Planning a wedding is a monumental task, but imagine orchestrating your dream celebration from abroad, navigating through an ocean of vendors and cultural nuances. For Prerna Karnani, this challenge turned into a unique journey that inspired the creation of Shaadis And More, a groundbreaking platform connecting South Asian wedding vendors in Australia with couples seeking their services. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the story behind Shaadis And More, its mission to bridge cultural divides, and how it’s transforming the landscape of Australian weddings with a touch of South Asian magic.
Excerpts:
Planning a wedding from abroad is no small feat. How did your experience of remotely browsing vendor profiles and shortlisting suppliers impact your overall wedding planning journey?
Strangely, I found immense joy in the wedding planning phase. Despite the challenge of not being physically present to scout for suppliers, I was fortunate to have access to emerging wedding directories and blogs. These online resources offered a plethora of vendor options and real wedding stories for inspiration. My mum and cousins played a pivotal role by conducting on-ground research for me. They visited and consulted with the suppliers I shortlisted through these websites. The real wedding stories provided invaluable visual references, allowing both me and my vendors to bring my envisioned wedding to life. Witnessing everyone’s enjoyment of the wedding, along with their appreciation for the thoughtful decor, colors, and favors, was truly gratifying. The icing on the cake was the stunning wedding photos, and our wedding story even garnered resharing on wedding platforms, which was an incredibly rewarding experience.
I found immense joy in the wedding planning phase. Despite the challenge of not being physically present to scout for suppliers, I was fortunate to have access to emerging wedding directories and blogs.
Can you share with us the inspiration behind starting your business that connects South Asian wedding vendors in Australia?
This experience was the driving force behind the inception of Shaadis And More. The idea had been brewing since I returned to Melbourne after my own wedding. Back then, I wanted to organize a small reception for our Melbourne-based friends. However, the daunting task of finding venues, caterers, and mehendi artists nearly led us to abandon the reception idea. It was during this time that I saw the potential to create a valuable resource for such information. Life’s demands and professional commitments initially took precedence, but the COVID-19 pandemic reignited my desire to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. The idea of escaping the confines of a corporate 9-5 job (which often stretches into 5-9) became increasingly appealing, especially after the birth of my son. As I ventured into this path, a pivotal moment came when I sought a lehenga for a friend’s wedding in Melbourne. Once again, I encountered the challenges of finding South Asian vendors, both as a wedding guest and as someone planning a wedding. These experiences collectively propelled me to establish Shaadis And More.
What motivated you to bridge the gap between the talented South Asian wedding vendors in Australia and those seeking their services?
The lack of resources available to connect customers to the right vendors which I found was the case nearly 10 years ago when I was thinking about having a Melbourne wedding event and the fact that it still existed in 2023 when, now there is an even larger community here in Australia and so much more access to information. I could see there was a gap in the market for a one-stop-shop platform where people could jump on and find everything they needed rather than scouring through multiple facebook and Instagram pages or relying on friends and relatives. And if you do rely on these you may find yourself in a situation where a certain supplier recommended to you doesn’t match your style/budget/availability and then you’re back to square one and don’t know where to go next. Also, last minute issues arise, like we had during our wedding; Our original photographer broke his arm 3 days before our wedding festivities began and thankfully I had seen the work of other photographers on a wedding directory who I contacted and luckily found an amazing duo Aditi & Dev who photographed our wedding so beautifully it turned out to be a blessing in disguise! But at the time felt really stressful trying to organise all of that at short notice.
The platform is relatively new, not even 6 months old! So while there are already a few success stories, the weddings are mostly still in the planning stages and I don’t want to reveal too much.
Could you elaborate on how your platform not only showcases vendors but also provides inspiration for events with a South Asian touch?
Through sharing ideas and inspiration on posts on our website and Social Media and also featuring real wedding stories of couples who’ve recently gotten engaged/married here in Australia. This gives future couples planning their wedding an insight into the amazing talent that is available right here in Australia! Until now, couples would look to South Asian publications or inspiration from UK and North America where there is a larger and more established population but they weren’t able to replicate those ideas here due to the lack of resources. But for them to see what can be done in Australia and how they can use that as a base for then creating their own unique wedding story opens up new possibilities for everyone involved!
