The wedding season has begun in India in November. According to reports by a national organization of businesses, approximately 38 lakh weddings are expected in the next few days, with an estimated expenditure of at least 4.74 lakh crore rupees. Interestingly, weddings in India are becoming more opulent and grandiose with each passing year.
There’s a trend of destination weddings gaining popularity, with many people preferring to get married abroad. While this might seem appealing to the individuals and their families, it does have an impact on the country’s economy, as highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent “Mann Ki Baat” address. He expressed concerns about Indians choosing to have destination weddings overseas, emphasizing that if they held these ceremonies within the country, it would contribute to strengthening the economy.
The estimated wedding expenditure in Delhi alone is projected to reach around 1.25 lakh crore rupees this season, with a significant portion contributing to India’s economy. However, the trend of destination weddings could potentially impact India’s economy negatively as significant amounts of money are spent abroad.
Regarding the choice of wedding destinations, individuals base their preferences on their financial capabilities. Over the past few years, places like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia have seen a surge in demand for wedding venues. Additionally, within India, cities like Udaipur, Jaipur, Goa, Kerala, and others are popular choices for luxurious weddings.
Destination weddings are becoming a primary choice due to the desire to make the wedding day special and memorable. Moreover, entrusting the arrangements to hotels or other venues relieves families from the responsibilities, allowing them to enjoy the occasion.
Economically, a significant portion of the wedding expenses, around 50%, goes into purchasing items related to the ceremony, while the remaining goes into hotel bookings and other arrangements. However, this poses a concern for those reliant on the wedding season for their income, such as photographers and businesses associated with weddings.
The extravagant portrayal of weddings in Indian cinema, specifically Bollywood, contributes to the desire for lavish weddings. People often draw inspiration from movies, wanting their weddings to resemble those depicted on screen.
Prime Minister Modi’s concern primarily stems from the growing number of wealthy individuals in India. With an increasing number of affluent people, the inclination towards destination weddings might intensify, affecting the economy. Finally, even low-budget weddings in India incur substantial expenses, with families spending at least around 1 lakh rupees or more despite attempts to keep things simple.