In order to capitalize on the increasing demand for wedding venues, hotel chains are rolling out new offerings. This strategic move is in line with the tourism ministry’s campaign, urging couples worldwide to consider India as their wedding destination. Furthermore, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s call for Indians to host weddings within the country, industry executives are actively enhancing their services to align with this growing trend.
Parveen Chander Kumar, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), stated that in response to the increasing demand for distinctive and unconventional destination wedding venues, the Tata Group’s IHCL is expanding its portfolio. These additions aim to meet the varied preferences of individuals seeking both traditional and unique locations for their weddings.
According to KB Kachru, the principal advisor for South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group, the company is building a “dedicated wedding concept” that consolidates all aspects of the service under a single roof.
Manish Tolani, the Commercial Director for India at Hilton, shared that under the ‘Wedding Diaries By Hilton’ initiative, the company plans to customize experiences by featuring celebrity chefs and curating sustainable weddings with a focus on reducing the carbon footprint in the country.
“Simultaneously, our F&B (food and beverages) offerings will expand, incorporating partners committed to conscious practices,” he said.
In August last year, the tourism ministry launched a campaign to “unleash the potential of India’s huge wedding industry.” Prime Minister Modi, in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address in November, called for a ‘Wed in India’ campaign, encouraging people from the country to avoid organizing weddings abroad.
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This week, Hyatt announced the launch of ‘Perfectly Yours 2.0’ for couples seeking a “personalized” wedding experience. Kadmbini Mittal, Regional Vice President-Commercial, India and Southwest Asia, at Hyatt India Consultancy, said that the hotel chain has seen a 200% surge in its weddings business since 2019 and 50% since 2022.
“We have elevated our offerings in initiatives like Perfectly Yours 2.0 to align with the evolving preferences of modern couples. The new initiative extends beyond the wedding day, encompassing a holistic cultural experience throughout the celebration journey, through events like sangeet, mehendi and other cultural get-togethers,” said Mittal.
According to Nikhil Sharma, the Market Managing Director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has introduced ‘A Moment to Remember,’ a marketing campaign specifically crafted for the Indian wedding market.
“Our upcoming hotels prioritise wedding functions with purpose-built public spaces and banquets. Designed with versatility, the facilities include a separate banquet kitchen for both non-vegetarian and vegetarian cuisines,” he said.
Sharma mentioned that this wedding season surpasses previous ones, as customers are increasingly choosing hotels as their preferred venue.
“The trend reflects a significant change in preferences, elevating the overall wedding experience for couples and guests alike,” he said.
Akhil Arora, CEO of Espire Hospitality Group, revealed that due to the growing popularity of domestic weddings, the chain has established a dedicated weddings team at the group level, specifically catering to its ZANA-Luxury Escapes and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts properties.
“The team will be involved in ideating and creating stunning settings and experiences in the unique venues that we already have, flanked by the great Himalayan mountains, alongside tranquil lakes, in the midst of virgin forests or those bordering wildlife sanctuaries,” Arora said. “We have also introduced eco-friendly choices at Six Senses Fort Barwara, with no usage of plastic and paper materials in our organic spaces.”
Madhav Sehgal, Area Vice President for South India at The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts, announced that The Leela Palace Bengaluru is set to unveil a 10,000 square feet Maharaja Ballroom designed for “exquisite” celebrations in March.
Radisson Blu Palace Resort, Udaipur, is considering collaborations with influencers who hold a strong presence in the wedding and hospitality sectors, as mentioned by Chairman Somesh Agarwal. Additionally, the resort aims to enhance its commitment to sustainability by incorporating biodegradable decor, minimalistic designs, and eco-friendly catering choices.
“Notably, a significant number of non-resident Indians and domestic guests are choosing our venue. This heightened demand has prompted us to project a 40% increase in revenue,” he said.
The Grand Mercure Bengaluru at Gopalan Mall is currently in the process of creating all-inclusive destination wedding packages, as mentioned by General Manager Sachin Maheshwary. Simultaneously, the hotel is making strategic investments in targeted digital marketing campaigns.
Shruti Shibulal, CEO of Tamara Leisure Experiences, expressed the company’s ambition to transform into a comprehensive wedding destination.
“From providing curated gourmet food, indoor and outdoor venues, and every facility required, including decor, photography, choreography, mehendi, organising religious ceremonies and even being a honeymoon getaway, we do it all,” she said.
“We have formed collaborations with top-tier brands to deliver a holistic solution to our esteemed guests.”
Ranju Singh, the Complex General Manager at Novotel Goa Candolim and Novotel Goa Resort & Spa, mentioned that Novotel has introduced ‘Shagun at Novotel’, a program that provides personalized gift hampers to the guests of the bride and groom, enhancing the uniqueness of their celebration.
