The rise of pillar-less mandaps and what it means for the wedding industry

Pillars at mandaps used to be a thing at weddings. Not anymore. With wedding aesthetics changing with every passing day, pillar-less mandaps seems to be the new talk of the town. Leading the way is Prerika Puri, founder of To The Aisle. Thanks to her, these architectural marvels, symbolise elegance, innovation, and a harmonious blend of nature and human artistry. From breathtaking structures inspired by nesting birds on a beach to grand brass mandaps adorned with towering flowers, these designs have well and truly redefine wedding aesthetics as we see and love it.

Brides Today speaks to Prerika Puri, founder of To The Aisle, about what inspired her to make these pillar-less mandaps at weddings, its future, and what budding wedding designers need to do to make a name for themselves in the industry. 

Brides Today: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the concept of pillar-less mandaps? 

Prerika Puri: This happened during a recce at the St. Regis in Goa. We happened to stumble upon gigantic leaves on the property, under which a couple of birds had built their nest. This eureka moment sparked a brilliant idea—to create life-size leaves and use them to craft a one-of-a-kind mandap.

BT: Do you see this trend gaining popularity in the wedding industry? 

PP:  Absolutely! The trend of creating unique and unconventional mandaps, like the life-size leaf design inspired by nature, is definitely gaining popularity in the wedding industry. We have already witnessed its success as we successfully executed three pillarless mandaps this year, and it's evident that a new trend is being set.

BT: How do you envision the future of pillar-less mandaps and their impact on wedding aesthetics and traditions?

PP: The future of pillar-less mandaps in the context of Indian weddings holds great promise for revolutionising wedding aesthetics and traditions. While challenging to design and execute, these innovative structures offer a refreshing departure from the traditional four-pillar mandaps that have been prevalent for ages. By breaking away from convention, pillar-less mandaps provide designers with ample room for creativity, allowing them to craft unique and offbeat setups that align with the couple's preferences and vision. 

As couples increasingly seek to differentiate their weddings and create unforgettable experiences, the demand for these unconventional mandap designs is likely to soar.

BT: In regards to the pillar-less mandap, you built on the beach in Goa. Could you share more about the design process and the challenges you faced in bringing this awe-inspiring structure to life?

PP: The journey of creating the pillar-less mandap for this beach wedding was a remarkable feat of creativity, determination, and craftsmanship. Starting from a simple sketch and then progressing to a 3D design, the team faced the significant challenge of designing a mandap with support on only one side while ensuring practicality and safety. To achieve this, we selected a suitable material and sought skilled artisans from Kolkata who specialised in fibre mouldings. One of the artisans was brought to Goa for a two-month period due to the impracticality of transporting the mandap. The entire process, including colour patch tests and addressing practical concerns, took two months and 16 days. 

However, the greatest obstacle arose when they needed to take the mandap to the beach, where cranes could not access the location. To overcome this hurdle, the mandap was cleverly divided into three parts, which were then joined together on-site after three sleepless nights of hard work by the team.

Embracing the beach location, the team designed an aisle resembling corals, inspired by the couple's shared love for snorkelling. We went the extra mile to import flowers from the Netherlands and Bangkok that strikingly resembled corals, adding an authentic touch to the overall setup. The result was a breathtaking and unique mandap that defied convention and perfectly captured the essence of the couple's passions, creating an unforgettable setting for their special day on the sandy shores.

BT: In regards to the brass mandap at the Jaipur, Could you shed some light on the engineering behind creating sturdy platforms to support the towering flowers? What engineering challenges did you overcome during this process?

PP: Creating the self-standing brass leaves proved the most formidable challenge in designing the mandap. The tallest leaf, reaching an impressive height of 16ft and touching the courtyard's highest wall, required meticulous planning for stability and aesthetics. Each leaf was given a substantial 30kg base to ensure it could support itself securely. Baseplates were discreetly drilled into place to maintain a seamless appearance, cleverly concealing any visible supports. The result was a stunning mandap where the brass leaves appeared to emerge gracefully from nowhere. 

BT: What advice would you give to aspiring designers and artisans who want to innovate and revolutionise traditional elements in their respective fields?

Before proceeding, it's essential to discuss the concept with the client and ensure their preference aligns with an unconventional approach, as some may still wish to adhere to traditional rituals with a 4-pillar mandap. 

Assuming the client is open to an innovative design, the next step is to unleash creativity initially without constraints of practicality. Allow the imagination to run wild and explore the most unconventional inspirations. Look at things from unique perspectives and draw inspiration from unexpected sources. Frequent travel can expand our thinking horizon, exposing us to diverse cultures and landscapes that spark fresh ideas.

After this imaginative phase, the focus shifts to refining the concept, considering practical aspects, and finding ways to bring the extraordinary vision to life while respecting the cultural and ritual significance of the wedding ceremony.