Weddings in India are festive occasions and usually celebrated with extensive decorations, color, music, dance, outfits and rituals that depend on the community, region and religion of the bride and the groom, as well as their preferences.[1] India celebrates about 10 million weddings per year,[2] of which about 80% areHindu weddings. Approximately 90% of marriages in India are stillarranged.[3] Despite the rising popularity oflove marriages, especially among younger generations, arranged marriages continue to be the predominant method for finding a marriage partner in India.[3]
A daughter's marriage can often be the most costly event in the life of an Indian family, with some estimate indicating that families spend more than six times a family's annual income on the wedding.[4] Most of these costs go towards dowries and the wedding celebration.[4] Scholars have characterized these expenditures as being strongly shaped bysocial norms and by desires to signalsocial status.[4]
While there are many festival-related rituals in Hinduism,vivaah (wedding) is the most extensive personal ritual a Hindu undertakes in his or her life.[5][6] Typical Hindu families spend significant effort and financial resources to prepare and celebrate weddings. The rituals and process of a Hindu wedding vary depending on the region of India, local adaptations, resources of the family and preferences of the bride and the groom. Nevertheless, there are a fewkey rituals common inHindu weddings –Kanyadaan,Panigrahana, andSaptapadi; these are respectively, giving away of daughter by the father, voluntarily holding hand near the fire to signify impending union, and taking seven steps before fire with each step including a set of mutual vows. After the seventh step and vows ofSaptapadi, the couple is legally husband and wife.[6][7][8] Jain and Buddhist weddings in India, share many themes, but are centered around their respective religious ideas and texts.[9][10]
Indian Sikh marriages are conducted through a ceremony calledAnand Karaj. The couple walk around the respective holy scripture, theGuru Granth Sahib, four times, and then perform theArdās prayer & praise.
Indian Muslims celebrate a traditionalIslamic wedding, with rituals includingNikah, payment of financial dower calledMahr by the groom to the bride, signing of marriage contract, and a reception.[11]
Indian Christian weddings followChristian marriage customs and values. AmongProtestants in India, thebetrothal rite celebrates the engagement of a couple, with prayers being offered for the couple and engagement rings being blest by apastor. AmongNorth Indian Christians, a day before the wedding, theHaldi/ Ubtan/ Mayun ceremony happens; in which turmeric paste is applied on the bride-to-be and groom-to-be. AmongGoan Christians andSouth Canarese Christians the Roce ceremony is held, in which coconut paste is applied on the bride-to-be and groom-to-be. Among theBombay East Indian Christians, the Umbracho Pani ceremony is held, a day before the wedding, in which water drawn from a well is used to bathe by the bride-to-be and groom-to-be.[12] On the wedding day, the couple meet in the presence of a priest at a church. Passages from theBible are read out. The bride and groom take theirmarriage vows. The bride and groom then exchangewedding rings, symbolising their love for each other.[13]
Interfaith marriages in India, especially between Hindus and Muslims, have been the subject of legal constraints in some states, vigilante harassment, and fears of violence.
In the past, the age of marriage was young, often childhood or early teenage.[14] The legal age of marriage is 21 for males and 18 for females. However, the average age of marriage varies, with males typically marrying between 23 and 28 years of age and females between 20 and 25 years of age. Arranged marriages have long been the norm in Indian society. Even today, the majority of Indians have their marriages planned by their parents and other elder family members. Recent studies suggest that Indian culture is trending away from traditional arranged marriages.[15] Fewer marriages are purely arranged without consent and that the majority of surveyed Indian marriages are arranged with consent. The percentage of self-arranged marriages (called love marriages in India) have also increased vastly, particularly in the urban areas of India such asMumbai andDelhi.[16]
Weddings are a major business in India. According to a report byKPMG in 2017, the Indianwedding industry is estimated to be around $40–50 billion.[17] It is the second largest wedding market after the United States, which is at $70 billion.[18] While the industry is very unorganised with small and medium scale businesses, there are also corporate entities who are trying to tap this industry. The prime factors for growth in the industry are the rise of middle class in India, an overall booming economy and use of social media.[19] It is estimated that the cost of an Indian wedding ranges from ₹500,000 and ₹50 million (from US$6,747.14 to US$674,743.50). Indians are likely to spend one-fifth of their total lifetime wealth on a wedding.[20]
Many Indian celebrities choose destination weddings,[21] and the masses take inspiration from them. Both domestic and international destinations are popular for weddings in India. The destination wedding industry in India was estimated to cross ₹450 billion in 2020.[22]
💍✨ Why Destination Weddings Are the Hottest Trend Among Indians?Gone are the days when a traditional wedding meant hosting hundreds of guests in your hometown. Today’s Indian couples are turning their dream celebrations into unforgettable destination weddings — combining romance, luxury, travel, and cultural experiences into one magical event. From royal palaces in Rajasthan to pristine beaches in Goa, destination weddings have taken the Indian wedding scene by storm. But why are they so popular? Let’s dive in!
