India’s wedding industry is thriving, with the upcoming 2023 wedding season projected to generate a staggering Rs 4.74 lakh crore. The allure of destination weddings has captivated affluent Indians, prompting them to seek nuptial celebrations abroad. This begs the question: what are the costs associated with these extravagant affairs? Furthermore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Indians to “Wed in India” raises curiosity as to the underlying reasons behind this appeal.
Nandkishore Shukla, a fifty-year-old man from Delhi, couldn’t help but shed tears during his eldest daughter’s ‘vidaai’ ceremony. However, amidst the emotions, he felt an overwhelming sense of contentment in his heart. This contentment was unique to a father, despite the fact that the wedding expenses had exceeded the estimated budget by several lakhs. Originally, Shukla had planned to spend Rs 35 lakh, but ultimately ended up spending over Rs 50 lakh on the wedding.
Nandkishore Shukla’s family had not celebrated a wedding since 2003, making this occasion particularly special. Shukla reflects on the significant changes that have occurred over the past two decades. Previously, the haldi and mehandi rituals were not accompanied by much fanfare, and bachelor’s or bachelorette parties were not customary, as Shukla recalls.
The recent wedding in Nandkishore Shukla’s family marked a significant milestone, as it was the first one since 2003. Shukla observes the remarkable transformations that have taken place over the past 20 years. In the past, the haldi and mehandi rituals were not accompanied by the same level of excitement, and bachelor’s or bachelorette parties were not part of the wedding festivities, as Shukla reminisces.
The Indian wedding industry has always been a lucrative business, but its exponential growth in recent years is unprecedented. With an increase in income and disposable income, people are now willing to spend extravagantly on their special day, aiming to create memories that will last a lifetime.
The scale of the Indian wedding industry is truly massive. It ranks among the top five industries in India, encompassing both goods and services. According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the 2023 wedding season is projected to witness approximately 38 lakh weddings, contributing to a staggering business worth around Rs 4.74 lakh crore.
To put this into perspective, the amount spent by Indians during a single wedding season surpasses the GDP of numerous countries. It highlights the immense economic impact and significance of the Indian wedding industry.
The increasing inclination to customize and create unforgettable wedding experiences is driving Indians to spend significantly more. Consequently, there is a substantial demand for wedding planners, as they cater to this need.
The increasing inclination to customize and create unforgettable wedding experiences is driving Indians to spend significantly more. Consequently, there is a substantial demand for wedding planners, as they cater to this need.
Do you remember the successful duo of Anushka Sharma and Ranveer Singh in the movie ‘Band Baajaa Baarat’? They portrayed characters who started a wedding management company called ‘Shaadi Mubarak’.
In a similar vein, Agnnishakti Singh established Madam Planners a few years after the release of Band Baaja Baarat in 2010. Reflecting on the changing trends in weddings, Agnnishakti explains that a decade ago, weddings were elegant and traditional. However, with the influence of the entertainment industry and the internet, people now aspire to have extravagant weddings akin to those of celebrities. This has led to a significant increase in customization and personalization of weddings.
Having entered the wedding business seven years ago, Agnnishakti now plans approximately 24 weddings per year. Throughout their journey, Madam Planners has organized weddings with budgets ranging from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 3 crore. Agnnishakti, who hails from Delhi but is currently based in Mumbai, highlights that the bulk of the wedding budget is typically allocated to the venue, including food and beverages (F&B). Additionally, significant expenses are incurred for decor set-up, photography teams, and make-up artists.
The wedding planner highlights that the trend of investing in designer clothes for the families of the bride and groom is gaining popularity among people with various budgets. Additionally, Agnnishakti mentions that celebrity cinematographers are in high demand despite their expensive fees. According to her, both designer clothes and a skilled cinematographer contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic value of the wedding content.
The increasing popularity of destination weddings in India can be attributed to the value placed on wedding venues within the country. Wedding planner Saksham Sharma explains that people often want to showcase their weddings and are willing to spend on the best banquet halls or hotels they can afford. However, these venues charge exorbitant amounts on auspicious days, leading many individuals to opt for destination weddings instead. The allure of destination weddings lies in the opportunity to spend a similar amount of money, around Rs 1 crore, in a foreign locale such as Thailand. This not only adds a fun element to the wedding but also provides the tag of getting married in an international setting, enhancing the bragging rights associated with the event.
HOW MUCH DOES A DESTINATION WEDDING COST?
Naturally, the cost of a destination wedding will vary depending on the location and the number of guests. However, approximately how much would a destination wedding cost?
We asked wedding planner Agnnishakti for an estimated figure.
“For destination weddings in India, let’s say with a guestlist of 200 people, the cost will start from around Rs 80-90 lakh at a 4-star equivalent property,” says Agnnishakti. “If we choose to go outside the country, such as to Thailand, Bali, or Dubai, the budget will start from Rs 1.2 crore,” she adds.
Agnnishakti refers to it as a “financial leap” and mentions that more and more people are opting for it now.
Saksham Sharma acknowledges the increasing trend of people spending more on weddings and the absence of strict budgets compared to earlier times. When it comes to selecting wedding destinations, Saksham explains that it primarily depends on the couple’s requirements. They provide their budget and preferred locations, and the decision is based on the budget. For instance, if someone has a budget of Rs 5 crore, Saksham would suggest a country like Italy instead of Thailand.
Saksham further elaborates that the minimum budget for a destination wedding, at a basic price, is Rs 2 crore for around 150 guests in a regular hotel. This includes buying out the property for the specific dates. If one opts for a simpler wedding, the cost ranges between Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 2 crore in Thailand. Additionally, Saksham mentions that some hotels even offer credit loans to individuals planning extravagant weddings.
The reason behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to “wed in India” is the significant amount of money involved in weddings, particularly destination weddings. In his ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address in November, PM Modi expressed concern over the trend of “big families” organizing weddings abroad. He proposed the idea of starting a movement called ‘Wed in India’, similar to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, to encourage weddings to take place within the country.
The Prime Minister’s request is clearly motivated by the desire to prevent India’s money from leaving the country. Agnnishakti Singh of Madam Planners supports this initiative and believes that encouraging Indians to have destination weddings within India would be beneficial for the economy and local vendors. However, Saksham believes that certain changes need to be made, such as reducing the charges of hotels and banquet halls, in order to attract Indians to organize their weddings within the country. Despite these challenges, India offers a wide range of breathtaking locations for destination weddings, including Goa, Rajasthan, Himachal, the Andamans, and the northeast states. In recent years, there has been a shift in spending powers, with young couples now willing to share their wedding expenses with their parents.
In September, Riya Kapur tied the knot with Pranshu Suri at Fairmont Jaipur, a luxurious 5-star property, in the presence of approximately 300 guests.
According to Riya, although a significant amount was spent on the three-day celebration, she believes it was all worth it when she reflects on the enchanting moments shared with loved ones.
Riya, who chose to have a destination wedding within the country, fully supports PM Modi’s ‘Wed in India’ concept.
“I believe it’s a remarkable initiative. India is abundant in heritage, culture, and iconic venues. Whether it’s the serene hills, picturesque beaches, or majestic forts, the options for venues are limitless. There is a wide array of entertainment choices and world-class cuisine. Therefore, this could undeniably provide a substantial boost to the Indian economy,” expresses Riya.
The trend of more and more Indians opting for Indian wedding destinations is likely to continue in the future