Indians aren’t just getting married—they’re orchestrating grand spectacles. Picture extravagant private jets whisking couples to remote destinations, towering décor, regal invites, global celebrities serenading guests, designer attire, and gourmet menus. For this opulence and grandeur, families are shelling out money like never before. The India’s wedding industry is valued at an astounding ₹10 lakh crore ($130 billion), according to a recent report, just behind that of China ($170 billion).

30-40%Hike in enquiries forluxury weddings75%Enquiries about luxurious locationsRs 30 lakh-Rs 50 croreApprox budget for luxurydestination weddings(As shared by multiple wedding planners)Rs 10 lakh croreValuation of the Indian wedding industryNo 2The standing of the Indian wedding industry in terms of expenditure. Food and grocery sales take the top spot80 lakh-1 croreThe number of weddings in India annuallyOn average, Indians investtwice the amount in weddings than they do on education(Source: A report by brokerage firm Jefferies)
Photo and videography budgets have gone up from 3-4% to around 8%, depending on the venues. High-end venues for special shoots may charge around Rs3 lakh per day
Apoorv Mohan Shrivastav and Sanyogita Sao, from Plush Affairs, a wedding photography company

Sky’s the limit for spendsFrom modest affairs costing around Rs 12 lakh, to extravagant budgets rivalling those of Bollywood weddings, Indian weddings span a vast spectrum. “Saving for their kids’ weddings is something every parent has been doing since ages. It’s just that in the last few years, weddings have changed a lot. Now, sky’s the limit when it comes to luxury weddings which cost upwards of Rs 3 crore,” explains Darshan Shroff, partner, Momente Weddings. While Indians invest double in weddings compared to education, in the US, this number is the opposite, with weddings consuming half the budget allocated to education.
Offbeat lakeside destinations, royal venues in Rajasthan and the picturesque Kashmir have become popular wedding destinations in the country. At the same time, large groups prefer hosting weddings in their hometowns, like Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, but with big budgets
Ambika Gupta, the A-Cube Project

Guests’ preferences dictate the decor budgetApart from expenses on jewellery, apparel, catering, and event management, decor is stated as an underrated aspect of weddings. Himish Agarwal, CEO of Konark Events, explains “For example, some communities favour a grand experience overall, while others prioritise top-tier entertainment. Some guests want to see renowned artistes, skilled anchors, talented performers, photographers, and makeup artists at the wedding. International guests at destination weddings in India expect superb management and professional services. All these factors dictate the decor and event expenses of a wedding.”

Minimal weddings not out of the pictureWhile extravagant weddings hog the limelight, people from the wedding industry share that a lot of young couples also prefer smaller, more intimate affairs. “These naturally cost a lot less, ranging from Rs7-15 lakh at the most. Yet, they can be fantastic experiences, especially because they are far more personal,” shares Smriti Ahuja, co-owner of Circle Goa, a boutique hotel.
People are always pushing boundaries, drawing inspiration from the latest trends in showbiz and on social media. For instance, Bridgerton inspired a themed event we did this year. While not everyone can afford the full celeb wedding extravaganza, many aim for a scaled-down version of the same
Darshan Shroff, a wedding planner
Top wedding destinations: Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Karnataka
Rajasthan is a popular wedding destination for many. One can expect to spend between Rs 12 and 42 lakhs on renting a 5-star property alone. Exclusive venues in Udaipur and Jaipur may command higher prices
Saumitra Singh, Managing Director, The Tigress Resort & SPA, Ranthambore
The wedding budget breakup52%: Jewellery20%: Catering10%: Events10%: Clothing8%: Photography and videos(Approx numbers)