-inspired designs are the big trends for the upcoming season,” she adds.
Flowers
“Opt for blooms in unique shapes and shades to create abstract structural floral pieces and full-floor installations. Anthurium, poppy, ranunculus, sweet pea, daffodil and calla lily are gaining popularity.”
Furniture pieces
“Incorporate vintage furniture and upcycled pieces to add character to the setting, while taking a sustainable approach to it.”
Accents
“Ambient lighting combined with vibrant glassware can be mixed and matched for a playful, eclectic look.”
Colours
“Peach Fuzz, Pantone’s Colour Of 2024, is perfect for a touch of romance. If you veer towards bold palettes, embrace colours like horizon blue, spicy mustard, sun orange and fiesta red. I also urge brides to consider unexpected combos—vibrant hues balanced with refined tones or neon shades with classic pastels and metallics.”
Personalisation
“Go for personalised monograms on stationery, signage and décor elements to reflect the couple's identity. Incorporate sentimental items like family heirlooms or serve a special dish from the family cookbook.”
Themes
“I love the idea of ‘Palazzo-inspired aesthetics’ for the wedding. Think grand, elegant and timeless, which is reminiscent of Italian palaces. For the mehendi, ‘artistic bohemian’ is a great theme—free-spirited and eclectic, with rich colours and cultural elements. Go all out for glamorous soirées—a 'whimsical wonderland’ with fairy-tale-inspired elements or ‘celestial motifs’ with stars and galaxies for an out-of-the-world experience.”
For the classic bride
She’s a purist when it comes to her traditional weaves. A temple ceremony is on the cards, and age-old wedding rituals are just as sacred to her as her elegant, enduring style. So naturally, she will submit to a backdrop that nods to the classic. Timelessness trumps trends, reasserts Anjali Tolani, assistant vice president, weddings at Tamarind Global, the team who planned actor Karan Deol’s walk down the aisle among many other high-profile celebrations. “Tried and true wedding details never go out of style, such as sustainable and eco-friendly choices. Not a trend but a necessity is opting for eco-conscious décor, biodegradable confetti, reusable signage and locally sourced flowers. Couples can add meaningful experiences and memories from their travels together to make it even more special.”
Flowers
“Local seasonal flowers will never disappoint. Traditional Indian blooms also come attached with meaning relevant to marriage. For example, the rose symbolises romance, lotus denotes devotion, jasmine suggests innocence and marigold is a tribute to the divine couple Lakshmi and Vishnu.”
Furniture pieces
“Deck up the space with vintage sofas, settees, farm tables and bar carts.”
Accents
“Perennials are candles, frames with personal photos, monograms, thematic cutleries, classic crystal and glassware.”
Colours
“Pastels and earthy tones for a day event with hints of complementing classic prints will look stunning. For an evening occasion, go for jewel tones with complementing metallic hues.”
Personalisation
“Take your guests down memory lane with nostalgic details such as photographs depicting milestone moments. You can also include details inspired by the couple’s favourite book or movie. Or curate a menu featuring favourite dishes or authentic regional fare.”
Themes
“Think ‘timeless vintage romance’ for the wedding. Go for a vibrant carnival theme for the mehendi featuring sustainable handcrafted décor and textiles from local artisans. I suggest an ‘Art Deco inspired’ theme for the sangeet with various visual experiences in each section”
