Are Indian couples redefining the big fat wedding?

India Today

4 days ago

In today's rapidly evolving wedding landscape, couples are rewriting the rules, choosing to celebrate age-old rituals not in their backyards but in palaces, private villas, and luxury hotels around the globe. This marriage of culture and sophistication is no coincidence.It is the result of thoughtful planning, a taste for exclusivity, and a desire to tell one's story through a personalised, immersive wedding experience.advertisementIn today's rapidly evolving wedding landscape, couples are rewriting the rules, choosing to celebrate age-old rituals not in their backyards but in palaces, private villas, and luxury hotels around the globe.
This marriage of culture and sophistication is no coincidence. It is the result of thoughtful planning, a taste for exclusivity, and a desire to tell one's story through a personalised, immersive wedding experience.Ragini Gongo, Director of Sales and Luxury Events at the Shangri-La Group, has seen this shift firsthand. In an exclusive conversation, she explained how couples today are blending heritage with modernity, not as a compromise, but as a celebration of both."There's a growing preference for weddings that are deeply rooted in cultural identity, but presented through a modern lens,' Gongo said. 'Couples are no longer choosing between tradition and luxury. They want both and they're getting creative in how they bring the two together."RITUALS WITH A VIEWWhile haldi, mehndi, and pheras remain non-negotiable for many Indian families, they are now being staged in dramatically different settings. Think mehndi ceremonies by the ocean, pheras on private beaches in Muscat, or sangeets hosted in heritage forts in Rajasthan with projection mapping and synchronised drone shows.'We've hosted weddings where the couple arrives by boat for the pheras, glistening behind them,' said Gongo. 'It's breathtaking. And yet, every ritual from the sacred fire to the mantras is preserved with full reverence.'Couples are customising traditional setups like mandaps with minimalist, sustainable decor, and opting for fusion menus that combine Indian culinary staples with global gastronomy.'We often see couples request a traditional Punjabi menu for one function, and a Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei-style dinner for another,' she added. 'It's about creating an experience that speaks to their personalities and diverse upbringings.'DESTINATION WEDDINGS AS A CANVASThe rise of destination weddings, which the industry reports is growing at 25 per cent annually, is central to this transformation. Couples are now planning their nuptials more than a year in advance, scouting venues that can seamlessly accommodate both spiritual significance and indulgent celebration.'Our properties in Muscat and Hambantota are especially popular,' said Gongo. 'They offer stunning private spaces for pheras and haldi, while also providing the kind of luxury hospitality that global families expect.'advertisementFrom grand baraats on private yachts to sangeets with international artists flown in, the destination wedding is no longer just a location choice it's a storytelling tool.'It's a theatre of love and legacy,' Gongo said. 'Every detail the setting, the rituals, the menu is chosen to reflect the couple's journey and values.'VENDORS EMBRACE THE SHIFTThis trend has also reshaped how planners and vendors approach the modern wedding. There's a strong emphasis on customisation, sustainability, and tech integration. Couples are hiring teams that can execute both a classic Ganesh puja and a Met Gala-style reception.'Sustainability is becoming a big part of the conversation,' Gongo noted. 'From biodegradable decor to zero-waste catering, 20 per cent of the weddings we see now have a clear eco-conscious mandate.'Technology, too, is playing a key role. Couples are incorporating virtual reality, live-streaming, and interactive wedding apps to ensure no guest misses out.'We've had couples organise virtual haldi ceremonies for grandparents who couldn't travel, complete with custom AR filters and immersive experiences,' Gongo said. 'The emotional connect remains intact only the format changes.'advertisementTHE FUTURE IS FUSION'It's not about excess,' said Gongo. 'It's about meaningful, curated moments whether that's through an ancestral ritual or a bespoke cocktail bar inspired by the couple's first date.'With a foot firmly in tradition and a gaze fixed on the horizon, today's couples are setting the tone for weddings that are as timeless as they are trendsetting. The result? An experience that doesn't just celebrate love it honors legacy while embracing luxury.- Ends