Big fat Indian wedding: Couples splurge for band, baaja, baaraat, with average budgets reaching Rs 36.5 lakh

Wedding season in India is witnessing a substantial increase in spending this year. According to a study by wedding planning firm WedMeGood, the average wedding budget has reached ₹36.5 lakh (approximately $44,000 USD), while destination weddings are averaging ₹51 lakh (approximately $61,500 USD). This represents a 7% overall increase compared to 2023.

Rising venue and catering costs, which have increased by over 10% year-on-year, are primarily driving the increased expenses. “Everyone wants the best possible wedding. People are spending the most on venue, followed by food and a good planning agency. In India, most households allocate the biggest budgets towards the purchase of house and weddings of their children,” Shashank Gupta, founder and director at wedding planning firm TailorMade Experiences, told TOI.

High-budget weddings, exceeding ₹1 crore, are predominantly destination weddings, a trend fueled by celebrity endorsements. These elaborate celebrations are reflecting a shift towards personalized and experiential events.


“The nature of weddings has changed. People are splurging on experiences. Gen Z couples, for instance, are holding events like cocktail mixing, gaming sessions, setting up top up restaurants at their wedding venues. Many couples are also introducing themed welcome dinners which is a very western concept showing how cultural influences are bending,” explained Mehak Sagar Shahani, co-founder at WedMeGood. This trend is also providing opportunities for new businesses like specialized caterers and artists.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) estimates 48 lakh weddings will occur between November and December, generating ₹6 lakh crore in business.

Weddings contribute significantly to India’s retail sales, and the increased number of auspicious dates this year is expected to further boost the sector. Social media and the desire for “Instagrammable” photos are also influencing wedding spending, with most couples relying on personal and family savings to finance these events.