The New Indian Wedding
Travel+Leisure India|November 2020
The pandemic and lockdown delayed many couples’ wedding plans. But now, they’re all returning to the mandap moodboard with new ideas. RIAAN JACOB GEORGE speaks to hospitality insiders to get a sense of the new normal in desi weddings.
RIAAN JACOB GEORGE
The New Indian Wedding

IT’S THE END OF 2020, and the wedding season is upon us. The burning question is: are people really getting married this year? The answer is a resounding yes! Is the big, fat Indian wedding, as we know it, really taking place? Certainly not. So, what does the new Indian wedding look like? We spoke to some of India’s biggest hospitality stakeholders to understand their toughest challenges, new policies and price points, and the demands they are getting for the post-lockdown wedding.

FEWER GUESTS AT THE SAME BUDGET

The first thing to take a hit is the guest list. The big-ticket Indian wedding, which saw an average of 800-1,000 people at the reception, is now making do with 50-100 guests. Narresh Kukreja of designer duo (and our A-List advisers) Shivan & Narresh says, “It’s largely an inner circle affair now, with only close friends and family. Hence, weddings can now be more experiential and luxurious, sans extravagant decor spends, as there are few people attending. The available budget can be spent on an expensive hotel, increased F&B, or an uber-luxe destination experience.”

Most hoteliers that we spoke to indicated little or no drop in wedding budgets—families are still willing to spend huge sums (often saved for this very purpose). In fact, there is an added expense for events now. “The spends per guest have gone up due to enhanced safety and care protocols that are implemented by hotels,” says Arif Patel, regional vice president, sales and marketing, Hyatt India (hyatt.com).

Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Travel+Leisure India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Travel+Leisure India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA TRAVEL+LEISURE INDIASe alt
Retro: Timeless & Trending
Travel+Leisure India

Retro: Timeless & Trending

As AI dominates the tech world, Nikhil Chawla introduces devices and apps that evoke nostalgia with their retro charm and timeless appeal.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Celebrating Timeless Austin
Travel+Leisure India

Celebrating Timeless Austin

Austin is a melting pot of culture and style, and a personification of the great American lifestyle,

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
A Legacy of Art and Activism
Travel+Leisure India

A Legacy of Art and Activism

Mallika Sarabhai reflects on her rich heritage as she discusses her unique approach to blending tradition with modernity, the power of arts in activism and her commitment to bringing about social change, in this conversation with Dipali Patwa.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Second Course
Travel+Leisure India

Second Course

Noma chef René Redezpi found fame with ingredient-focused fine dining. His new TV show goes even further.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
The Safari Sanctuary
Travel+Leisure India

The Safari Sanctuary

Aamaghati Wildlife Resort, Ranthambore’s latest opening, offers the finest facilities and accommodation in the district and has the park embedded deep inside its soul.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
THE ETERNAL FLAVOURS of our TIMELESS CLASSICS
Travel+Leisure India

THE ETERNAL FLAVOURS of our TIMELESS CLASSICS

India's most-loved restaurants have all stood the test of time, especially in an era when food ventures open with vast market research and modern aesthetics but fail to make a lasting impression. This is what makes our favourites timeless.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
LATE CHECK OUT WITH Ayushmann Churrana
Travel+Leisure India

LATE CHECK OUT WITH Ayushmann Churrana

A film with a social message, a deeply inspiring couplet, a music tour that lets him explore his alter ego of sorts—what makes Ayushmann Khurrana the right fit in everything he chooses to do?

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Luxury Legacy
Travel+Leisure India

Luxury Legacy

Meet Tikka Shatrujit Singh, the visionary who paved the way for luxury brands to thrive in India. One of the most iconic figures in India's fashion and luxury industry, the former head representative of LVMH in Asia tells Samreen Tungekar about his journey, what today's consumer wants, and how Indian tourism can turn the world on its head.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Global Glamour
Travel+Leisure India

Global Glamour

Attention shopaholics, we've got you covered! From Copenhagen to Cape Town, Marrakech to Melbourne, here are 20 cities across the world where you can indulge in retail therapy. Follow our guide to get your hands on traditional, bespoke, sustainable, slow fashion, and innovative, kitschy must-haves.

time-read
10 mins  |
October 2024
ARTISTIC INGENUITY MEETS ARCHITECTURAL SPLENDOUR
Travel+Leisure India

ARTISTIC INGENUITY MEETS ARCHITECTURAL SPLENDOUR

Architect Simran Boparai's skilled designs blend modernity with heritage, while striving for spatial excellence.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024