Weddings in India are more than just ceremonies—they’re cultural spectacles blending tradition, family expectations, and often a hefty financial commitment. For families navigating a middle-class marriage budget in India, these events can strain savings while also acting as a marker of social status.
In 2025, the average Indian wedding cost for a middle-class family typically ranges between ₹5 lakh and ₹50 lakh, depending on location, guest count, and traditions. While some prefer intimate court weddings under ₹5 lakh, others go for multi-day celebrations in big cities that touch ₹25–40 lakh. On the higher end, luxury destination weddings in places like Udaipur or Jaipur can cross several crores.
This article brings together real-life anecdotes, city-wise comparisons, and a marriage expenses list so you can realistically plan your Indian wedding budget.
Why Wedding Costs Matter for Middle-Class Families
For middle-class households, where annual income might hover between ₹10–30 lakhs, marriage expenses in India often become the single largest financial outlay of their lifetime. Unlike routine costs, these are usually one-time expenses compressed into a week. Families often:
- Use years of savings
- Take loans or sell assets
- Buy large amounts of gold jewellery (seen as an investment)
This creates enormous pressure, especially since cultural norms still link wedding scale to family reputation. That’s why understanding average wedding costs in India is crucial before you commit.
Real Wedding Cost Examples (2023–2025)
Here’s a curated table of wedding costs based on real user-shared experiences (Reddit, Quora, personal blogs). These stories show the huge variation in marriage cost in India, from simple affairs to luxury events.
| Location/Type | Guest Count | Major Expenses | Total Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court + Small Reception | 180 | Venue, food, décor, accommodation | ₹8 lakh (shared equally) |
| Destination Wedding | 50 | Food, stay, return gifts | ₹5.8 lakh |
| Tier 4 Town | 250 | Venue + catering (₹1.7 lakh), shopping (₹1.5 lakh), décor (~₹1 lakh) | ₹3.5–4 lakh |
| Small Kolkata Wedding | Few | Venue ₹60k, DIY makeup, no gold | ₹3 lakh |
| Bangalore | 150 | Venue ₹3 lakh, food ₹2.6 lakh, décor ₹2.2 lakh, photography ₹1.3 lakh | ₹12 lakh |
| South Indian (Bangalore outskirts) | 1,200 | Food (28 items), hall, décor, gifts (500 sarees) | ₹15 lakh |
| Chennai (Mid-range) | 500 | Hall, décor, veg food, photography, honeymoon | ₹9 lakh |
| Delhi NCR + Lucknow | 2 ceremonies | Wedding ₹15 lakh, reception ₹13 lakh | ₹28 lakh |
| Mumbai Suburbs | 180 | Shopping, food, rituals | ₹8–9 lakh (excluding gold) |
| Jaipur (COVID-era) | 200 | 4-day event, décor, photography, gold | ₹25 lakh |
| Banaras (sister’s wedding) | Multiple events | Outfits, gifts, décor, travel, makeup | ₹50+ lakh |
| Surat | 1,000+ | Venue ₹10k, jewellery ₹12 lakh, catering ₹3–4 lakh | ₹16–18 lakh |
| Jharkhand | 450 | Multiple functions | ₹10–15 lakh |
| Mumbai (Metro) | 600 | Venue, catering, décor | ₹36 lakh |
| Luxury Udaipur | 2 days | Venue only (Udaivilas) | ₹1.2 crore+ |
👉 As you can see, simple Indian wedding budgets in small towns can stay under ₹5 lakh, but metros push the average wedding cost in India into the tens of lakhs.
City-Wise Wedding Budget Comparison
The cost of a wedding depends heavily on city tier. Here’s how the average marriage cost in India looks when broken down by location type. Check out our recent article cost of getting married in chennai.
| City Tier | Average Total Cost (INR) | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: Major Metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore) | ₹15–40 lakh | Venue rentals ₹3–10 lakh, food ₹1,000–2,000/plate, premium décor |
| Tier 2: Mid-Sized Cities (Chennai, Jaipur, Surat) | ₹8–30 lakh | Cheaper halls (₹1–3 lakh), local catering, some luxury |
| Tier 3/4: Smaller Towns | ₹3–15 lakh | Community halls ₹50k–₹2 lakh, less focus on décor |
| Rural/Villages | ₹3–12 lakh | No venue costs (family land), focus on jewellery & food |
👉 A wedding that feels “lavish” in a village may be considered “basic” in Delhi or Mumbai.
