Meet the Indian wedding designer making memories that last a lifetime
What does it take to turn Emirates Palace into a scene reminiscent of Lake Como? For event designer Jai Sharma, the answer lay in looking beyond the grandeur of the Abu Dhabi venue itself. At the wedding Sharma designed for Dhruv Khatoria and Shalina Jhalani in February, the bride wanted to recreate the softness of her Lake Como proposal. Rather than compete with Emirates Palace , Sharma studied…
Jai Sharma, an Indian event designer based in Jaipur, creates unforgettable experiences that linger long after the flowers wither and the furniture is dismantled. Sharma's philosophy centers on crafting immersive environments that evoke emotions and tell a story, rather than simply decorating spaces. He founded Envelop, his experience design company, five years ago to focus on weddings, brand launches, hospitality, and real estate projects.
Unlike architecture or interior design, event design is a fast-paced field where projects can be conceived, built, and dismantled within weeks. Sharma stresses that every element that stimulates the five senses contributes to the overall environment, from lighting, food, fragrance, and music to entertainment and staff uniforms.
Sharma's journey into event design was unconventional. After studying engineering and obtaining a double master's from Columbia University, he returned to India after receiving a life-changing conversation from his grandfather. He opened a bar and helped launch a drinks company's country-wide campaign before formalizing his career as an event designer.
Sharma believes that an immersive experience is not about flashy LED rooms, but about achieving the right feeling or story from the environment. He demonstrates this through his meticulous attention to detail, such as arranging seating to mirror the formal geometry of an Italian chateau and transforming a dinner into a relaxed garden picnic.
One of Sharma's most memorable projects involved recreating the softness of a bride's Lake Como proposal at her wedding in Abu Dhabi. He studied the gardens of an Italian chateau and translated their formality into the event's layout, turning the grand Emirates Palace into a more intimate setting. The couple entered from opposite sides, meeting in front of a screen that opened to reveal three foliage-covered arches, mirroring the proposal.
Postcards depicting the original Lake Como photograph were placed on each table, reinforcing the emotional connection.
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