Attending a grand Indian wedding is synonymous with relishing delectable cuisine and indulging in spirited discussions about how the wedding organizers could have enhanced the event. Impressions on rishtedaars are a tricky affair, as no amount of extravagance can shield against their discerning eyes. Perhaps, their knack for finding fault stems from the abundance of leisure time during the festivities. However, a refreshing shift is underway in the desi wedding landscape.
Couples and wedding parties are now steering towards more engaging experiences for their guests, surpassing the conventional humdrum of photo booths. The contemporary wedding scene embraces personalized touches, steering clear of the mundane. Innovative additions such as 'make your own' lipstick stations and DIY perfume stands to take center stage, providing attendees with unique and memorable wedding favours. This evolution promises to elevate the overall guest experience, making weddings more interactive and bespoke.
Today's weddings have evolved beyond traditional ceremonies; they've transformed into full-fledged festivals, observes Mohsin Khan, the visionary behind Vivah Luxury Weddings.
Sachin Singhal, the innovative mind behind Bandbaajaa.com, a distinguished wedding planning service, emphasizes the growing significance of personalized wedding favors. According to Singhal, gifts tailored to individuals hold greater value, as they encourage active participation. Singhal shares experiences of organizing unique features like interactive glitter tattoo bars and live engraving sessions for clients, setting new trends.
In line with this evolving trend, Jasmin Shah, co-founder of Karibo Cosmetics renowned for customisable lipsticks, notes the current preference for personalized gifts. Shah believes that the customization of wedding favors adds a special touch, creating a memorable experience for guests.
In response to changing preferences, Singhal highlights the shift from conventional giveaways like potlis to more unconventional options. The desire for novelty is driving couples and planners towards fresh and unique ideas, transforming weddings into immersive experiences.
The prevalence of DIY pop-up stands is on the rise in India, particularly at weddings. According to Khan, hosts anticipate a diverse array of stalls, transforming weddings into comprehensive entertainment packages for guests. Non-participation in these festivities is likened to a curry lacking salt.
Jinal Patel and Neha Wadhawan, co-founders of The Doli Diary, assert that wedding favors remain integral, undergoing shifts in form and nature to infuse a playful touch. Shah, delving into market dynamics, reveals a 100% annual growth since 2020 in their venture, specializing in personalized lipsticks.
The interactive nature of DIY pop-ups engages guests, while personalized gifts enhance the sense of individual significance, according to Shah.
In Rajasthan, a surge of creativity is evident in wedding festivities, with innovative stalls ranging from bangle-making to parrot reading. Similarly, Goa showcases coconut and rice engraving booths, reflecting a diverse array of choices for wedding favors.
Patel and Wadhawan highlight the personalized nature of these requests, tailored to fit each couple's theme. For instance, an Italian-themed brunch featured a 'make your own olive oil' counter, adding a distinctive touch for guests to enjoy.
Singhal notes the emergence of unique requests like audiobooks, where guests record heartfelt messages for the couple.
Furthermore, 'make your own hamper' stalls are gaining popularity, allowing guests to curate personalized gift hampers.
Singhal also mentions the rising trend of interactive 'musical pheras' during ceremonies, reflecting a dynamic shift in wedding experiences.
Industry insiders reveal that attendees respond positively to interactive sessions as they crave novelty.
Shah shares a heartfelt incident, "While blending lipsticks at a wedding, I witnessed an 80-year-old man approaching, expressing interest in trying it for his wife and granddaughter. This underscores the widespread enjoyment of interactive stalls at weddings, spanning across generations from children to the elderly."
Singhal highlights, "Interactive sessions contribute to a more inclusive wedding ambiance, fostering a sense of participation and connection among attendees. Guests perceive the event as specially curated for them, enhancing the overall inclusivity of the celebration."
Khan reveals that hosts allocate five to eight percent of the wedding budget for interactive sessions, with an average budget of Rs 50,00,000 and above. Shah notes that pop-up stalls' costs vary from Rs 5,000 to Rs 2,00,000, depending on the host's preferences. She suggests that even those on a tighter budget can incorporate such stalls, given the unorganized market and the availability of vendors accommodating various budgets.
According to Patel and Wadhawan, uniqueness and interest can be found in any price range. Imagine encountering a DIY lipstick stall at a recent wedding – an impressive, interactive, and personalized experience. The lipstick crafted during the event becomes a lasting reminder of the couple and the celebration. Innovative pop-up stalls offer a chance to provide guests with memorable keepsakes, ensuring a distinct and cherished experience for all.
