At Indian weddings, décor is often the heart of what makes each celebration unique. It’s all about that first impression — the wow factor that families want their guests to experience.
In this episode, we chat with Alex and David from Square Root Designs, who take us behind the scenes of those extravagant, Pinterest-worthy wedding setups we all admire.
Based in Irvine, CA, Square Root Designs has been in the floral and event design industry since 2002. Their impressive client list includes President George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Kim Kardashian, Kobe Bryant, and many more.
We had such a fun and insightful conversation about design, execution, and—most importantly—budgeting. Alex and David break down what things actually cost, share their advice on venue selection (and why it can dramatically affect both design and cost), and tell us about one of their favorite projects — complete with the creative engineering behind those breathtaking Indian wedding designs.
We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did — it’s full of inspiration, practical tips, and a peek into the artistry behind luxury wedding décor.
Sponsors:
This episode is brought to you by Sampati — a fine jewelry brand specializing in high-quality, versatile mangalsutras designed for modern women.
Founded in 1977, Sampati expanded its online presence in 2013, now serving customers worldwide.
Led by designer Jinal Sampat, the brand was created to redefine how women wear the mangalsutra — transforming it from a piece kept in the bank after the wedding into one that can be worn every day with style and meaning.
Sampati’s designs are not just modern; they’re timeless, versatile pieces meant to be cherished for years to come.
Learn more at: www.sampati.com
Time Stamps:
00:00 – 05:00 — Introduction & Importance of Décor
- Opening of the Indian Wedding Podcast
- What décor represent in Indian weddings
- First impressions and the “wow factor”
- Guest introduction: Alex & David from Square Root Designs
05:00 – 10:00 — How Wedding Design Began
- Early days of the founders and initial ideas
- Misconceptions about wedding décor
- Why florals matter and how they shape guest experience
10:00 – 15:00 — Finding Inspiration & Adding Personal Touches
- Where couples often get inspiration
- How floral and design elements reflect personality
- Common mistakes couples make when selecting décor themes
15:00 – 20:00 — Enjoying the Design Process
- Creating a welcoming environment for couples
- Why design meetings should feel fun, not overwhelming
- Understanding the needs of Indian weddings
20:00 – 25:00 — Budgeting Smartly for Décor
- How décor budgets work
- Where the biggest expenses go in a ballroom
- Tips for allocating your décor budget wisely
25:00 – 30:00 — Real Costs Behind Luxury Décor
- Transparency around pricing
- Why luxury wedding décor costs what it does
- Examples of price misconceptions couples have
30:00 – 35:00 — What Couples Should Do First
- Venue selection vs. décor planning — which comes first?
- How early couples should speak to decorators
- The importance of hiring the right planner
35:00 – 40:00 — Working With Planners & Understanding Trends
- How planners and designers collaborate
- Trends couples see on Instagram vs. real life
- Why design execution matters more than inspiration pictures
40:00 – 45:00 — The Reality of Luxury Wedding Design
- Behind-the-scenes of creating a “luxury” look
- Misalignment between Pinterest expectations and real budgets
- The importance of communication with vendors
45:00 – 50:00 — What Makes Square Root Designs Unique
- Company philosophy and culture
- Their wide scope of work in South Asian weddings
- How their experience shapes design outcomes
50:00 – 55:00 — Personal Client Stories
- Anecdotes from past weddings
- Designing unique concepts
- How small ideas turn into large-scale installations
55:00 – 60:00 — Closing Thoughts
- Final thoughts on design, décor, and wedding planning
- Their approach to memorable, meaningful setups
Alex Amidi and David Yusuf: https://www.squarerootdesigns.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarerootdesigns/
🙋 Please enjoy!
