The cost of tying the knot has reached new heights in 2024, with the average wedding budget surging to ₹36.5 lakh, according to the WedMeGood annual wedding report. Destination weddings, increasingly popular among Indian couples, saw even steeper price tags, averaging ₹51.1 lakh this year. Rising hospitality costs, particularly for venues and catering, have driven up wedding expenses by 7%, following a 10% increase in these specific costs.
In comparison, WeddingWire India reports show that average wedding budgets stood at ₹28 lakh in 2023, up from ₹25 lakh in 2022. This consistent increase underscores the growing financial commitment required for weddings in India.
Of the 3,500 couples surveyed, over 60% planned weddings with budgets under ₹25 lakh, with 40% keeping costs below ₹15 lakh. However, a significant 18% of couples allocated over ₹50 lakh, and within this group, 9% planned to spend more than ₹1 crore. Notably, two-thirds of the ultra-luxury ₹1 crore weddings were destination events, emphasizing the premium associated with tying the knot in exotic locales.
With weddings becoming increasingly extravagant, the shaadi season continues to showcase both the cultural and economic significance of these celebrations in India.
