Inside the Saanjh Experience: What It’s Like to Plan a Wedding With Us
By Tushar, Co-founder — The Saaanjh Collective
From Hello to “Welcome to the Family”
When I first meet you—perhaps over a cup of coffee in our Mumbai studio or on a video call across continents—I’m not just sizing up venues and budgets. I’m getting to know you. Your eyes light up describing how you met, your voice softens when you mention a grandparent who must bless the ceremony, and I’m already imagining how to weave these pieces into your celebration. From that very first hello, my goal is to turn our relationship from planner-client into something closer: trusted confidants, even family. As the founder of The Saanjh Collective (TSC), I built this company on the belief that when you trust us with your wedding, we don’t remain outsiders – we become a part of your wedding like family. I’ll laugh with you during menu tastings, cry happy tears with your mom at the vidaai, and shield you from stress like an older brother or sister would. Discretion is paramount in this bond—if you’re a high-profile couple or simply a private person, rest assured that anything shared with TSC stays in trusted hands. (It’s common in luxury weddings for planners to sign NDAs, and we’re more than happy to.) The result? You feel safe, heard, and comfortable being completely yourself with us. Only when that comfort is in place can we truly envision a wedding that feels like you.
Designing Your Dream – One That Feels Uniquely You
Forget the cookie-cutter “luxury” wedding where everything looks straight out of a magazine but nothing feels personal. At TSC, design begins and ends with your story. I often say that twenty years from now, you won’t remember whether you had orchids or roses on the tables; you’ll remember how you felt in that moment. So, our philosophy is simple: we craft weddings that aren’t just trendy but timeless and meaningful. Every color, every flower, every playlist choice should resonate with who you are as a couple. In fact, today’s high-end couples demand nothing less than one-of-a-kind personalization – 2025’s luxury weddings have evolved into bespoke celebrations reflecting a couple’s story, values, and even wildest imaginations. We embrace this fully.
How do we do it? First, we listen. If you tell me about the night you and your fiancé gazed at the stars in Udaipur and knew it was love, don’t be surprised if your sangeet decor features a subtle constellation motif above the palace courtyard. If you inherited a love of gardening from your grandmother, perhaps the mehndi will be set in a verdant greenhouse with jasmine and marigolds she loved. We’re not chasing Instagram fads; we’re chasing that spark that makes you you. I often encourage couples to dig out those secret Pinterest boards they’ve been saving for years and then let’s give those ideas heart. Yes, we stay on top of trends (sustainability, tech, immersive entertainment—you name it), but we filter everything through the lens of your personalities.
To ensure this, we start the creative process early and collaboratively. We’ll create mood boards and even 3D mockups so you can see the whole design vision come together, not just isolated elements. One bride told us she felt previous planners made her choose “square or round tables? high or low centerpieces?” without giving her a bigger picture. With us, you’ll never be left answering piecemeal questions in a vacuum. Instead, we paint the big picture first. You’ll know how the tables, flowers, lighting, and even the scent of the venue all interplay in a cohesive theme that reflects your story. This way, every decision feels informed and in harmony. We won’t bombard you with trendy must-haves that don’t suit you; for example, if a carnival-themed cocktail night isn’t your vibe, we’re not forcing it just because it’s “in” this year. As our own team mantra goes, we help you choose what actually makes sense for your wedding – not whatever a social media influencer claims is a must-do. The result is a design that isn’t just stunning to look at, but deeply personal. Your guests will walk in and say, “This could only be their wedding.” And years later, when styles have changed, your celebration will still feel classic because it was built around your unique narrative, not a passing trend.
