Destination Wedding Costs in India & How to Plan It In a Budget

The craze of destination wedding in India and internationally is roaring high and according to sources, approximately 15–20% of weddings globally are estimated to be destination weddings. Within India, the trend is growing faster, with roughly 20-25% of weddings being destination-based. No matter how popular destination weddings become, some myths and concerns prevent people from organizing a destination wedding carnival.

In this blog, we are busting myths about the destination wedding cost in India. We will also be providing an estimated cost breakdown, along with some popular choices for destination weddings. Additionally, we are here with some pro tips to help you plan your destination wedding budget and the wedding itself accordingly. Let’s first understand why India is an ideal and popular choice for destination weddings. 

What Makes India a Perfect Spot for Destination Weddings?

India is the perfect place for weddings, thanks to its stunning range of venues, cultural heritage, and myriad traditions. Ideal wedding destinations range from scenic beaches in Goa, royal palaces and majestic forts in Rajasthan, and venues for the perfect wedding anywhere in between. 

Iconic cities like Udaipur and Jaipur set the stage for extravagant regal weddings, while Kerala’s backwaters offer tranquility and the mountains of Himachal Pradesh provide a serene backdrop. India’s colorful customs for weddings, from Mehendi, Sangeet, or the sacred wedding ceremony, create a truly unforgettable experience. You will be pampered by great hospitality and world-class services to properly celebrate your special day with no interruptions. 

Delectable cuisines ranging from traditional flavors to contemporary tastes of India will enhance the experience of flavor in every regard. The richness in tradition, along with the natural beauty and modern amenities, alongside the many wedding planners who have ample experience and know the country, make India ideally suited for couples looking to have a special wedding experience that is memorable and distinctive.

Benefits of Choosing India for Your Destination Wedding

What could be more joyful than tying the knot with your soul mate in a dreamy wedding backdrop? India is a land of diverse cultures, seasons, regions, and cuisines, each celebrated magnificently, and weddings are no exception. Destination wedding in India are economical and provide a range of venues. Besides, one can blend nature’s beauty with the luxury and comfort of rich architectural splendor to hold a grand wedding. 

• Unforgettable Experience: Organizing a wedding in India gives visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the rich customs, food, and culture of the nation, making it an unforgettable event for everybody.
• Cultural Diversity and Tradition: Indian weddings are renowned for their ornate customs and lively festivities, which can provide the couple and their guests with a one-of-a-kind and memorable experience.
• Various Places: India offers many locations to suit diverse tastes and budgets, from opulent resorts and boutique hotels to historic forts and palaces.
• Diverse Landscapes: India offers a wide array of breathtaking wedding venues, enabling couples to select a setting that precisely matches their vision. These range from the majestic Himalayas to the tranquil beaches of Kerala and the deserts of Rajasthan.
• Popular Destinations: India’s top destinations for destination weddings include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Shimla. These locations are well-known for their opulent cuisine, rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and distinctive Indian wedding vibe. 
• Budget-friendly: Although a destination wedding is costly and might cost you millions, it is more budget-friendly to plan one in India rather than somewhere else in the world. In a destination wedding, the guest list is cut short to afford traveling and other expenses, so considering a destination wedding in India would allow you to invite as many guests as you want. 
• Seamless wedding: In destination weddings, a wedding planner is involved in taking care of every aspect of the wedding. Whether it’s decoration, catering, or the bride and groom’s entrance, wedding planners handle everything to the best of their ability, so you can enjoy every festivity without care. 
• Dreamy wedding comes true: You can organize an extraordinary wedding carnival infused with your creativity and originality to make them exceptional. Plan it all your way, from the royal entrance to the breathtaking dance performance, and other exciting events. 

How Much Do Destination Weddings in India Cost?

The location and venue, number of guests, and individual tastes are just a few of the variables that can significantly affect the cost of a destination wedding in India. In India, destination weddings often cost between Rs. 15 lakh and Rs. 50 lakh or more. This budget accounts for costs such as venue, lodging, catering, and décor. However, prices may increase based on entertainment, luxury features, and other customized services. To prevent overspending, careful planning and budgeting are crucial.

