Wedding Experts Share the Values Instilled in Them by Their Mothers

Aditya Mahagaonkar and his grandmother

There will always be parts of our parents instilled in us. From facial resemblance to hereditary talents, interests, the way we cook a certain meal or what tantalises our taste buds. We are not just mirror reflections of our parents, we are also made of the values and virtues we were brought up with. This Mother’s Day, we celebrate #LovewithLegacy at WeddingWire India and bring to you the stories of an important aspect of a family’s legacy that is often left untold - the values that build the foundation of the future generations. Some of the most beloved names of the Indian wedding industry enlist the values inculcated in them by their mothers and grandmothers that have helped shape their future.  

“My Grandma taught me Simplicity and Humility”

Aditya Mahagaonkar, Founder of WhatKnot Wedding Photography

Aditya Mahagaonkar, Founder of WhatKnot Wedding Photography shares, “We have always believed that the older generation in the family is the most disciplined. My home was no different! I fondly call my grandmother, Aaji. She gave me life lessons during my childhood but I had no idea back then, that her priceless lessons would be of prime importance to me when I grow up and become an entrepreneur. Simplicity, humility, honesty and the craving to learn new things every day were some values inculcated in me, over the years. These values were not taught to me as lessons, they were a part of my grandma’s persona and lifestyle and I learnt from her in each and every step I took towards my youth. Business is not a very different world from our personal lives. These values have helped me gain my clients’ confidence and we have a really strong reference base. We thrive on this aspect and have found friends in our clients. And the urge to constantly learn has helped us evolve in this ever growing industry.”

Also Read - Famous Mother's Day Quotes

“What You Earn depends on how people Treat you and Look at You”

Soniya Dembla, Managing Director at Camera Crew

Soniya Dembla with her Mother

Soniya Dembla, Managing Director at Camera Crew opens up about the lessons from her grandmother and mother. She shares, “When I was a child, my nani would always tell me stories. Her idea was to teach me values and morals through her experiences in life and what she has seen around her. She always said - what you have earned depends on how people look at you and treat you and not on the number in your bank account. My nani is not in this world now, but I will never forget her beautiful lessons and her inspiring stories.”

She further adds, “My mother instilled in me the values of honesty, determination, generosity and love. Even when I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in life she told me to find a niche, something that I like and something that I would love to do and chase in life. She reminded me that nothing in life will be all rainbows, there will be ups and downs. We will have to strive to achieve more with the rising competition and failure is bound to come, at least once. But, the will to not let that over power our determination, honesty and kindness towards our work and our team will lead us to success eventually. Parents always protect their children but my mom was also very realistic. She did not only help me understand the reality of the world, but also helped me to stay true to the person I want to be.”

"Listen to your Body and Soul carefully"

Vikram Mehta, Founder of Mpire Events

Vikram Mehta with his Mother

Vikram Mehta, Founder of Mpire Events talks about the one lesson from his mother that adds meaning to his strive today, “I have learned a lot of things from my mom, and I continue to do so, but amongst all of them, the one lesson that stands relevant across all ages and circumstances in my life is, Listen carefully to what your body and soul speaks! Don’t neglect them, no matter what the situation. When I was barely establishing my brand and trying to make a mark in the industry, I didn’t pay attention to this lesson. Today I realise the importance of every minute of my sleep, the food I feed to my body and the words I feed my soul with. Your performance on the field (in any field) depends a lot on how healthy your mind and body are. I only learned this from my Mother.”

Also Read - DIY Ideas to host a Mother's Day Party at Home

“Pay Attention to the Downs - They Mould Your Character”

Namha Malhotra with her Grandmother

Namha Malhotra, Founder of Castles and Coasters reveals, “Being an entrepreneur has had its ups and downs and I am grateful to have my mother and grandmother with me on this journey who are playing the devil’s advocate. They taught me to pay attention to the down’s and celebrate the ups; even if they were really small wins. They always reminded me that the down’s allowed you to mould your character while the up’s just come as a bonus. My grandmother shared these wise words with me once, and it has been there with me ever since, she said. Families are like sand, each grain looks identical but they are unique. If you hold them too tight they will slip away. If you hold them too loose you will not find any. And yet there are ways to collect these grains! Life is about finding these ways. Whenever I meet a speed bump on my journey as an entrepreneur, her words echo in my ear. These words have guided me in not only choosing the way ahead but also giving me the strength to construct my own way.

I have spent a lot of time of my childhood and adulthood closely beside my grandmother and mother. There are two adjectives that best describe them; Honesty & Kindness. This has laid the foundation of our family and is something that was naturally instilled within me as well. Castles & Coasters has rooted itself on these two values. These have been the most important ingredients in building our company, which is actually another family for me. All that is left now, is to nurture the brand, and the simplest way to do that, is to treat things and people the same way you would want them to treat you!”

“Find Calmness inside you, even in Chaotic Times”

Shristi Kapur, Floral Art

Srishti Kapur, Founder of Floral Art says, "Three key ingredients of my business that are inspired by what I have learned from my mother, Kavita Kapur is creativity, passion, and resourcefulness.  Being in the industry for 18 successful years and having accessorised multiple weddings with our floral accents has always taken me back to her teachings and multi-tasking skills. Through all the chaos, she always remained centered and calm whilst guiding me and the team to create some of our most iconic looks. It is because of my mother's guidance and keen eye of perfection that this business has reached the heights that I had never expected." 

The Wedding Industry stalwarts tell us how their mother and grandmother have shaped their life as well as their careers with heartwarming lessons and deep values. Do you thank your mother enough for all the lessons that has added value to your life? If not, plan a special Mother's Day experience for her this year.