A Market Too Big to Ignore
The Indian wedding industry size of approximately ₹10 lakh crore ($130 billion) is second only to food and grocery, with an average Indian spending twice as much on a marriage ceremony as on education. India sees 80 lakh to 1 crore weddings annually compared to 70-80 lakh in China and 20-25 lakh in the U.S. “The Indian wedding industry is nearly double the size of the industry in the U.S. ($70 billion), albeit smaller than China ($170 billion),” said a report. (The Hindu)
With 8-10 million weddings annually, weddings fuel demand across jewellery, fashion, travel, hospitality, and digital services. Yet, unlike the West’s David’s Bridal or Tiffany & Co., India still lacks a globally recognised wedding lifestyle brand.
2. The Scale of the “Big Fat Indian Wedding”
The average wedding cost in India for 2025 has increased to approximately Rs. 36.5 lakh in 2024-25, representing a 14% increase from previous years. However, when we look specifically at the luxury segment, the numbers tell a different story:
Basic luxury weddings: Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore
Premium luxury weddings: Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 5 crore
Ultra-luxury celebrations: Rs. 5 crore and above
These figures vary significantly based on location, guest count, and the specific elements included in the celebration. Understanding the average wedding cost in India can help you set realistic expectations for your luxury celebration. (Bhandary’s kitchen)
Jewelry:
60% of demand tied to weddings projected to reach ₹10.29 lakh crore by FY 2027. The fiscal year FY2026 is expected to mirror this pattern, with prices currently trending around 20 per cent higher than the FY2025 average, indicating the dominance of price realisations in driving growth. (Indian Retailer.com)
Apparel:
Wedding wear is growing at a 15–17% CAGR, with designer labels like Sabyasachi clocking ₹487 crore in FY24 revenue. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, a leading name in luxury fashion, reported a phenomenal 42% increase in revenue (Angel One).
Hospitality:
Weddings drive 25–30% of annual luxury hotel revenues in India. Demand for high-quality accommodations is rising sharply, particularly in leisure hubs like Goa, Rajasthan, and Kerala, where weddings and curated social gatherings are fueling year-round revenues(HLMedia)
3. Structural Challenges Hindering Brand Emergence
Cultural Complexity – With 29 states and countless traditions, India’s weddings defy a universal template. Each region has distinct rituals, attire, and jewellery preferences, pushing brands to balance hyper-local relevance with a broader aspirational identity.
Aspirational Bias – Many high-spending Indian consumers equate luxury with global brands like Dior and Versace, as seen at Ambani weddings. This makes international labels the default status symbol, challenging homegrown designers to match prestige and desirability. (Vogue Business).
4. Brand Spotlights: How Players Are Positioning (80 words)
- Tanishq’s Rivaah: Region-specific bridal jewellery collections; holds -23% of organised wedding jewellery; retail is only ~50% of total market (Mint)
- Manyavar (Vedant Fashions): Celebrity-driven branding, franchise expansion, targeting men’s ethnic wear dominance.
- Sabyasachi & Manish Malhotra: Positioning India globally as couture leaders, but remain niche.
- Reliance Jewels & Reliance Brands: Aggressively entering bridal categories, backed by deep capital and retail reach.
5. The Future: What Consumers Want & Where the Opportunity Lies
Millennial & Gen-Z Brides/Grooms seek personalisation, sustainability, and global-local fusion designs. Weddings have always embodied culture, tradition, and the era in which we live. Since Gen Z wedding trends are now in the spotlight, we are seeing an interesting mix of innovation, technology, and values that decide the way young couples would like to celebrate their wedding day. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z is all about customisation, being eco-friendly, and ditching hard rules but holding on to important traditions. (Shadivyah)
Digital Discovery: Instagram, Pinterest, and wedding tech platforms increasingly shape buying choices.
Opportunity: An integrated ‘wedding lifestyle platform’ bundling jewellery, couture, event planning, and experiences could become India’s first globally aspirational wedding brand.
Moreover, with Reliance and Tata investing heavily, the next decade could mark a turning point, as India may finally begin exporting aspiration rather than merely importing it.”
7. Conclusion
India’s ₹10 lakh crore wedding economy is vast, resilient, and culturally rich. Winning brands will be those that balance scale with tradition, and modern luxury with aspirational appeal, cracking the code of the Indian wedding industry market.
