INDIAN COUPLES ARE exploring new wedding locations and planning large, personalized celebrations, according to a study commissioned by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Wyndham conducted the survey of 1,000 recently engaged or married individuals across India to market its 60 hotels in the country.
The study found that the couples are adding unique and scenic destinations such as Darjeeling, Amritsar, Mussoorie and Dehradun to traditional locations such as Goa, Udaipur and Jaipur in their wedding plans. It also found that large, multi-day weddings are resurging as couples look to make memories while balancing luxury with budget-conscious choices through a more collaborative, hands-on approach to wedding planning.
"Wyndham's wedding trend report reveals a shift toward unique, personalized wedding destinations like Goa and Udaipur reflecting a desire for more exclusive, meaningful experiences,” said Dimitris Manikis, Wyndham’s president EMEA. “While large and multi-day celebrations are making a comeback, it is great to see younger generations, especially Tech savvy Gen Z’s blending opulence with budget and sustainable-conscious choices, emphasising authenticity and collaboration. At Wyndham, we’re dedicated to helping couples create unforgettable and personalized weddings, making it a moment to remember."
Bigger, cheaper, better
The Wyndham study also found that guest lists for modern Indian weddings average 350 to 400 attendees. In the wake of the pandemic and driven by social and familial expectations, about 52 percent of surveyed couples embrace extravagant celebrations to create unforgettable memories, while 34 percent said social expectation is a driving factor.
At the same time, most couples keep the cost of their ceremonies under $29,000. About 35 percent of them want to showcase their weddings on social media and family and friends often pitch in to provide décor and planning. Also, 46 percent plan to spend up to 10 lakhs, around $12,000 on their weddings, indicating a preference for budget-conscious celebrations particularly among Gen Z.
“Despite budget awareness, couples are drawn to Instagrammable locations like beaches, rooftops, and mountain venues, balancing financial caution with the dream of a visually captivating event,” Wyndham said in a press release. “This blend of practicality and aspiration reflects a modern approach to weddings that values connection and style.”
Other findings in the study include:
- Some 11 percent of couples go to far-off locations while 40 percent celebrate in their home city or nearby family locations.
- About 36 percent of Gen X couples have adopted LED screens, 29 percent use digital invitations and 28 percent incorporate drone photography to capture aerial views of their celebrations.
- The study found a growing interest in zero-waste weddings, where couples, especially those in premium budget segments, are choosing sustainable options such as dried flowers, solar lanterns, recycled paper invitations and eco-friendly wedding favors.
“At Wyndham, we are committed to supporting couples in bringing their vision to life,” Manikis said. “Whether they choose an iconic destination like Udaipur, a quieter gem like Darjeeling or their hometown, we understand that every wedding is unique.”
In September, HotStats reported that a rise in wealth among 1.5 billion people in India is driving a surge in new travelers with increased disposable income, creating significant demand for hotel rooms across the subcontinent. This demand spans all asset classes, making it both easier and more challenging for developers and operators to determine what to build and operate.
