The Rising Cost of Indian Weddings

In India, marriage is not merely a ritual or a cultural celebration; it is an emotional, social, and economic event that reflects family pride, collective memories, and deep-rooted traditions. The word “wedding” instantly sparks images of colorful attire, heavy jewelry, decorated venues, lavish food, and long guest lists. For centuries, weddings have remained the centerpiece of Indian social life. But in the last two decades, something significant has changed weddings have transformed from intimate family functions into one of the largest and most profitable industries in the world. As we step into 2024–2025, the Indian wedding market has become one of the most extravagant, fastest-growing, and culturally influential sectors globally.

Today, the average cost of an Indian wedding ranges between ₹25 lakh and ₹40 lakh, depending on the city, social class, and family expectations. Reports like WeddingWire India highlight that wedding expenses have increased by nearly 28% in the past two years, driven by demand for premium venues, event management services, multi-day celebrations, cinematic photography, and the social-media-fueled desire to create “picture-perfect” weddings. Families now treat weddings not just as rituals, but as “lifetime memories” and a display of social status, which naturally pushes budgets upward.

Wedding budgets in India generally fall into three broad clusters. On one end are simple ceremonies where families complete the entire event within ₹5–10 lakh, usually with limited guests and minimal decoration. The second cluster belongs to the middle-class families who spend around ₹10–25 lakh on venues, catering, décor, clothing, gifts, photography, and traditional rituals. The third and most common category is the “average Indian wedding,” which costs between ₹25–35 lakh. Families often choose this range because they want a celebration that looks respectable, socially acceptable, and aesthetically pleasing without appearing visibly simple or underwhelming in the eyes of relatives.

Above this lies the world of luxury and destination weddings. These weddings typically begin at ₹50 lakh and can easily cross ₹70–80 lakh depending on the location, guest count, and level of extravagance. In elite circles, it is not uncommon to see weddings worth several crores. But for the majority, the pressure sits somewhere in the middle families stretch themselves emotionally and financially to keep up with social expectations, often ending up spending more than they initially planned to. In India, the phrase “log kya kahenge” (what will people say) is strongest around weddings, pressuring families to avoid simplicity for fear of judgment.

The diversity of wedding costs in India from ₹1 lakh to ₹1 crore is rooted in the country’s social complexity, economic disparities, and the depth of cultural customs. Wedding budgets depend heavily on whether the family lives in a rural area, small town, or metropolitan city; how many guests are invited; how many events are planned (one-day ceremonies versus three-day functions); and whether the family aims for a basic, elaborate, or luxury setup. The city itself plays a huge role: in small towns, a ₹10 lakh wedding is considered grand, while in Mumbai or Delhi, this amount often covers only the catering or venue charges.

Venue costs alone can significantly impact the budget. In major cities, a decent banquet hall or five-star hotel can charge anywhere from ₹3 lakh to ₹10 lakh per day. Add to that decoration, lighting, stage setup, entertainment, photography, videography, transportation, guest accommodation, and pre-wedding rituals like mehendi, haldi, sangeet, and reception each of which adds multiple layers of expense.

Social media has turned Indian weddings into visual spectacles. Every couple today wants an “Instagram-worthy” wedding cinematic videos, drone shots, theme-based décor, coordinated outfits, and pre-wedding shoots at scenic locations. This digital aspiration has redefined what weddings look like, making them more extravagant and more expensive. The desire to look unique, glamorous, and visually stunning has become a key driver of the rising wedding budgets.

The wedding industry in India is deeply interconnected with dozens of other industries jewelry, fashion, textiles, hospitality, catering, event management, transportation, floral markets, photography, travel, logistics, and more. Estimates suggest that the Indian wedding industry is now valued at ₹10–11 lakh crore, making it one of the largest wedding markets in the world. Every year, around 45–50 lakh weddings take place in India, with a massive concentration in the winter months, known as the peak wedding season.

Wedding budgets are also shaped by a family’s social standing. Many families spend beyond their financial capacity simply to maintain their reputation in society. This is especially true in the case of daughters’ weddings, where families often use their entire savings to keep the event grand. Such cultural pressures create a cycle of financial burden, loans, and economic instability that lasts far longer than the wedding itself.

However, a new wave of thought is emerging among the youth. Many young Indians today prefer minimalist weddings, court marriages, temple ceremonies, and intimate gatherings with only close friends and family. They value financial stability over social showmanship. Instead of spending ₹20–30 lakh on a single event, they would rather invest in education, a home, business, travel, or future security. While the older generation still leans toward grandeur, the younger generation is slowly redefining wedding priorities.

But despite this shift, societal expectations remain powerful. When people see glamorous weddings online whether celebrity events or even well-shot middle-class ceremonies it raises collective expectations. Everyone wants their wedding to look “a little better” than the last one they saw. This unspoken competition pushes families toward overspending. Event companies, decorators, and premium wedding planners capitalize on this emotion by offering attractive packages that promise a fairy-tale experience.

The Indian wedding industry is growing rapidly, but it also opens up an ongoing debate about whether such extravagant spending is beneficial or harmful for society. On one side, it fuels employment for millions catering workers, photographers, drivers, florists, decorators, designers, hotel staff, musicians, and many more. On the other side, it creates financial strain and unrealistic social expectations.

Ultimately, what matters is the relationship, not the decoration; the bond, not the budget. But in today’s India, weddings often prioritize visual appeal over emotional value. Despite this, one thing remains certain whether a wedding costs ₹5 lakh or ₹50 lakh, it will continue to be a central part of Indian culture. The shift happening now is meaningful: young people increasingly want weddings that are beautiful, memorable, and joyful, but not financially burdensome. And perhaps, in the coming years, India may return to a simpler, more heartfelt way of celebrating marriage where love matters more than luxury, and commitment matters more than cost.