Indian luxury wedding industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, with luxury celebrations taking centre stage
The Indian wedding market is expanding at an unprecedented pace, particularly in the luxury segment, fueled by a growing affluent population and evolving consumer aspirations. The sector is projected to grow by 6.5-7% annually in 2025, with high-end fashion, bespoke experiences, and immersive shopping playing pivotal roles in this surge.
In 2024, an estimated 4.8 million weddings were held, generating a staggering $70.4 billion in revenue. Notably, 9% of these weddings had budgets exceeding ₹1 crore, with over 60% of them being destination weddings, an indicator of the rising preference for opulent, experience-driven nuptials.
As per the latest reports, the Indian wedding industry is currently valued at approximately ₹10.79 lakh crore, nearly double the size of the U.S. wedding market. Today’s Traveller takes a deep dive into some of the factors behind the meteoric rise of ultra-luxury Indian weddings.
The Wedding as a Spectacle
In India, weddings are more than just a celebration; they are a statement of wealth, power, and social stature. What was once a deeply personal affair has evolved into a grand spectacle, where opulence knows no bounds. The past decade has witnessed an unprecedented rise in Indian luxury weddings, featuring multi-day celebrations at palatial venues, Michelin-starred catering, world-renowned entertainers, and couture ensembles that rival royal wardrobes. This transformation mirrors India’s economic boom and the ever-growing influence of globalisation, redefining weddings as extravagant, multi-million-pound affairs.
Indian luxury weddings have traditionally been elaborate, with rituals spanning several days. However, the scale and execution of modern Indian luxury weddings have reached heights previously unseen. According to a 2023 report by KPMG India, the Indian wedding industry is valued at over $75 billion, with high-net-worth families spending anywhere between $2 million and $15 million on a single wedding. Increasingly, families no longer view weddings merely as a personal milestone but as a global event, meticulously curated by international planners and stylists.
The Art of Curation: Wedding Designers, Planners, and Haute Couture
This transformation owes much to India’s elite Indian luxury weddings to planners and designers, who craft each wedding as an immersive experience. Industry pioneers such as Vandana Mohan of The Wedding Design Company and Manish Malhotra, known for his couture-inspired décor, have redefined luxury in Indian weddings.
They create themes inspired by European royal courts, Persian palaces, and even futuristic aesthetics, ensuring that no two weddings are alike. These planners collaborate with florists from France, lighting experts from Italy, and culinary artists from Japan, orchestrating events where every detail is curated to perfection.
The rise of Indian luxury weddings has also fuelled India’s couture industry. Brides are no longer confined to traditional red lehengas but commission custom ensembles from leading designers such as Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Tarun Tahiliani, and Falguni Shane Peacock. Some even collaborate with international fashion houses like Dior and Chanel to create personalised couture infused with Indian craftsmanship. Meanwhile, grooms embrace luxury with bespoke sherwanis woven with gold threads and accessories sourced from heritage jewellery houses
Destination Weddings: From Palaces to Private Islands
Indian couples are no longer bound by geography or tradition when selecting wedding venues. What was once confined to local banquet halls or traditional hometown gatherings has evolved into a grand showcase of vision, lifestyle, and storytelling. While regal palaces in Rajasthan—like the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur or the ethereal Lake Palace in Udaipur—continue to reign supreme, a growing number of affluent families are looking beyond Indian shores to curate Indian luxury weddings that are both extravagant and deeply personal.
In recent years, the allure of international destination weddings has surged. Europe’s romantic landscapes—from the rolling vineyards of Tuscany to the medieval castles of Scotland—offer a timeless, cinematic backdrop for those wanting an old-world European fairy tale. Meanwhile, the turquoise waters and powder-soft sands of the Maldives and Bora Bora promise tropical intimacy, often with entire private islands booked to ensure exclusivity.
For those drawn to snow-capped serenity, locations like the Dolomites in Italy or the Swiss Alps are being transformed into enchanting winter wonderlands complete with fireplaces, sleigh rides, and alpine luxury.
These Indian luxury weddings are not a day-long affair—they are immersive, multi-day celebrations meticulously choreographed to tell a story. It begins with welcome soirées where guests are greeted with handcrafted itineraries, personalised hampers, and often a dress code inspired by the destination itself. Day two may unfold into local cultural experiences—think Flamenco performances in Spain, tea ceremonies in Japan, or barefoot beach rituals in Thailand. Each element is a reflection of the couple’s personality and heritage, harmoniously blending Indian wedding customs with local traditions.
