Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who got married in traditional Konkani and Sindhi ceremonies, at a resort overlooking Lake Como in Northern Italy on 15 November, 2018. PTI
There are few things Indians love as much as weddings. While dictionaries may define weddings simply as “marriage ceremonies”, in India, they represent much more. Indian weddings are extravagant celebrations that go beyond the conventional understanding of marriage ceremonies. In fact, a modest wedding is considered an oxymoron in the Indian context.
Spread across about three weeks, between late November and mid-December, close to four million weddings are expected to be held in India. Collectively, these weddings are projected to bring in a staggering $51 billion. This thriving industry sees Indians spending over $7 billion on jewellery, booking hotel rooms worth $600 million and purchasing apparels worth over a billion dollars each year.
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Destination weddings: The epitome of grandeur
While weddings in India are known for their opulence, the most extravagant among them are the big, fat destination weddings. India, with over 7,90,000 high-net-worth individuals, including 161 billionaires, has become a land of the rich and famous. The flourishing economy and celebrity endorsements have further amplified aspirations.
High-profile Indian families have taken destination weddings to a global level. Chartering flights, renting gondolas in Venice, hiring Michelin-starred chefs in Rome and even shutting down famous casinos in Monte Carlo are not uncommon for these elite celebrations. In 2022, popular destinations included Paris in France, Istanbul in Turkey, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast in Italy. This year’s itinerary features Rome and Lake Como in Italy, Cancun in Mexico and Budapest in Hungary.
Challenges for the Indian wedding business
Despite the glamour associated with international destination weddings, it poses a challenge for the Indian wedding business. While the average wedding can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $1,20,000, extravagant destination weddings can range from one to five million dollars. With over 600 thousand dollars spent on a two-day hotel booking for guests, the trend threatens the domestic wedding industry.
Government initiatives
Recognising the impact of destination weddings on the domestic economy, India’s Ministry of Tourism has launched a campaign to promote weddings within the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also voiced concerns about the trend, questioning the necessity of going abroad for weddings.
For many Indians, destination weddings may not be necessary, considering the diverse and picturesque locations within the country. States like Rajasthan, Goa, Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu offer beautiful landscapes and historical palaces, making India an ideal choice for destination weddings. As the debate continues, the grandeur and economics of Indian weddings remain a fascinating aspect of the country’s cultural and economic landscape.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.
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