The age of experiential wedding décor is here and these 5 trends are leading the way

For over 13 years, the trajectory of Ambika Gupta’s career as a wedding designer has been filled with surprises, challenges, and more. One decisive shift witnessed over the years is the gradual disappearance of the impersonal, generic design language that once defined the big, fat Indian wedding. Couples today articulate how they want their weddings to feel. As a result, weddings no longer just look different; they now offer an experiential quality that was once missing. Guest lists have become more intentional, prioritising memorable experiences over sheer numbers. The age of formulaic weddings is giving way to immersive celebrations built on intentionality, interactivity and thoughtful themed décor. She shares the five trends defining this new era with HELLO! India, where heritage, and technology come together seamlessly.

1. Memory-driven décor

Memory and nostalgia are powerful design tools, and many couples choose to mine their past to ornament their present. For instance, pre-wedding events often draw from the couple’s shared holiday albums, like recreating moments from destinations like Italy or Bali. Inspiration may also come from their favourite songs, childhood memories, family anecdotes or even scents that evoke a sense of home. Kajal Aggarwal and Gautam Kitchlu’s wedding is a striking example. The décor paid tribute to Kajal’s roots with a Brijwasi Krishna Baagh ceremony at her home, complete with a tree adorned with cascading peonies and brass bells. The main ceremony celebrated Gautam’s Kashmiri heritage with a pyramid-shaped mandap recalling the mountains, wooden jaalis reminiscent of shikaras, and a reflective aisle evoking Dal Lake and its floating flower markets. The result was an experiential narrative simply impossible with a cookie-cutter template.

2. Passion and inspiration

Clients often lead dynamic lives filled with diverse passions, and initial conversations tend to reveal cues that shape the design direction. For make-up artist Shradha Luthra’s ‘Roka’ with footballer Nitesh Aswani, décor elements reflected both their worlds of beauty and sport through symbolic accents referencing football and Shradha’s aesthetic métier. 

3. Multi-sensory experiences

While the couple’s story drives the design, translating it into reality requires both intuition and expertise. One couple, for instance, shared memories of apple picking together. Their event was transformed into an orchard-inspired environment alive with scent and sensory cues. The Impressionist-themed décor created for another celebration included a multi-sensory recreation of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, complete with projected stars and a swirling smoky effect overhead. The goal for every contemporary wedding designer is to transcend one-dimensional décor and craft an unforgettable sensory journey. 

4. Layered abundance

Clusters of candles, mixed floral heights, harmonised hues, textural tapestries and thoughtfully selected lanterns can create spectacular depth when brought together intentionally. For Shradha’s wedding, a magical pastel-toned garden set the stage. For Diya Sheth and Dhruv Marwadi, events were designed around lush themes—from garden soirées to whimsical brunches and romantic evenings. The welcome lunch, The Verdant Soirée, featured emerald and sage tones, while Laal Sufiyana—the Sufi night—was drenched in crimson hues and Persian accents. The wedding ceremony, White Whispers of Love, unfolded amid cascading white florals, vintage ironwork and mirrored touches. Each event stood as a standalone story yet remained part of a cohesive narrative. For clients Rishita and Neerav, an event titled Janya in Kuala Lumpur drew from the idea of a sacred forest brimming with florals, while their reception, Fleur De Lune, at the Mandarin Oriental, was inspired by roses and the moonflower. 

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5. Indian influences with a global touch

Contrary to assumptions, modern weddings do not abandon tradition. They reinterpret it in refreshing ways through handcrafted artefacts, vintage textiles and traditional music. While technology continues to propel design boundaries, the emotional centre of every wedding remains deeply Indian. Intelligent lighting systems and illumination tools are now widely used to orchestrate ambience, yet nothing matches the charm of traditional lamps, lanterns and candles. These are the weddings that linger in memory long after the festivities end.

Ambika Gupta is a celebrated wedding and event designer and the creative force behind The A-Cube Project, known for her memory-rich and multi-sensory weddings. Trained as a master florist in London and Berlin, she has built a reputation for turning personal love stories into visually poetic experiences. 

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