Storytelling in Every Celebration
One signature of The Saanjh Collective is how we infuse storytelling into multi-day Indian weddings. Think of each event as a chapter in your love story. Rather than a disjointed string of functions (mehndi, sangeet, ceremony, reception), we work with you to craft a narrative arc that ties everything together. It’s an approach that we use for modern Indian weddings – each day distinct yet connected by a meaningful thread. We might start your festivities with a “How We Met” cocktail party, recreating the retro music and funky decor of the 90s lounge where your paths first crossed. The next morning’s brunch could celebrate your shared wanderlust with travel-inspired details (passport-style invites for guests, maybe a menu of dishes from cities you’ve traveled to together). That evening, the sangeet might nod to the adventurous proposal on a mountain – perhaps with a dramatic backdrop or a choreographed entry that mirrors a mountaintop sunset. By the time we reach the wedding ceremony, which might highlight your cultural heritage in full glory, every guest is emotionally invested; they’ve been taken on a journey of you two. Guests often receive a “journey map” at the start explaining the story behind each event, so they appreciate the thought and feel like active participants in your tale. This storytelling approach keeps even the most seasoned wedding-goers engaged and excited for “what’s next” – it turns your wedding from an event into a saga of love that people deeply connect with. And it keeps things fun! Imagine the chatter among guests: “I loved how last night was all about their college romance, I wonder what tonight will bring?” By the time your reception rolls around, everyone from your college friends to your chachis and mama-jis are feeling like they’ve lived your love story alongside you. Not only does this make your wedding more memorable, it gives it a soul that no generic “luxury” wedding can replicate. It’s your story, chapter by chapter, and we’re here to help you tell it in the most spectacular way.
Our All-Star Vendor Family, At Your Service
To us, weddings are a symphony of talents: photographers, caterers, décor artists, entertainers, lighting techs, makeup magicians and more. One of the biggest differences you’ll feel with TSC is that you’re not just hiring me as your planner—you’re gaining access to an entire ecosystem of best-in-class vendors we consider our extended family. I use the word family here deliberately. Over the years, we’ve cultivated relationships with the crème de la crème of the wedding world, from Jaipur to Florence, who share our values and work ethic. These are florists who will triple-check every garland, chefs who obsess over each canapé’s flavor, and DJs who know how to read a crowd like a book. We bring them on board for you, we vouch for them, and then we manage them like a well-oiled team, so you never have to play middleman.
What does that mean for your experience? It means you won’t be dialing up the decorator because some centerpiece idea is delayed—that’s on us. You won’t be “chasing a florist in between the Sangeet” (as I often joke) because we handle all coordination. It means the photographer isn’t just any photographer; it could be our very own Himanshu from EpicStories (yes, one of TSC’s co-founders is a renowned luxury wedding photographer) who already understands how we operate in sync. It means when you go for your lehenga fitting, our co-founder Pratik—who lives and breathes bridal couture—might just drop in to ensure that ensemble is absolute perfection. Essentially, we’ve got an inner circle of talent and trust, and once you’re with us, that circle expands to include you. We vet every vendor for quality and reliability, negotiate the best deals on your behalf, and ensure each one is fully briefed on the story and vibe we’re creating. This alignment shows in the final execution: everyone moves in harmony, with clear purpose, and zero chaos.
High-end clients often worry, “Will I have to keep tabs on all the vendors? What if someone drops the ball?” With TSC, that’s our job, not yours. Consider us your single point of contact. We’ll field all the calls, questions, and hiccups (should any arise) behind the scenes. For example, if the catering manager needs the final guest count, we’ve given it to them yesterday. If the makeup artist is stuck in traffic, we have a backup plan and maybe a cup of coffee ready for you so you’re not stressing. Our vendor management is proactive and personal. We choose people who not only excel at their craft but also align with our ethos of treating your wedding like their own. And because we’ve worked together so often, there’s a shorthand and trust that a random grouping of vendors wouldn’t have. You’ll see your photographer helping adjust the dupatta before a shot, or the décor team coordinating with the lighting guys without needing you to weigh in. It’s all seamless.
Another advantage? Discretion and professionalism. Our vendor family knows how to work with VIP clients, high-security events, and cross-cultural rituals with equal finesse. If privacy is a concern, every vendor on your team is ready to sign NDAs and avoid any social media posts until you’ve given the green light. We will never, for instance, allow a videographer to live-stream something you wanted kept intimate, or a décor person to invite a “blogger friend” to sneak in and photograph your setups. Your wedding, your rules. Period.
By curating this trustworthy, top-tier vendor team, we eliminate countless headaches for you. You won’t be up at night wondering, “Has the DJ gotten our preferred song list?” or “Will the caterer remember we requested Jain options for certain guests?” We’ve handled it. We even have our vendors coordinate among themselves – like the florist syncing with the cake designer about which flowers to avoid due to allergies, or the lighting team adjusting for the photographer’s needs. This kind of harmony is rare, and it’s a huge relief for our clients. One couple who came to us after a bad experience with another planner revealed they had to catch mistakes like the wrong date on their brunch invites and missing items in their décor order. They felt they had become the project managers, double-checking vendor work. With TSC, you can truly step back and enjoy being the bride and groom, because we are the project managers (actually, consider us project maestros!) ensuring nothing slips through cracks. No wrong dates, no double-booked musicians, no “oops, we forgot an LED wall” surprises. We’re on it, all of it.
