Weddings are magical celebrations of love and commitment, filled with moments that couples cherish for a lifetime. While the celebrations take centre stage, it’s a team of experts working tirelessly behind the scenes who truly make the dreams of a couple come to life. From flawless makeup and hair to carefully curated menus, from capturing the perfect portraits to meticulous details of each celebration, wedding planners and event management companies have passionate professionals whose expertise and creativity transform weddings into unforgettable celebrations. In this issue of WOW, we gain insights into what some of these experts have to share about current wedding trends in their area of expertise.
Durga Malla
Hair Stylist
What are the top bridal hairstyle trends this season?
This season’s top bridal hairstyle trends blend classic elegance with modern touches. Here are few popular hair styles that I usually make:
- Sleek buns, low/medium
- Voluminous textured updo
- Hollywood waves
- Classic twist updo
- Bridal half up
To personalise these styles, I work closely with brides to understand their preferences, wedding themes, and dress style. Their face shape, hair texture, and personal style are also key factors in making the hairstyle unique. I also prefer pre-hairstyle sessions for the bride to be more confident in knowing what she truly wants.
How do you incorporate trends like hair accessories, flowers or veils into your bridal hairstyles?
I work with the bride to ensure that accessories complement the hairstyle without overwhelming it, balancing details based on the overall look. Hair accessories are a great way to add a personal touch to bridal hairstyles:
- For classic looks, veils can be incorporated seamlessly into updos or pinned under buns, so they sit elegantly.
- Fresh flowers like baby’s breath, carnation or small blooms woven into braids or placed in buns add a natural, whimsical element.
- Sparkling hairpins, tiaras, pearls, shining stones or headbands can elevate simple hairstyles, adding glamour.
What’s your go-to advice for brides who are deciding between classic styles vs more contemporary trends?
My advice to brides is to consider both their personal style and the theme of their wedding. Classic hairstyles like sleek low buns or flower hairdo are timeless and look elegant in photos. Contemporary styles such as a bouncy blowout or slightly messy bun gives a modern edge. It’s about finding a balance. We can also create a fusion between the two.
How has the trend of destination weddings impacted the way you style bridal hair?
Destination weddings bring unique challenges, where weather needs to be taken into consideration especially if parts of the wedding are taking place outdoors. For winter weddings, I often suggest textured waves or messy bun hairdo that looks stunning. For summer weddings, I suggest sleek bun hairdo or classic twist updo which are best for windy and warm environments. In tropical settings, humidity-resistant products are crucial to maintain sleek styles. I always work with the environment in mind, ensuring the style can hold up to the weather conditions. The right style, the right products and preparation are all important.
Any trending bridal hair colour or cuts that brides are favouring before their big day?
I always suggest slight trimming and proper oil massage and hair treatments before the wedding. I would discourage brides to go for a different hair cut altogether before a wedding.
Trending hair colours include soft, natural highlights that enhance the complexion. A mix of brown and blonde offers a sun-kissed glow.
Priya Aggarwal
Co-founder, Barrfi Sweets
Barfi Sweets was founded in 2022 with a vision to create a luxurious, yet accessible sweet experience for customers. Within two years, they have opened three outlets offering premium quality sweets. Besides a range of delectable mithai, Barrfi has dine-in vegetarian menu of Indian popular foods and snacks. Growing in popularity, they have now evolved into a comprehensive catering service for weddings, events and special occasions. Barfi Sweets customise menus to deliver a memorable food experience with their wide range of artisanal sweets and fusion food offerings. They also have exclusive gifting options of crafted treats that are beautifully packaged for festivals and special occasions.
What are the biggest trends in wedding catering right now: traditional menus or a shift towards modern, creative options?
It’s so exciting to see how today’s couples are blending modern and traditional elements into their wedding catering. They want to celebrate their heritage while also adding a fresh twist. At Barrfi, we love crafting menus that strike that perfect balance of comforting traditional dishes with a creative spin that both grandparents and younger guests will enjoy. We aim to create a memorable dining experience that not only delights the palate but also sparks conversations among guests. It’s all about honouring the couple’s unique story and preferences, making the day truly special.
Barrfi gifting options have taken off as couples love how our thoughtful gifts can add a personal touch to their celebrations. It’s all about creating those sweet moments that guests will remember long after the day is over.
What are some of the most popular dishes or food stations couples are requesting these days?
It’s interesting to see how couples are embracing interactive food stations for their weddings. Guests enjoy being part of the experience, especially when they can watch their meals being freshly prepared. Some of the most popular choices right now include live ‘chaat’ counters, tandoori grills, and ‘dosa’ stations. There’s just something special about that sizzling sound and enticing aroma! On the fusion front, we are seeing dishes like paneer tikka tacos, ‘pav bhaji’ bruschetta, and quinoa ‘bhel’, gaining a lot of traction. They blend traditional flavors with a modern twist, making them a hit with guests of all ages. In desserts, saffron-infused ‘rasmalai’, chocolate barfi, and rose-flavoured ‘peda’ are the crowd-pleasers.
How do you cater to the growing demand for vegan, and gluten-free options?
While the demand for vegan and gluten-free options is growing globally, it’s still a niche preference for larger gatherings in Nepal. However, we are always ready to adapt our menu to meet our clients’ needs. At Barrfi, we specialize in vegetarian cuisine and are happy to incorporate vegan and gluten-free dishes when requested. Our focus is on ensuring that all offerings whether traditional or customised are cohesive and aligned with the overall vision of the event.
