The initial two months of 2020 were off to a smooth start for the wedding season but as the pandemic intensified, the wedding industry, just like many others, suffered major consequences. And thousands of lovebirds had to either reschedule their functions or opt for an intimate wedding. But guess which wedding trend has not only survived the brunt of all of this but has also somehow managed to bounce back to pre-COVID levels? It’s the Destination Wedding! Initially, destination weddings saw a sharp dip, but as travel restrictions eased across the country, with them recovered the number of couples leaning towards destination weddings.
A destination wedding in COVID times sounds dangerous but have faith, it is the exact opposite of that! The popular destination wedding locations in India have statistically reported far fewer cases than the densely populated metro cities and hence are much safer. Plus, the prices of even the most extravagant hotels and resorts have come down along with the destination wedding cost of literally everything else and so we got to see couples tossing their original plans out of the window and planning a small destination wedding at a dream location that fits well within their budget. And if you’re looking for safe, intimate locations for a destination wedding in India, then scroll down to check out this specially curated list by Weddingz.in.
1. Goa
With its coastline sugared by the sun, cuisine that agrees very well with everyone’s palate, an abundance of locations for you to unwind and relax, and a mind-blowing blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, Goa is India’s pocket-sized paradise. It is one of the most exotic beach wedding destinations that will cost far less than say Mauritius or Bali but will deliver the same magical experience. Along with the obvious beach wedding, you can also choose from several other themes that the landscapes of Goa offer such as island weddings or a full-fledged royal wedding in a magnificent 5-Star hotel, an elegant church wedding in a Portuguese-style church, or a fort wedding with an old-world charm.
Some of our favorite picks for a destination wedding in Goa that will sweep you off your feet are Marbela Beach Resort, Morjim and Goa Mariott Resort And Spa, Panjim.
2. Jaipur
Weddings in Jaipur have a dreamy experience on its whole. Home to forts, palaces, havelis, and numerous monuments that seem to narrate the tales of Rajput valor, enveloped by the Aravali Hills, and offering vivacious culture, cuisine, and temperament, Jaipur is and has always been undoubtedly one of the best places for destination weddings in India. Likewise will be the case for your small destination wedding. You will find exceptional venues here—from budget-friendly ones to exorbitant heritage hotels and resorts that will make your intimate ceremony one that will never be forgotten. So, if you haven’t decided already, Jaipur, one of the best wedding destinations in the world awaits you.
If you still need some convincing, venues JW Marriott Jaipur Resort And Spa, Kukas and Jai Bagh Palace, Kukas in Jaipur will do the trick.
3. Udaipur
Another one from the sovereign state of Rajasthan, the mesmerizing City Of Lakes, Udaipur is a gem that has to be on this list. A place of high historical and cultural importance, Udaipur is characterized by historical forts, palaces, most of those have been transformed into luxury heritage hotels, Rajput architecture, its cultured lanes, mouth-watering Mewari cuisine, and it’s serene lakes. One does not have to wonder why a destination wedding here is a rage year after year. Udaipur had always been a popular choice for destination weddings but the portrayal of Aditi’s wedding in the 2013 hit, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani got all the hopeless romantics dreaming about their own grandiose destination weddings at a luxurious resort in Udaipur. If you are one of those, good news for you; you can have a low destination wedding budget, thanks to the 50-people restriction on weddings!
We have venue suggestions RK Fort, Badi Lake Road, and Bhairavgarh By Zennia, Sukher for a destination wedding in Udaipur up our sleeve that will steal your heart right away!
4. Mussoorie
What comes to mind when you hear the words ‘Hill Station Destination Wedding’? Do you dream of a place with snow-capped mountains, lush forests consisting of towering Deodar and Oak trees, diverse and vivacious flora, and gushing rivers, lakes, and waterfalls? Now pull up Mussoorie on Google and watch this mental image come alive. With the Shivalik Range and Doon Valley snuggling it, Mussoorie offers some of the most magical sights that any hill station in the county has to offer, rightfully earning the name The Queen Of Hills. It was established by the British in 1823 and one can still see the impression of the Raj on the town. With such beauty, it has been known as one of the best destination weddings. It is commercialized enough for you to get the best of services, amenities, and facilities for a seamlessly grandiose wedding but at the same time, it is also quaint enough to make your ceremony the most romantic and magical of them all.
Luxurious venues JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa, Mussoorie and Welcom Hotel The Savoy, Mussoorie will give a face to your dream destination wedding.
5. Jodhpur
If it isn’t obvious at this point, Rajasthan offers some of the most popular destination wedding places because its cities offer just the right character and grandeur that make wedding ceremonies extraordinary. Adding to the list, Jodhpur, the stunning Blue City Of India, is one such beauty that will never let you down if you turn to it with your dream of a destination wedding. The arid desert air and the humid climate of the city don’t stop the patrons of history, art, and culture from visiting it in flocks and neither does it defer the whim of those wanting to make it the backdrop of their wedding ceremony. So if you fall into the latter category, the current pandemic situation is the perfect opportunity for you to exploit the offering of Jodhpur, stay safe, save a ton of money, and have your fantasy destination wedding fulfilled.
These stunning destination wedding venues—Indana Palace Jodhpur, Shikargarh and WelcomHeritage Bal Samand Lake Palace, Mandore Road in Jodhpur will take the grandeur and bling of your big day several notches higher.
Getting married amidst a pandemic can be a nerve-racking experience. Hence, safety and sanitation protocols should be at the very top of your priority list. If you have just begun your wedding planning and are yet to finalize the wedding venue, you could definitely consider a destination wedding as it can be one safe, smooth, stunning, and unforgettable affair! Couples can avail a holistic package through a wedding planner to get complete support for venue selection, and leverage their expertise to select the most efficient caterers, decorators as well as event managers, professional photographers, hair and makeup artists, choreographers, and priests for a seamless wedding experience.
Destination weddings are undoubtedly a dream, especially among us Indians as we are always looking for more and more ways to make our wedding ceremonies special. And if you fall into this category, we sincerely hope that this article helped you choose the city where you want to host your dreamy destination wedding.
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