The bride and groom walk side by side, making a grand couple entry as fireworks light up the sky and smoke swirls around them. A romantic song plays in the background, setting the mood just right, bringing smiles to faces, tears to eyes, and creating a moment that feels straight out of a movie. This is what defines an Indian wedding today, emotional, cinematic, and unforgettable.
But behind this dreamlike scene are the wedding planners, the real magicians who make it all happen. From curating the perfect menu to designing stunning décor, coordinating the vendors, managing the timeline, and handling last-minute surprises, they take care of everything. Every detail, big or small, is planned to perfection to turn someone’s once-in-a-lifetime moment into a seamless, magical celebration.
This attention to detail, which was previously handled by families, is now being handled by wedding services providers.
Upgraded experiences and amenities
This cultural shift is vividly reflected in the booming wedding services industry in India.
With rising disposable incomes among the upper-middle and middle classes, families are now more willing than ever to splurge on lavish celebrations, seeking bespoke services that promise unforgettable, picture-perfect weddings.
The pressure to create standout moments is further fuelled by the growing prestige attached to opulent, well-orchestrated ceremonies. Social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube have become digital mood boards, shaping aspirations and turning wedding planning into an immersive, high-stakes experience.
According to Palak Soni, founder of the Nagpur-based wedding service company SiyaDharWeddings, the growing obsession with presentation and appearance has been a key driver of the wedding services industry’s rapid growth.
“There is a real thirst for presentation these days. After the Covid crisis, many people turned to business as a way to bounce back financially. Weddings became more than just personal milestone, they became a canvas to display class, community, and connection. Families use these occasions to make a statement, foster new relationships and elevate their social standing. That’s where curated wedding planning comes in, it helps them stage that vision flawlessly,” Soni tells Media India Group.
Niveditha Nishanth, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Crimson and Cherry Wedding Planners, a Bengaluru-based wedding service company, notes that it is the need for different experiences among people that is driving the demand for wedding services.
“Weddings today are no longer just about attending the ceremony or being with the couple, it is all about the experience. People are going to great lengths to curate every detail, from choosing unique destinations and flying in artists to bringing in top chefs even at five-star venues to ensure the cuisine feels exclusive. It is this desire to create unforgettable experiences for guests that is driving the industry’s growth and accelerating its revenue,” Nishanth tells Media India Group.
According to Akshay Shinde, Events and Property Head at Elegance, wedding planning event company in Pune, it is not just the experience or the thirst for presentation that is fuelling the wedding services industry. He points out that the growing need for connection, along with improved infrastructure and the availability of quality amenities, is also driving the surge.
“It is post-Covid that people started wanting to celebrate more and socialise more. They felt that the gap in between had become too big. So, what we saw after Covid-19 was a clear rise in large-scale socialising and grand weddings. I will say that the pandemic played a major role in that shift. Plus, the infrastructure is improving day by day, especially in places like Pune. We are seeing top-notch amenities being developed across various vicinities. People are willing to spend more now because they are getting access to high-quality amenities, better planning and professional services,” Shinde tells Media India Group.
Personalisation, destinations and cuisine
Building on this momentum, the wedding industry has seen a sweeping transformation. Destination weddings are increasingly becoming the norm, driven by a desire for exclusive, scenic venues that create unforgettable experiences. The rise of online wedding platforms and apps has further fuelled this growth, making it easier for couples to organise everything from vendor bookings to virtual invites at their fingertips.
WeddingWire India, a Gurugram wedding service company reported a 13 pc year-over-year rise in destination weddings, a trend notably influenced by high-profile celebrations like the weddings organised by billionaire tycoons and Bollywood celebrities.
Today’s couples are not just seeking ceremonies they are curating experiences. Nearly half (48 pc) now prefer Asian destinations such as Thailand, Japan, and the Maldives for their natural beauty and accessibility, while 31 pc are drawn to the charm of European locales like the U.K., Spain, France, and Italy. From tropical coastlines to historic cities, the modern Indian wedding is going global, without losing its soul.
“One of the key things couples look for now is a great destination. And interestingly, even when the wedding is local, like here in Bengaluru, we still try to give it that destination feel. Guests are often put up in beautiful resorts or upscale hotels. It is no longer just about attending a wedding and going back home. The entire experience is curated, everyone, whether local or from out of town, stays together, celebrates together. The whole place transforms into a wedding hub. You will notice a growing number of venues in the city, which is designed specifically to offer that immersive, destination-style vibe,” adds Nishanth.
According to industry watchers, catering and venue services captured the largest share of the wedding market in 2024. This trend comes as no surprise, after all, the venue sets the stage for the entire celebration, while thoughtfully curated catering leaves a lasting impression on guests. As weddings become more experience-driven, couples are increasingly willing to invest in high-end venues and gourmet cuisine, driving a surge in demand for premium, customised offerings in these key categories.