A commonly-quoted older figure is that the destination-wedding industry in India was estimated to cross ₹450 billion (≈ ₹45,000 crore) in 2020. That figure appears in summaries of the Indian wedding sector and encyclopedic write-ups.
More recent market research gives larger and/or differently-scoped estimates depending on definitions. Grand View Research estimated the India destination wedding market at USD 16.25 billion in 2024 (roughly ₹1.35 lakh crore at typical conversion levels) and forecast strong growth (CAGR ~14.8% to 2033). This report treats the category broadly (services, venues, travel, F&B, planning).
🌟 1. Weddings That Are More Than Just a DayIndian weddings have always been known for being grand and festive, but destination weddings take it to a whole new level. Rather than just a few hours of celebration, these weddings often extend into multi-day experiences — filled with pool parties, mehndi nights, beach dinners, and cultural activities. For guests, it feels like a vacation. For couples, it’s a chance to celebrate their love intimately and individually.
✈️ 2. The Appeal of Travel and ExplorationYoung Indian couples today are avid travelers. With exposure to international trends, Bollywood influence, and global social media, they crave experiences that go beyond conventional norms. Destination weddings turn the big day into a shared adventure for friends and family — a chance to:
Explore a new city or countryEnjoy sightseeing and local cultureCreate memories together before the wedding even starts
Whether it’s the snow-clad peaks of Himachal Pradesh or the turquoise waters of the Maldives, destination weddings offer the perfect blend of wanderlust and romance.
🏰 3. Picture-Perfect Venues That Tell a StoryFrom heritage forts to luxury resorts, destination weddings are all about ambience and aesthetics. Indian couples want settings that reflect their personalities — and today’s venues deliver just that. Most popular domestic destination cities and international destinations are:
Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) — palaces/heritage properties are perennial favourites for grand Hindu weddings.Goa — beach + party vibe for multi-day celebrations.Kerala (Alleppey, Kochi) — backwaters, spice-region charm and resort options.Himachal (Manali, Shimla) and hill-station venues for cooler climate/photogenic scenes.Tier-2 & boutique destinations are rising (couples look for cost savings and uniqueness).Mauritius and Dubai/UAE (close, well-equipped resorts & simple travel logistics) are top choices.Thailand, Bali, Maldives and some European spots are also popular depending on guest visa ease and luxury positioning.
💡 4. Personalized CelebrationsDestination weddings allow couples to customize every detail — from décor themes to cuisine, entertainment, and more. Unlike local weddings that follow traditional event schedules, destination weddings enable creative freedom:
✨ Themed décor (vintage, Bollywood, rustic, contemporary)🎶 Live bands or DJ nights🍷 Fusion food menus mixing global and Indian flavors🎁 Customized welcome gifts and interactive guest experiences
🤝 5. Smaller, Closer Guest ListsWhile Indian weddings are famous for big guest lists, destination weddings often help streamline invites — simply because traveling can be a constraint for some. This doesn’t mean fewer emotions — just closer bonds. It leads to:
❤️ More quality time spent with guests🎤 Personalized interactions🎉 A lively, enthusiastic energy throughout the celebration
In essence, these celebrations become more intimate and meaningful.
💸 6. Surprising Cost-EffectivenessAt first glance, destination weddings might seem expensive. But when you calculate everything — venue, décor, caterers, logistics — many couples find that combined travel packages and group deals can actually be cost-effective. Resorts and planners offer bundled deals that include accommodations, meals, décor, and entertainment — often at better value than booking each element separately.
📱 7. The Power of Social MediaNo trend in recent memory has spread faster than something amplified by social media. Instagram reels, Pinterest boards, and YouTube vlogs have made destination weddings aspirational for millions. With beautiful visuals and real stories from influencers and celebrities, this trend has turned into a must-have for many modern couples.
💡 Final ThoughtsDestination weddings in India are more than just a trend — they represent a shift in how couples celebrate love in the 21st century. They combine travel, culture, personalization, and shared experiences into moments that last well beyond the wedding day.
Whether it’s a sunset ceremony on a beach, a royal affair in a palace, or a snowy celebration in the mountains — destination weddings reflect not just where couples want to be, but how they want to start their life together. Love is the destination. And the wedding is the journey. 💫[23]
Pre-wedding shoots along with wedding photography have also become a big stake in Indian weddings. Average wedding shoots can cost from ₹15,000 to ₹100,000 per day.[24][25]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link), CBS News, February 12, 2012... It was widely expected that the custom of "arranged marriage," so called, would decline as India modernized and as an individualistic ethos took root ... vast majority (over 90%) of marriages in all communities ... surprisingly robust ...
