A Guide to Budget-Friendly Destination Weddings in India

Planning a wedding might turn out to be a mammoth task, and the selection of a location is quite important to make this day really memorable. Amongst various destination weddings, the choice of India is always there on top of the list due to fabulous landscapes, affluent cultural heritage, and of course, affordability. It has everything from beach weddings to palace-royal backgrounds or serenity hilltops.

Which Places is Best for a Destination Wedding in India

1. Goa: With fabulous beaches and rocking nightlife, Goa gives relaxed yet classy settings to the couples wanting it. The fusion of Portuguese architecture with the scenic coastline makes the look unforgettable.

2. Udaipur: Captioned as the “Venice of the East,” Udaipur has magnificent palaces and serene lakes, making it the perfect setting for one’s wedding in a fairy tale. Places that immediately come to mind are the City Palace and Lake Pichola, speaking of royalty in their own respect.

3. Jaipur: This pink city is identified with a list of big palaces and forts, venues which include the Rambagh Palace or the Jai Mahal Palace to provide a royal backdrop for a wedding done in style.

4. Kerala: The backwaters and palm-fringed beaches of Kerala truly form an environment, serene and green in itself. So the tranquil atmosphere becomes an ideal place for someone who wants to get very close to nature. The resorts in Alleppey and Kumarakom are really fine for this.

5. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Secluded and picture-perfect beaches, with pristine beaches and clear blue waters, make up Andaman and Nicobar Islands — a perfect location for a beach wedding. Havelock Island is the most popular.

6. Vrindavan: Making a special destination for traditional Indian weddings, known at the same time for its spiritual significance and cultural richness.

*Krishna Valley in Vrindavan: No better place for a destination wedding in Vrindavan than this Resort. It is superbly located on the Delhi-Agra Highway and, apart from its great convenience, offers a sharp contrast of elegance and tradition with a blend of modernity. Krishna Valley boasts more than adequate average to high-quality accommodation for over 500, outdoor and indoor spaces, and a fully serviced wedding providing decor, catering, and planning for hassle free and remarkable experience of weddings.

Also Read: 10 Reasons to Host a Destination Wedding in Vrindavan

Cost of a 100–200 Guest Wedding in India

When planning a destination wedding in India for 100–200 guests, it’s worth doing careful budgeting because of the reasons given below. Now these variables could really turn up the final cost:

Venue and Accommodation

• Hall Rental: Fancy places in Udaipur or Jaipur would have rentals ranging from INR 10 lakhs to INR 30 lakhs for a wedding lasting 2–3 days.
• Accommodation: This would again vary from place to place and the accommodation class, coming to about INR 2,000 to INR 10,000 per night per room. If it’s for 100 rooms for three days, that is topped up to INR 6 lakhs to INR 30 lakhs.

Catering

• Food and Beverage: Catering displays with multiple cuisines cost about INR 1,500 to INR 3,500 per person per day. For 200 guests over a span of three days, this budget would tally to INR 9 lakhs to INR 21 lakhs.

Decoration and Entertainment

• Decor: Themed Set-up with Departments, Lighting and Mandap Decoration would cost in between 5 lakhs to 15 lakhs.
• Entertainment: Several performers, DJs, and traditional artists can add another INR 2 lakhs to INR 5 lakhs to the budget.

Photography and Videography

• The costs of professional photographers and videographers vary from INR 2 lakhs to INR 7 lakhs, depending on the package and time.

Miscellaneous Expenses

• Wedding Planner Fees: A wedding planner will make things flow more smoothly, and their expenses generally come to around 10–15% of the total budget.
• Conveyance: It may consume anything between INR 2 lakhs to INR 5 lakhs for the movement of guests and logistics.

Can One Have a Wedding in 5–10 Lakhs?

While extravagant weddings could easily run into many crores, it’s certainly possible to have a good traditional wedding in India within a budget of INR 5–10 lakhs. Here are some tips towards that needy’s way:

Selection of Venue:

• With the right choice of venues, including those in the form of community halls, even smaller hotels, and large family homes, the costs may be drastically cut, at the very least, from resorts that can be breathtakingly expensive.

Guest List

• The supposed way to ensure that the budget does not get over the top is to ensure that the guest list consists of very close family and friends to 50–100 in number.

Catering

• Instead of a multi-cuisine spread, go for a single cuisine with a few specialty dishes. This will still be sumptuous while being cost-effective.

Decoration

• Use local flowers and simple decor to come up with a beautiful yet inexpensive ambiance. Some DIY decor ideas can also lend a touch of your own to the arrangements.

Entertainment and Photography

• Engage community artists and entertainers. Also, find young photographers in the industry who can provide quality services at a cheaper rate.

Costumes and Ornaments

• Instead of purchasing wedding costumes, one can even hire them or buy it from wholesale markets. Besides, jewellery that is simple and also dignified can go with your outfit without any high expenditure.

Low-cost and Budget-friendly Traditional Wedding

Place and Stay

• Venue: Opt for a place that can host your ceremony and accommodate your guests so as to save on transportation. Many medium-class hotels offer very appealing packages for wedding events.

Catering

• Keep the menu simple. Have traditional food that all people enjoy. Buffets may be less costly compared to plated dinners.

Décor and Entertainment

• Simple, elegant décor with some statement pieces can pack a lot of punch without costing the earth. Local bands or solo artists entertain at a fraction of the cost of marquee performers.

Photography
• Candid photography emphasized with gregarious photography.

Conclusion

How to plan a wedding in India: Grand or Budget. Some of the venues range from the royal palaces of Rajasthan to the spreading greens of Kerala. Listed here are a venues where prices can be controlled with a little caution paid to what is actually required, and one can easily have a very beautiful and lovely wedding within the price range.