Getting married is, without no doubt, one of the most beautiful days in everyone’s life… it’s the time when you and your partner can rejoice the new beginning together. And what could be a better way to freeze this special moment in time than choosing a lovely destination for the wedding.
Thankfully, you don’t have to go far to find a place that can make your Big Day even more special. All that you need to make your wedding ceremony unforgettable can be found in India itself – from sun-kissed beaches and scenic mountains to opulent palaces, ancient forts and grand hotels.
Here’s a list of 10 best wedding destinations in India that can make your special day look like it’s straight out of a fairy-tale.
Top Wedding Destinations in India
1. Udaipur, Rajasthan
Of all destinations in India that are known to be perfect for weddings, Udaipur always comes out on top and for good reason. Its clear blue skies, glorious palaces and breathtaking lakes make the most splendid setting for a regal ceremony. Rest assured, your wedding pictures will turn out to be super colourful and vibrant! An advantage is your guests will have a lot to do once the festivities are over, from going on sightseeing tours to indulging in exciting activities like boating on Pichola Lake.
- Best time of the year to host a wedding in Udaipur: September to February
2. Jaipur, Rajasthan
With its age-old palaces, magnificent forts and grand mansions, Jaipur seems absolutely perfect for the most luxurious wedding celebrations. It gives you a chance to get married like kings and queens at top-notch venues that aren’t anything brief of picture-perfect backdrops. Adding to the grandeur of the ceremonies would be the local pagdi-walas, mehndi artists, folk dancers, sarangi players and more. A plus is that your guests can reach Jaipur in a breeze by air and train and even by car.
- Best time of the year to host a wedding in Jaipur: February to March
3. Kerala
Sounds like an offbeat choice, right? But you’d be surprised how the quiet and picturesque setting in Kerala can set just the right tone for your union. Whether you choose to tie the knot amidst the sun-kissed beaches of Kovalam or the pristine backwaters of Alleppey, you’ll find myriad resorts that will leave your guests mesmerized in a moment. Add a touch of Kerala’s rich culture to your festivities by serving South Indian fare on banana leaves and organising a party on a traditional houseboat.
- Best time of the year to host a wedding in Kerala: September to March
4. Andamans
Wish to say ‘I do’ far away from the mainland amidst azure-coloured skies, clear waters and golden sands? Think of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While most parts of it are not accessible to tourists, the Havelock Island has many seaside resorts for you to get married at. Did you know you can even book an entire island resort and exchange vows in the backdrop of the Indian Ocean? The pleasing weather of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is all the more reason for you to get married here.
- Best time of the year to host a wedding in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: September to May
5. Goa
When talking about getting married by the sea, there’s no way you can’t think about marrying your special someone in Goa. It is such a mixed bag of pristine beaches, breathtaking sunsets, historical churches, beautiful resorts and verdant forests that you can have a variety of pictures for your pre-wedding shoot. You can also revel in Goa’s party vibe by organising the haldi and mehndi festivities by the pool, rain dances in the middle of the sea or an endless night of cocktails on the beach.
- Best time of the year to host a wedding in Goa: All year long
Read more about beach wedding destinations in India here.
6. Agra, Uttar Pradesh
What better than being married with the iconic symbol of true love, the Taj Mahal, in the backdrop! Thrilling, right? Agra undeniably makes for a great location for a destination wedding, as it can push just the right buttons to ignite your romance and bring you and your beloved closer as you prepare to tie the knot. Taking your vows in what is known to be the Paradise of Lovers, wouldn’t that be so amazing? As far as the venue is concerned, there are many opulent resorts and hotels in Agra.
- Best time of the year to host a wedding in Agra: October to March
7. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh is one of the most sacred cities in India and you might find it sanctimonious to begin your marital journey from here. It would indeed be fascinating to take the pheras on the shore of Ganga River underneath the stunning sky. The sound of the river flowing by coupled with the chanting of mantras and ringing of bells will add an element of spirituality to your wedding ceremony that will be unparalleled. There are many perfect wedding venues in Rishikesh for you to choose from.
- Best time of the year to host a wedding in Rishikesh: October to March
8. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Dreaming of a beautiful wedding ceremony amidst the mountains? Well, Mussoorie surely has the right postcard backdrop for a dreamy wedding. Beautiful tree-covered hills, the surreal view of the sun setting against the Himalayas, the clear skies, the cool breeze and the twinkling stars at night – everything about Mussoorie has a wonderful romantic air to it. You can even arrive before your D-Day and get some heavenly pictures clicked in the pristine surroundings of the hill station.
- Best time of the year to host a wedding in Mussoorie: Early April to mid-July
9. Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand
If you have always dreamt of a destination wedding but at the same time you don’t wish to splurge, then Jim Corbett is just the perfect place for you. Fast emerging as a popular affordable destination for weddings in India, this tree-laden land will provide you and your partner the perfect opportunity to celebrate one of the biggest days of your life away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Imagine taking pheras under a beautiful mandap surrounded by forested hills amidst chilly mountain air!
- Best time of the year to host a wedding in Jim Corbett: All year long
10. Gurugram-Manesar, Haryana
Surprised? Well, we have our reasons to put 10. Gurugram-Manesar in our list of top 10 and if you’re looking to not get too far from your home to get married yet have a destination wedding experience, then you’d agree! There is a wide variety of resorts and hotels in Gurgaon and Manesar that will take care of all your wedding planning needs and provide you just the best theme setup for your Big Day – from royal to minimalistic. If you’re from Delhi or neighbouring cities, this might be for you!
- Best time of the year to host a wedding in Gurugram-Manesar: All year long
While these Indian destinations made it to our list of top 10, there are many other places across the country where you can choose to take your wedding vows. For a royal palace wedding, you can also narrow down to Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Hyderabad or Bangalore. If marrying in a natural environment is what you wish for, you can choose Shimla, Lavasa or Alibaug. Cities like Varanasi, Pushkar, Amritsar, Puri and Madurai add a spiritual vibe while you and your partner are joined in holy matrimony.
The trend of organizing a wedding at a destination has become very popular nowadays. This compilation of some of the most amazing destinations in India for a wedding is really good. The photos are very inspiring. Certainly saving it for my future reference.