Factors Affecting Destination Weddings in India

To determine the cost of a destination wedding, you must consider a few elements that go into planning the ideal wedding ceremony.  From the very start of the wedding planning process, the cost of each task that has to be done must be considered. For this reason, we must examine the elements influencing Indian destination weddings:

• Location and Venue: The cost of a destination wedding in India highly depends on the location and the venue you choose. Popular destinations like Rajasthan, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in high demand for destination weddings, and hence the price here is steep.

• Choose offbeat locations: Choose locations that are less popular, and are similarly beautiful can be economical. 
• Book early: Booking early would allow you to save money and avoid last-minute hassles. 
• Negotiate package: Numerous venues offer inclusive packages that are comparatively cost-effective. 
• Multiple modes of transportation: Pick out a destination that can be reached through various modes of transportation including air, railways, and road. This will prevent any opulent plans for travel between cities.
• Season: The season of the year you choose for marriage vastly affects your destination wedding cost. 
• Off-season weddings: To avail of high discounts, consider marrying in off-season months that would save you money. 
• Mid-week events: Carrying a destination wedding on weekdays can be more economical than organizing a wedding carnival on weekends.
• Avoid public holidays: Avoid public holidays and long holidays as the price is expected to surge due to long holidays.
• Guest list: Your guest list also affects the price of the destination wedding. The lengthier the guest list, the more expensive the wedding is going to be. As the guest list increases, the expense of their accommodation, traveling and food will rise. 
• Accommodation: Accommodation is another significant component of the destination wedding budget in India. 
• Book in bulk: Booking hotels or rooms on a large scale would ensure your discounts. 
• All-inclusive resorts: Various resorts or hotels offer accommodation with food, beverages, and other activities. These are better than booking separately for each. 
• Suppliers & Vendors: It is economical to book local wedding planners and vendors rather than bring wedding planners from your hometown. Consider acquiring multiple services from one vendor to avail them at a discounted price. You may also negotiate with them for the best prices. 

Estimated Cost Break up For Destination Wedding in India

Here is an estimated breakdown of the destination wedding cost in India. 

• Venue and accommodation: Rs. 5-15 lakh
• Catering: Rs. 3-10 lakh
• Decor and flowers: Rs. 2-8 lakh
• Photography and videography: Rs. 1-5 lakh
• Entertainment: Rs. 2-7 lakh
• Miscellaneous (e.g., transportation, permits): Rs. 2-5 lakh

Important Points to Remember For Destination Wedding Budget

Careful budgeting is necessary when organizing a destination wedding. The following suggestions can help you manage your destination wedding cost in India:

• Decide a reasonable budget: First, decide how much you are willing to spend on the marriage.
• Select the location: Choose the location and the venue that meets your budget so that you can plan a balanced lavish yet comfortable destination wedding. 
• Prioritize key components:  Choose the factors that are most important to you, then distribute finances appropriately.
• Get quotes from several suppliers:  To make sure you’re receiving the best bargain, compare pricing from different vendors.
• Consider off-season weddings:  In general, prices are reduced during off-peak season.
• Maintain an emergency fund:  A tiny portion of your budget should be set aside for unforeseen expenses.

Tips for a Budget-friendly Destination Wedding in India

Budget-friendly destination wedding planning doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your vision of a grand wedding:

• Choose a smaller guest list: Costs can be greatly decreased by hosting a more private event. A guest list of 50 to 100 people is appropriate for an Indian vacation wedding.
• DIY decor:  Including do-it-yourself components can save costs and give a personal touch.
• Use digital invites: Choosing digital invites can help you save money on printing.
• Utilize nearby resources:  Reduce costs by using local entertainment, food, and flowers.
• Choose an off-center location: Well-known wedding venues tend to be more expensive due to their popularity.
• Schedule your wedding at a low-demand time: Planning a wedding during a low-demand period would ensure wedding services at an economical rate. 
• Booking all-inclusive venues: This usually leads to increased enjoyment and a significant decrease in the packages the venue suggests.
• Early reservations: Make reservations as soon as you can; for venues and other suppliers, this should be at least a year before the wedding, and for travel, it should be six months beforehand.

Best Destination Wedding Locations in India with Costs

1) Destination Wedding Costs in Karnal

Karnal, located in Haryana is an ideal location for destination weddings in Karnal, India offering both regality and serenity. With a history dating back to the Mahabharata period, the place offers breathtaking sights for visitors, enhancing their overall wedding experience. The couple chooses Karnal as their destination wedding location due to its proximity to Delhi, allowing the guests to enjoy the vivid culture and taste of Delhi NCR. One can choose Karnal for a budget-friendly destination wedding cost in India ranging from INR 10,000,00 to INR 50,000,00.

