Arabia Weddings and Vivaah Weddings Host Masterclass on Luxury Indian Weddings
Arabia Weddings, the Middle East’s leading wedding platform powerhouse, in collaboration with the internationally acclaimed Vivaah Weddings, successfully hosted an intensive one-day masterclass on Monday, 19 January 2026 that focused on the "Art of Curating Luxury Indian Destination Weddings."
Held at the iconic Sofitel The Palm, the event gathered a diverse group of industry professionals from the UAE, Italy, Cyprus, India, Russia, Jordan and other countries. With its sprawling beachfront, versatile indoor and outdoor venues, and world-class hospitality, Sofitel The Palm proved to be the ideal setting for Indian destination weddings, offering the scale and flexibility required for multi-day celebrations.
Luxury Indian weddings are not just events; they are complex cultural productions," said Arun Bablani, who brings over 20 years of experience to the collaboration. "Our goal today was to help planners from around the world understand how to bring these ambitious visions to life with precision and passion.
The program was meticulously designed to equip wedding professionals, hotel executives, and vendors with the specialized knowledge required to navigate the multi-billion dollar Indian wedding industry, bridging the gap between cultural tradition and modern luxury.
Deep-Dive into Cultural Mastery and Commercial Reality
The morning sessions provided a technical breakdown of "Understanding Indian Luxury Weddings," dissecting the intricate differences between Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim ceremonies. Experts explored the "Client Mindset & Expectations," emphasizing that luxury in this segment is defined by a blend of ancient tradition and contemporary storytelling.
Key sessions also tackled the "Commercial Reality" of these grand events. Delegates received a strategic roadmap for transparent budgeting, high-stakes logistics, and the complexities of managing specialized food and beverage requirements—such as traditional catering and premium beverage programs—that are essential to the Indian wedding experience.
Fireside Chat: The Hotel Perspective
A standout highlight of the masterclass was a candid Fireside Chat moderated by Arun Bablani, Founder of Vivaah Weddings, featuring Scott Catling, Director of Sales at Sofitel The Palm, which offered a rare look behind the scenes of luxury hospitality. The discussion explored the strategic importance of Indian weddings as a top priority for global luxury hotel portfolios while providing a transparent dialogue on the operational complexities involved in managing the scale and intensity of such events from a venue perspective.
Key insights were shared on the delicate balancing act required by five-star properties to maintain brand standards and cater to leisure guests while successfully executing full "hotel takeovers" for high-profile wedding celebrations.
Hands-On Learning and Global Collaboration
The afternoon featured a curated site inspection of Sofitel The Palm. This practical session allowed delegates to visualize the physical requirements of a typical three-day Indian wedding, from the vibrant Mehendi and Sangeet to the grand Mandap setup and reception dinner.
The tour showcased the resort's versatility, including a visit to a spectacular private villa perfect for intimate, high-end celebrations. The experience ended on a high note with sunset cocktails at Laguna, the resort’s boho-chic beachfront lounge. Following the tour, the masterclass officially concluded with a ceremony to distribute participation and appreciation certificates, honoring the commitment of the attendees and the support of the event partners.
Feedback from the international delegates was overwhelmingly positive, with many citing the rare, transparent access to both planning legends and hospitality directors as the event's most significant value.
