Keep it Extravagant: 10 Exotic Wedding Destinations in India

So, you’ve popped the question, and she said ‘yes’. You are already done with the hullabaloo called ‘wedding planning’ and the trousseau is packed neatly for the big day. What next? You are still pondering over why your never-to-be-seen neighbour managed to squeeze in the question amidst an awkward small talk in the lift – where’s the wedding? Deciding the perfection destination for your gooey-eyed wedding period can be a colossal task. As much as we’d like to cringe at the thought of having a wedding in India, the truth is – most of us land up planning one here just to realise how beautiful our country is! We wonder why all the television shows are busy covering exotic locations across the world. Yeah, all of us love Paris, Switzerland (special thanks to Yash Chopra, RIP) and Bali. But India is home to some of the most exotic wedding destinations, which are all equipped to surprise you.

When it’s your wedding, you want it to be an untold story for everyone to unravel. To make your wedding an extravagant affair, selecting the ideal destination becomes critical.

Let’s take a quick detour of some interesting wedding destinations in India.

Jaipur: Royal style wedding vows

Photo By: Robin Saini

Photo By: Going Bananas Photography

Jaipur is synonymous with everything royal and has been host to some of the most resplendent weddings. The beautiful ‘Pink City’ is home to some of the most splendid palaces and forts, making it a perfect backdrop for any celebration. Venues like Samode Palace, Sujan Rajmahal Palace and Talai Bagh Palace add to the rich cultural heritage of the city. The architecture, ambiance and the grandeur make Jaipur the go-to destination for weddings. Apart from various Indian weddings, a lot of palaces have also been witness to a couple of Hollywood weddings.

Kerala: God’s own country

Photo By: Navdeep Soni

Photo By: Navdeep Soni

Just imagine how beautiful would it be to have your wedding at God’s own country, Kerala, with the backwaters? The city is one of the most-desired options when it comes to destination weddings. If you wish to host your wedding functions amongst the vast stretch of tea gardens at Munnar, beautiful Citrus Retreat Alleppey or Kochi Fort, the city is the perfect gateway for couples who wish to have a destination wedding in India. If you’re still contemplating, just envisage the tall coconut palm trees, stunning houseboats or clean beaches, and you will not be able to stop yourself from choosing Kerala as your wedding destination.

Jodhpur: Regal is the way to go

Photo By: Camera Crew

Yes, you guessed it right! The state of Rajasthan has many cities, which qualify as exotic wedding destinations and the Sun City in Jodhpur is one of them. Located near the Thar Desert, it is one of the reasons why Jodhpur is a preferred wedding destination for couples. For couples who intend on having a wedding with the desert scenery, venues like Ranbanka Palace, Ajit Bhawan, Indana Palace and Camp Thar offer the perfect setting for bringing alive the wedding fervor.

Goa: A wedding in heaven

Photo By: Navdeep Soni

Photo By: Whatknot

How can we forget Goa for ‘destination weddings’? Even while the world was still not accustomed to the concept, Goa was already grabbing headlines for its scenic beaches and weddings. Today, it offers the fanciest wedding retreats with hotels like Holiday Inn and Reis Magos Fort at the forefront. If you’re a beach person and wish to celebrate your big day at the breathtaking Vagator, Baga or Candolim beaches, then this is the place for you!

Udaipur: Get married the Maharaja way

Photo By: PK Suri

The Lake City is the go-to destination for wedding and a source of inspiration for a lot of movies. The beautiful city has majestic palaces and forts, with architecture reminiscent of the traditional Rajasthani culture. The building is designed in a contemporary style and one of the best places for the Maharajas and Maharanis out there!

Hyderabad: Go the Nawabi route

Photo By: Navdeep Soni

Falaknuma Palace

Majestic and mesmerizing! Perfect for a grand scale wedding, the city of Nizams has some of the most famous and striking palaces like the Falaknuma Palace and Chowmallah Palace. The location works best for couples who wish to have a Nawabi-style wedding celebration.

Lavasa: Add an Italian touch to your wedding

Photo By: PK Suri

Photo By: Whatknot

The exotic township situated near Pune is one of first planned hill stations, modelled on the town of Italy. With waterfalls, lakes and breathtaking views of the whole city, this place is apt to host dreamy destination weddings.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Take the plunge amidst serenity

Photo By: Navdeep Soni

If you wish to plan a romantic destination wedding, then there’s no better location than Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The soothing climate and fresh, clean water beaches make this place ideal for hosting your wedding. The palm trees and sea shore add the much-needed calmness and make your wedding serene. For guests who wish stay back post the wedding, it makes for a great holiday destination too.

Agra: An epitome of love

Photo By: Shutterdown Photography

The list of exotic wedding destinations is incomplete without Agra making it to the list. Nothing can be more appropriate than celebrating your wedding in the city of love. It is quite an exciting thought to take the plunge with the ‘Taj Mahal’ as a witness to your vows. With breath-taking venues to spoil you for choice, it will create memories that will last forever!

Shimla: An affair with picturesque green hills and valleys

Just the thought of tying the knot amidst the beautiful, cool pine-clad hills is exciting! What makes Shimla a popular wedding destination is its pleasant climate coupled with a breathtaking view of snowy mountains. For people who prefer a location that brings them closer to Mother Nature, this city is a masterpiece. The greenery, fresh breeze and the spellbinding view make Shimla the desired wedding destination.

Photo By: Navdeep Soni

Remember, you only get married once (at least we hope so) and selecting that perfect wedding destination is of utmost importance. Whether you want a quiet, picturesque wedding or something that tickles your imagination, India has its share of exotic locations to make you weak at the knees.