Meet Shivani Parmar | English Professor & Wedding Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shivani Parmar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shivani, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my wedding planning business was the culmination of a deep passion for creating memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences combined with a desire for independence and creative freedom. The idea began to take shape after I had the opportunity to work on several weddings as an assistant coordinator. I realized that I had a natural knack for organizing and bringing together all the intricate details that make a wedding day special.

I noticed that while I loved the work, there were often creative limitations when working under someone else’s vision. I wanted to be able to offer a more personalized service, where I could connect deeply with couples and help bring their unique vision to life. This desire for a more meaningful impact on the most important day of people’s lives fueled my decision to step out on my own.

Moreover, I was driven by the opportunity to build something of my own—a business that reflected my values, style, and dedication to excellence. I wanted to create a brand that stood for personalized, stress-free, and beautiful weddings, and I knew that by starting my own business, I could do just that. The freedom to innovate, adapt, and grow in a way that aligned with my vision was incredibly appealing.

In essence, starting my wedding planning business was about combining my love for weddings with a commitment to providing a truly personalized service, all while pursuing my entrepreneurial spirit. It’s been a journey of passion, creativity, and continuous learning, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My favorite part of wedding planning is the incredible joy of bringing a couple’s creative vision to life. There’s something truly exciting about transforming their dreams into a reality that reflects their unique love story. Being part of someone’s happiest day is an honor I cherish deeply—knowing that I’ve helped create memories they will treasure forever fills me with immense satisfaction. Every wedding is a celebration of love, and contributing to that joy is what makes this work so fulfilling for me.

As a college professor, I bring a unique academic rigor and thoughtful approach to wedding planning that sets my business apart. My experience in research and education allows me to offer creative, well-researched solutions tailored to each couple’s vision. My skills in organization, communication, and project management ensure that every detail is meticulously handled, and every decision is well-informed. This combination of academic precision and creative flair results in weddings that are not only beautifully executed but also deeply personalized and meaningful.

I love sharing these tidbits with my clients as well. I want them to know that in all aspects of my life, I strive to help others achieve their goals. It doesn’t matter if I’m standing at the front of a classroom next to a whiteboard or doing a final walkthrough at their reception. I’m here to make sure their dreams are coming true!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is such a fun question and thankfully I got a week-long vacation to plan because I’m not sure I could have done it in less time!

Day 1: Hollywood & Griffith Observatory
Start with breakfast at Republique on La Brea, then visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Griffith Observatory for incredible views of LA. End with dinner at Musso & Frank Grill, a historic Hollywood spot.

Day 2: Santa Monica & Venice Beach
Rent bikes and ride along the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach Boardwalk, followed by lunch at The Butcher’s Daughter in Venice. End the day with delicious dosas at TUMBI in Santa Monica.

Day 3: Downtown LA & Arts District
Begin with breakfast at Eggslut in Grand Central Market, explore The Broad Museum and Walt Disney Concert Hall, and finish with dinner at Bestia in the Arts District.

Day 4: Orange County – Laguna Beach
Drive to Laguna Beach, enjoy breakfast at Zinc Café, visit Heisler Park, and explore art galleries. Have lunch at The Deck overlooking the ocean, and end with dinner at Studio at Montage Laguna Beach with stunning sunset views.

Day 5: Disneyland & Anaheim
Spend the day at Disneyland and California Adventure. Lunch at Blue Bayou inside the park offers a unique dining experience. Head to the Packing House in Anaheim for drinks and bites in a trendy, food-hall setting.

Day 6: Malibu & Beverly Hills
Start with breakfast at Malibu Farm Café on the pier, visit Getty Villa for a dose of culture, then drive to Beverly Hills for shopping on Rodeo Drive. Dinner at Nobu Malibu and end the night with a sunset at Point Dume.

Day 7: Chill Day in Newport Beach
Begin with breakfast at Haute Cakes Caffe, rent a Duffy boat in Newport Harbor, and enjoy the day on the water. Have lunch at Lido Bottle Works and end with dinner at The Cannery, followed by drinks at Billy’s at the Beach for some tiki vibes.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When running a business, I think there is a common misconception about competition amongst peers when that is never the case! There are so many wonderful planners I recommend because not only are they absolutely amazing at what they do, but they are focused on building a community and ensuring there’s room for everyone. The Marigold Company, Koral & Ko., and Events by Tejal are 3 of my favorite planners. I love seeing their work knowing that they put their love and dedication into every single wedding they book.

Website: https://parmarplanning.com

Instagram: @parmarplanning

Image Credits
Photos by Neil