SURPRISE IN SAFE HANDS

From small gift boxes to grand gestures, here is how planners can amaze us in the most unexpected ways

- RAKSHITHA PRIYA G

CHENNAI has long celebrated love and friendship with drama, music, and flair. From a simple ₹20 chocolate that brought joy a decade ago to today's elaborate candles and flowers over the shore, the city has embraced the art of the well-planned surprise. Professional planners are now turning these inspirations into reality, orchestrating rooftop proposals, beachside candlelight dinners, flashmobs, and musical performances that blend creativity, emotion, and the city's signature flair for storytelling. CE explores how the city's surprise planners are transforming celebrations with thoughtfully crafted experiences, balancing creativity, logistics, and client trust every step of the way.

Crafting moments Executing a surprise is no child's play. For Abdul, co-founder of the6.in, it meant turning fleeting ideas into experiences that leave lasting memories. The company was started in Coimbatore in 2009 by Sakthivel, initially with small surprises among friends. But as word spread, the team expanded to Chennai and later across Tamil Nadu. Today, their repertoire includes elaborate creations such as the Remo-inspired proposal, the Crane Surprise where couples are lifted atop a crane with a candle message displayed below-and cake-cutting mid-air on chartered planes.

"We never impose surprises on clients. They come with ideas, and we visualise and execute them according to their budget and imagination," says Abdul. He adds that while budgets vary, from visual surprises starting at ₹500 to extravagant full-day celebrations reaching lakhs, the focus is always on preserving the magic of the moment.