Indian Wedding Trends: Average expense up 12%, Winters preferred season, F&B top planning priority

WeddingWire India, a subsidiary of The Knot Worldwide, has unveiled its 2024 Newlywed Data Survey, highlighting significant trends and dynamics within the Indianwedding industryfor 2023. This comprehensive report, based on insights from couples who tied the knot last year, sheds light on rising costs, guest list dynamics, seasonal preferences, and wedding planning priorities.Rising costsThe average cost of an Indian wedding surged to INR 28 lakhs in 2023, a notable increase from INR 25 lakhs in 2022, reflecting a 12 per cent year-on-year growth in wedding expenditures. Additionally, 53 per cent of surveyed couples reported the need to revise their wedding budgets due to unforeseen expenses, emphasizing the importance of financial planning.Guest list dynamicsDespite a trend towards more intimate celebrations post-pandemic, a significant 59 per cent of couples opted for large weddings in 2023. The average guest list size reached 326, a 14 per cent increase from the previous year. This figure surpasses the average guest list sizes in the US (115) and the UK (80), underscoring the scale ofIndian weddings.

Season preferencesWinter emerged as the preferred season for weddings, with 48 per cent of couples choosing to tie the knot during this time. December led as the most popular wedding month, selected by 26 per cent of couples, followed by November at 23 per cent. The pleasant weather and numerous auspicious marriage dates in November contributed to its popularity.

Food and beverages topped the list of wedding planning priorities for over 60 per cent of couples, followed by creating a memorable experience for guests (55.4 per cent) and managing overall wedding costs (53.1 per cent).

Domestic air passenger traffic in India is projected to double by 2030, buoyed in part by a state-subsidised initiative that aims to connect underserved domestic airports and has shifted the development focus away from major metropolises such as Mumbai and Delhi towards fast-developing smaller cities such as Chandigarh and Hyderabad.

Top wedding trendsIndian weddings, while rooted in tradition, are increasingly embracing global trends. The survey revealed that 31 per cent of couples planned wedding favors for guests, 28 per cent incorporated eco-friendly initiatives, 23 per cent adopted the first-look trend from Western weddings, and another 23 per cent included choreographed dances to add a fun Bollywood element to their celebrations.Economic impactThe Indian wedding industry, the second-largest globally and fourth-largest in India, continues to grow despite pandemic challenges. This growth presents new opportunities for hotels, vendors, and entrepreneurs, driven by the rising cost of weddings.Adoption of technologyThe platform witnessed a 19.5 per cent increase in the adoption rate for wedding planning on the app compared to 2022, highlighting the growing reliance on technology in managing wedding preparations.

Anam Zubair, Director of Consumer Marketing at WeddingWire India, commented, “The Indian wedding industry continues to be a significant economic driver, witnessing remarkable growth year after year. The popularity of large weddings alongside the demand for intimate celebrations underscores the diversity within the Indian wedding market. Couples are redefining traditions to suit their individual preferences, creating a more inclusive and dynamic industry. The evolving growth in the tech sector brings wed-tech platforms to have higher rates of adoption across this diverse culture.”