Indeed, the Hurley-Nayar celebrity wedding is expected to do for Rajasthan what Madonna’s wedding did for Scotland, set off a beeline for I-dos-in-India from across the world. Almost a third of all weddings that take place in Scotland now are tourist weddings with the tourism board stepping in to change legislation making it possible for couples to conduct their nuptials at castles, boats, even golf courses.

Wedding planners says India could well be a hot international wedding destination, but a little tailoring would be necessary. “Wedding tourism may be a low-volume market in terms of the numbers of tourists coming in but it is definitely a high value market, because the spends are so big. Weddings are the time for spending and all related sectors, including catering, décor, entertainment and transport benefit from it,” says Gupta of Shaadionline.

On an average, 5,000 international weddings take place every year, each wedding typically bringing in about 30 to 50 guests to the host country, who stay for about two weeks and spend big bucks, resulting in a win-win situation for all. Wedding planners say that with couples coming to India; Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala, Agra and Varanasi are the most popular wedding destinations.

And, not to forget the honeymoon. “What India offers is completely unique with combination wedding-honeymoon trips…A couple getting married in Varanasi can head to Goa for a completely different experience for their honeymoon,” says wedding planner Mehar Sarid.

Though wedding tourism is becoming a high-value bracket, wedding industry insiders are of the consensus that unlike other countries which actively market themselves as wedding destinations, the tourism board in India has not been able to cash in on this market.

... contd.