Dubai And Abu Dhabi - Preferred Destinations For Big-Ticket Indian Weddings

Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain preferred destinations for big-ticket Indian weddings

- Akanksha Maker

The dramatic rise of India’s middle class teamed with the glamourous standards advertised by Bollywood has carved new aspirations for our once basic lifestyles. In the world dominated by constant societal contests of ‘who did it better’ or rather ‘who spent more money’, Indians don’t mind even spending a third of their savings on weddings. Deep pocketed families often take this a step further by putting up a grandiose, almost competitive display of wealth at destinations around the world.

According to Mandeep Lamba, president, south Asia at HVS Anarock, a firm that provides consulting and advisory services to hotels says, “The Indian destination wedding industry is expected to reach a market size of ₹45,000 crore by 2020, with a projected annual growth rate of 25-30 per cent.”

Out of the cities on the wish list of Indian families, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have emerged as preferred destinations.

DUBAI’S GLITZ AND ABU DHABI’S CHARM

With Emirates (flying from nine Indian cities), Go Air, Indigo, Vistara, flydubai and Air India Express offering nonstop connectivity to Dubai from major Indian hubs, travel to the emirate has become seamless today. It almost feels like flying domestic with the ease of connectivity — making it an almost obvious choice for couples with hundreds of families and friends on the guest lists.

And once you arrive in Dubai, its plethora of international hotels with expansive wedding venues and multitude of sightseeing options welcome you. “Dubai offers world class facilities and venues within a four hour flight from India. It boasts an unbeatable selection of luxury hotels, memorable wedding spots with stunning beaches, iconic views and great weather during the cooler months” says Rabia Shaheen, associate director of events at Taj Dubai.