Destination weddings now account for one in four Indian weddings, with their share expected to increase to 30-32 per cent by 2028, according to WedMeGood’s Destination Wedding Report 2026. The report highlights a growing preference among Indian couples for experience-led celebrations, with Sri Lanka emerging as one of the fastest-growing international wedding destinations due to its proximity, hospitality infrastructure and diverse tourism offerings. WedMeGood said destination wedding spending has increased by 8 per cent year-on-year, with the average domestic destination wedding budget reaching INR 58 lakh, while international destination weddings now average more than INR 1.5 crore. The report found that 42 per cent of couples now prefer smaller, personalised celebrations over large-scale weddings, while 44 per cent favour destinations within a two-to-four-hour flight from India. Indian destination wedding bookings to Sri Lanka are projected to grow by 20-25 per cent annually. According to the findings, destination weddings now span an average of 3.2 days, compared with 1.8 days before 2020, reflecting increasing demand for multi-day celebrations featuring curated dining, wellness activities and immersive guest experiences. Mehak Shahani, Co-Founder, WedMeGood, said, “Indian weddings are undergoing a remarkable transformation. Couples today are investing not just in celebrations, but in creating meaningful experiences that bring family and friends together.” She added, “We are witnessing a clear shift towards destination weddings that prioritise personalisation, guest engagement, curated food experiences, and immersive itineraries. Wedding budgets continue to evolve alongside these expectations, reflecting a growing willingness among couples to invest in experiences that create lasting memories rather than simply larger celebrations.” The report identified Sri Lanka as one of the strongest-performing international destinations, citing visa-free access for Indian travellers, short travel times, luxury resorts, beaches, cultural attractions, wildlife and wellness experiences as key factors driving demand. It also highlighted properties including Shangri-La Hambantota, Shangri-La Colombo and Amaya Hills Kandy among the most-reviewed venues. Refhan Razeen, General Manager, Shangri-La Hambantota, said the resort has hosted more than 40 destination weddings and is seeing increasing demand for multi-day celebrations that combine scale with personalised guest experiences. Shashank Gupta, Chief Dreamer and Nurturer, TailorMade Experiences, said destination weddings are increasingly being designed as complete guest journeys incorporating cultural experiences, wellness activities and bespoke celebrations rather than focusing solely on the wedding ceremony. WedMeGood expects international destination weddings within Asia to continue growing, with Sri Lanka remaining one of the leading beneficiaries of increasing demand for short-haul, luxury, experience-led celebrations. Go to Source