Planning in Style, Sans the Stress
Let’s talk about the process of planning – the nitty-gritty that can either make you lose sleep or sleep easy. Our mission at TSC is that you sleep like a baby (well, an excited baby who can’t wait for their big day, but a stress-free baby nonetheless!). The best compliment I get from clients isn’t just “What a beautiful wedding,” but “We actually had fun planning it.” To me, that’s success. Here’s how we get you there:
Crystal-Clear Roadmap: Early on, we map out the whole journey. You’ll know, month by month, which decisions are coming up (and which ones we’ve already handled in the background). We break the monumental task of planning a luxury Indian wedding into manageable milestones. Because Indian weddings have many moving parts and multiple events, we create a detailed timeline for each—so you’re never left guessing what’s next. We use shared digital planners and schedules so you can track progress at a glance if you wish. Of course, if you’re the kind who prefers to just “show up and be surprised,” we can run the engine entirely behind the scenes and simply loop you in for the fun stuff (like cake tasting or table decor mockups). The key is communication: you’ll never be in the dark. We schedule regular check-ins (weekly, bi-weekly, whatever suits you) to update on what’s done and what needs your input. This way, planning never feels like a runaway train; you’re comfortably in the loop without being bogged down by minutiae.
Budgeting with Transparency: Luxury doesn’t mean wastage. We respect that whether your budget is 5 or 25 crore, it represents your hard-earned money or your family’s love for you. So we treat your budget as if it were our own bank account. Early on, we’ll sit and prioritize: Is gourmet food a top priority and florals less so? Or maybe a destination venue is non-negotiable but you’re okay cutting back on live entertainment. We allocate funds accordingly and then keep a tight watch. We’ll track every expense and present it in a clear way so you never have those “Wait, why did we pay 10 lakh for this?!” moments. If we see something not worth the spend, we’ll flag it. Conversely, if there’s an area we feel deserves a bit more for impact (say, adding heaters for an outdoor winter reception to keep guests cozy), we’ll discuss that too. Our goal is no surprises except good ones. By tracking and updating the budget continuously, we avoid the nightmare of a blown budget. In fact, we often save our clients money by negotiating with vendors or suggesting clever alternatives for pricey imports. Financial peace of mind is a huge part of a smooth planning journey, and we want you to feel confident in every penny spent.
Every Detail, Double-Checked: Here’s a little peek into our internal process – we have something called the “Night Before Checklist.” It’s exactly what it sounds like: the night before any event, we simulate the next day from start to finish, item by item. This is where we catch anything that might be amiss. Did the transportation team remember that Grandpa needs a wheelchair-accessible van? Check. Are the welcome drinks going to be served 15 minutes before the baraat arrives so guests have something refreshing in hand? Check. Countless tiny details get verified at odd hours of the night so that on your day, nothing is left to chance. We’ve heard horror stories from couples about planners forgetting to arrange buggies for elderly guests who couldn’t walk long distances at a palace venue, or failing to have any refreshments for the bridal party during the long getting-ready hours. That simply doesn’t happen on our watch. We literally plan how Nana-Nani will move from the ceremony to reception (if it’s a long walk, we’ll have a golf cart ready, decorated cutely of course). We think about that cousin who only eats Jain food – and coordinate with the caterer so his meal is ready without him even asking. We place safety pins and Band-Aids in the bridesmaids’ vanity kits just in case. We arrange for the dholaks to start playing right when the groom’s sister is about to steal his shoes (why not add a dramatic soundtrack to the fun!). No detail is too small if it contributes to a smoother, happier experience. Our job is to anticipate needs before anyone realizes it. This level of foresight means that you and your family will often be delightfully surprised: “Oh, you already thought of that? Amazing!” – that’s something I hear a lot and it never gets old.
