Indian Couples Flock To International Destinations For Weddings: A Multi-Million Dollar Business

India’s wedding culture has long been associated with extravagant celebrations and rituals. Now the destination wedding trend is simply a natural evolution of this lavish tradition.

It reflects a new era where younger couples prioritise unique experiences and personalised celebrations while continuing to uphold their cultural values.

The trend of destination weddings has skyrocketed, especially among the affluent Indian community. Once a niche luxury, these lavish celebrations now play a pivotal role in boosting economies from Vietnam to Turkey and beyond.

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While destination weddings have long been a staple of wealthy families in the West, India has emerged as a powerful player in this burgeoning industry. As more young couples choose exotic locales for their nuptials, the ripple effect is being felt in the global tourism sector.

According to a Bloomberg report, a couple named Abhishek Bajaj and Parasha Dhanda, who met at a friend’s wedding in Agra, chose Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam as the venue for their celebration, far away from the bustling crowds and large-scale celebrations typical of Indian weddings.

They were determined to create a more intimate, personal experience for their 180 guests. But even in their desire for simplicity, the wedding still required elaborate logistics.

The island lacked a horse for Bajaj’s baraat (the groom’s procession), so they arranged for one to be ferried over 250 miles from Ho Chi Minh City.

Additionally, over two dozen musicians and entertainers were flown in to ensure the event had the unmistakable flavor of an Indian wedding.

This growing preference for destination weddings reflects a shift among younger Indian couples. Traditionally, weddings in India are grand affairs, often stretching over several days, complete with intricate rituals, grand feasts, live music, and vibrant dance performances.

However, millennials are now moving away from the sprawling, family-heavy weddings in favor of more intimate, personalised celebrations abroad.

As per Bloomberg, nearly 50% of the 2,000 Indian couples surveyed last year indicated they would consider hosting their weddings in international destinations.

These weddings are not only more personal but also contribute significantly to the economies of the host countries.

From hotel bookings to catering, entertainment, and travel, each wedding can easily generate revenue of over $1 million.

In 2023, India’s wedding expenditure was a staggering $130 billion, which is double the wedding spending in the United States and is expected to grow at a rate of 20% annually.

While only a small fraction of these weddings, around 5,000 annually, take place overseas, they account for a substantial portion of this spending, with estimates suggesting a $5.8 billion contribution to the global economy.

This increasing flow of Indian weddings to international locales has not gone unnoticed. Countries are eager to capitalise on this lucrative trend, offering enticing packages to attract Indian couples.

For example, Abu Dhabi’s convention bureau is enticing couples with free visas for wedding guests, and Singapore’s tourism board has partnered with Indian wedding planners to promote the city as a top destination for nuptials.

Turkey’s cities like Istanbul and Antalya are also seeing significant growth in Indian wedding tourism, capitalizing on their picturesque backdrops and luxury services.

Hotels and resorts around Asia have adapted to cater to this growing demand, offering bespoke wedding packages tailored specifically to Indian traditions.

Leading hotel chains such as Marriott and Hilton have seen an uptick in Indian weddings at their properties in destinations like Bali, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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Marriott reports that Indian destination weddings at their Asian hotels grew by over 30% in the five years leading up to 2024, with spending for these events increasing by half.

Similarly, Hilton’s Conrad Bali saw a significant jump in Indian weddings in 2024, leading them to hire Indian chefs to better cater to their guests’ culinary preferences.

Thailand, in particular, has become a hotspot for Indian weddings. Known for its idyllic beaches and luxury resorts, the country has set up an entire ecosystem to accommodate Indian couples.

From mandaps (wedding pavilions) to henna artists, Indian caterers, and musicians, Thailand has all the ingredients for a perfect destination wedding.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the lavish celebrations of Indian weddings bring significant business to hotels and local vendors, with some wedding events reaching costs as high as $1 million.

The report stated that Thailand’s tourism officials are working closely with the local hospitality industry to further enhance infrastructure and cater to the needs of these high-spending wedding parties.

 The luxury of a multi-day wedding, often accompanied by pre- and post-wedding events, provides an economic boost for the entire region.

Krishna Patel, executive director of the Thai Indian Wedding Association, highlights the growth in wedding tourism, noting that the influx of Indian weddings has created jobs for local musicians, caterers, decorators, and event planners, as per Bloomberg.