It seems the destination wedding trend is here to stay. A recent survey by Onepoll, commissioned by Skyscanner, found that a significant 85 percent of Indian respondents are planning or have already had a destination wedding. Held in July 2024, the survey involved 2,000 respondents from across India.
Influenced by lavish events like the Ambani wedding celebrations, millennials and Gen Z are increasingly drawn to the unique and adventurous experiences that destination weddings offer, the “Destination ‘I Do’” survey reveals. While 33 percent of millennials are considering international or domestic destinations, Gen Z respondents show an even stronger preference for destination weddings, with 49% planning to tie the knot outside their hometown.
The survey reveals Asia as the primary choice for 48 percent of respondents, especially destinations like the Maldives, Thailand, and Japan. However, 31 percent of couples are drawn to European destinations like Italy, Spain, the UK, and France. Goa, Bangkok, Dubai, and Bali are popular with Indian couples seeking a blend of luxury and culture.
As far as scenic destinations go, 19 percent of the survey respondents showed a preference for Tuscany, Lake Como, or Mussoorie, while another 19 percent considered glamorous destinations such as New York, Dubai, or Bahrain. Further, 26 percent of respondents said they would prefer a romantic beach destination wedding, while another 20 percent would go for wedding destinations with royal palaces and an air of opulence like Udaipur and Jaipur.
While destination weddings offer unique experiences, the cost is an important factor for many couples. The survey found that while 45 percent of respondents are willing to increase their wedding budget by up to 50 percent for a memorable destination celebration, 83 percent of couples are open to exploring lesser-known destinations like Kalimpong and Gokarna to save costs and avoid crowds. The survey also reveals that 62 percent of the respondents begin planning their destination wedding at least 12 months in advance.
Mohit Joshi, Skyscanner’s Travel Trends and Destination Expert, highlights the growing trend of destination weddings in India, noting that couples are prioritising unique experiences and willing to invest in creating memorable celebrations.
“Recent high-profile weddings have inspired more Indians to mark their wedding milestones with memorable celebrations such as destination weddings… But it’s not just about splurging — couples are thoughtfully planning every detail, balancing grand gestures with savvy choices.” However, it’s essential to balance these aspirations with budgetary constraints. “Our survey shows that for 41 percent of respondents in India, prioritising cost when picking destination wedding venues is key,” Joshi adds.
Planning to tie the knot soon? Check out our story on 10 enchanting wedding destinations for your big day.
(Feature image credit: Nishant Jha/Shutterstock)
Related: Why Cruise Weddings Are The Next Big Thing
Note:The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
