All the world’s a mandap

IT IS ALL ABOUT INTERNATIONAL WEDDING DESTINATIONS FOR INDIANS NOW, BUT EVEN HERE, PEOPLE ARE GOING FOR OFFBEAT LOCATIONS

Given the mammoth, ever-growing industry it is, lately, a large number of weddings have been taking place across mainstream and offbeat international destinations. Paris and Switzerland might have become passé, but a stream of new locations keeps on cropping up. So what’s the latest? Countries like Japan and Malaysia, otherwise unconventional for Indian weddings, have started hosting them as they wish to penetrate the huge market. Destinations are open to pre-wedding shoots, wedding ceremonies, honeymoons, and cocktail parties. Gaurav, a wedding planner has seen the market scene change drastically over the years. He comments, “I have observed that people who hail from comparatively lowerincome groups also wish for an elaborate destination wedding.” He also states that young couples no longer want to get a picture clicked in front of the Eiffel Tower. Instead, they wish to be photographed amid the serene Indonesian plains. In other words, a fast lifestyle, the hustle and bustle of city life, and the unending monotony of urban living have influenced couples to go for these options.

Smritirupa, who works for an airline company, comments, “I see couples every now and then heading out to Hawaii, Thailand, Sri Lanka or Middle-Eastern countries with their friends to host their pre-wedding parties.” Divya, a would-be bride, is taking her husband abroad for their honeymoon. She shares that the destination is in a picturesque location of South Korea. She continues, “It is not always possible for a couple to afford their wedding at an exotic location. However, people like us often tend to run after these so-called popular destinations and, as a result, end up spending a bomb.”

So, various international tourism boards have realised the potential of the Indian international wedding destination industry, and they have started to promote suitable locations in their country. For instance, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to India, H.E. Dato’ Hidayat Abdul Hamid, firmly asserts that Malaysia is one such place. He gives the example of Langkawi Island — a dutyfree place that offers cheaper rates of liquor compared to the mainland. Gorgeous beaches, cities, highland, and million-year-old rainforests can lend a perfect backdrop as a wedding venue. Being a multi-ethnic society, a couple can even get married in traditional costumes of the Kadazan, Iban, Malays, etc. He also feels that there is no other culture that celebrates weddings as Indians do. “There are millions of weddings taking place in this market annually. This sector has experienced tremendous growth as almost everyone desires to elevate the scale of their special celebration,” he says.

I have observed that people who hail from comparatively lower-income groups also wish for an elaborate destination wedding — GAURAV, WEDDING PLANNER