Handling the What-Ifs: Even with the best planning, life can throw curveballs—especially in big weddings. Weather can turn, a flight can get delayed, a item of décor might arrive broken. A huge part of our process (that might not be visible to you) is contingency planning. We always have a Plan B, and sometimes a Plan C. If an outdoor event has even a 10% chance of rain, we quietly secure heaters, umbrellas, or an indoor backup area (in a way that doesn’t spoil Plan A, of course). If a vendor falls ill (it’s rare but hey, it’s life), we have a trusted replacement on speed dial. And if nothing goes wrong (touch wood), our contingencies just fade into the background unused—no harm done. But if something does, you’ll likely never know, because we activate solutions in real time. Many couples have told me later that they had no idea we were, say, resetting a entire sound system in 30 minutes because of a technical snag, or reprinting 20 place cards because a few guests changed their RSVP last-minute. We handle hitches so that you remain blissfully unaware and free to enjoy. The only thing you’ll feel is that everything is miraculously under control.
Fun Along the Way: Yes, fun! Planning doesn’t have to be a dry checklist march. We infuse little joys in the process. When you’re tasting cake, we’ll make an evening of it with champagne. When you’re picking invitation designs, we’ll invite your parents or best friend on the Zoom call and make it a mini celebration of its own (after all, sending out the invites is a milestone!). We celebrate each step, so the journey towards the wedding is filled with as much laughter and love as the wedding day. I remember a couple who were absolute foodies (the type who would negotiate more budget for gourmet catering but asked to minimize floral spend—yes, that happens!). When it came time for menu planning, we turned it into a full-fledged food festival: multiple chef stations, a live feedback session, and the couple’s eyes shining as they tasted each dish. They later said those planning moments became some of their favorite memories. That’s how it should be. If you’re investing in a luxury wedding, the experience of getting to the altar should feel luxurious too—meaning enjoyable, personalized, and stress-free.
By the time we’re a few weeks out, you’ll notice something: instead of anxiety, you’ll feel excitement. Because there isn’t a scramble of loose ends; we’ve tied them all. All that’s left is the anticipation of the beautiful days to come. You get to genuinely look forward to your wedding, like a kid counting down to a big holiday, rather than dreading what might go wrong. And that feeling—that calm confidence—is one of the greatest gifts we aim to give you through our planning process.
A peek into our planning world – from the big-picture vision to the tiniest details. We treat your wedding planning book like a cherished diary, filling it with every idea and plan that will make your celebration uniquely yours.
Guests Are God: Crafting a Five-Star Guest Experience
In Indian culture we say “Atithi Devo Bhava” – the guest is God. Nowhere is this more tested than in an Indian wedding! For our clients, taking care of guests isn’t just etiquette, it’s a reflection of their own values. You want your loved ones to walk away saying, “Wow, they thought of everything!” We take that challenge personally. At TSC, we plan your wedding not just from your perspective, but from each guest’s too. We want every single person attending to feel taken care of, important, and delighted. And frankly, today’s discerning couples know that a wedding’s success is often judged by guest experience – people judge a wedding based on what it feels like. So we leave no stone unturned in making it feel incredible for everyone.
Red-Carpet Welcome: Imagine this: your guests receive their save-the-dates with a personalized note and a link to a custom wedding website with all the info. From that moment, our guest concierge service quietly kicks in. We gather intel—who needs airport pickups? Who has dietary restrictions or mobility issues? What do they prefer to drink? By the time your guests are packing their bags, we know that e.g. Uncle Raj is allergic to peanuts and Aunty Meena loves a good Merlot in the evening. Fast forward to the wedding week: whether it’s a destination celebration or in your hometown, we set up hospitality desks at hotels where guests are staying. My team is there to greet them (with warmth and, often, with a artisanal welcome drink in hand). Check-ins are smooth, luggage is handled. In their rooms, they’ll find a beautifully curated welcome hamper – perhaps a mix of practical and playful items. Think scented candles, local snacks or sweets, itinerary cards, and yes, maybe a hangover kit for later. If it’s a destination like Goa or Tuscany, we throw in a guide to local attractions for their free time. These touches immediately tell your guests, “You are valued here.”
