From trends to expert views, explore how wedding segment will steer the growth of tourism and hospitality this year.
Amita Pandey
India’s rich wedding traditions evolve each year, weaving fresh trends into the cultural fabric. These shifts spark new demands, compelling industry players to adapt and innovate. As 2025 unfolds, experts explore the emerging trends set to redefine the future of weddings and revealed how much the wedding segment will contribute to their business this year.
Business Insights
Revealing an impressive contribution of the wedding segment to Royal Orchid Hotel’s revenue in 2024, Philip Logan, Chief Operating Officer, Royal Orchid Hotel, said “With over 1,000 weddings hosted across Royal Orchid and Regenta Hotels, the segment contributed a remarkable 22 per cent of our total revenue, indicating the strong demand for premium venues and services in previous year.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Logan anticipated a moderate uptick in room rates during the wedding season, driven by surging demand and inflation. “We project weddings to account for around 30 per cent of our overall business this year, reflecting their pivotal role in our growth strategy,” he added.
Emphasising the far-reaching benefits of weddings, Vikas Suri, Vice President, Operations & Development, Lords Hotels & Resorts, noted, “Beyond venue rentals and catering, weddings generate additional revenue through accommodations, spa treatments, and pre-wedding celebrations such as sangeet and mehendi ceremonies. At some of our properties, weddings contribute as much as 20 to 30 per cent of total annual revenue.” However, the wedding planner, Abhishek Poddar, CEO, Colossal Weddings & Events, called for the availability of more venues as he anticipates an upward curve in the demand. “India still lacks sufficient venues to meet this growing demand,” Poddar remarked.
Wedding trends for 2025
Painting an exciting picture of the evolving wedding landscape for 2025, Logan underscored, “In 2025, we anticipate a surge in personalised and experiential weddings, with themes rooted in sustainability, cultural heritage, and technology integration taking center stage. Couples are leaning towards intimate gatherings but with elevated budgets per guest, prioritising curated and memorable experiences.” With similar opinion, Suri, remarked, “Our religious destinations such as Nathdwara, Somnath, and Dwarka have seen an increase in enquiries related to intimate weddings.” In fact, Poddar too recognised the surge in demand for intimate events. He elaborated, “While some are willing to invest in extravagant celebrations, others are opting for intimate gatherings to keep costs down. The market is diverse, with clients spanning from lavish affairs to more modest affairs.
Referring to other trends, Logan added, “The growing appetite for destination weddings is unmistakable. To meet this demand, we are actively expanding our portfolio.” Suri concurred, “Scenic and exotic locales outside hometowns are becoming the go-to choice for many couples for destination weddings. Popular destinations within our group include Udaipur, Jaipur, Goa, Karjat, and Jammu.”
In addition to that, highlighting the continuous demand for sustainable weddings, Suri averred, “Couples are increasingly embracing eco-friendly practices, prompting hotels to offer sustainable options such as zero-waste catering, organic or locally sourced flowers, and eco-conscious decor.”
Chetan Vohra, Co-Founder & Director of Weddingline, reflected on the 2024 wedding scene, which was marked by lavish, multi-event celebrations alongside intimate affairs. “However, in 2025, there will be a growing awareness around sustainability, especially since weddings contribute significantly to waste. Locally sourced products and artisans will take center stage,” he added. Regarding budgets, Vohra noted, “Wedding budgets are a matter of personal choice—those with the means are spending, but with a growing emphasis on making every penny count.”
Exclusive incentives
While speaking about the unique offerings of Royal Orchid Hotel for wedding segment, Logan informed, “We offer tailor-made packages including venue decor, gourmet catering, exclusive bridal suites, and complimentary honeymoon stays. Our maximum capacity for hosting weddings varies by property, with our largest venue accommodating up to 2,000 guests.”
Key amenities, he noted, include state-of-the-art banquet halls, picturesque outdoor spaces, and expert event planners. “Our team handles every detail of the wedding logistics, from vendor coordination to guest accommodations. We also offer pre-and post-wedding activities, including rejuvenating spa services, heritage tours, and themed brunches ensuring everything is seamless.”
Speaking about their brand’s special wedding package, Suri emphasised, “Lagan by Lords is more than just a wedding service; it is a curated experience blending the warmth of traditional Indian hospitality with the comfort of modern luxuries. To make your special day even more extraordinary, we include a 2-night, 3-day complimentary stay for the bride and groom, complete with candlelight dinners and a rejuvenating couple’s spa once during their visit.”
Tech-driven weddings
Emphasising the role of technology in wedding planning in 2025, Logan, said “We harness platforms like WhatsApp Business and Metaverse to help clients visualise setups and make informed decisions. In 2025, we expect AI-driven personalisation, augmented reality for decor previews, and blockchain to bring enhanced transparency to contracts.” Highlighting how technology is streamlining wedding management in hotels, Suri pointed out, “Our chatbots and virtual assistants handle wedding inquiries. We have also introduced Tablets on guest tables, allowing guests to explore food and beverage options directly from their seats.”
In case of wedding planners, Poddar said, “Technology has helped a lot in managing the guest list, and logistics pretty smoothly.” In addition to that, Vohra said, “Now, everything has become tech-oriented, everything is on the app. So, right from your travel, it has played a very important role in easing off the ecosystem in terms of dependability, wastage, and sustainability practices.”
Wedding destinations
Experts predict that destination weddings will upswing in 2025, with certain locations stealing the spotlight. According to Poddar, Jaipur and Goa continue to dominate the Indian destination wedding scene. Emerging hotspots like Mahabalipuram, Kovalam, and Kochi are gaining momentum. On gobal front, he believed that Thailand and Vietnam will remain top picks for Indian couples.
Highlighting the ‘Wed in India’ initiative of Indian government, aimed at attracting foreign couples to celebrate their special day in India, Vohra remarked that India is steadily becoming a trending brand in the global wedding market. He agreed with Poddar that for domestic travellers, Rajasthan and Goa remain perennial favourites. Lesser-explored gems like Jaisalmer and Kishangarh are also emerging destinations due to increasing number of luxury hotels. He also noted, “Rajasthan is promoting unknown destinations like Dholpur, home to breathtaking palaces now transformed into captivating hotels—perfect for intimate weddings hosting 200 to 250 guests.
For Vohra, when it comes to international wedding destinations, the UAE and the Middle East have stepped up, offering attractive packages as most Indian weddings, which traditionally take place between October and February or March, Europe is often off the table due to its chilly winters during these months. “Additionally, Maldives has begun easing restrictions on certain venues for Indian rituals, which has boosted its appeal as a wedding destination for Indian couples and has made it a rising star for them,” Vohra added.
Inputs from Surbhi Sharma
Nathdwara, Somnath, and Dwarka have seen an increase in enquiries related to intimate weddings.
Maldives has begun easing restrictions on certain venues for Indian rituals, which has boosted its appeal as a wedding destination for Indian couples Destinations in focus
Domestic
Rajasthan, Goa, Mahabalipuram, Kovalam, Cochin, Karjat, Jammu, Nathdwara, Somnath, and Dwarka
International
UAE, Middle East, Maldives, Thailand, and Vietnam
