To understand the pulse of the wedding market, WedMeGood, the Indian Wedding Planning Website and App, conducted a comprehensive annual survey.
The 2023 report revealed that one of the most promising segments of the industry is wedding tourism, with the percentage of destination weddings increasing to 21 per cent in 2024, compared to 18 per cent in 2022. The upcoming destination in India, Rishikesh, with its growing number of hotels, is poised to become a hotspot for memorable celebrations. Other than this, Goa, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jim Corbett, Kerala & Mussoorie, remain the top picks for destination weddings, revealed the report.
On the international front, the Middle East surpassed Thailand as the favorite Indian wedding destination. Nearly 30 per cent. vendors with international Wedding experience mentioned Dubai, Bahrain, and Oman as preferred destinations, followed by Thailand and Italy.
Emerging international destinations encompass Bali and Turkey, the survey mentioned.
This survey polled over 2400 brides & grooms with wedding dates between September 2023 to April 2024 regarding their plans and with surveying over 500 wedding vendors including planners, photographers, makeup artists, and venues, WedmeGood gained valuable insights into the upcoming wedding season and changing trends.
The report showed how the Indian wedding industry has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past three years, navigating challenges posed by the pandemic and now showing promising signs of returning to normalcy.
Amid the anticipation surrounding the forthcoming inauguration of the Ram Temple, Ayodhya has clinched the second position with 36 per cent of the votes. This recognition is attributed to the city’s historical and religious importance as the birthplace of Lord Rama. Following closely are Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi.
The average wedding guest size has seen a significant 14.8 per cent increase from 2022, now standing at 310 guests. However, 12 per cent of couples are choosing intimate gatherings, prioritizing intimacy and personalization over grandeur. Millennials are increasingly embracing the digital age, with 15.6 per cent revealing that they met their match via dating apps. This growing trend suggests a new avenue for the upcoming generation, adding a modern twist to the age-old tradition of marriage.The report also shared that in 2023, 70 per cent of brides and grooms contributed in some aspect to financing their weddings, a trend anticipated to persist in 2024 as financially independent millennials will continue to actively contribute to their weddings.
Furthermore, 52 per cent of people adopted eco-friendly measures in weddings, showcasing a collective commitment to sustainable celebrations.
Also, 85.4 per cent of people planned their weddings on their own using connections via word of mouth or apps like WedMeGood, while only 14.6 per cent claimed to have hired a professional wedding planner.