Comfort and Convenience: Indian weddings can be marathon events – multiple days, late nights, early mornings. We plan guest logistics like a military operation (a very cheerful, guest-friendly military!). All airport transfers, local transports between venues, etc., are arranged in advance. Have 200 people flying in to Udaipur? We’ll have a fleet of cars or luxury buses with coordinators holding signs and big smiles at the airport. Elderly guests or VIPs might get a separate car for extra comfort. We ensure the vehicles have water, snacks, maybe a little welcome playlist of your favorite songs to set the mood en route. At venues, we consider things like parking flow, signage, and how far folks must walk. If the reception is at a hillside fort, we’ll have shuttles or even beautifully decorated palkis or buggies for those who need them. During events, our team members are essentially guest concierges circulating—“You need an extra shawl, aunty? Let me grab one from our stash.”, “Looking for the restroom? I’ll walk you there.”, “Diet Coke instead of champagne? On it.” It’s like having hotel-level service at a wedding. Because for those days, your wedding is a five-star resort for your guests and we are the staff, anticipating needs.
We also take care of the little ones if any—kids’ corners with nannies, activities, so parents can enjoy without worry. And let’s not forget those last-minute “Can we get one more room?” situations. There are always those few guests who decide to show up late or change plans. Our team will handle additions with the hotel quietly so your family isn’t scrambling. As we say, you enjoy the party, we handle the paperwork.
Immersive Guest Activities: For destination weddings especially, we often help plan optional excursions and activities for guests who’ve traveled far. Some couples want to treat their friends and family to an experience beyond the wedding itself. Since we know these locales well, we can arrange a private mehendi afternoon by the beach for the ladies, or a city tour for foreigners excited about Indian culture. This way, guests make their own memories and feel like they’re on a mini-vacation, not just attending a series of rituals. It’s all about maximizing their comfort and enjoyment.
Food & Drink – A Gastronomic Hug: Ever been to a glamorous wedding where the decor was stunning but the dinner was lackluster or, worse, cold? Those guests remember the disappointment. We’ll have none of that. Food is central to guest happiness. We ensure your wedding menus are spectacular and served flawlessly. Multiple cuisines, live stations, late-night snacks – we plan it out so no one is ever hungry or thirsty at the wrong time. If the pheras (ceremony) might be long and during lunchtime, we’ll have chai and snacks circulating among the guests so no one’s tummy grumbles in the middle of the mantras. We coordinate with caterers to time the dinner just right – not too early that people aren’t ready to eat, not too late that they’re starving. And those who have special diet needs (veg, vegan, gluten-free, Jain, etc.) will find their preferences seamlessly integrated, not as an afterthought. Guests should feel, “Gosh, they even remembered that I only eat gluten-free,” which to them translates as “they cared.” You can seat someone in front of a lakhs floral centerpiece, but if you serve them a lukewarm dinner, that’s what they’ll remember (and the impression will be that you spent on flowers but didn’t care about them). We take that to heart – balancing the wow factors so they extend equally to guest comfort. The food will be as lavish and thoughtful as the décor. And speaking of drinks, if it’s a hot day, we’ll have cold coconut water or nimboo pani as welcome drinks; if it’s chilly at night, maybe hot toddies or Kashmiri kahwa making the rounds.
Entertainment & Engagement: We don’t just entertain you, the couple – we also keep your guests entertained and engaged (when they’re not busy dancing, of course!). That could mean interactive elements like a photo-booth with instant prints (maybe customized with your wedding logo or a thank-you note from you). Or a live sketch artist doing portraits during the cocktail hour. Or even something high-tech and wild like a holographic show of your love story during the sangeet (yes, we’ve explored out-of-the-box ideas – modern luxury weddings have seen everything from holograms to AI-generated instant guest videos, and if that’s what fits your vibe, we’ll bring it in!). We consider the guest experience from start to finish. Are they likely to get bored during the couple’s long photo shoot? Let’s have a caricaturist roam around or a mixologist teaching how to make the signature cocktail. Is there a lull between the ceremony and reception? We might set up a cozy lounge with a coffee bar and light music where they can chill, or arrange a short folk dance performance to keep the energy alive. No generic filler – everything has a touch of thought.
And of course, we facilitate the raw fun that guests bring themselves – the impromptu dance circles, the late-night singing sessions by the pool. By handling logistics and flow, we ensure guests can focus on enjoying these moments. A well-planned timeline means your college friends aren’t stuck waiting for two hours doing nothing because an event ran late. We run things on time (with a little flexibility because IST – Indian Stretchable Time – is real, but we buffer for it!). Guests feel the event moving beautifully from one highlight to the next, with enough breathing room to relish it all.
