Keerti Dundoo: Curating spectacular weddings and events in the UAE and beyond

(Aug 1, 2026) Keerti Dundoo has turned event management company Party Cruisers into a name synonymous with luxury celebrations in the UAE, and beyond. A scion of one of Hyderabad’s oldest business families, her sights are now set on expansions across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Years ago, Keerti Dundoo’s close friend requested her to do the decor for her son’s upcoming birthday. She wanted a celebration that looked like it had come straight off Pinterest.

Keerti had never done a decor before, but her friend firmly believed she had an eye for design and detail. She was right, the response to the decor was overwhelming.

One event led to another, and before she knew it, Keerti had discovered a passion that would completely change her career. Eventually, it led her to Dubai where she has been executing a diverse portfolio of luxury weddings, corporate events, and destination celebrations across the Middle East and elsewhere.

“We combine creative storytelling with meticulous planning and seamless execution which not only exceed expectations but also set new benchmarks for the industry across the Middle East,” says Keerti, Managing Partner at Party Cruisers (Middle East and Hyderabad), in a chat with The Global Indian.

Party Cruisers delivers end-to-end planning, production, entertainment, hospitality, and guest experiences at large scale luxury weddings in the UAE and beyond.

Still from a wedding organised by Party Cruisers

How Party Cruisers collaboration happened

From the very beginning, Keerti wanted to build something bigger, so she began reaching out to some of India’s leading wedding planners to explore collaborations in the Middle East. That’s when the organisation came into the picture. The company was founded in 1994. 

“We had an initial conversation, and then, nothing. Six months went by without a word. Then one day, I received a call asking if I could visit their head office in Mumbai,” says Keerti, who soon met the CEO, Zuzer Lucknowala, who asked her if she would be interested in launching and leading Party Cruisers’ Middle East operations. She said yes instantly.

“Many people doubted whether we could succeed. The Middle East was a highly competitive market, and I was relatively new to Dubai myself,” says Keerti, who built everything from the ground up, with no existing client base, no established team, and no guaranteed success.

A record-breaking year

The very first year of their Dubai operations was a remarkable success. “We delivered spectacular luxury Indian weddings and expanded into the corporate events space, executing projects for renowned organizations including the Aditya Birla Group and GII, among others.”

In 2024, Keerti and team executed the wedding of Seattle-based couple Kanishk and Mehak at W The Palm, Dubai, marking the venue’s first ever two million AED Indian wedding. The couple hosted their families across a series of events, including Mehendi, Sangeet, Haldi, and the grand Wedding and Reception.

“A show-stopping red mandap, perfectly complementing the bride’s attire yet infused with a contemporary twist, became the centerpiece of the celebrations,” says Keerti of the grand decor, inspired by Sabyasachi’s signature opulence in rich red tones, which added a layer of grandeur to the wedding.

This celebration set new benchmarks in Dubai’s high-end wedding scene and earned Party Cruisers the “Best Wedding & Planning” award by Wedding Sutra.

Still from a wedding organised by Party Cruisers

A wedding by the sea in Doha

Another wedding was that of the Mumbai-based couple Natasha and Gaurav at Hilton Salwa, Doha, one of Qatar’s properties, in January 2025.

Valued at 7 million AED, the wedding brought together family and friends for a series of events. “The highlight of the celebration was the wedding mandap set atop a wavebreaker, offering a breathtaking view of the sea. The iconic watchtower, beautifully illuminated in the evening, added a magical touch to the festivities.”

The event’s execution was recognized with an appreciation award from Qatar Tourism.

Three days in Ibiza

Keerti recently returned from Spain where she and her team curated a three-day celebration in Ibiza for the 40th birthday of an Indian celebrity. The event brought together an intimate gathering of 60 guests for a weekend that blended privacy, elegance, and hospitality.

The itinerary featured some of Ibiza’s iconic experiences, from lunches at Jondal to a birthday evening in Formentera at Beso Beach. As the celebrations continued into the night, after-parties at Pacha and Jul’s created the atmosphere, with a performance by DJ Black Coffee adding to the festivities.

“The project came together at the last minute, leaving us with just 23 days to conceptualise, plan, and deliver a destination celebration. Against all odds, the celebration exceeded every expectation.”

What sets us apart is our ability to create immersive experiences rather than simply organizing events. Every celebration is designed with attention to detail, ensuring each client has an unforgettable experience.

Keerti Dundoo

Why the UAE, why now

Keerti feels there is a significant shift in how Indians approach weddings, celebrations, and corporate events. “Today, people are looking beyond traditional venues and are seeking destinations that offer not just luxury, but also convenience, world-class hospitality, and unforgettable experiences,” says Keerti, who studied at the London School of Business and Finance.

