Manifest Spotlight: Wedding Planner Vicky Tulsyan

Some journeys are written in the stars. For some, it could be the path to meeting The One and finding your Happy Ever After. And then for some, it could mean a course correction towards their calling in life. Wedding planner extraordinaire Vicky Tulsyan firmly places himself in the latter.

Before he became instrumental in planning memorable celebrations for some of the biggest families, Vicky Tulsyan was pursuing Chartered Accountancy and dreaming of being in the “business of happiness”. 

In 2000, the wedding planner took the plunge and established Mirage Weddings and Events. Over two decades, the company has worked on the art of creating experiences that blend cultural richness with modern design. 

The founder joins us for an in-depth chat about his journey, the luxury wedding landscape in India, trends in 2025 and more...

In Conversation with Vicky Tulsyan, of Mirage Wedding and Events

Manifest: You’ve charted a unique path to where you’re at now, from being a CA to a wedding planner. Can you take us back to how you began your journey as a wedding planner? Was there a particular moment or event that led you to this industry? 

Vicky Tulsyan: I’ve always been drawn to the idea of working in the business of happiness. There’s something very special about being part of people’s most important celebrations and helping create memories that last a lifetime. What really pulled me in was the energy of live events—the way emotions, atmosphere, and details come together to tell a story. It was very different from the routine and structure of my life as a Chartered Accountant. Over time, I realised I was more passionate about people, creativity, and experiences. That’s what led me to leave the desk and move into the F&B and events industry, where I felt more connected to what I truly enjoy doing. 

M: How did you transition into the luxury wedding space specifically, and what defines ‘luxury’ in your dictionary? 

VT: For me, luxury is all about research, personalisation and attention to detail. It’s not just about something being expensive—it’s about how thoughtfully it’s been crafted. Luxury elevates the simplest of elements through care, creativity, and purpose. I was curious to understand how true luxury is designed and delivered, so I actively sought out experiences to learn from the best. One of the most valuable was training with Louis Vuitton in Dubai, where I gained insight into how luxury is built, communicated, and experienced. 

M: What is your core philosophy when it comes to planning a wedding? 

VT: My core philosophy when planning a wedding is to focus on the details and truly understand the couple’s vision. I listen carefully to what the couple and their families want, and I try to see everything from their point of view. It’s important to me that the wedding reflects their dreams and feels personal to them. I aim to bring their ideas to life in the most thoughtful and beautiful way possible. 

M: Who or what were your biggest influences when you first started out? And have they evolved over time? 

VT: When I first started out, my biggest inspiration came from the emotions I saw in the families—the joy, the dreams, and the love that surrounds a wedding. Watching parents light up as they imagine their child’s big day, or seeing the couple’s excitement as they step into a new chapter together, that’s what really moved me. Of course, the business side has its rewards, but for me, the true motivation has always been about turning those heartfelt moments into lasting memories. 

M: What has been your most significant learning over the years as a wedding planner? 

VT: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is the importance of being flexible. Weddings are dynamic by nature—things can change at any moment. You’re often balancing the preferences of four generations in wedding ecosystems, all with different tastes and expectations. The challenge is to bring all of that together on one platter, where everyone feels seen and celebrated. 

M: What is the first thing you do when a client approaches you with their wedding vision? 

VT: I want to understand their dream and vision for the entire journey — the approach they want to take, and the reasons behind why and how they’ve started this chapter together. It’s important for me to connect with their approach and see the wedding from their perspective. Once that alignment is there, it allows me to truly become a part of their journey and bring their story to life in a way that feels personal and meaningful. 

M: How do you strike the balance between a couple’s ideas, family expectations, and your own creative direction? 

VT: We take the brief and put together options that bring their vision to life, while also keeping practicality and budgets in mind. I love walking them through the possibilities—creating a story, helping them visualise how it could all come together. It’s about finding that sweet spot where everyone feels heard, and the final outcome still tells a beautiful story. 

M: What’s one behind-the-scenes aspect of wedding planning that people often underestimate? 

VT: One major behind-the-scenes aspect people often underestimate is crisis management. Things can go off-plan, and it’s our job to handle them calmly so the event appears flawless. You can’t assume everything will go perfectly (and most of the time, they don’t), but you can prepare to deliver with care, precision, and presence of mind.  

M: Can you tell us about one of the most extravagant or creatively fulfilling weddings you've planned? 

