Indian couples say ‘I do’ off the beaten path

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Key points

• By Sneha Joseph and Alenjith K Johny, ET BureauLast Updated: Aug 22, 2026, 12: 38: 00 AM IST.
• Offbeat wedding destinationsdestination weddings in Indiaintimate wedding experiencesluxury wedding spendingwedding planning trends 2023Coorg wedding locationtier 2 and 3 cities weddingspopular Indian wedding citiesevent and entertainment managementEvent and Entertainment Management Association.
• Wedding planners and decor firms stated they are seeing a 20-30% growth in bookings for locations beyond the substantial cities.
• Indian couples are increasingly moving away from established wedding destinations such as Goa, Delhi and Mumbai, opting instead for quieter, scenic locations in smaller cities and towns.
• Goa is out, Coorg is in: India's wedding crowd is looking for new destinations.

Indian couples are increasingly moving away from established wedding destinations such as Goa, Delhi and Mumbai, opting instead for quieter, scenic locations in smaller cities and towns. Wedding planners report rising demand for intimate, personalised celebrations in places such as Coorg, Jaisalmer, Kochi and Uttarakhand, driven by privacy and experience.

Bengaluru: When San Francisco-based designers Smera Rose Jose and Ashwin Nambiar decided to tie the knot in India, they settled for the quiet and natural settings of Coorg in Karnataka over more popular and convenient destinations. The couple, who obtained married in January, didn't want an elaborate decor, a long list of guests, or other paraphernalia associated with numerous Indian weddings. The event felt like an intimate weekend gathering of individuals who mattered the most, Jose informed ET. They are among a burgeoning base of Indian couples looking beyond the traditional destination wedding hubs. For context, the search for scenic places and personalised experiences for intimate celebrations is prompting them to venture into smaller towns and offbeat locations.

Wedding planners and decor firms stated they are seeing a 20-30% growth in bookings for locations beyond the substantial cities. Destination weddings in Tier 2 and 3 cities rose 12% previously year, according to the Event and Entertainment Management Association. "People don't want to go to Goa, Delhi, or Mumbai anymore, " remarked Shehzarin Udwadia, cofounder at Double S Enterprises, a Mumbai-based wedding planning and event design firm. High-income families able to afford homes in metros such as Mumbai are scouting for quieter destinations that can accommodate 300-400 guests, she remarked. Live Events.

"We wanted it to feel personal, " remarked Jose, explaining the reason behind selecting the misty hill station of Coorg. "For us, that meant having the people we are close to there, rather than letting the guest list keep growing just because that's what happens traditionally." Going beyond the usual.

For plenty of couples looking for off-beat places to exchange vows, the attraction is simple: they offer more privacy, allowing them to savour every moment of one of the most notable days of their lives. They additionally come without the premium rate tag of a major city or a popular destination. "People had warned us that your wedding can go by in a blur, " remarked Jose. "But since ours was intimate, we had time to talk to residents, take it all in, and simply enjoy it. We remember the little things – the conversations, food, music and dancing." The appeal is additionally concerning creating an experience that feels different. For affluent families, destination weddings are increasingly becoming a way to avoid repeating the same format, remarked Parthip Thyagarajan, chief executive at wedding planning platform WeddingSutra. A family that hosted its last wedding in Jaipur, for instance, may choose Udaipur, Bengaluru, or Kochi the next time. Spending by wealthy individuals on weddings climbed 20-25% year-on-year between November 2025 and March 2026, with smaller towns driving much of the growth, according to WeddingSutra, a data aggregator on the luxury wedding business. Coorg, Jaisalmer, Mahabalipuram, Surat, Rajkot, Nagpur and Kochi are among locations gaining popularity as wedding destinations. The Himalayan state of Uttarakhand is additionally attracting couples looking for an alternative to beach or traditional South Indian weddings. For those exploring the opposite, Kerala offers an array of great settings. Add Now!

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