This, she says, is one of the key reasons why the UAE and the Middle East have emerged as some of the most sought-after destinations for weddings, corporate summits, incentive travel, and milestone celebrations.

Still from a wedding organised by Party Cruisers

The UAE advantage

One of the region’s biggest advantages is its global connectivity, with direct flights from major cities across India, Europe, the UK, the US, and Africa.

She says the Middle East also offers a combination of luxury infrastructure and ease of execution. “From iconic hotels and desert landscapes to beachfront resorts, modern convention centres, and unique cultural venues, there is a setting for every scale and style of event.”

Whether it’s an intimate celebration for 100 guests or a wedding with over 1,000 attendees, the region has the expertise and infrastructure to deliver, says Keerti.

Multicultural ecosystem

Another strength is the multicultural ecosystem. “The UAE is home to people from over 200 nationalities, making it adaptable to different traditions, cuisines, entertainment preferences, and event styles.”

She says Indian couples want their guests to enjoy a holiday while attending the wedding, and destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Oman, and other parts of the Middle East offer that.

The corporate pivot

From a corporate perspective, she says, the UAE has become a preferred destination for leadership summits, conferences, product launches, incentive travel, gala dinners, and networking events.

“Its world-class venues, hospitality, visa accessibility, safety, and business-friendly environment make it an ideal location for organisations looking to combine business with memorable experiences,” says Keerti, who believes the Middle East strikes a balance between accessibility, luxury, innovation, and execution.

While luxury weddings will always remain part of the business, Keerti’s strategic focus is increasingly on the corporate events sector. “We see immense potential in conferences, leadership summits, product launches, incentive travel, exhibitions, government events, and large-scale experiential activations.”

As more global companies establish regional headquarters in the Gulf, the demand for event planning and production continues to grow, she says.

“Our vision for the future is to further strengthen our presence across the Middle East by expanding into key markets such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain.” She says these countries are witnessing growth in tourism, entertainment, and large-scale business events, presenting opportunities for the events industry.

Bringing structure to a fragmented industry

One of the things that sets Party Cruisers apart is that it is structured and process-driven. “While the events industry is often perceived as fast-paced and unorganized, our CEO has always been committed to changing that perception.”

She says the vision is to bring professionalism, systems, and streamlined processes into what has traditionally been a fragmented and disorganized industry.

“From planning and design to production and execution, every aspect of our work follows clearly defined processes, enabling us to consistently deliver world-class events while maintaining the flexibility and creativity our clients expect.”

From a business family

Born in Chennai, Keerti belongs to one of Hyderabad’s oldest business families, the Dundoo family, whose roots can be traced back to the early 1700s. “Today, I proudly represent the ninth generation of this entrepreneurial legacy,” says Keerti, who studied at St Ann’s High School in Hyderabad.

Business has always been at the heart of the Dundoo family, with her father establishing and running their own flour mill since 1964. 

She vividly remembers her school days during which she wanted to become a doctor and dedicate her life to community service. “As life unfolded, my interests evolved.” While pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology (MGIT)), she developed a keen interest in public service and even considered a career in politics.

Student leadership 

While she wasn’t an academic topper, Keerti found her strengths beyond the classroom. She was involved in student leadership, serving on the student council and core committees of inter-college festivals. She was also a member of the State Girls’ Softball Team and had been selected to represent the state at the National Championships.The London years

Keerti went on to pursue a course in Business Operations and Advertising at the: London School of Business and Finance. The course gave her an understanding of how successful businesses are built, not just through creativity, but through strategy, systems, efficient processes, and leadership.

“Living and studying abroad also pushed me well beyond my comfort zone. It taught me to become an independent thinker, take confident decisions, and approach challenges with a global perspective.”

Love for music and the ocean

Music has always been close to Keerti’s heart, she plays the piano and has completed certifications through Trinity College London. “Playing the piano has been a wonderful creative outlet and a way for me to unwind.”

The ‘water baby,’ as she calls herself, Keerti loves scuba diving, snorkeling, or simply being by the ocean. “I find immense peace and inspiration in the water.”

A dream beyond events

A passionate home cook, one of Keerti’s personal dreams is to venture into the culinary world by opening her own restaurant or an intimate supper club, where she can combine her love for hospitality, design, and dining experiences to create something unique.

• Follow Keerti Dundoo on LinkedIn ad Instagram

ALSO READ: Band, Baaja, Baraat: Wall Street to FDR – big fat Indian weddings take over New York streets