The outcome of all this? Guests who feel like VIPs. They’ll notice the seamlessness, even if subconsciously. And a happy guest environment massively feeds back into your enjoyment too. You’ll see everyone in great spirits—no cranky uncle complaining about logistics, no bridesmaid missing from photos because she’s sorting out a room issue. Everyone you love is fully present with you in the celebration. That energy is priceless.
I’ll share a quick story: at one of our weddings, we had arranged for traditional pagdi (turban) tying for all the male guests as they arrived at the wedding ceremony, and chunni draping for the ladies who wanted them. Just a little cultural touch so everyone felt involved. One guest, an English gentleman, later told us he was nervous about attending his first Indian wedding and not knowing the customs, but when our team member greeted him, tied a pagdi on his head and explained the significance, he instantly felt included and festive. He said, “I felt like I wasn’t just watching an Indian wedding, I was in it.” That’s the magic we aim for: turning spectators into participants.
By the end of your wedding, we want your guests to feel two things: that they were part of something truly special and that you (the hosts) genuinely cared about their experience. If 98% of couples say they want their wedding to be a great experience for all guests, we take that 98% desire and execute it 100%. We want people saying, “That was the best wedding ever!” – not just because it was lavish, but because it was filled with heart and hospitality. And when your closest friends and family are happy, you as a couple will be over the moon. That’s a win-win we tirelessly work for.
Joy unleashed! We handle the behind-the-scenes so you can join your guests on the dance floor without a worry in the world. When you’re this carefree at your own wedding, you know the planning’s been done right. And trust us, your guests will be right there with you, feeling the same bliss.
Moments Matter: Emotions, Traditions, and Little Touches
Let’s shift from logistics to the heart of the matter: the emotions. If there’s one thing I promise as your planner, it’s that I will care about your wedding moments as deeply as you do. By the time we reach the wedding week, we’re not just planner and client; we’ve shared laughs over late-night planning calls, I’ve maybe nudged you through that awkward conversation with a relative about the guest list, and you’ve perhaps teased me about my obsession with post-it note reminders. We’ve built a rapport, maybe even a friendship. So when the big days arrive, I am invested – emotionally, not just professionally.
During the events, you’ll often spot me or members of our team at the sidelines with misty eyes or cheering loudly, living the moment with you. We’ve literally “blended in, celebrated with you, cried with you” at weddings – because we can’t help it. We’ve gotten to know your families, your stories, and seeing it all come together moves us too. And I think that matters. It might sound strange to boast that “your planner might cry at your wedding,” but I wear that as a badge of honor. It means we’re all in. When you feel that level of support, you can let go and immerse yourself fully, knowing someone else is emotionally watching out for every precious moment.
We also deeply understand the cultural and emotional significance of rituals in Indian weddings. These aren’t just scripted moments on a timeline for us; they are the soul of the celebration. Whether it’s the kanyadaan, the bidai, the fera, or a Christian father-daughter walk down the aisle, we treat each with the reverence and attention it deserves. We make sure the priests or officiants are prepped, the materials for rituals are in place (no scrambling for misplaced garlands or forgot the sindoor—oh no, not on our watch). By handling the practicalities, we allow your family to be fully present in the emotion of the ritual, rather than fussing over who has the coconut or the rings. And because we know these moments are often charged with emotion, we create a respectful space around them. For instance, during the vidaai (the bride’s farewell), we won’t have waitstaff clattering dishes or the band playing a loud song. We coordinate a softer background music, give the family a bit of privacy from the crowd, and even keep tissues handy (because there will be tears!). It’s a subtle choreography around emotions. As planners, it’s not just about the grand things, but these intimate scenes too – we consider it our duty to protect and elevate them.
We also encourage and help you incorporate any heritage or personal rituals you want. Maybe your family has a tradition of singing a particular folk song after the wedding, or perhaps you want to do a quiet ring exchange during your mehndi because that’s when your parents exchanged rings years ago. Whatever is meaningful to you, we’ll help script it into the experience. Those personalized rituals often become the most poignant memories. We recently had a couple where the bride’s family was originally from a small village. They had a custom that after the wedding, the bride and groom would feed each other a spoon of dahi-cheeni (yogurt and sugar) for good luck. It wasn’t part of the big hotel’s usual plan, but we made it happen: a beautiful silver bowl of yogurt appeared right after the ceremony. The bride was so touched that we remembered and prioritized that moment. To us, that’s what makes a wedding theirs – those little significant gestures.
