The Delicate Art Of Wedding Decor
From creative lighting to Mughal inspired floral installations, Zara Allahwala LLB from Tempting Occasions shares how the right décor can transform your wedding
When it comes to wedding decor, it’s easy to be swept up by Pinterest boards, Instagram trends and spectacular images of celebrity events. But this isn’t the only way to think about how your wedding will look. Zara from Tempting Occasions believes that creating a memorable wedding isn’t about recreating what’s fashionable. It’s about understanding the space, who you are as a couple and the atmosphere you want to create, then bringing all three together.
Her own journey into wedding décor began in an unexpected way. Having completed a law degree and welcomed her first child, she was searching for a new direction. Her own wedding in 2011 had left her frustrated by disappointing experiences with suppliers which inspired her to enter an industry she felt was missing something.
She told Asiana: “I saw a gap in the market and I was driven by the desire to provide an incredibly high level of service.”
Her vision quickly became a thriving business. More than a decade later, Tempting Occasions continues to work collaboratively with couples to create their dream wedding.
Creating a vision
Temping Occasions specialise in bespoke décor, from staged sets and mandaps to handcrafted silk floral arrangements, walkways, centrepieces and ceremony decorations. But their approach goes beyond simply adding beautiful objects to a room.
Zara explains: “The room, the venue and the ambience are the starting point, then we start on the features and details. This means considering everything from ceiling height and natural light to the architecture and proportions of a venue. A dramatic space with soaring ceilings, for example, can benefit from emphasising height, while a smaller venue requires a more considered approach to avoid overwhelming the room.”
Lighting is another crucial ingredient for wedding decor. Rather than competing with your flowers and colour palette, lighting can enhance them, helping to establish a mood and an atmosphere.
Theme v styling
Themes can become restrictive if they don’t suit the venue. “People can get really drawn into a theme and concept but lose vision of if it will work in the space you are in,” says Zara. Her advice is to think about cohesion first. Decor should enhance the character of a venue, not disguise it completely, unless you’re opting for a blank canvas venue which is a much better option if theming is important to you.
Think like a photographer
One of Zara’s most interesting pieces of advice is to look beyond the obvious and instead of only thinking about the traditional places like entrances, what backdrops would create the best photos for you and your guest?. Every venue has its own sweet spots. It could be unusual architectural features like an arch or a grand staircase. These can become memorable settings for couple portraits and deserve just as much attention as the ceremony or reception tables.
Embrace your culture
Decor also plays a role in reflecting religious and cultural traditions. For Hindu weddings, mandaps are often central to the ceremony, with decor designed around this focal point. Often the same room is used for a ceremony and reception, so there isn’t much time to turn it around, so the decor needs to complement both parts of the day.
Muslim weddings, can require a very different decorative approach, incorporating elements such as nikah partitions and elaborate reception stages. Zara says: “Different religious ceremonies will mean different styles of decor. Good decor will be practical and fulfil cultural requirements while still reflecting the couple.
Artistic ideas for 2027
Zara predicts that traditional drapery and candlelit dinner receptions will continue to grow in popularity. Country-chic styling is also becoming a firm favourite because it brings a relaxed, romantic feel to celebrations.
It’s also interesting how themes are adapting. The highly staged Mughal-inspired looks of previous seasons are giving way to more natural, garden-inspired florals. “One particularly striking combination we’ve been working on is having green hydrangeas mixed with ivory blooms set against soft draping.”
Overall, your wedding needs to have beautiful spaces that invite your guests to linger, dine and celebrate while feeling relaxed. She sums up: Think of your wedding decor as your ‘vibe’, not what’s on trend on social media. Pick what’s on trend for you.”
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