Big fat Indian weddings abroad

We know about the big fat Indian weddings, as hundreds of millions of rupees are spent even on marriages in small towns and cities. We know about destination weddings, not just in India but abroad. Most of us would rather make our marriages global affairs, from “beachfront vows in Thailand to vineyard ceremonies in Italy.” As wedding destinations change, a study by Policybazaar finds specific wedding-related travel insurance trends that indicate “sustained growth in wedding-linked international travel, seasonal uptake around peak wedding months, growing participation from families and senior travelers, and rising preference for baggage and medical-related covers.”

For example, the purchases of travel insurance for the above purposes have consistently grown over the past three years, with a more than 27 per cent growth in 2024, and a similar one in 2025 (year-to-date). “This sustained momentum reflects not just higher international travel volumes, but also growing awareness of the financial and logistical risks involved in multi-day, high-cost wedding travel,” states the study. In addition, it shows that the rich, wealthy, and well-to-do are more aware of the pitfalls of the fat wedding expenses abroad, which are tracked by the income tax department. Insurance covers ensures that the expenses are legal, and not in a shady manner as was prevalent earlier.

“Destination weddings are popular, and our data shows how travel insurance planning is evolving. What stands out is high adoption, multi-generation travel, longer stays, and high emotional and financial stakes. High priority is given to medical costs, and protection of high-value baggage. Today’s wedding travelers treat it as an essential part of wedding planning rather than an afterthought,” says Meet Kapadia, head of travel insurance, Policybazaar. The insurance preferences include baggage loss (28 per cent; especially high-value outfits and jewelry), medical emergency (25 per cent), 22 per cent for pre-existing diseases (which makes healthcare component 47 per cent), and 25 per cent for trip cancellations, missed flights, and flight delays.

Obviously, the destinations depend on several factors such as likes and dislikes, personal bucket lists, promises made by the future spouses prior to the marriages, affordability, accessibility, ability of family, relatives, and friends to attend, and aspirations. According to the study, Thailand is the most preferred location, “driven by proximity, visa ease, and strong Indian wedding infrastructure.” The UAE comes next, and is “favoured for luxury venues, and seamless international connectivity.” Vietnam and Sri Lanka are cost efficient, and scenic. In Europe, Italy, Spain, and Greece are exotic, and “premium destinations” that attract the high-spenders and rich. In many cases, Bollywood and Hollywood flicks made several locations famous and popular.

Of course, the travel insurance covers peak with the wedding months. Obviously, no one will buy them when there are no marriages on the anvil. However, the seasonal spikes are not consistent, which indicate either no discerning patterns when people get married, or wild fluctuations, which have nothing to do with the seasons. For example, in the January-March period, the growth in 2024 was eight per cent, which doubled to 16 per cent in 2025. In the November-December period, the fluctuation was wilder, 30 per cent in 2024, and a mere eight per cent in 2025. The problem may be with the periods, as the first is for more than 70 days, and the latter for only 45 days.

Of course, the bulk of the insurance cover pertains to the younger and middle age cohorts. According to the study, 40 per cent is accounted for by the young, which includes the bride-and-groom, and their friends and cousins, and 35 per cent by the 45-60 years age-group, which includes parents, relatives, and family friends. Still, a substantial 25 per cent is accounted for by the elderly (60+ years). “This broad mix explains the heightened focus on medical, and pre-existing disease coverage, particularly as families travel together for longer international stays,” states the study. There is an inclusive, family-led nature to it.

In urban areas, and for those with higher education and special skills, incomes have zoomed over the past two decades. The starting salaries for top-level MBAs are in the range of tens of millions of rupees. Hence, it is not unusual that the couples account for 60 per cent of the travel insurance purposes for their weddings. They foot the extra bill. Family members, especially parents, account for 30 per cent, with the rest being spent by non-resident relatives. Even the last expenditure by non-residents may be because they get discounted deals. In several nations, like India, there are different hospitality rates for locals and foreigners.

Among the top cities, Mumbai, not surprisingly, accounts for the highest (16 per cent) of the travel insurance purchases. But unexpectedly, it is not Delhi or Chandigarh, which is at No. 2. It is Bengaluru (13 per cent), followed by Delhi (8 per cent), Hyderabad (5 per cent), and Chennai (4 per cent). Southern cities are relatively as ostentatious and showy compared to the west and south. Bengaluru, being a truly cosmopolitan city, like Mumbai, is an exception. But the smaller cities are catching up, and there is “rising traction” in cities such as Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Jaipur, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar. If these are considered, the North is way ahead.

In the case of destination weddings, either in specific locales in India or overseas, the attendance is on the ascendance. The wedding groups are becoming larger, and more encompassing over the years. Earlier, if close family members, relatives, and friends were invited, the invites have become larger to include co-workers, neighbours, and powerful acquaintances. Partly, this is because of the ability of the spouses, and their families to spend. Partly, it is because of the acknowledgement that many of the visitors will spend their money to attend. This may explain a 25 per cent surge in group bookings in 2025.

“Despite varying destinations, and travel styles, wedding travelers show a consistent approach to coverage,” states the study. For example, the sum insured is typically $2,50,000 (or nearly INR 2.5 crore) across South-East Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Of course, the premium payments are higher for the European locations, possibly due to “longer stays, and higher medical costs.” “This suggests that wedding travelers prioritise robust protection irrespective of destination complexity or cost,” states the study. When it comes to insurance, people do not believe in short-changing on sum insured, as they anyway spend so much on the wedding. The former is not cost, but necessity.