The ceremonies themselves are crafted with global flair. A mandap set against Santorini’s cliffs at sunset, pheras by a frozen lake in Finland, or a sangeet lit up under Moroccan lanterns in a desert camp—every visual is designed for awe. Chefs are flown in from Michelin-starred restaurants, menus are curated with a mix of local delicacies and Indian comfort food, and florists work across time zones to ensure the décor is both thematic and theatrical.
No detail is too small. Personalised concierge teams manage guest experiences end-to-end—flight coordination, spa bookings, sightseeing tours, babysitting services, and even tailored gifting. Technology plays a key role, with interactive wedding apps, real-time updates, and digital RSVPs streamlining the experience. Meanwhile, sustainability is becoming a priority, with some couples choosing eco-luxury resorts, plastic-free décor, and carbon-offset honeymoon packages.
What makes destination weddings truly extraordinary is their ability to transform a wedding into a shared adventure. Guests aren’t just attending—they’re participating in an experience. From intimate beach bonfires to vineyard picnics and mountaintop photo ops, each moment is steeped in connection, celebration, and unforgettable beauty.
Today’s Indian destination wedding is more than a union of two individuals; it’s a seamless fusion of cultures, opulence, emotion, and imagination. It’s a celebration not only of love, but of lifestyle—and it’s unfolding in the world’s most exquisite corners.
The Entertainment Extravaganza
No luxury wedding is complete without high-profile entertainment, and the stakes have never been higher. Gone are the days when a few Bollywood dance performances would suffice. Today, couples seek world-class musical acts, private concerts, and immersive theatrical performances that rival international music festivals.
These destination weddings often span several days, with entire luxury resorts reserved exclusively for guests. Every element is meticulously planned, from welcome soirées and curated cultural experiences to lavish post-wedding brunches and personalised concierge services for attendees. The emphasis is not just on luxury but on crafting an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience that extends beyond the couple to everyone in attendance.
From global icons like Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, and Coldplay to exclusive performances by Bollywood’s biggest stars, these weddings leave no stone unturned in delivering a spectacular show. The Ambani wedding in 2018, where Beyoncé performed at a private pre-wedding celebration, set a new benchmark for wedding entertainment. Since then, international headliners have become an essential part of India’s ultra-luxury wedding landscape, with families willing to pay exorbitant sums for top-tier acts.
Beyond musical performances, these weddings often feature aerial dancers, interactive digital art installations, fireworks displays, and choreographed processions, ensuring that guests are entertained at every turn.
The Role of Social Media, Personal Branding, and Sustainability
In the digital age, social media has revolutionised the wedding industry, with ultra-luxury weddings turning into global spectacles thanks to professional content curation.
Couples now hire digital storytellers, cinematographers, and social media strategists to document their weddings in a way that resonates with their personal brand.
From Instagram-worthy décor to cinematic wedding films and custom wedding hashtags, every element is carefully designed for online visibility.
The modern bride and groom do not just want a beautiful wedding; they want a wedding that trends, setting new standards for luxury and aspiration. Planners, venues, and designers are now chosen with social media in mind, ensuring that the event will be nothing short of picture-perfect.
Interestingly, despite the grandeur of ultra-luxury weddings, an emerging trend is the integration of sustainability. Many high-profile families are incorporating eco-conscious elements into their celebrations, demonstrating that luxury and responsibility can go hand in hand.
Zero-waste catering, locally sourced flowers, and repurposable décor are becoming increasingly popular.
Some couples are moving towards digital invitations instead of paper, while others are investing in carbon-neutral travel arrangements for their guests.
One of the most high-profile examples of this trend was Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding celebrations in 2024, where solar-powered décor, plant-based cuisine, and sustainable fashion were key elements.
This shift highlights a growing awareness that even the most opulent weddings can be mindful of their environmental impact, setting a precedent for future celebrations.
The Future of Ultra-Glam Indian Weddings
As India’s elite continue to push the boundaries of luxury, the ultra-luxury wedding market is poised for even greater expansion. The future will see an even more seamless blend of tradition and modernity, with immersive technology, augmented reality experiences, and metaverse-based pre-wedding celebrations becoming mainstream.
From digital wedding invitations that incorporate personalised AI-generated messages to interactive holograms of distant relatives attending virtually, the wedding industry is set to embrace futuristic innovations while retaining its deep-rooted traditions.
Ultimately, these extravagant weddings are not just about wealth, they are about legacy. The modern Indian wedding is a showcase of status, creativity, and meticulous planning, ensuring that long after the last guest has departed and the final firework has faded, the event remains etched in memory as an extraordinary celebration of love, culture, and grandeur.
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