Offering both luxurious and pocket-friendly venues, Karnal has a variety of options including The Vivaan Hotels & Resorts, Comfort Inn, and more. The Vivaan proffers a range of banquet halls that suit your budget and guests’ capacity, exuding royalty and luxury to the wedding celebrations, making them unforgettable. 

2) Destination Wedding Costs in Rajasthan

Rajasthan, known for its royalty and rich culture is renowned around the world for its heritage of hospitality. Destination weddings in Rajasthan have been popularized after various celebrities chose to tie the knot in the land of royalty. The state-of-the-art architecture, stunning forts, and majestic palaces, with backdrops of mountains and lakes attract couples for destination weddings. Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner are some of the famous cities of Rajasthan for wedding purposes. Being so popular for luxurious destination wedding in India, the luxury destination wedding costs in Rajasthan range between INR 25,000,00 to INR 5,000,00,00.

Rambagh Palace, Samode Palace, Fairmont in Jaipur, Oberoi Udaivilas, Jagmandir Palace, and Leela Palace in Udaipur, Umaid Bhawan Palace, and Mehrangarh Fort in Udaipur are some of the top venues for a luxury destination wedding in India. 

3) Destination Wedding Costs in Goa

Without question, one of the greatest locations in India to have a destination wedding is Goa.  Goa is the place to go if you’re searching for a beachy wedding location where you can walk down the aisle looking ethereal with the salty wind in your hair.  It provides a range of destinations, and Goa’s old-world elegance of Portuguese ancestry is another factor attracting couples to the place. The price range for the perfect destination wedding in Goa would be INR 15,000,00 to INR 70,000,00.

Goa is a versatile destination for wedding groups of all sizes because it provides both luxurious and affordable wedding options. The Taj Exotica (Tata Exotica), Alila Diwa & Leela Palaces), and The Leela are among the best venue options available here; with costs usually falling within this range.

4) Destination Wedding Costs in Kerala

Kerala’s backwaters provide a cozy ambiance ideal for couples seeking a natural touch and an eco-themed wedding ceremony. Every location in Kerala, from serene beaches to verdant hills, can provide a picturesque setting for your wedding photos. In addition, the area is renowned for its warm hospitality, mouthwatering food, and several rituals that can make the wedding experience even more memorable. Depending on the location, number of guests, and desired level of luxury, a destination wedding in Kerala usually costs between INR 2,500,00 and INR 50,000,00.

The Raviz in Kovalam, Kumarakom Lake Resort, Vivanta by Taj Bekal, The Zuri Kumarakom, and Le Meridien in Kochi are among the venues in Kerala that are available. The destination wedding cost in Kerala might include lavish accommodation, delectable cuisines, transportation, and other expenses as well.

5) Destination Wedding Costs in Rishikesh

Nestled amid the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas, Rishikesh is a visual feast and a captivating sight offering a calm yet somber atmosphere. With its sacred Ganges river and majestic mountains, the area exudes a sense of spirituality and is the perfect setting for a sophisticated yet traditional Indian wedding ceremony. The price range for the ideal destination wedding in Rishikesh would be INR 10,000,00 to INR 15,000,00.

Rishikesh is the perfect place for couples searching for a spiritual but affordable wedding experience. Aloha on the Ganges, TAJ Rishikesh Resort & Spa, Namami Ganges, Ganga Kinare, and Glasshouse on the Ganges are some of the venues available in Rishikesh for destination wedding ceremonies; the fee varies based on the type and location selected.

Plan Your Budget-Friendly Destination Wedding in Karnal with The Vivaan

With a legacy of supreme hospitality,” The Vivaan” hotel in Karnal offers a charismatic and serene setting for grand wedding celebrations. From thematic and destination weddings to intimate parties, this hotel and resort boasts unparalleled services to cherish your moments and make them unforgettable. A scenic setting, romantic atmosphere, dreamy bride and groom entry, royal welcome of all guests, soul-pleasing cuisines, and intricate decoration are all the pivotal key players in making a wedding extraordinary. The Vivaan swank on its modern yet cultural ideas to the seamless execution of the awe-inspiring wedding of the time. 

Contact now to get an early bird reservation at discounted prices.