It is fair to say, in India, the concept of having a themed decor plan is rather new. For decades, most of what we have been seeing includes strings of bright marigolds or a few rose arrangements here and there. However, modern weddings are changing the traditional moodboard into something more personal, global and invigorating. At the helm of this shift is Delhi-based wedding planner, The Wedding Square (TWS). As their website mentions rightfully – “We turn dreams into reality” – TWS has been the reason behind many jaw-dropping nuptials. From brunch setups inspired by The Beverly Hills Hotel to parties that mimic Mughal gardens and floral installations that looked like floating clouds overlooking the Mediterranean Sea at Cannes – TWS has time and again proved that they are capable of wonders.
Behind such larger-than-life, artistic wedding arrangements, lies one question: What fueled this gradual change in Indian weddings and does it signal a passing trend, or the beginning of something far more enduring?
Shweta Mehta [Co-founder and Creative Director, The Wedding Square] enthusiastically shares, “Over the years, we have seen an evolution in the wedding industry that is not an elimination of tradition but a progression of it. Couples today are far more exposed to the outer world, and have experienced diverse cultures. While the core values and traditions remain intact, the way they are expressed has naturally transformed. As couples become increasingly drawn to aesthetics that feel more personal to them, it is therefore, not about losing cultural identity, but about presenting it in a way that feels authentic and aligned with who they are.”
In India, each wedding is a world of its own; an escape from the usual. For those few days of celebration, weddings become temporary realities designed for fantasy and spectacle. Naturally, the elements in this fabricated reality are curated carefully to replicate special moments or places from the couples’ memory. “We’ve worked on weddings where design has been deeply rooted in personal memory. In one instance, a bride who had lost her mother expressed a strong desire to feel her presence on her special day. For her, the decor extended beyond aesthetics – it became an emotional anchor. We created a small, intimate corner inspired by her memories, incorporating elements such as a lounge reminiscent of where they once spent time together, along with meaningful details like her mother’s dupatta and other subtle, personal touches. The space was not overt, yet it carried profound emotional resonance. It shifted the tone of the environment entirely, offering her a sense of comfort, grounding, and connection on a day that can otherwise feel overwhelming,” fondly shares Shweta.
Apart from sentimental annotations, travel becomes the biggest inspiration and moodboard for these wedding plans. This is especially where spatial design and technology comes into play to replicate or reimagine exotic locations. Gone are the days when ambience lighting was enough – today’s sensibilities call for more immersive environments, whether through projection mapping, LED installations, intelligent lighting, or even holographic visuals. As Shweta says, “Increasingly, we are seeing weddings that transport guests into entirely different worlds,” it is evident that the future of wedding decor is all about creating moments of escape and wonder that makes the celebrations truly memorable.
Often, during the planning process, it is common to get lost amidst a slew of ideas. However, one thing that can never go amiss in all this is taste. According to Shweta, “It ultimately comes down to thoughtful and intentional design. Experiential elements cannot be treated as standard additions; they must feel authentic to the overarching theme, which requires both research and conceptual depth. Spatial design is central to this process. Rather than dividing the venue into rigid zones, such as lounges, bars, or activity areas – the layout should feel fluid and interconnected, allowing one space to transition seamlessly into another.”
Needless to say, today no two weddings look the same. Thanks to visionary planners like TWS, every couple gets their slice of nostalgia and built-in reality exactly the way they want. Right from the decor to even the food menu and of course, clothes – the new Indian wedding moodboard is not just here to stay, but keep evolving with each new love story.
