Indian weddings are undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation—from checklist-driven ceremonies to deeply personal, emotion-led experiences. At the forefront of this shift is Kestone UTSAV, a brand known for crafting celebrations that feel less like events and more like living stories.
In this conversation, Nikhil Mahajan, Director of Kestone UTSAV, shares how the team uncovers the emotional core of every wedding, balances creative ambition with operational precision, and designs multi-day guest journeys that leave a lasting imprint. From intimate moments to large-scale celebrations, he reveals why intention, not extravagance, is what truly makes a wedding unforgettable.
Q1: Kestone UTSAV is known for creating weddings that feel deeply personal rather than templated. What is the first question you ask a family to uncover the emotional core of a wedding?
The first question we ask families is: “What is the one feeling you want everyone to leave this wedding with, long after the celebrations end?”
For example, during a wedding last year, the family shared that they wanted the event to convey the theme of togetherness not just between the couple but across generations. This led us to design moments where older relatives shared personal stories, and guests of all ages participated in activities that bridged the gap between tradition and modernity. By focusing on that emotional anchor, we were able to craft a unique experience that transcended the usual formalities and really resonated with the family’s values.
Q2: In high-stakes weddings where expectations run into crores and emotions run equally high, how does Kestone UTSAV balance creative ambition with flawless operational control?
Balancing creativity with flawless execution is a tightrope walk. At Kestone UTSAV, we pair each creative idea with a detailed operational strategy from day one. For instance, when designing a multi-day destination wedding, we’ll create a timeline that accounts for everything from travel logistics to real-time adjustments during ceremonies. We use a centralised control room to track guest movements, weather updates, vendor schedules, and more. This means while our creative teams are free to push boundaries and experiment, our operational team is always ready to ensure smooth execution without compromising on the guest experience.
Q4: Indian weddings are becoming more experiential and less ceremonial. How has this shift changed the way Kestone UTSAV designs guest journeys across multi-day celebrations?
With the shift towards more experiential weddings, we now design each day of a multi-day celebration as a distinct chapter in an emotional journey. Take a recent destination wedding, where the first day focused on creating a sense of arrival guests were welcomed with personalized experiences that made them feel immediately connected to the family’s story. The main celebration day was about connection, where interactive activities like a heritage walk or curated local experiences brought guests closer. The final day was dedicated to reflection, with intimate spaces where guests could share personal stories or moments with the couple. This allows us to pace the experience in a way that feels both natural and immersive.
Q5: If décor, venues, and budgets were removed from the equation, what, according to Kestone UTSAV, truly makes a wedding unforgettable, and how do you consistently deliver that?
At the core, it’s about creating moments of emotional impact. These moments don’t need grand budgets; they need intention. Whether it’s a father-daughter dance, a heartfelt toast, or a quiet reflection shared between family members, those are the moments that leave an imprint. We consistently deliver this by really listening to the family’s story, understanding the relationships and dynamics at play, and weaving those into the wedding’s narrative. For example, at a recent wedding, the couple requested a surprise tribute to the groom’s late mother, something subtle but deeply moving. It became a defining, emotional moment that guests still talk about today.
