Driven by a desire to bridge the gap between Pinterest and reality, Ambika Gupta, the visionary behind The A-Cube Project, revolutionised wedding and set design by weaving 3D design software into her creative process. With roots in Chennai and Dubai, she has carved a niche as a creative visionary who is celebrated for her inventive approach and ability to translate dreams into reality through seamless execution and boundary-pushing ideas.

On rare occasions, unexpected inspirations lead to groundbreaking ventures. Ambika’s journey to founding The A-Cube Project is an exemplification of this phenomenon. While pursuing a Mass Communication degree at Xavier’s, she encountered a small module on Events Management – an area she didn’t realise would shape her career. Her first foray into the world of event planning came when she organised a birthday celebration for a close family member. From there, her passion for creating bespoke, detail-rich decor took flight. “I wanted my decor to not just be aesthetically pleasing but also include personalised details that speak to the couple’s personalities,” Ambika explains. This vision became the foundation of The A-Cube Project, which she established with the idea that wedding decor should be a reflection of the couple and their journey.

“At A-Cube, our process is deeply rooted in storytelling.“

With a creative vocabulary deeply rooted in storytelling, each event curated by Ambika is a culmination of her diverse experiences, ranging from floral studies at prestigious schools to leadership courses at Harvard. “The floral studies deepened my understanding of textures, colour harmonies, and the art of arranging natural elements to evoke emotions. On the other hand, the leadership courses at Harvard instilled strategic thinking and a collaborative mindset,” explains Ambika. “Together, these influences converge in designs that are not only aesthetically striking but also meticulously planned, seamlessly executed, and emotionally resonant.”

With an illustrious clientele that includes high-profile names like Kajal Aggarwal and Alanna Panday, Ambika has built a reputation for crafting events that are as memorable as they are magical. From recreating an Italian farmer’s market for Alanna Panday’s haldi to weaving South Indian heritage into Aishwarya Arjun and Umapathy Ramaiah’s wedding, Ambika ensures each celebration is distinctive and meaningful. “We start by getting to know the couple – their stories, passions, and cultural backgrounds. Once we understand their story, we translate it into a visual narrative,” she explains.

Ambika’s eye for innovation and creativity transcends beyond wedding set designs. By branching out into luxury furniture and prop rentals with Luxury Furniture Rentals, the designer aims to elevate the tone and scale of her events by creating modern, luxe, interior-worthy settings. In doing so, she also hopes to empower others across the country to do the same for their events. “Having done several weddings across India and overseas, I realised that there is a definite gap in the South, where there is a lack of luxury furniture available to be rented for events. To bridge this gap, I started LFR to bring high-end luxury furniture to the South Indian market.”

Another noteworthy footnote in her journey was set styling for season 2 of Amazon Prime Video’s widely adored show, Made In Heaven and Gaurav Gupta’s set for India Couture Week ‘24. 

Offering insight into the challenge of working on a series as opposed to a wedding set, Ambika shared, “Working on Made in Heaven brought a fresh dimension to wedding design – melding art, narrative, and adaptability with set budgets in ways that challenge conventional boundaries.” These experiences, she explains, were a unique opportunity to explore design in a more dynamic context. “It taught me that, while the medium might differ, the essence of wedding design remains the same – creating spaces that tell a story, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impression.”

For Ambika, each new city or country she visits is a blank canvas, offering opportunities to infuse local influences into her work. “Traveling to new countries every year, where I consciously take a break to absorb their energy, fills my cup and fuels my passion for design,” she shares. This approach allows her to adapt her creative vision to different cultural contexts while maintaining her signature aesthetic. 

Looking ahead, she envisions leaving a legacy that inspires future designers. For Ambika, design is more than aesthetics – it’s about creating spaces that resonate, inspire, and leave a lasting impact.

“The coming years will see us broadening our horizons, bringing our signature storytelling and design philosophy to different parts of the world.”