As the wedding season is at its peak, celebrations are increasingly reflecting a shift — from spectacle-driven affairs to experiences rooted in personal meaning. A recent example that captured this evolution perfectly is Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben’s reception at The St. Regis, Mumbai, where DIY elements were used not just as craft projects, but as tools for storytelling.Designed by Ambika Gupta, the reception décor leaned heavily into personal expression. “What made Nupur’s wedding truly special was how deeply personal it was, without ever feeling forced or overdone,” she says. “The DIY elements weren’t about craft, but about authentic self-expression.” A bespoke black-and-white carpet featuring Nupur’s handwritten quotes and scribbles became a central design feature, while subtle personal details, such as artistic representations of the couple’s dogs, were woven into the grazing experience.While this wedding offered one interpretation of DIY, designers across the industry are approaching the concept in varied ways, with the common thread being a desire to help couples create celebrations that feel truly their own.“DIY weddings are moulding how couples engage with their guests,” says Anjali Tolani, vice-president, Weddings at Tamarind. She recalls planning a wedding for a musician couple. “Their reception became a live concert curated by their closest friends, who were also artists. The bride even performed a song she had written for the groom,” she shares, describing how the experience blurred the line between performance and participation.Ideas are many, and Anjali shares a few more that stand out. “In another wedding, the couple replaced a traditional guest book with a recording booth, where guests left heartfelt voice messages, sharing their best wishes and unique anecdotes that made the celebration feel more intimate.”Some weddings, she notes, also extend their impact beyond the day itself. “One couple, passionate about sustainability, hosted a ‘plant-a-memory’ station, where guests potted seedlings instead of receiving traditional wedding favours,” she says.The idea of DIY, designers agree, doesn’t mean doing everything yourself. “A successful DIY-themed wedding isn’t literal,” says Ambika. “It’s about designing with intention.” She suggests small but thoughtful gestures. “Writing notes for each event, creating personal emblems, curating playlists that reflect different phases of a relationship or displaying artefacts with emotional value. Even a welcome sign in the couple’s handwriting or a shared ritual during the ceremony can become a meaningful DIY moment.”Such thoughtful tweaks can completely transform a wedding into a creative experience for everyone involved. Adding to this thought, Shail Doshi of Bluekrit Weddings says, “Many couples these days incorporate meaningful rituals into their ceremony, such as a personalised haldi or mehndi ceremony and write their own vows for a more intimate experience. One can also invite elderly from an old-age home on the wedding day to seek blessings before beginning the ritual.”If that makes you go aww and you are making a note of possible ideas, Shail suggests a fun way to keep guests hooked. “Including interactive entertainment like wedding trivia about the couple or fun games ensure your guests stay engaged throughout the celebration.”Anjali explains how easy it is to incorporate personal style into any celebration. “Start by designing personalised invitations that reflect your culture and personal style, using traditional motifs or custom calligraphy. Extend this personal touch to the décor with custom-made place cards, menus and seating charts featuring vibrant colours or ethnic patterns. For décor, choose a theme, whether traditional, royal or modern, and create your own decorations like marigold garlands, diyas, colourful drapes or rangoli patterns. Instead of a traditional guest book, set up a photo booth with fun props or create an interactive space where guests can leave personalised messages alongside photos.”Planning a wedding is ultimately about creating unforgettable memories — for the couple and for every guest. Nirav Thaleshwar, founder of Allegiant Events, believes that incorporating interactive elements can truly elevate the experience. “To keep guests engaged during the festivities, a variety of live station options such as a bangles station, charm station, perfume bar, bobblehead station, block printing on tote bags, bouquet bar, candle station and personalised photo booths can create a sense of involvement and excitement,” he explains.A DIY wedding is all about the small details that speak volumes. “Handmade invitations, whether digitally designed or handwritten, along with DIY wedding favours like scented candles, handmade soaps or personalised keepsakes, make guests feel special,” says Kaushik Mer, co-founder, DS Wedding.And there’s still more room for creativity. “Storytelling elements like a timeline of the couple’s journey, handwritten love notes on tables, or a memory wall filled with pictures and anecdotes infuse the wedding with sentiment and meaning, making it an unforgettable experience for all,” suggests Kaushik.
