The coronavirus pandemic has squeezed the big fat Indian weddings into a small intimate affair though the love for destination marriages much affordable with an exclusive small guest list at exquisite sites has risen.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) has booked around 100 destination weddings so far for winter months at different locations across the state including Orcha, Khajuraho, Gandhi Sagar, Maheshwar, Mandu and Hanuwantiya.
Of these 15 weddings have been booked for various tourist destinations in Indore division. The excuse to chop off guests amid the outbreak of pandemic and the luxury to afford a destination wedding almost at the cost equivalent to a posh hotel is the key in driving the trend for destination marriages, said officials and wedding experts.
MTDC MD S Vishwanathan said, “We have received around 100 bookings for destination weddings so far for different properties and enquiries are regularly pouring in. As the guests list has shortened and other expenses have come down, destination weddings are clicking in and it also adds to the experience of people. We are glad to see the confidence of people in our properties where we follow all laid safety protocols by the WHO and the health department.”
Most of the enquiries for destination weddings in the state are coming for properties close to lake, water bodies, heritage properties and resorts situated in the lap of nature. Anubhav Verma, an IT professional working at Pune has booked a hotel in Maheswar for his younger brother’s wedding. Verma said, “Destination wedding was never on the cards but after the outbreak of pandemic we decided to keep the function a low key in the presence of dear ones and started exploring options. This place suited us and there was not much impact on the budget as well so we decided to go for it.”
According to wedding experts, many middle class families are also making enquiries for hosting destination weddings. Some of the top preferred destinations out of state are Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Goa.
Bhavna Jadon, a wedding planner said, “Instead of inviting 500-1,000 guests, host families are calling limited 100-150 guests and spending the money on their leisure. They are booking special charters and more exquisite destinations. Expenses are the same but due to less number of guests, they are adding more leisure to their wedding plans.” According to MPTDC, Indore region they had booked 5 destination weddings last year as against 15 so far for December and January months. Ajay Sharma, regional manager, MPTDC, Indore region said, “New places are being booked for weddings this year such as Sailani, Hanuwantiya and Gandhi Sagar. Until last year, we had booked resorts at Ujjain and Maheshwar for organizing weddings. With fewer guests people have to spend less on catering and rooms and this is making destination weddings more attractive.”
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