Uniquely Yours: Insights on the Planner-Client Relationship, from Wedding Planner Sneh Diwan

As a vow coach and ceremony officiant of over five years, I always say that every wedding takes me somewhere different. Sometimes, I do not mean this in the literal sense, but rather, I use it to mean that every wedding introduces me to something new, expands my mind, and redefines what I thought possible. 

That is, in part, due to fellow professionals like the one I spoke to for this blog. 

Sneh Diwan, owner of Diwan By Design and master of all things detailed and bespoke, is also no stranger to travel. Over time, she’s expanded her destination event planning business from Jersey City to Philadelphia and NYC, and explored the world in the process. I had the honor of sitting down with her to learn all about how she stays adaptable, creative, and dedicated, no matter where the journey takes her — or her clients.

In order to describe what Sneh does, I must highlight what she brings to the table. I’ve already said that she’s used to traveling far and wide, but I must note that alongside her luggage, she carries her unique life experience with her to every event, which makes her a perfect match for many of her clients. 

In addition to her own heritage, Sneh’s planning career is informed by her wedding to her former husband, which was a blending of his culture and her own. From this event blossomed a deep understanding of what it is like to combine traditions and families — and of the lack of representation that many spouses faced during a time where multicultural weddings were not as common.

“I think that it’s beautiful when you get to see two sides coming together to create one whole family,” Sneh said. “At the end of the day, the common thread is that they all love each other. I think that that is something that is very rare and very beautiful to see.” 

I couldn’t agree more with Sneh. Whether you’re starting your search for a wedding planner or have already found one, understanding should be non-negotiable, no matter what you’re looking for in your wedding. Whether it is through personal experience or a willingness to learn, you and your planner should be able to connect in a way that lets you know that everything you hold dear is in good hands.

Sneh is always creatively inspired by her clients, and combines that inspiration with her own experience to form something truly special. In a way, clients provide a large part of the energy that allows planners to do what they do, so your wedding is less of a manifestation of how the planner sees you, but rather, the realization of your own imagination. 

I say this because there’s always a justified level of nervousness when handing the reins over to someone else for your day, no matter who they are or what their role is. Planners and professionals like Sneh understand this, and so, she makes a point to be dedicated to her clients in all aspects. 

“Through the process, there are always going to be some uncomfortable conversations that you have to navigate sometimes,” Sneh said. “We want to see how we can embrace those uncomfortable feelings, and how we can bring it to a place where we all feel like we’ve been heard, seen, accepted, and included as part of the process.” 

For Sneh and planners like her, communication is massive. If her clients are the fuel for her projects, communication becomes the wheels that take her from Point A to Point B. And no matter what she’s told, she makes sure to approach it with patience and compassion. Emotions run high and anxiety rampant, but as long as everyone communicates, they will not run the show.

Speaking of communication, wedding planners almost never work alone. Rather, they come flanked by a capable team, ready to handle any and everything. Endless pairs of hands (and eyes!) work on your event, ensuring that everything is in its rightful place, from every angle. 

In Sneh’s case, her team is like a family — and it also includes her clients and their other vendors. Sneh is “always excited to meet new people,” and is constantly ready to collaborate with anyone her clients choose to have a part in their day, as a planner should be. No matter what, the best planners are amiable, prepared, and happy to form a whole crew of dedicated individuals, so they can navigate anything with you. 

As wedding professionals, we’re prepared for everything that could reasonably go awry, even the near-impossible. When you’re working with a planner, rest assured, you and your guests will never be affected if they have any say in it.

And trust me, when it comes to Sneh, she does. In addition to conversations ahead of the wedding weekend, where she establishes Plan A, B, C, and so on, Sneh harnesses the wedding planner’s signature talent: improvisation (that ends up looking like it was Plan A all along).  

“Sometimes it’s a weather call … [or] the layout that we had initially designed doesn’t work in the ballroom and we need to reconfigure, but that means all hands on deck, open communication, and talking through it … so that it doesn’t feel like the event is compromised,” Sneh said.

It’s this very adaptability that you and your planner should both possess, because that is where positive change — something weddings are full of — comes in. No matter how you are similar or different, you and your spouse are forming a new partnership, and that alone calls for innovation and an open mind for what’s possible. 

As an example, and calling back to our earlier discussions of culture, Sneh has extensive experience planning Hindu weddings, which include multiple different traditions and ceremonies. For these weddings, Sneh works with each couple to create a ceremony that incorporates what is important to them, adequately acknowledges tradition and gives it the respect it deserves, while also accommodating other factors (if the couple wishes to do so). 

“A lot of times, it’s anywhere between an hour and a half to two hours for a ceremony, but nowadays we don’t have all the time to have a two hour ceremony, so people do shorten it,” Sneh said. “We pick out the parts that are very important to the couple … It’s a great way to celebrate and have a little tradition.” 

In these cases, Sneh said she’s been lucky to work with priests and officiants who have been understanding and collaborative. Remember how I said a good planner makes everyone feel like a part of their team? At the heart of every bespoke experience is someone willing to make it happen — and planners like Sneh apply this to every aspect of their clients’ weddings.

However, this magic does not just happen overnight (although sometimes, miracle-working is just another part of the job). Another thing you must give your planner is time — to connect with you, to plan the logistics, and to set everything into motion. 

For Sneh, that involves her clients finding her one to two years in advance to embark on the journey toward their wedding, wherever in the world it may be. However far in advance your planner would like to meet, know that just like in a marriage, every moment is worth it — for both planner and client. 

After all is said and done, Sneh says both she and her clients come away with a new, spectacular experience tucked away in their minds. No matter what, this is what you and your planner should make sure of for your wedding. By working together, all of you should be able to reflect upon the day as a dream come true. 

There is nothing more rewarding for wedding professionals. As Sneh said, “I’m a sucker for love. I love love.”

If I could only add one more thing, I’d say that you and your spouse would be hard-pressed to find a planner who disagrees.