In an era where weddings are no longer just ceremonies but experiences, Rupali Lohiya, Founder of Taxi Design Studio, is scripting a new language of celebration. Her work blurs the line between tradition and technology, transforming sangeets and cocktails into immersive journeys where every detail tells a story. Recognised in the prestigious ET Panache 35 Under 35 – Edition III, launched at WOW Awards Asia 2025, Rupali represents a generation of designers who dare to go beyond décor and create worlds that guests can step into.
In this conversation, she traces her journey from designing entire weddings to finding her niche in immersive sangeet and cocktail experiences. She talks about balancing technology with tradition, walks us through her creative process, and shares her thoughts on the trends shaping the future of wedding design.
Q. How did your journey begin in immersive sangeet/cocktail design, and what drew you to this creative space?
At Taxi Design Studio, the journey began with one simple thought: celebrations should feel like stepping into someone’s story. Décor, for us, was never just about flowers or lights—it was about creating an atmosphere that pulls people in. When we launched Taxi, our vision was to design the entire wedding—haldi, mehendi, carnival, sangeet/cocktail, and the wedding itself. In those early years, we worked across all five events, building complete journeys.
Over time, something interesting happened. Guests and families started gravitating most toward our sangeet, cocktail, and after-party setups. Without planning it, we found ourselves leaning into that space and soon realized we were filling a gap in the market. What started as full-scale wedding design naturally evolved into immersive, tech-driven concepts for sangeets and cocktails that became our signature. Suddenly, entrances could glow with memories, dance floors could transform into other worlds, and spaces could shift mood within seconds. That mix of art, emotion, and technology shaped our niche—and it’s what keeps us inspired even today.
Q. When conceptualising a sangeet/cocktail, how do you balance immersive technology with cultural traditions and personal stories?
For us, technology is never the hero—it’s the bridge. Every family brings rituals, emotions, and stories that have to remain at the heart of the celebration. Our role is to weave tech into these moments so they feel enhanced, not replaced. Imagine a couple’s entry that’s still rooted in tradition but surrounded by projection visuals inspired by their journey. It’s still authentic and still cultural, but with a touch of magic. That balance is what makes it beautiful.
Q. Can you walk us through your design process, from the initial client brief to the final immersive setup?
It always starts with listening. We dive into the couple’s world—what they love, what their families value, and how they want guests to feel during the sangeet or cocktail. From there, we start moodboarding: colors, textures, references, and immersive ideas. Once that’s set, we build 3D visuals so everyone can actually see the design before it’s built. The production stage is where everything comes alive—trussing, lighting, LED, projection mapping, and sound. Finally, we rehearse. For us, immersive design is like choreography—every element has to flow together.
Q. Which immersive technologies do you find most effective, and how do you decide which to use for a sangeet/cocktail?
Projection mapping and Pixel lights are our go-to tools. They can transform a space in seconds—like turning a ballroom into a starry sky for the couple’s entry and then shifting into a high-energy vibe for the party. VR and AR are used more selectively—like VR can be a pre-event journey for guests. We decide based on what creates the right impact for that moment, without making it feel like a tech show.
Q. How do you ensure immersive elements enhance guest experience instead of distracting from it?
Guests should never feel like they’re just watching—they should feel like they’re inside the story. We do this with things like walk-through LED tunnels, lighting that moves with crowd energy, or soundscapes that surround people. Even small interactive details can make guests feel like participants, not spectators. That’s when immersion really works.
Q. What trends in immersive sangeet/cocktail design excite you, and where do you see this space going?
What excites us most is personalization. AI visuals that react in real time to music or rituals, drone light storytelling, mixed-reality experiences – it’s all coming. But beyond scale, the shift is toward intimacy. Couples don’t just want grand spectacles; they want emotional journeys. We see sangeets and cocktails evolving into curated immersive stories where every touchpoint, from the entry to the after-party, is connected. The future is not just about bigger—it’s about deeper.
Rupali Lohiya’s work with Taxi Design Studio proves that weddings can be more than staged moments—they can be living, breathing experiences. By blending technology with tradition, she is not just setting trends but shaping a new vocabulary for celebrations, where every ritual feels personal, every detail tells a story, and every guest becomes part of the journey. For her, the future of wedding design isn’t just about dazzling the eyes—it’s about touching the heart.
