In the vibrant tapestry of the Indian subcontinent and the dynamic landscapes of the Asia Pacific, weddings are not just ceremonies; they are grand celebrations with cultural threads, adorned with love, and exude royalty and magnificence in every way! Amidst the splendour, one cannot help but wonder about the architects of these breathtaking ceremonies. So, we welcome you on this captivating inquiry into the world of wedding planners and designers in the region. Listed alphabetically, they have been turning dreams into reality!
Aarti Manocha, Milestones To Memories Pvt Ltd
Aarti Monocha is a well-known and respected name in the travel and hospitality industry. The managing director of Milestones To Memories Pvt Ltd, her company is driven by an unwavering belief in crafting unparalleled celebrations that stand the test of time. From weddings to social events and milestone celebrations, they create bespoke and unforgettable experiences under Aarti’s leadership!
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “Beyond my work and industry, I define myself as a doting mother clearly. I love spending time with my two grown-up children. In short, you can define me as a homebody when not in the boss lady avatar.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “UAE, Switzerland, India”
Favourite motivational quote: “You can achieve anything you want in life if you have the courage to dream it, the intelligence to make a realistic plan, and the will to see that plan through to the end.”
Aditya Motwane, Motwane Entertainment & Weddings
Aditya Motwane, founder of Motwani Entertainment & Weddings (MEW), is a universally acclaimed figure in the realm of luxury events. Renowned for orchestrating premium experiences for HNIs worldwide, Aditya has also made a mark in the milestone celebrations space.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “I am a fun-loving guy, with strong family values. I am someone that anyone can always count on and I’ll do anything for my friends and family!”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Vienna, Florence, Mykonos, South of France, Umaid Bhawan – Jodhpur.”
Favourite motivational quote: “Work hard, play hard!”
Ariel Leann Chen, Le Reve International
Ariel Leanne Chen, is the founder of Shanghai-based global event company, Le Rêve Events International. Known as “Your Wedding Fairy Godmother”, the events she and her team custom design and execute are what couples can only dream up in their imaginations. They have produced weddings all over the world including, Bali, Maldives, Thailand, Scotland, and the list goes on.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “Wedding producer”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Krabi, Thailand”
Favourite motivational quote: “Whatever the mind of a man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
Bhavnesh Sawhney, FB Celebrations Pvt Ltd
Bhavnesh Sawhney is the co-founder of FB Celebrations Pvt Ltd. Bhavnesh has a distinct knack for facilitating people to fall in love with the events he curates. His company creates bespoke experiences for discerning patrons bringing their dreams to reality. With a cumulative experience of over two decades in luxury event planning, they bring forth unique concepts, solid technical know-how and unbridled creativity for high-end clients from India and across the world.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “Beyond the realm of weddings and design, I am a passionate storyteller, a curator of emotions, and a believer in the extraordinary moments that shape our lives.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Rajasthan, Maldives, Italy, UAE.”
Favourite motivational quote: “Crafting decades of love stories into timeless moments; where dreams meet reality, and every detail speaks the language of everlasting joy.”
Cyrielle Mohara, Chic & Co
Cyrielle Mohara is the founder and CEO at Chic & Co, a French event producer with 10 years of experience in luxury event planning. She is a certified Wedding specialist from Weddings Beautiful Worldwide, has a business degree and has been living in Asia for more than 10 years. With a keen eye for beauty and details, she infuses French excellence to produce international events.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “A wife, mom, and avid traveller fluent in multiple languages. I thrive on adventure, embracing diverse cultures with curiosity and appreciation.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Bali has always been one of my favourite destinations but I may be biased as this was where I had my own wedding so for me it is definitely a dream destination.”
Favourite motivational quote: “The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it.” Henry Ford
Devika Narain, Devika Narain And Company
Devika Narain is the founder and creative director of Devika Narain And Company. The company was born on the dining table of a small rented apartment with the simple goal of creating spaces that were personal and uniquely Indian.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “Just a girl trying to make the world a better place!”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “My home India will always be a favourite, followed by Europe.”
