Very much like love itself, weddings too, have transformed into a celebration of individuality, creativity, and meaningful connections. As couples strive to make their special day a true reflection of their personalities, in 2024, the wedding industry embraced trends that redefine traditional norms. From eco-friendly practices emphasising sustainability to innovation and tech-driven experiences, weddings are marked by a blend of timeless elegance and modern innovation.
Underlining the significant trends that shaped the wedding industry and experiences in 2024, personalisation remained at the forefront, with every detail thoughtfully curated to create unforgettable moments for couples and guests alike. Whether through immersive entertainment, sustainable décor, or culinary delights, weddings have transformed into deeply experiential and memorable occasions, setting new benchmarks for creativity and emotional resonance.
Intimate gatherings & Pastel hues
The rise of intimate gatherings, destination celebrations, and cultural fusion further highlighted the evolving preferences of modern couples. In an exclusive chat with Everything Experiential (EE), Pramod Lunawat, Founder & CEO, Millennium Event and Marriageuana elaborates his views about this trend, “According to me, the year 2024 saw a lot of changes in terms of how people approach weddings. Weddings became more significantly family and friend oriented rather than long lists of people who are just invited to be pleased.”
“What also increased was the expenditure on the experience rather than gifting because people were spending on the right kind of venue with the right element of décor,” he adds.
Talking about décor, Lunawat understands that structures had become lighter, transparent, more visible in terms of glasses or acrylic, etc. “I think peach fuzz was the colour or the new look. I think a lot of light colours and pastel shades were included.”
Designers & Venues galore
Talk about weddings, and the first thing that comes to mind are outfits – both, the bride and the groom’s. “In terms of dresses, I think people did opt for designers, but they also discovered newfound designers who may not have been large brands but are doing great with their designs,” he tells.
The venue of the wedding has always been dabbled and discussed, by every couple. As per Lunawat, in terms of destination surely Uttarakhand, Dehradun, Rishikesh, etc took off, although there isn't much over there in terms of the number of hotels. Rajasthan, especially Jaipur, has become a hub of destination weddings, he specifies.
He explains that it may also be said that weddings in India took off because many couples and families prefer India. “Though, I would not know if this will remain as a trend. This year it also led to a situation where most Indian hotels have increased their pricing by 25 – 30 per cent. Thus, diminishing a budget for the wedding planner - because ultimately a family would only spend that much as much they would have budgeted. And a significant portion of that would have been taken by hotels for their rooms and F&B (food & beverages).”
Experiences, Entertainment & Social media
Weddings, very evidently, have not been restricted to rituals and F&B – it is also about entertainment and experiences. Considering that, Lunawat highlights that people were spending not just on decor but new kinds of entertainers - young entertainers who have really been taken up this year, who may not be Bollywood celebrities, but they are definitely stage celebrities. The Sufi singers or for example, small bands or YouTube celebrities have taken off this year for weddings in terms of even for photography.
Not forgetting the Insta’s and Facebook’s of the world, he also comprehends that social media coverage was becoming very big. So, despite having a full-fledged photographer, people or couples would engage a social media team for sure to update their social media timelines, etc.
As couples seek to craft meaningful celebrations, the industry continues to push boundaries, the wedding trends in 2024 showcased the evolving nature of weddings, where tradition harmoniously coexists with modernity, and storytelling took centre stage. As we look ahead, the wedding landscape promises to remain a vibrant space of creativity, ensuring that each celebration is as unique as the love stories they honour.
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