Indian weddings abroad could help project our soft power globally
Narendra Modi recently expressed concern about a rising trend of affluent families hosting weddings abroad. He encouraged them to consider holding their ceremonies in India during the upcoming wedding season, emphasizing the positive impact on the local economy. He also urged people to prioritise the purchase of Indian-made goods during this period.
We do need high-budget weddings to be held in India for domestic economic reasons and Indian hospitality chains are no less than others. But a large portion of grand Indian weddings take place at global hotel chains such as Hyatt and Sheraton, as they possess a greater number of wedding-friendly properties in India compared to Indian brands. Often, hosting a lavish destination wedding in India costs more than doing so abroad, which is among many reasons for the trend the PM referred to.
But then, let’s do the math. Even when such ceremonies don’t take place in the country, host families spend lakhs and crores of rupees in India before the main event. Also despite marriages happening abroad, most artisanal items, trousseau shopping, gifts for guests and heirloom jewellery are all sourced in India.
Ceremony experts like traditional pandits, mehendi artistes and musicians are also flown from India to the destination. So a few luxe-weddings abroad really doesn’t change the core commercial model of the domestic wedding industry. Seeking more freedom and individuality, Indian youngsters aspire to blend tradition with modern guest events and parties.
The desire is to relish their special day, crafting intimate and distinctive memories away from prying eyes. Today’s affluent youth place a premium on being the talk of the town for a life-milestone like a wedding. The picturesque and
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