VT: All my weddings are extravagant and close to my heart, so it’s hard to choose just one. But one that truly stands out was a wedding we planned in Jodhpur, where we hosted an actual Burning Man-style festival inside the Mehrangarh Fort. It wasn’t just inspired by Burning Man; we brought the full experience to life with aerial acts, fire performances, holography, and an electric atmosphere. We were also joined on stage by incredible artists like Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar. It was a bold celebration that redefined what a wedding can look like. Unforgettable, immersive, and completely out of the ordinary. 

M: Have you ever had to pull off a last-minute miracle? What happened, and how did you manage it? 

VT: Last-minute miracles are almost part of the job in weddings! Once, a performer missed their flight and, on the same day, an unexpected storm ruined both the décor and the kitchen setup. We had to act fast and shift the entire event to the banquet space but still managed to make it look seamless. 

M: Is there a wedding from your portfolio that felt especially personal or emotional to you? Why? 

VT: Every wedding I plan feels personal and emotional. It’s truly hard to choose just one. I become part of the family through the journey, from planning to execution, and that connection makes each wedding special and close to my heart. 

M: What’s the most unconventional wedding request you’ve ever received? 

VT: There was one unconventional wedding request where the client wanted us to fly across a few countries to source ingredients for the food.  

M: How do you ensure each wedding feels unique and not like a repetition of past work? 

VT: We try to never repeat concepts. We approach each wedding from the couple’s perspective. Their story, style, and energy guide the entire planning process, which naturally makes every celebration feel fresh and unique. Seeing things through their eyes adds a new twist to each event we host. It allows us to bring the couple’s original story to life in a way that feels authentic and personal, making every wedding truly one of a kind. 

M: What are some of the biggest challenges wedding planners are facing in 2025? 

VT: One of the biggest challenges in 2025 has been the limited availability of hotels. Ongoing global conflicts and wars have also restricted several key destinations, making wedding planning more complex this year. There has been a significant change in the availability of the artists as well, since many of them are focusing on doing concerts.  

M: With inflation and shifting global events, how are budgets and expectations evolving this year? 

VT: We’re in a transitional phase between the pre- and post-pandemic eras. Costs have risen drastically—what once cost 10 now takes 100—and yet expectations have also grown. The biggest challenge is meeting elevated expectations with the same level of deliverables while navigating this new financial landscape.  

M: How has technology, like AI, planning tools, and social media, changed the way luxury weddings are executed in 2025? 

VT: With AI, couples and families come in with much more clarity—they often have a well-defined vision of what they want, from décor to food preferences, making the planning more focused and personalised.  Social media has its benefits because it gives couples ideas on how they can design their wedding. It also helps us connect with potential clients and showcase the work we do. However, I feel social media is a clutter because not everything that is posted is true, which sometimes misleads the vision and expectation.  

M: Are couples more involved in the planning process now? 

VT: Yes, couples today are much more involved in the planning process. They’re clear about their preferences, vocal about their expectations, and open to experimenting with fresh ideas. 

M: What are the most exciting wedding trends you’re seeing this wedding season? 

VT: Some of the most exciting trends this season draw inspiration from vibrant cultural experiences—think street markets like Borough and Portobello, festivals like Sufi nights, Burning Man, and Coachella. Even spiritual elements like the aarti at the Benaras ghats are becoming central themes, bringing in the ethos of particular events.   

M: Are you noticing any new cultural or regional influences shaping Indian luxury weddings this year? 

VT: Yes, there’s a clear shift toward regional influences, driven largely by social media and the growing 'vocal for local' sensation. Couples are embracing elements from remote villages—whether it’s Litti Chokha from Patna or Pakhala from the heart of Odisha—which adds authenticity and depth to their celebrations.

M: How is sustainability influencing wedding planning decisions, from food waste to florals? 

VT: Couples are opting for elements that can be reused—like dried or artificial florals—and are more mindful about choices like using local grains or ingredients that, while not reusable, still align with sustainable values. 

Manifest Cheat Sheet

M: Who do you think should come to Mirage Wedding & Events to get their wedding planned?   

VT: Anyone looking for a wedding that’s personalised, elegant, stylish, and truly trendsetting is welcome at Mirage Weddings & Events. We’re here to turn your vision into an unforgettable celebration.  

M: How would you define your style of work? 

VT: I define my style to be very personalised, which reflects the expectations and vision of the dreamy couple.  

M: How far in advance should clients reach out to you? 

VT: There’s no fixed timeline for reaching out—it really depends on the scale of the wedding. Anywhere from a year to three months in advance works well with us, depending on the clients’ requirements and expectations.