Favourite motivational quote: “There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony. There is time for work. And time for love. That leaves no other time.” ― Coco Chanel
Diane Khoury, DK Weddings & Events
Diane Khoury is an acclaimed Sydney-based wedding planner and stylist with over two decades of experience crafting extraordinary events. Her passion for creating bespoke celebrations has earned her an esteemed reputation, making her one of Australia’s most sought-after event planners for celebrities and socialites.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “I’m defined by my dedication to balancing multiple roles effectively, being a hardworking business owner, mother and wife. I prioritise my family’s well-being while also committing myself to the success and growth of my business.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Hayman Island, Lebanon, Australia, Italy, and Bali.”
Favourite motivational quote: “No legacy is so rich as authenticity”
Divya & Vithika, Divya Vithika Wedding Planners
Divya & Vithika are well-known wedding planners from Bangalore, India. They have handled many high profile and NRI weddings, and also enjoy planning smaller-scale creative weddings. They have experience across a wide range of backgrounds and budgets and have brought to life some exceptional weddings in most of the top locations in India.
Evelyn Mills, Marriage Maestros
A graduate of Ècole Les Roches in Switzerland, Evelyn Mills is the founder and chief maestro of Marriage Maestros- Hong Kong’s first international wedding and event consultancy, specialising in luxury weddings and events throughout China, Southeast Asia, and Europe. In addition to designing and planning Evelyn also shares 20 years of experience and knowledge speaking at international luxury wedding summits and conferences.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “Wifey, doggie mom, animal lover, philanthropy ambassador, foodaholic, wine lover, fashionista, poet, dreamer.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Hong Kong, Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Italy, London”
Favourite motivational quote: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt.
Gideon Hermosa, House Of Hermosa
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “I take great pride in the work I do. My passion for what I do provides me with a constant source of inspiration to perform to the best of my abilities. This passion drove me to learn new skills and push myself, which raised the quality of my work.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Europe”
Favourite motivational quote: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C. S. Lewis
Heena Patel, Amaahyaj
Heena Patel is the founder of Amaahyaj, a wedding decor company. Based out of Vadodara, the team of Amaahyaj has dedicated their craft to effectuating beautiful memories for the last 19 years. With operations across India and overseas, they design bespoke weddings and events creating a visual & experiential journey which leaves an impact for a lifetime.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “Beyond my role in the wedding planning and design industry, I see myself as a creative introvert. I find solace and recharge in moments of solitude. I am also constantly seeking new knowledge, whether it’s delving into diverse cultures, studying different design philosophies, or exploring unconventional ideas, learning fuels my growth and broadens my perspectives.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “India”
Favourite motivational quote: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
Innayat Khubchandani, Innaz Communique
Innayat Khubchandani is the director of Innaz Communique from Jakarta, Indonesia. Innaz Communique is an events company specialising in destination weddings, corporate events, and other ventures related to the hospitality industry. Under Innayat’s leadership, Innaz Communique works with exquisite clientele from all around the world, ensuring their weddings and parties are memorable, creating magical experiences which are perfectly planned and beautifully executed.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “I am a family man, hate to be alone and love to have people around me and lots of noise at all times. Making people happy in my spare time also is a passion, I try to do this through the food that I cook during my off time.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Bali, Portugal, the Middle East, Italy”
Favourite motivational quote: “Love All Serve All”
Janki Desai, Altair Decor
Janki Desai is the creative director and founder of Altair Decor, a bespoke event design company based in Mumbai with operations all over India and overseas. Their events include weddings, functions, and luxury brand events.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “A creative enthusiast with a passion for exploration, whose heart is fueled by travel, adventure, fashion and family.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Jordan, Bali, and Rajasthan”
Favourite motivational quote: “Your worth isn’t defined by other’s expectations, it’s the brilliance of your authentic self.”
