India-friendly, peace-loving destinations on newly weds' itineraries 'post-war': Experts
What wedding planners learned during the COVID pandemic will hold them in stead during these uncertain times, say industry leaders
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Published: May 13, 2025 3:23 PM | 3 min read
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What do tensions across the India-Pakistan border mean for wedding celebrations in India? While wedding planners are apprehensive about many well-heeled NRIs coming into India in the next few weeks or months, they are confident that the political situation will return to normal ahead of the winter wedding season.
Parthip Thyagarajan, co-founder and CEO of WeddingSutra, shares his insights, “Wedding related travel has seen an exponential growth in the last few years, especially post covid. While only 10 to 12% of affluent Indians have destination weddings, this is expected to rise much more. However, unlike travel for vacations by families and couples, wedding travel comes with a huge responsibility. On the one hand, hosts want to travel to a new place with their loved ones. But in recent times, practical issues have come to the fore, be it distance or travel to safe destinations as the recent events have shown.”
The biggest change will be a shift from some popular destinations. While Turkey has been a popular destination wedding spot for super rich Indians for long, the popularity of Azerbaijan has grown a little in recent years. However, in the post-war scenario, this is likely to take a dip. Aakash Doshi of Zesst Events & Weddings says that a lot of families will consider India-friendly destinations and peace-loving countries. “Because they don’t want to host a wedding in a country that is not an ally/friend of India,” he adds. Southeast Asia and the UAE will continue to host many big budget Indian weddings.
“Domestic destinations will get a further boost,” says Pooja Doshi of Elusive Dreams, adding “Rajasthan, Goa, and Kerala will continue to flourish. Hometown weddings will continue to boom with newer properties like Fairmont Mumbai, and properties close to Thane, and Navi Mumbai. In addition, power wedding venues like the Taj Mahal Palace and JIO World Convention Center will continue to host the grandest receptions in Mumbai."
Anchaviyo by Zuper, an exclusive 120 room resort, close to Mumbai, has seen twofold growth in inquiries in the last couple of weeks. Akaal Manchanda, Director of Zuper Hotels and Resorts says, “While families are happy to travel to locations across the world, they are also looking at places one can drive to. So, properties like Anchaviyo by Zuper fill that need. Many more inquiries are expected for Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.”
The challenge that the last week has posed has been one of indecision, says Chetan Chouhan of Mokshiva Wedding & Events. “Decision making has been delayed in the last week, and the next week will continue to be uncertain. However, planners will continue to work in the face of this uncertainty. Weddings will not be affected. However, the hosts will be cognisant of the fact that they are taking on the responsibility of 200-300 guests and wouldn’t want them to be stranded somewhere.”
Thyagarajan adds, “What planners learned during the COVID pandemic will hold them in stead during these uncertain times. This is, of course, a very short-term challenge and nothing close to what they experienced during the pandemic.”
Parthip Thyagarajan, co-founder and CEO of WeddingSutra, shares his insights, “Wedding related travel has seen an exponential growth in the last few years, especially post covid. While only 10 to 12% of affluent Indians have destination weddings, this is expected to rise much more. However, unlike travel for vacations by families and couples, wedding travel comes with a huge responsibility. On the one hand, hosts want to travel to a new place with their loved ones. But in recent times, practical issues have come to the fore, be it distance or travel to safe destinations as the recent events have shown.”
The biggest change will be a shift from some popular destinations. While Turkey has been a popular destination wedding spot for super rich Indians for long, the popularity of Azerbaijan has grown a little in recent years. However, in the post-war scenario, this is likely to take a dip. Aakash Doshi of Zesst Events & Weddings says that a lot of families will consider India-friendly destinations and peace-loving countries. “Because they don’t want to host a wedding in a country that is not an ally/friend of India,” he adds. Southeast Asia and the UAE will continue to host many big budget Indian weddings.
“Domestic destinations will get a further boost,” says Pooja Doshi of Elusive Dreams, adding “Rajasthan, Goa, and Kerala will continue to flourish. Hometown weddings will continue to boom with newer properties like Fairmont Mumbai, and properties close to Thane, and Navi Mumbai. In addition, power wedding venues like the Taj Mahal Palace and JIO World Convention Center will continue to host the grandest receptions in Mumbai."
Anchaviyo by Zuper, an exclusive 120 room resort, close to Mumbai, has seen twofold growth in inquiries in the last couple of weeks. Akaal Manchanda, Director of Zuper Hotels and Resorts says, “While families are happy to travel to locations across the world, they are also looking at places one can drive to. So, properties like Anchaviyo by Zuper fill that need. Many more inquiries are expected for Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.”
The challenge that the last week has posed has been one of indecision, says Chetan Chouhan of Mokshiva Wedding & Events. “Decision making has been delayed in the last week, and the next week will continue to be uncertain. However, planners will continue to work in the face of this uncertainty. Weddings will not be affected. However, the hosts will be cognisant of the fact that they are taking on the responsibility of 200-300 guests and wouldn’t want them to be stranded somewhere.”
Thyagarajan adds, “What planners learned during the COVID pandemic will hold them in stead during these uncertain times. This is, of course, a very short-term challenge and nothing close to what they experienced during the pandemic.”
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