In India, WedTech, a blend of weddings and technology, has primarily been associated with matchmaking websites and wedding planning platforms. However, Hemant Meharchandani, the CEO and Co-founder of VivaHit, envisioned a different approach to wedding tech when he was preparing for his own wedding in 2019.
Meharchandani, along with his co-founder Aman Kumar, both graduates of IIT-Kanpur, decided to venture into the WedTech industry. They had previously worked at ShareChat and brought their tech expertise to the Bengaluru-based startup, VivaHit, which they founded in 2022.
In India, traditional wedding spending patterns vary based on social status. As you move up the social ladder, the proportion of expenditure on jewelry and clothing for the bride or guests decreases relative to the overall budget. Instead, a higher percentage is allocated to enhancing the guest experience and creating memorable moments. Weddings, especially among the elite, have become extravagant affairs where people want to engage with their guests in unique ways, leading to the rise of concepts like pre-wedding photoshoots.
Meharchandani describes WedTech as the fusion of weddings and technology. While this concept has been prevalent in the US and Europe, in India, it has largely been limited to matrimonial websites and wedding service marketplaces.
VivaHit differentiates itself from competitors like Shaadi.com, which focuses on matchmaking, and traditional wedding channels. It acknowledges that Indians prefer to personally experience wedding venues and services, rather than relying solely on online platforms for booking.
VivaHit aims to address a common issue in wedding planning – guest management. Traditionally, people send wedding invites via WhatsApp and maintain Excel sheets, making it cumbersome to track guest responses and provide them with logistical information.
The VivaHit app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App stores, simplifies the process. Users can add guests, send invitations, track RSVPs, and set reminders. The app also offers a consolidated platform for managing guest lists, sending wedding cards, and even facilitates easy upload of Excel sheets containing guest details. Additionally, an AI-enabled photo scan feature allows guests to access all their wedding photos after the event.
The platform’s goal is to enhance wedding engagement, starting well before the actual event. Users can initiate engagement activities like sharing pre-wedding photoshoots or playing games between the bride and groom’s families through the app.
While some features of the app are free, more advanced functionalities come at a cost, with packages ranging from Rs 2,500 to Rs 10,000. This monetization strategy ensures the platform’s sustainability.
VivaHit’s future plans include adding audio chat, live streaming, and other advanced features. Since its launch, the app has garnered 6,000 downloads and registered 3,000 to 4,000 weddings. However, the challenge lies in encouraging users to opt for paid wedding packages, which may take time due to the seasonal nature of weddings in India and the platform’s relative novelty.
To develop AI-driven features for venue visualization and task planning, VivaHit requires substantial data. The startup raised $530,000 at a $4 million valuation earlier this year, securing funding from institutional investors like All In Capital, Suashish Family, and angel investors.
Meharchandani envisions that in the coming years, digital weddings will become a trend, with couples using wedding apps and websites, and guests engaging online as much as they do offline during weddings.