Jess & Nania, The Wedding Bliss Thailand
One of the leading destination wedding planners in Thailand, The Wedding Bliss Thailand, is led by a passionate tandem of two sisters, Jess and Nania Tantapaiboon. Established in 2011, their highly qualified team of wedding planners mainly focus on top holiday destinations including Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai. They also work on exciting projects abroad.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “We are a team of passionate creatives from all around the world, united by our love for the art of living. We love travelling, getting inspired by new places, and new people.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Be brave and follow your dreams – they have a tendency to come true!”
Favourite motivational quote: “It’s a fulfilling and empowering experience that validates our efforts and the imagination of all involved.”
Kaival Patel, Absolute Events
Kaival Patel is the director of Absolute Events. The company was founded in 2009 in Ahmedabad. They have executed more than 500+ events to date in India, as well as international places like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Macau, Turkey, UAE, USA, UK, Canada etc. They are specialised in providing one-stop solutions to all event management needs. They take care of Sports Management, Wedding Planning, corporate events, Special events Management and Brand Promotions.
Mahesh Shirodkar, Tamarind Global Services Pvt Ltd
A veteran of the tourism, hospitality and destination management industry, Mahesh Shirodkar is currently the Managing Director of Tamarind Global Services Pvt Ltd. Comprising a dedicated team to handle the complexities that go with planning a wedding with efficiency, sensitivity and attention to every minor detail they have successfully orchestrated some of the most complex weddings with perfect coordination and execution. They offer complete destination wedding packages across India, Europe, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE and beyond.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “An inveterate adventurer. I thrive on new challenges, exploring new places, cuisines, wines and music, and most importantly, I enjoy people. Part of my love for my work comes from the fact that over the years I have been privileged to meet diverse people from all parts of the world, many of whom I am proud to call my friends.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “There’s nothing like India for its traditional palaces and hotels that make the most beautiful backdrops for weddings. Having said that, the world is an oyster now so Italy, France, Thailand, Bali, UAE, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, remain the usual favourites.”
Favourite motivational quote: “Impossible is Nothing!”– Adidas
Michele Li, The Wedding Company, Hong Kong
Drawing from her extensive experience in curating hundreds of tasteful and sophisticated weddings, Michele Li is the founder of The Wedding Company, in Hong Kong. The company specialises in planning, styling, and producing weddings in Hong Kong and destination weddings worldwide. Her exceptional taste is seamlessly combined with a pragmatic and methodical approach to everyday details, enabling Michele and her team to deliver flawlessly styled and executed weddings.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “Beyond my role as a wedding planner/designer, I define myself as a devoted mother of two wonderful daughters. Family is at the core of who I am, and my desire to live my best life extends beyond my professional endeavors. Authenticity is a key value for me—I believe in being true to myself and others in every aspect of life.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Bali, Japan, Thailand, France”
Favourite motivational quote: “There is no magic in magic, it’s all in the details.” — Walt Disney
Mohomed Morani, Dome & Cineyug Group Of Companies
Mohomed Morani has been a successful and dedicated doyen in the business of showbiz and entertainment for the last three decades. His company Cineyug is a 360-degree event management firm with multiple verticals that continues to venture down diverse avenues in a rapidly expanding dynamic industry. From film and TV content production to large-scale event management, thematic weddings, and pyrotechnics to public relations, Cineyug continues to be a trailblazer in the entertainment sector.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “Beyond my role as a wedding planner and designer, I define myself as a versatile professional with over 40 years of experience. As the head of a company engaged in various domains, from being the best venue in India to producing movies, television broadcasts, and live events, I am not just a wedding planner; I am a multifaceted individual involved in sports management, event management, and more.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “I find immense joy in planning weddings in Rajasthan and Goa. The warm hospitality and love we receive make these places a pleasure to work in. Additionally, Italy holds a special place in my heart for its enchanting beauty, making it an excellent destination.”
Nadia Duran
Nadia Duran is an International Event Planner, Designer, and Producer based in Sydney, Australia, with a unique and creative vision of elevating a good event into an incredible experience. Nadia, plans, designs, styles, and produces weddings and events all over Australia and internationally, including royal weddings in Qatar, Fiji, Italy, Greece, Serbia, Thailand, the UK, and Mexico, among other exotic destinations.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “I am an independent soul, sculpted by tenacity and resilience. Motivated by the currents of change and innovation, I represent progress, boldly welcoming the future with enthusiasm and an open mind. Alongside my unwavering resilience, I find profound joy in helping others, infusing my every endeavour with a passion for making a positive impact.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “I find inspiration in the beauty of diverse cultures and locations worldwide, making every corner of the globe my favourite place to plan weddings.”