Now, let’s talk about our signature touches – the kind of things we love to do for our couples that perhaps no one else will. Some are planned, some we keep as surprises. Spoiler alert (if you love surprises, skip this paragraph!). One thing we often do is create a “Memory Capsule.” Throughout the planning and the events, we secretly collect bits and pieces – say, a copy of your first doodles of your décor ideas, a polaroid of you both at the food tasting grinning with chocolate cake on your teeth, the menu card from your sangeet, maybe a snippet of lace from the bridal sari blouse final fitting, or the place card that had the heart doodle your groom drew next to your name during a meeting. After the wedding, we compile these into a beautiful keepsake box or album and present it to you. It’s our gift – a tangible scrapbook of the planning journey and the behind-the-scenes of the wedding that you didn’t get to see while in the spotlight. Couples tell us it’s incredibly special, because it’s filled with moments they didn’t even know happened or forgot in the blur. It helps you relive the whole experience from our perspective, and trust me, it’s often equal parts touching and hilarious.
Another signature of the “Saanjh experience” is what we do when things wind down each night. After an event (say the sangeet) concludes and the crowd moves to after-parties or to bed, our team quietly goes through the venue to ensure nothing of yours or your close family’s is left behind or lost. We gather gifts, personal items, the bridal dupatta you tossed aside when the dancing got wild – all safe and accounted for. And then we do something I consider crucial: we check in on you. We’ll swing by your table or your room with maybe a late-night snack and ask, “How are you feeling? Did you eat enough? Need anything in your room?” It’s those small moments of care. I’ve chased down a bride at 2 AM because I noticed she left without taking a shawl and the night had gotten chilly, so I sent one to her room. We’ve prepared herbal tea for a groom who was losing his voice after the reception (singing your lungs out to Bon Jovi will do that!). These little acts aren’t in any contract or checklist – they come from the heart. We do them because by that point, you’re our family. In fact, one of our taglines has become, “Because to us, you were never just a client. You were family.” It’s painted on our office wall and it’s in our hearts at your wedding.
When you have a planning team that operates with that level of care, you gain something invaluable: peace of mind and the freedom to be fully present. You’re not worrying if the gifts from guests are safely stored, or if someone will remind the Emcee to mention the after-party. You know we have it handled, with love. You can focus on hugging people, dancing, feeling all the feels. And that leads to genuine moments – the kind that photographers capture and you later frame on your wall. Moments like you laughing uncontrollably with your childhood friends during a performance, or wiping a tear during your father’s speech.
Speaking of capturing moments – because of our roots in photography and storytelling, we put extra emphasis on making sure those moments are captured beautifully and promptly. We coordinate tightly with the photo/video team (which often includes our in-house experts) so they know the key family members, the special planned surprises, and the VIP shots not to miss. Did your bridesmaids plan a secret flash mob? We’re in on it and have cameras ready at the right angle. Are you planning to sneak away for a private moment after the ceremony? We’ll both protect your privacy and maybe have a long-lens photographer respectfully catch that candid shot from afar (only if you’re okay with it). We also know you’ll be dying to see photos ASAP, so we often arrange a next-day sneak peek slideshow of a few great shots for you two to enjoy (perhaps at your next day brunch). We hated hearing that some couples had to wait six months for their wedding pictures – that’s unacceptable. With our process, by the time you’re back from honeymoon, you’ll likely have your pro photos and videos ready or at least a lot to reminisce on. Every piece, from the memories made to the memories captured, is handled with utmost care.
Heartwarming moments like this are why we do what we do. When your dad pulls you in for that tight hug on the dance floor, our eyes mist up behind the scenes. We ensure these emotional snapshots happen naturally and beautifully – and we might even slip you a tissue at the right time!
When the Last Song Plays…
Picture this: The final song of your reception has just ended. The dance floor is finally still, except for the soft clink of glasses being collected and the distant laughter of guests starting to say their goodbyes. You kick off your heels and sink into a chair, perhaps for the first time all day, a bit tired but mostly exhilarated. Look around at this moment. The tables are strewn with half-empty champagne flutes, the centerpieces are slightly wilted but still beautiful, the fairy lights are casting a warm glow on the now-quiet venue. Your closest friends are lingering, not wanting the night to end. And somewhere in the corner, you catch a glimpse of us – the TSC team – still there, quietly tidying up small things, coordinating with vendors on breakdown, making sure your gifts and personal items are all safe. We’re giving you and your family the space to soak it all in, that final exhale of “Wow… we really did it.”
