As 2025 draws to a close, the Indian wedding industry reflects on a year of grandeur, personalisation, and evolving traditions. The market, known for its elaborate celebrations that unite families, continues to boom with distinct trends. Based on industry reports and expert insights, here are five major wedding trends from 2025 that are strongly positioned to carry forward into 2026.
The Enduring Allure of Precious Metals and Grand Celebrations
Despite soaring prices, the demand for gold and silver ornaments remained unshaken in Indian weddings throughout 2025. These precious metals, deeply ingrained in cultural and ceremonial significance, continue to be a non-negotiable element for many families, showcasing a willingness to invest in tradition regardless of market fluctuations.
Parallel to this, the scale of celebrations witnessed a significant uptick. Data from wedding planning platform WedMeGood indicates that spending on weddings in 2025 increased by 8%, with the average budget climbing to approximately INR 39.5 lakhs. This trend of lavish weddings was not confined to celebrities but was enthusiastically embraced by the upper-middle and middle classes, underscoring the event's paramount importance in Indian social life.
The Rise of Destination Weddings and Storytelling Photography
The concept of the big, fat Indian wedding is increasingly being set against picturesque backdrops far from home. Destination weddings have moved from niche to mainstream. Mehak Shahani, co-founder of WedMeGood, revealed to PTI that one in every four weddings in 2025 was a destination event. For weddings with budgets exceeding Rs 1 crore, this number jumped to over 60%.
The financial commitment for these events also rose, with the average cost of a destination wedding increasing from around Rs 51.1 lakh in the previous year to about Rs 58 lakh in 2025. Popular domestic destinations included heritage cities like Jaipur and scenic spots like Mussoorie and Goa, while international favourites featured Vietnam and Thailand.
Capturing these moments has also evolved. The demand for stiff, posed albums has been overtaken by a preference for candid, documentary-style photography and videography. "Candid, documentary-led narratives continue to dominate," affirmed Harsheen Jammu, co-founder of luxury wedding photography firm Ombre, in a statement to Mathrubhumi. Couples now seek Instagram-worthy reels and photos that authentically narrate their unique love story.
Personalisation: The Heart of Modern Weddings
The final, overarching trend is the deep desire for customisation. From thematic decor to thoughtful return gifts, couples are infusing their personalities into every detail of their wedding. This move towards bespoke elements transforms the event from a standard ceremony into a highly personal celebration. Elaborating on this, Harsheen Jammu noted, "Personalisation is at an all-time high, with custom details and bespoke decor offering more intimate storytelling moments."
In summary, the Indian wedding landscape of 2025 was characterised by a blend of timeless tradition and modern expression—opulent spending on precious metals and multi-day events, the pursuit of dream locations, a shift towards authentic visual storytelling, and a keen focus on personalised details. As we step into 2026, these elements are poised to remain central, continuing to shape the future of how India celebrates its most cherished union.