Favourite motivational quote: “We come to this world alone, we leave this world alone, but we do life together.”
Priti Sidhwani, Dreamzkrraft Weddings
Dreamzkrraft is one of the leading wedding planning firms that offers quirky and personalised services for the perfect fairytale wedding. The company was founded by Priti Sidhwani. Priti Sidhwani is the force behind the company’s innovative creations and fuels her employees to break boundaries and be trendsetters in the wedding industry.
Suriya Krutthong, Chic Planner Worldwide Service
Suriya Krutthong is the creative director of Chic Planner Worldwide Service. Established in 2006, Chic Planner is a premier full-service event planning and design company specialising in distinctive weddings, lavish events and corporate functions.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “I consider myself an artist who creates arts, especially in the realm of wedding decorations. Each artist has his own signature, personal inspiration, and a distinct, well-defined style. In my role as an artist responsible for catering to clients’ intricate needs, I must balance expressing my individuality and meeting the specific requirements of each couple.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Duomo, Italy”
Favourite motivational quote: “Don’t stop developing yourself because if you stop, it means you are moving backwards.”
Teena Barretto, Teena Barretto Events
Teena Barretto is a sought-after name in the wedding planning industry. Based in the Philippines, she has crafted luxury events and weddings for elite clients in various destinations across Asia, Europe and many others.
How do you define yourself outside of your work: “While my professional identity as a wedding planner is a significant part of who I am, there is more to me beyond my work and the industry”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “Tuscany, Lake Como, Napa Valley, and Palawan”
Favourite motivational quote: “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there… Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Tina Tharwani
Tina Tharwani is the co-founder, Head of Business Development, and Client Servicing of Shaadi Squad one of the most renowned wedding planners known for curating weddings of celebrities like Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli. Tina is the driving force at every wedding- right from inception to end. She works closely with the couple and their families through the entire planning process to ensure that all their visions translate into reality in the best possible way.
How do you define yourself outside of work: “I’m admittedly an ambivert, have an exhaustive playlist for every mood and I am always seeking newer experiences whenever I travel.”
Favourite destination for planning weddings: “India, Europe, London, and Thailand.”
Favourite motivational quote: “All we have is now!”
Vandana Mohan, The Wedding Design Company
The Wedding Design Company was started by Vandana Mohan in 2005. The Wedding Design Company was conceived out of a desire to inspire people to live out their fantasies by creating dream weddings. WDC is a leading design and planning house that transforms simple spaces into unique experiences. ‘Glamorous, Timeless, Iconic and Classic’ defines The Wedding Design Company that aims for caviar dreams and champagne moments, always!
Yoshitaka Nojiri, Take & Give Needs Co. Ltd
Yoshitaka is the founder of Take & Give Needs Co, a boutique wedding planning company in Japan. They are one of Asia’s biggest wedding companies and the number one in Japan. Their team of over 700 wedding planners produce more than 17,000 weddings every year all over the world.
Please Note: The DWP Congress & DWP Insider although belong to QnA International, they are two separate entities with no dependency on one another. The DWP Powerlist is curated based on recommendations & nominations received from industry professionals coupled with certain set criteria in place laid down by the DWP Insider Executive Committee. After thorough scrutiny is when planners are listed as part of the Powerlist.
The list includes planners that may or may not have been a part of the Congress in the past because that does not form a basis for the listing criteria.The list is purely a recognition for the exceptional work of wedding planners in one particular year, not over a couple of years. Which is why the list is released annually with names that might either be repeated from the previous year or with new names making entry to the list, completely depending on what their wedding scope looked like in the given year.Email us at powerlist@dwp-insider.com if you have suggestions to be included in the list!
