When it comes to weddings, few names resonate with innovation and storytelling quite like Aakash Doshi. As the Managing Partner & Director of Zesst Events and Weddings, he has been instrumental in reshaping how modern couples celebrate love—blending tradition with individuality, grandeur with meaning, and aesthetics with authenticity. His creative vision and executional excellence have earned him a coveted spot in the ET Panache 35 Under 35 – Edition III, unveiled at WOW Awards Asia 2025.
In this conversation, Aakash shares how Gen Z and millennial couples are rewriting the wedding script—turning ceremonies into curated experiences that are not only deeply personal but also globally inspired.
Q1. You’ve worked with clients across different age groups. What’s the most noticeable shift you’ve seen with Gen Z and millennial couples compared to older generations?
The biggest change is the mindset. Older generations viewed weddings as large family affairs focused on tradition, where the couple’s preferences often came second. Gen Z and millennials, however, want weddings to be a personal reflection of their story. They’re less about grandeur for the sake of it and more about curating experiences – be it a themed mehendi or a performance that represents their personalities. The “why” behind each element matters more than ever.
Q2. Social media plays a big role in this generation’s life. How much do platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok shape their wedding vision?
Immensely. Couples walk in with Pinterest boards, saved reels, and TikTok trends as their mood boards. Social media has democratized inspiration – what was once limited to high-profile celebrity weddings is now accessible to everyone. At the same time, it challenges us as planners to strike a balance between inspiration and originality. No one wants a carbon copy; they want their wedding to be “Pinterest-worthy” yet unique.
Q3. With Gen Z’s love for viral moments, we’re seeing staged or “fake weddings” pop up online. Do you think this content-first culture is influencing how real weddings are planned and experienced?
Absolutely. Today’s couples want their wedding to trend. We’ve seen requests for choreographed “reel moments”, decor that doubles as an Instagram backdrop, and even specific entries planned around drone shots. While it adds a fun layer, my advice is always to keep authenticity at the core. If the wedding becomes only about staging, the emotional experience can get diluted. The sweet spot lies in designing moments that are both real and shareable.
Q4. Sustainability and conscious consumption are trending values for younger clients. How do these values translate into wedding planning decisions?
More couples are asking for eco-friendly decor, digital invites, reusable setups, and sourcing local over imported. Some even opt for curated menus with farm-to-table concepts. It’s heartening to see this shift. Weddings by nature can be resource-heavy, but if every couple makes mindful choices, the collective impact is significant.
Q5. When it comes to budgets, are younger couples more inclined towards “big picture spending” or micro-managing every detail?
Younger couples tend to splurge on experiences and moments that matter to them – like artist curation, destination venues, or unique entertainment. At the same time, they are detail-driven. They want to know what each element costs, but not because they’re penny-pinching – it’s more about aligning every rupee with their priorities. Transparency is key.
Q6. If you had to describe the “love language” of Gen Z and millennial weddings in three words, what would they be, and why?
Personal, Experiential, Shareable. Personal, because every detail reflects their individuality. Experiential because they value memories over materialism. And shareable because, like it or not, if it’s not on the ‘gram, it almost feels incomplete to this generation.
For Aakash Doshi, weddings aren’t just about orchestrating grandeur—they’re about crafting meaning. As he puts it, today’s celebrations are “less about following traditions blindly and more about rewriting them with meaning.” In the hands of visionaries like him, love stories transform into immersive experiences that are authentic, emotional, and yes—Instagram-ready.
