We sat down with Saman to talk about the design philosophy that sets 2Create Designs apart, the celebrations that pushed her creative boundaries, and the innovations she’s brought to the industry.

Reimagining a Mandap for Both Beauty and Function

You’ve designed some of Southern California’s most talked-about Indian weddings. Can you take us through one mandap design that pushed your creative boundaries? What was the vision, what made it challenging, and how did you bring it to life?

One mandap design that pushed our creative boundaries started with inspiration images featuring low, cascading draping. It was visually striking, but the original concept would have compromised visibility within the mandap, and that visibility is essential during the ceremony.

Rather than replicating the design, my team and I reinterpreted it. We elevated the structure and adjusted the draping so the swags sat higher. That preserved the romantic, layered aesthetic while creating a more open and functional space.

We paired rich, deep-toned draping with soft florals and hanging garlands to add movement and dimension without overwhelming the structure. The result was a mandap that honored the bride’s vision while enhancing the guest experience. It’s a good example of how thoughtful design can elevate tradition without losing its essence.

The 2Create Designs Signature: Cohesion at Every Level

When families come to you after seeing your work, what do they say sets your wedding designs apart from other designers they’ve considered? What’s your signature approach that makes a 2Create Designs celebration instantly recognizable?

What sets 2Create Designs apart is our commitment to cohesion. We don’t treat each element as separate. Every component is designed to work together as part of a unified environment.

Our stages are a good example. They’re never standalone features. Each one is fully customized to complement the ballroom as a whole, tying in with centerpieces, tablescapes, draping, and the spatial layout.

The goal is to create a complete visual experience where every detail feels intentional. From the moment guests enter, the design unfolds as a cohesive story. Refined, immersive, and unmistakably elevated.

Designing at Scale: Where Vision Meets Logistics

Multi-day Indian and South Asian weddings with 400+ guests require both artistic vision and serious logistical expertise. Walk us through a recent celebration where you had to balance ambitious design with complex execution. How did you pull it off?

With guest counts often exceeding 400, South Asian weddings demand a level of logistical expertise that goes far beyond aesthetics. One of the most common challenges is balancing a client’s desire for varied, elevated seating with the spatial limitations of a venue.

Rather than defaulting to traditional rounds throughout the ballroom, I approach each layout strategically. We incorporate a mix of table styles, including long tables and statement seating arrangements, to create visual interest and focal points throughout the room.

Every layout is carefully planned to maintain flow, comfort, and service efficiency while still delivering a design that feels dynamic and custom. The result is a space that feels layered and intentional, even at scale.

Transforming the Unexpected: An Airplane Hangar Reception

You’ve transformed venues across Orange County and Southern California for South Asian celebrations. Tell us about a space that seemed impossible to work with and how your design transformed it into something families still talk about.

Some of the most memorable designs come from the most unexpected spaces. In one standout celebration, my team and I transformed an airplane hangar into a romantic reception environment.

Instead of working against the industrial nature of the venue, we embraced it. We softened the space with full draping, layered lighting, and statement chandeliers to bring in warmth and intimacy. A custom stage, curated tablescapes, and thoughtfully placed focal points brought balance to the expansive layout.

Even the airplane itself became part of the design narrative. It served as a striking and unexpected feature within the space. By the time guests arrived, the hangar had been completely reimagined into an immersive environment that felt both elevated and unforgettable.

Pioneering the Framed Arch: A Signature That Shaped an Industry

Indian wedding trends evolve, but you’ve been creating celebrated designs for years. What’s a design element or approach you pioneered or perfected that you now see other designers trying to replicate? What’s your next innovation?

Saman has been evolving her signature framed designs for well over a decade. One early version, a mega-size floral frame inspired by a Vogue magazine spread, was featured by Maharani Weddings back in 2011 and became one of her most recognizable concepts. She has continued to reinterpret it ever since.

Innovation has always been central to my approach. One of the design elements I helped pioneer is the framed arch concept for sweetheart stages. It’s a structured, modern alternative to more traditional backdrops.

The versatility is what made it stick. It works across different aesthetics, whether fully floral, partially architectural, or layered with textures and lighting. Over time, this concept has become one of the most requested styles, and you can now see variations of it widely across the industry.

For me, true innovation lies in creating designs that feel fresh and have lasting impact. As trends continue to evolve, my focus remains on pushing boundaries while maintaining a sense of timelessness. I want to keep shaping what South Asian weddings can look and feel like.

Bringing Your Vision to Life

Ask Saman about her favorite part of the job and she’ll tell you it’s the moments when someone recognizes her in public as “Saman from 2Create Designs.” After more than sixteen years of building the brand from the ground up, that kind of recognition still means something to her. It’s a reminder of how far the studio has come and the work that continues to set it apart.

Saman and the 2Create Designs team continue to design weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations throughout Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and across Southern California. Every project starts with a complimentary consultation. It’s an opportunity to explore your ideas, talk through your vision, and lay the foundation for an event that feels uniquely yours.

Schedule your complimentary consultation, or explore the wedding portfolio to see more of Saman’s work.