The Business of Luxury Weddings Podcast
Amrit Dhillon-Bains: On Belonging, Boundaries, and Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be
In this epidsode
James and Otto sit down with Amrit Dhillon-Bains, founder of Anaïs Event Design, for an intimate look at identity, cultural nuance, and the path to becoming a more grounded, powerful creative.
Amrit shares her journey as a British-born Indian woman navigating both the luxury event world and deeply personal questions around belonging, family expectations, and self-worth.
She talks about learning to hold her ground in an industry that doesn’t always understand nuance, setting firm boundaries with clients and vendors, and making space for softness without shrinking her power.
You’ll hear the story behind how she broke into the luxury market, what she’s learned about managing pressure, and why trust is built through honesty—not performance. If you’ve ever felt like you had to shrink, over-deliver, or code-switch to be accepted in this industry, this one’s for you.
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About Amrit Dhillon-Bains
Amrit Dhillon-Bains is the founder and creative director of Anaïs Event Design, a globally recognized luxury wedding and event planning company based in the UK. Known for her thoughtful aesthetic and ability to honor culture through design, Amrit’s work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Over the Moon. But more than her accolades, Amrit is celebrated for the way she shows up—with grace, kindness, and a quiet confidence that commands respect.
Learn more at anaisevents.com
Key Takeaways
1. You Don’t Have to Prove Your Worth Through Over-Delivering
So many creatives feel the need to constantly perform, but at what cost? Amrit unpacks how this habit is often rooted in fear—and what it looks like to release that pressure.
Amrit’s Take:
“I was always trying to prove I deserved to be in the room. But what I’ve learned is that belonging isn’t earned through burnout.”
2. Boundaries Are an Act of Self-Respect, Not Aggression
Clear boundaries don’t make you difficult—they make you dependable. Especially in high-pressure events.
Amrit’s Take:
“When we don’t set boundaries, we leave ourselves behind. That’s not sustainable—and it’s not luxury either.”
3. Cultural Nuance Matters in Luxury
Not every high-end client fits into a typical mold. Amrit talks about the unique needs, dynamics, and depth that come with culturally specific weddings.
Amrit’s Take:
“Culture isn’t a theme—it’s a lived experience. You can’t Google your way into understanding it.”
4. Softness is Strength
In an industry that often rewards loud confidence, Amrit reflects on the quiet power of being grounded, kind, and emotionally attuned.
Amrit’s Take:
“You can be soft and still be taken seriously. In fact, the best leaders are.”
5. Honesty Builds Trust Faster Than Perfection
Being real with your clients doesn’t make you less professional—it makes you more trustworthy.
Amrit’s Take:
“Luxury clients are smart. They don’t need perfection—they need someone who’s honest, even when it’s hard.”
Episode Timestamps
04:15 – Amrit’s upbringing and identity as a British-born Indian woman
12:42 – Over-delivering as a trauma response
19:20 – How she sets boundaries with clients and vendors
27:55 – The cultural lens she brings to wedding planning
35:10 – Redefining strength as softness
42:18 – Her journey into luxury and gaining industry respect
51:00 – Why honest communication is the real luxury
58:30 – Building trust and what it means to truly belong
Resources and Links
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