I’ve planned weddings on mountains and seen million-dollar gowns, but young couples are spending more on something else

Lelian Chew has planned luxury weddings on snowcapped mountains in China and islands in the Maldives.

I launched my events planning business, The Atelier & Co., in 2013, planning luxury events and weddings for some of the biggest families in Asia.

As the scale of our weddings grew, they became about not just the bride and the groom but the entire family and their social circles.

It’s almost like marrying two conglomerates. We only get one shot at perfecting it, and the stakes are incredibly high.

Transforming spaces

Many think that million-dollar weddings are all about luxury items like gowns or over-the-top decorations, and we do get those occasionally. For example, we once planned a wedding where the bride wore a jewel-encrusted gown that cost over $1 million.

The decorations that go into elevating the space and the experience do take up a large part of the budget.

Our weddings have been described as “cinematic.” When our guests walk into the venue, we want to ensure they feel like they’ve entered another world.

This requires meticulous attention to detail, from the floral arrangements to the color of the decorations.

A huge portion of the budget goes into transforming the wedding venue. 

The logistical challenges and costs can mount quickly for destination weddings on remote islands. We once planned a wedding in the Maldives and had to fly or ship everything there.

We also once had a Coachella-type party at the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Yunnan, China, where we had to fly all our guests in and build tents on a snowcapped mountain.

Entertainment is another key expense. It’s not uncommon for clients to request a performance from world-renowned artists, like in the recent Ambani wedding. Whether it’s a singer, a band, or even a magician, these few hours of entertainment can cost a significant sum.

Satisfying personal tastes

Food and beverage costs can vary greatly depending on the client. Not every wealthy family wants to serve the most expensive wines in the world. For some, it’s about sentimental value.

I’ve had clients who preferred to fly in chefs from their favorite restaurant or home country to prepare a familiar meal rather than have something more extravagant.

We’ve also helped a client, a wine aficionado, locate and purchase a vineyard so he could serve wine with his own label at the wedding.

When we get uncommon requests like this, it’s important that we don’t flinch and we help our clients however we can.

The younger generation’s focus

Multiple generations are also involved, each with their own expectations for the wedding day.

For older generations, upholding traditions is essential. For example, some traditional Chinese weddings have six different tea ceremonies to honor the family’s elders.

Gifts presented at a traditional Chinese betrothal ceremony.

The younger generations are more focused on creating intimate, personalized experiences.

Many of my clients opt for multiple events: a massive celebration at home to honor family traditions, followed by a smaller, more intimate destination wedding for their close friends and loved ones.

In recent years, I’ve noticed a shift in Asian weddings in which younger generations emphasize upholding traditions.

It’s no longer just about the Western-style white gown and vow exchanges. Couples incorporate traditional touches unique to their own cultural roots into the grand event.

For example, it’s common for the bride to have several wardrobe changes. For different events, she might wear other gowns reflective of her culture.

We’ve had the opportunity to incorporate cultural aspects into weddings, from traditional Indian ceremonies to Moroccan and Bangladeshi elements, making these events stand out and celebrate the rich traditions of Asia.

Many would flock to Lake Como or France for destination weddings, but I’ve always believed that choosing a location tied to one’s culture makes the experience even more special.

The wedding we planned on the top of the Snow Jade Dragon Mountain in China was for a bride with deep cultural ties to the region. We involved local villagers in preparing a traditional feast, creating handmade furniture, and performing local songs, making the event beautiful, deeply meaningful, and authentic to the bride’s heritage.