This is the essence of the Saanjh experience: when all is said and done, you don’t just feel like you had the perfect wedding – you feel like you had family by your side the whole time. We promised at the start that we’d become a part of your wedding, and in these last moments you realize it’s true. We’re as reluctant as you are for the celebration to end! That’s why even as the music fades, we’re often the last to leave, making sure everything is just right till the very end. We’ll be there to hug you goodnight, maybe with tears in our eyes and definitely with pride in our hearts, because we are so incredibly happy for you. One of my personal treasured memories is when a bride, after her vidaai, turned back and instead of throwing rice (as is tradition), she ran and gave me and my team a group hug, saying “I couldn’t have done this without you. You’re my family now.” That moment will stay with me forever – it encapsulates why TSC exists.
As a luxury wedding planner, I know the business pitch points: We’ll design stunning events, we’ll manage logistics flawlessly, we’ll wow your guests, etc. But at the end of this definitive writing, here’s what I truly want you to take away: Planning your wedding with The Saanjh Collective is like having a best friend who’s an expert at throwing parties, a guardian who’s got your back at every step, and a family member who wants nothing but your happiness – all rolled into one. Yes, you’ll get the breathtaking destinations, the Pinterest-worthy décor, the culinary extravaganzas, and the seamless execution. But you’ll also get genuine care, honesty, and people who will invest in your wedding emotionally as if it were their own. We differentiate ourselves by marrying professionalism with heart. We don’t see you as another client; we see you as our bride and groom – a responsibility and an honor we carry with immense pride.
If there were things you feared or dislikes you’ve heard about wedding planning – the stress, the family drama, the endless decisions, the impersonal planners – let us show you a different reality. We address every pain point with a solution steeped in empathy and expertise. Worried you can’t trust your planner? We build that trust day by day, act with transparency, and even legally bind it with NDAs if needed to assure you of our discretion. Afraid your culture or unique wishes will be steamrolled by a generic plan? We live and breathe cultural sensitivity and personalization, proving that respecting tradition can go hand in hand with innovation and creativity. Scared that you’ll be left managing things? We shoulder it all, so you can float through your events like the royals you are to us. Our process is the best-in-class journey we always wished our own family members had when they got married. It’s why we founded TSC in the first place: to bring back weddings that feel as perfect as they look.
As I wrap up, imagine this final scene: It’s the day after the wedding. Perhaps a mellow brunch is happening where everyone’s reliving last night’s highlights. You’re hand-in-hand with your new spouse, greeting guests, looking a bit more relaxed now that the hardest part is over. I walk up to you with a little notebook. In it are scribbled notes of things people said last night: your best friend calling it “the most you wedding ever,” an aunt saying she’s never eaten better food, your father quietly mentioning that he felt like he was surrounded by family not vendors. I hand it to you and say, “We did it. You did it.” That smile on your face right then – slightly tired, immensely happy, and maybe already nostalgic for an event that only just ended – that is everything.
If you’re reading this and wondering whether you should take the leap with us, I hope you can now picture yourself in this journey. Close your eyes and envision a wedding planning experience where you feel supported, inspired, and genuinely cared for every step of the way. Envision a wedding where you’re not just saying “I do” to your partner, but also silently thanking yourself for choosing a planning team that let you enjoy every minute of the ride. That’s what we’re offering – not a service, but an experience. The Saanjh Collective is ready to welcome you with open arms, keen ears, creative minds, and steady hands.
Your dream wedding is not just about the destination or the decor; it’s about the journey and the people who shape it with you. With us, that journey will be as beautiful as the destination. When you’re ready, we’ll be here – your planner, your confidant, your extended family – excited to create magic together. And when the last song plays at your wedding, you’ll know in your heart that saying “yes” to The Saanjh Collective was one of the best decisions you made. Here’s to your story, your dream, and to making it come alive, hand in hand, every step of the way.
Cheers to unforgettable moments and a planning experience you’ll cherish forever. Let’s make wedding planning the joyous adventure it’s meant to be – together.