Building a platform like yours requires a deep understanding of both the wedding industry and technology. How did you merge these two worlds to create a user-friendly and effective platform?
By leaving it to the experts! I’m an outsider to the wedding industry and I don’t have a technology background. I have a team working on the website who I give directions to on what are the important features I want in terms of the usability of the website. And perhaps not having a technical background helps in this because it forces them to then simplify the technology so it can be used by all. What I do have, is the skills to source and market the right product/service to the right customer. I come into this with the eyes of the customer, and try to understand and service their needs.
Could you share a success story from your platform, where a couple found their perfect vendors through your services and created a memorable event?
The platform is relatively new, not even 6 months old! So while there are already a few success stories, the weddings are mostly still in the planning stages and I don’t want to reveal too much. But one recent success story that has already occurred is of a couple who recently got married and decided to only have a Civil Ceremony and an intimate party with their near and dear ones which is quite unconventional in the South Asian community. But the week before the ceremony, the bride decided to add a traditional touch and she wanted to get some simple Mehendi (Henna) done on her hands and contacted me and I was able to help her find a Henna artist at short notice. Again goes to show, this platform can be used by anyone whether you want an intimate ceremony or a “big fat wedding”. Or even anniversary parties, baby showers, birthdays etc. That’s why its called “Shaadis AND MORE”.
As an Indian settled in Australia, what advice do you have for fellow immigrants who are looking to start their own business and make a positive impact in their communities?
I’d say to anyone who has an idea that can help people or provides a solution to a problem that you see in your community, go for it! The community will always support you. When the drive is to “help” or “create something useful” success automatically follows. When the drive is to merely “jump on a bandwagon” or “earn an extra buck” people can see through that, no matter what community or industry you belong to.
Diversity is important, and my own background, being Sindhi from Pune, married to a Mallu and living in Melbourne, highlights the enrichment that comes from embracing different perspectives.
Celebrating diversity and talent is a key aspect of your platform. How do you envision the future of South Asian weddings and events in Australia with the growing visibility of these vendors?
The possibilities are endless, really! Certainly, with the growing visibility of South Asian vendors in Australia, the possibilities are endless. We can look to Canada as an example of what’s achievable when the community comes together and supports one another. In the future, it would be remarkable if the Aussie South Asian community becomes a source of inspiration and new ideas for weddings and events, just as we’ve looked to other countries. Diversity is important, and my own background, being Sindhi from Pune, married to a Mallu and living in Melbourne, highlights the enrichment that comes from embracing different perspectives. Within the South Asian community, we have a rich tapestry of cultures to celebrate. It would be great to see South Asian elements, like Henna nights and Bollywood themes, become part of weddings in other cultures too.
Finally, what message do you hope your story and your business convey to immigrants around the world?
I hope to convey through my story and business to immigrants worldwide pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams while staying connected to their cultural roots is this: Embrace the richness of your heritage while welcoming the new culture you’re a part of. As immigrants, we often strive to fit into our adopted culture, sometimes distancing ourselves from our own. However, I’ve come to realize that our unique journey allows us to blend two worlds, creating a third culture that sets us apart in a powerful way. It fuels a desire to delve deeper into our origins, educating others while continuously learning and appreciating diverse cultures. This realization hit home when I shared the story of a Chinese Malaysian bride marrying into a Sikh Punjabi family in Australia. She delved into the significance of Indian wedding traditions, surpassing the knowledge of many Indian brides. It was eye-opening, revealing the profound spiritual and practical roots of these customs. For instance, applying haldi and mehendi isn’t just tradition; it’s a means to reduce pre-wedding stress and heat in the body. This journey enriches our lives and brings communities together in joyous celebration.What message do you hope your story and your business convey to immigrants around the world?
