India’s destination wedding market is shifting from the traditional “big fat Indian wedding” towards smaller, experience-led celebrations rooted in culture, spirituality and place, industry leaders said at the FHRAI 56th Annual Convention at Taj Ganges, Varanasi, on August 22.
Speaking at the session “Sacred Vows, Spectacular Venues: The Future of Destination Weddings in India,” curated by Shriji Huzur Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Ji Mewar of Udaipur, and moderated by Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Mumbai and Roswyn, A Morgans Originals Hotel, panellists said couples are increasingly prioritising meaningful experiences over guest numbers.
Jueta Hemdev, Founder, Yolo Events, said a wedding with 92 guests at a temple had cost “five times” what a 500-guest palace wedding would have cost. “Experience is the new luxury. Luxury is all in the details,” she said, highlighting personalised guest experiences and meaningful rituals.
Dr Jaideep Mehta, Founder, True Events, said that sacred destinations such as Kashi are gaining relevance as younger generations seek to reconnect with their roots. “Palaces are great, grandiose is great, experiences are great. But getting married at sacred places like Kashi, is truly momentous,” he said.
The panel also debated whether sacred experiences can be recreated inside urban hotels. While Hemdev said “sacred is a feeling which cant be recreated,” Mehta said that the authenticity of the destination remains irreplaceable.
Divya Chadha, Founder & Director, A Klass Apart, said India’s strongest competitive advantage lies in its combination of destinations, experiences and hospitality. “You will never get the same sort of hospitality when it comes down to it,” she said.
The discussion also put sustainability and local economic participation at the centre of destination weddings. Mehta said the “third win” must be for the destination itself, stressing the need to prevent mega events from burdening or polluting cities.
Hemdev added that local suppliers and talent are essential to creating an authentic destination experience. “What you get from the local suppliers and local talent is what creates the true experience of being at that destination,” she said.