“See, whoever the consumer is, the first thing they do is book the property because the venue is everything. If someone knows they want to host a large-scale wedding, they have likely already shortlisted locations. Like, ‘I want to do it in Jaipur’ or ‘If it is in Pune, then this is the place.’ It is all based on their lifestyle and affordability. In fact, top venues get booked 6 to 7 years in advance, I am saying this from my own experience. Even here, venues are blocked at least a year ahead because people know exactly how many rooms they will need, and they want to lock in the entire property. After that comes the food. Indians are food lovers, no doubt, but food is still secondary. Weddings, at their core, are about inviting guests and hosting them well, so food plays a big role, but after the venue. Then comes décor. And after that, everything else, what we call allied services. But the core pillars are clear, venue, food and decor. Without these three, you cannot have a wedding,” adds Shinde.
According to Soni, couples today want more than just the basics, venue, food and décor. They are seeking novelty and personalisation to make their weddings truly stand out. Eye-catching, culturally inspired themes are increasingly in demand, reflecting heritage or favourite destinations.
Even food is evolving, with live stations replacing traditional buffets. These interactive setups add flair and allow guests to customise their meals, making the dining experience more engaging and memorable.
“Most of the time, I see couples leaning toward traditional themes for their weddings, especially nowadays, the varmala trend is at its peak. A lot of people are going for Ram-Sita or Shiv-Shakti inspired themes, which bring a strong cultural and emotional connect to the celebration. At the same time, they also want something fresh and eye-catching. We design themed décor paired with unique experiences, such as grand entries featuring dance artists dressed to match the theme, customised songs, personal speeches, and even over-the-top hospitality for their guests. A newer trend that is really catching on is the wedding ‘Carnival.’ We create fun, vibrant themes like Rainbow, Dior, Sunflower or Lavender. These setups include game stalls, themed food counters, and interactive activities that allow guests to give real-time feedback and enjoy a more personalised experience. Live stations are a big hit, where guests can create their own soaps, perfumes, bracelets, wax bangles, or even caps with their initials. It is all about making the celebration more memorable and meaningful for everyone who attends,” adds Soni.
Building on this desire for personalisation and immersive experiences, the larger Indian wedding industry is also witnessing significant transformation.
Recognising these shifts, luxury hospitality brands are stepping up with tailored offerings. In October 2024, the Shangri-La, a leading luxury hospitality group, launched Bandhan by Shangri-La, a bespoke wedding service designed specifically for Indian couples. Debuting at Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, the programme blends traditional elements with contemporary luxury, offering curated experiences across over 90 properties in India and overseas.
The service includes dedicated wedding specialists, personalised gifting, and preferential room rates for guests.
Limits to happy ending
However, despite its rapid growth, the wedding services industry in India continues to face several challenges.
According to Shinde, regulatory and compliance hurdles remain a persistent concern, often complicating operations and limiting the industry’s full potential.
“If you look at the legal side, permissions, police NOCs, and licences like PPL, IPRS, NOAX, RMPL, they have become quite a hurdle. People do not want to spend so much on licences. For instance, if a DJ charges INR 50,000, the official licencing alone can go beyond USD 1,200. The industry really needs to come together on this. We are growing in terms of amenities and services, but the legal framework is lagging. The government should recognise this as a major revenue-generating sector and bring in proper regulations. Currently, there is no standard process. All stakeholders, citizens, authorities, music licensing bodies, need to align and create a smoother, unified compliance system,” adds Shinde.
According to Soni, unpredictable weather conditions and frequent changes in guest lists are among the primary challenges in wedding planning.
“When it comes to weddings, it really takes a whole army—everyone giving their best, right on time. Having regular meetings with the entire team makes coordination much smoother. One major issue we face is clients not sharing the full guest list. A sudden spike in guests means we always need a backup plan with catering. Weather is another big challenge, especially for outdoor or monsoon weddings. We usually go for setups that can be quickly rearranged if things get disrupted,” adds Soni.
However, according to Nishanth, one of the key issues plaguing the sector is the lack of entry barriers, which leads to inconsistent service quality and unprofessional practices.
“One major issue in this industry is the lack of standardisation and entry barriers. Anyone can become a wedding planner, even without experience or qualifications. That often leads to poor execution, which affects clients and damages the industry’s overall reputation. Weddings are once-in-a-lifetime events, and by the time clients realise something has gone wrong, it is usually too late. Setting basic qualifications or benchmarks would help ensure quality and protect clients. Another concern is safety, our teams work overnight, but there are no formal protocols. It all depends on the owner’s discretion, which needs to be addressed,” adds Nishanth.
