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PROFILE
MASHA SRIVASTAVA Wedding artist By Lisa Evans
M
asha Srivastava loves beautiful things, and what could be more beautiful than a wedding? After coming to Canada from Russia in 2005, Srivastava discovered she could use her creativity and
flare for design and start her own business in event design. In 2008, Srivastava moved to Calgary, and decided to focus her work on another passion — weddings. Through her company Wedding Finesse, she provides event design
services, with a focus on making elegant hand-draped backdrops, each unique to the event at hand. For her artistic work, Srivastava has received the Bride’s Choice Awards five years in a row, including nods for best reception décor and best decorator in Alberta.
Tell us about your wedding design backdrops.
I come from an artistic family and design and fashion was always my passion. This is art. You paint one work and you can’t do this over again. They have a one-of-a-kind look. Even if you try to copy it, it will still be different.
How long does it take you to complete them?
One backdrop can take up to five hours to complete.
Do your designs reflect the cultural backgrounds of your clients?
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canadianimmigrant.ca
August 2015
Canada is multicultural, so there are all different traditions and a lot of different styles. While in China, red and gold colours are popular, those of Indian descent like bright colours in satin materials. It’s really fun to work in different styles.
What else do you offer your bridal clients?
I wanted to expand the business, so I now offer full set-ups with table cloths, napkins, chair covers
and centrepieces — everything an event requires.
Do you only do weddings?
Although 80 per cent of my business is weddings, I also design corporate functions, birthdays and many other events. I’m now so busy, I can’t even count the number of events I do per year.
What keeps you going?
I [act as though] I’m decorating for my own wedding. To see the bride smile and see people happy at the event, that just makes my day … This is my passion, this is my life, this is my dream. I can wake up at five o’clock in the morning and be so happy to decorate an event. I really put my heart into each event.
Any new plans?
I plan to open a rental store soon to allow brides with limited budgets to rent the materials and set it up themselves without hiring an event designer.
Any advice for other newcomers looking to start a wedding business?
It’s not just about being a designer. You have to be the accountant, the marketer, the boss. But I think Canada has great opportunities. If you know what you want to do and you knock on the door, eventually the door will be open, so you just have to keep knocking.
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