The present investigation unravels the effect of trehalose on 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C(16)mim] Cl), a cationic surface active ionic liquid (SAIL) micelle and SAIL ([C16mim] Cl)-nonionic surfactant (Sorbitan Stearate, Span 60) based vesicles. The influence of trehalose on size and morphology of the aggregates has been investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) measurements. Besides, we have studied the dynamic properties of curcumin inside these aggregates using fluorescence spectroscopic based techniques. The results revealed that trehalose molecules play crucial role in modulation of the photophysical properties of curcumin in these organized assemblies. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.