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We've seen how the trend of ‘interactive stalls’ has taken over Indian weddings, and we're loving every bit of it! Aside of the usual food stations and elaborate décor, these stalls are grabbing the attention and the fun and of course, they're very popular with the bride and groom and their families. It's about interacting and breaking the ice and getting guests to engage on a personal level. What's more, everyone also gets to take home a keepsake or favour from here, as a token of appreciation.
We had a conversation with Kinjal Modi, owner of Make’Ur, a bespoke event planning company, on this trend and the five most popular stalls hitting the scene.
A live perfume stall is one of the most popular interactive stalls that are being incorporated into weddings, pre-wedding festivities and other events these days. When guests blend essential oils with their hand-picked perfume notes, they create a memory that lingers for a long time.
What’s better than lensing the best moments at a loved one’s wedding? A DIY Polaroid frame stall allows you to capture the everlasting banter with cousins, dance performances and all the fun parts of the wedding and keep them preserved for life in the form of a cutesy Polaroid frame.
From keychains and jewellery to phone accessories, charms are now everywhere. A charm bar is the perfect interactive stall for a wedding, as it caters to all age groups and genders. It allows guests to pick their preferred charms and turn them into beautiful jewellery pieces, bag charms and other accessories.
The Nostalgia Stall, or ‘Bachpan Ki Yaadein’ interactive stall, includes all the elements that remind you of your sweet childhood. From long-lost candies and stationery items, to toys, there are items that will directly take your guests to the good old days of their lives.
Perfect for pre-wedding festivities, including haldi, mehendi and engagements, a bangle stall consists of a wide range of bangles in different colours and designs. It allows guests to make stacks for themselves by adding different colours and designs, which act as perfect return favors.
What are the biggest trends shaping live wedding stations this wedding season?
Make’Ur: This wedding season, we are seeing a shift from traditional wedding favours towards experiential gifting, personalisation, and interactive activities. At Make’Ur, we curate over 40 live activities, including personalised perfume and attar blending, lipstick making, block printing, customised jewellery, and candle decorating. The biggest trend is creating experiences that reflect the couple’s personality while giving guests something unique, engaging, and memorable.
Can you share an example of a particularly unconventional or personalised live station you’ve created?
Make’Ur: One of the most exciting concepts we have curated is our live attar station, which brings a beautiful touch of traditional Indian perfumery to modern wedding celebrations. We recently showcased this experience at the DWP Congress at Fairmont Udaipur. Guests could explore fragrances and enjoy a personalised sensory experience, making it much more than a conventional gifting counter.
How do live stations encourage guests to interact, explore different activities, and socialise?
Make’Ur: Live stations naturally bring people together because they give guests something fun to do beyond the usual wedding festivities. Whether guests are blending their own perfumes, designing a potli, creating jewellery, or personalising a tote bag, they become part of the experience rather than just spectators. These experiences often become conversation starters, and the personalised products give guests a tangible memory of the celebration. We believe the best entertainment is something guests can actively participate in and enjoy together.
Are couples investing in elaborate counter designs, bespoke installations, and statement displays?
Make’Ur: Absolutely. The presentation of a live station has become almost as important as the activity itself. Couples and wedding planners are increasingly looking for aesthetically curated counters that complement the wedding’s décor, colour palette, and overall theme. At Make’Ur, we believe a live station should feel like an extension of the celebration rather than a standalone counter. From elegant attar displays and beautifully presented perfume bottles to customised signage, coordinated packaging, and thoughtfully styled activity stations, every detail contributes to the experience. The focus is on creating visually appealing setups that attract guests, photograph beautifully, and seamlessly blend with the overall wedding design.
What logistical challenges arise when setting up live stations at destination weddings or outdoor venues?
Make’Ur: Destination weddings require meticulous planning because every venue comes with its own logistical considerations. Transportation of materials, advance sourcing, venue access, installation timelines, power requirements, weather conditions, and coordination with the décor and wedding planning teams are all important factors.
Outdoor venues also require additional attention to wind, heat, lighting, and the safe handling of materials. We focus on advance preparation, organised inventory, efficient setup, and coordination with the event team to ensure that every station is ready on time and operates smoothly. Our approach is to combine creativity with strong execution so that the experience remains seamless for both the hosts and their guests.
Are couples increasingly seeking sustainable live stations with minimal wastage?
Make’Ur: We are noticing a growing interest in thoughtful gifting and experiences that feel meaningful rather than disposable. In the live activity space, sustainability can take several forms, including reusable products, practical keepsakes, mindful material selection, and reducing unnecessary packaging. We also believe that customising quantities, planning materials carefully, and avoiding unnecessary excess can help minimise wastage. Ultimately, the idea is to create experiences that are memorable, purposeful, and thoughtfully designed, while allowing couples to celebrate in a way that reflects their values.