Have you noticed any trends in wedding desserts or drinks that are particularly popular right now?
We have definitely noticed a growing trend towards artisanal Indian sweets with a modern twist. Couples are increasingly interested in fusion desserts that combine traditional flavors with contemporary presentation, creating a delightful visual and sensory experience. Classics like gulab jamun and barfi are being reinvented with unique ingredients and innovative plating techniques. We are also seeing a rise in the popularity of signature drinks, including personalised mocktails and traditional beverages like thandai, which make fantastic additions to wedding menus.
Sanjaya Shiwa
Anish Shakya &
Gyan Chaulagain
Co-founders, Alpha Pictures Nepal
Alpha Pictures Nepal was founded in 2022 by Sanjaya Shiwa, Gyan Chaulagain and Anish Shakya. The trio transform wedding videography into cinematic wedding films. The name “Alpha” reflects their ambition to lead the Nepalese wedding film industry with international-quality visuals and sound. Each founder brings eight years of experience in distinct styles: wedding photography, filmmaking, fashion and retouching. This blend of diverse expertise allows Alpha to understand and exceed client expectations.
Their 15-member team covers photography, videography, editing, client management, counselling and ensuring a seamless experience. Alpha Pictures Nepal pays close attention to details capturing not just the celebrations but the emotions, love and laughter that a wedding entails.
What are some of the latest trends in wedding photography, and how do you incorporate them to keep your work fresh and exciting?
Sanjaya: Couples prefer a mix of candid and traditional shots with a cinematic feel. We also focus on funny candid moemnts, emotional candid shots, slow-motion videos, drone shots, cinematic video teasers, fine art wedding photography, first look reveals with parents and partners, family and generation portraits, and pet involvement. We use vibrant colors, natural light, and cinematic techniques.
How have couple preferences shifted in recent years?
Anish: We focus on capturing genuine, raw emotional moments with cinematic compositions and framing. Popular preferences are first look shots, bridal portraits, black and white images, sunset moments, slow-motion clips, drone shots, high depth-of-field images, photos at historical locations, natural, film-like shots, and cinematic storytelling techniques.
What role do social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest play in influencing current wedding photography styles?
Gyan: Social media inspires couples with cinematic ideas, trends and poses. We stay updated to create Instagram-worthy photos and videos with dramatic effects, slow-motion, and unique transitions. Our cinematography remains trendy but preserves a distinctly Nepali flavor, ensuring content is timeless and watchable for future generations.
Are there any unique or unconventional requests from couples that have become more popular?
Anish: Clients often request themed or special location shoots with a cinematic or documentary-style approach. We also see requests for family traditional portraits, funny candid images, best friend moments, cousins, pet involvement, capturing candid emotions.
Nishi Tibrewala Khetan
Co-founder, Silverlining Events
Silverlining Events was founded in 2016 by a cousin duo, Nishi Khetan and Ravi Khetan and is currently operating with a core team of 12 members. When they entered the market in Nepal, the timing was ideal as people were beginning to recognise the value of event planning services. Silverlining is recognised for offering highly competent one-stop solutions for events walking that extra mile to ensure a personalised touch to execution.
From guest pickups and travel arrangements to decor, artists and hospitality, they also ensure that no two events are ever the same. They meet with couple and their families multiple times before the wedding to fully understand their vision and bring it to reality.
Silverlining has organised a diverse array of cultural weddings. They have planned and executed weddings not only in Nepal but also in India and Thailand.
What are some of the latest trends in wedding planning, and how are couple preferences evolving?
With people having access to Pinterest and social media and staying updated on the latest trends, we also need to keep evolving. Over the past eight years, we have never repeated our work. Wedding planning trends are continuously evolving, reflecting changes in couple preferences, values and lifestyles. Some of the latest trends are
- Intimate and micro weddings
- Personalisation and unique experiences
- Technology integration – live streaming, wedding websites and apps
- Bold colour palettes and themes
- Experiential focus
- Non-traditional venues: outdoor weddings, private homes
These trends show a shift toward personalisation, sustainability, and creating meaningful, intimate experiences, reflecting how couples rethink what a wedding can look like in today’s world.
Is there a demand for certain types of venues or decor styles?
There has definitely been an increase in demand for certain types of venues and decor styles in recent years, especially in the wedding industry. Key trends include:
- Rustic weddings
- Minimalistic weddings
- Eco-friendly weddings
- Bohemian and nature-inspired
- Micro-weddings
The demand for these styles often reflects broader cultural shifts toward sustainability, simplicity and personalisation.
Are couples more involved in the planning process or do they prefer leaving most of the decisions to the professionals?
Couples today are generally more involved in the wedding planning process than in the past. This shift can be attributed to several factors:
- Personalisation
- Access to inspiration
- Budget considerations
- Collaboration with professionals
However, some couples, especially those with busy schedules or those who prefer a stress-free experience, may opt to delegate more of the decision-making to us, trusting us to handle the details within their guidelines. So, while couples are more involved than before, there’s often a balance between personal involvement and professional assistance.
What’s the most unique or unconventional wedding request you have received recently?
- Wedding in the middle of the golf course in Gokarna
- Wedding in the middle of the jungles of Chitwan
- Massive wedding in Pokhara where the working team was larger than the guest list
- Other such unique requests by the couple could be for an entirely eco-friendly, zero-waste wedding, which could include requests like:
- Only locally sourced and organic food.
- Biodegradable or reusable decorations and cutlery.
- Digital invitations to avoid paper waste.
- A donation in place of traditional wedding favors.
Leave a Reply