Marriage Expenses List (Typical Categories)
Here’s a detailed breakdown of wedding expenses in India (200–500 guests, excluding gold unless noted).
| Category | Cost Range (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Venue/Hall | ₹60,000 – ₹10 lakh | Community halls cheap; hotels & banquets costly |
| Food & Catering | ₹400–₹2,000 per plate; ₹2–12 lakh total | Often 30–40% of the total marriage budget |
| Décor & Stage | ₹80,000 – ₹4 lakh | Includes flowers, lighting, themes |
| Photography & Videography | ₹1–4 lakh | Drone & pre-wedding shoots extra |
| Clothes & Outfits | ₹1–3 lakh | Bride/groom outfits plus gifts for family |
| Jewellery | ₹3–15 lakh | Often 50–70% of the marriage expenses in India |
| Pre-Wedding Functions | ₹2–10 lakh | Mehendi, sangeet, cocktails |
| Miscellaneous | ₹50k–₹3 lakh | Transport, DJ, makeup, gifts |
| Destination Add-ons | ₹1–5 lakh | Travel, hotels, guest stay |
This shadi ka kharcha list can act as a checklist for anyone planning a wedding.
Factors That Dictate the Average Wedding Cost
in IndiaSeveral key factors determine the average marriage cost in India, and understanding them helps families plan a realistic middle-class marriage budget in India:
- Location – The city or town where the wedding takes place hugely impacts costs. Metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore have higher venue rentals, catering, and labour charges. For example, a wedding in Mumbai for 600 guests can cost around ₹36 lakh, while a similar wedding in a Tier 4 town may only cost ₹3.5–4 lakh. Even small differences in neighbourhoods or banquet choices within the same city can add lakhs to the budget.
- Guest Count – The number of attendees is one of the biggest drivers of wedding expenses in India. A wedding for 50 guests requires fewer plates, less décor, and smaller venues, often costing under ₹5 lakh, whereas a 1,200-guest South Indian wedding with elaborate food and multiple functions can easily exceed ₹15 lakh. Every additional 50–100 guests increases catering and logistics costs significantly.
- Culture & Region – Regional traditions heavily influence spending patterns. North Indian weddings often prioritize gold and diamond jewellery, multiple ceremonies, and large-scale décor, pushing costs higher. South Indian weddings, by contrast, emphasize elaborate food spreads (sometimes 20–30 items), temple rituals, and traditional gifts, which increases catering and clothing expenses.
- Destination vs. Local – Choosing a wedding destination can save on décor if the venue is naturally scenic, but adds expenses for travel, accommodation, and guest transportation. Local weddings reduce travel costs but may require more investment in décor, halls, and logistics. Destination weddings are popular for 50–200 guest celebrations but may cost ₹1–5 lakh extra depending on the location.
- Gold & Dowry – In many regions, jewellery forms a substantial portion of the average Indian wedding cost. In North India and Rajasthan, gold and diamond gifts to the bride’s family can make up 50–70% of the overall wedding budget. These costs are often considered “investments,” but they significantly inflate the total marriage expenses in India.
- External Events (COVID & Other Restrictions) – Government-imposed restrictions on gatherings during 2020–22 temporarily reduced wedding costs. Smaller guest lists and limited ceremonies during the pandemic allowed families to host weddings at 50–60% of pre-COVID budgets. While restrictions have eased, this period shifted perceptions toward smaller, more intimate weddings among the younger generation.
- Miscellaneous Factors – Other elements like high-end photographers, luxury cars, exotic cuisines, and entertainment (live bands, DJs, fireworks) can drastically increase the average marriage cost in India, even for a middle-class wedding. Planning ahead and prioritizing essential elements can help keep the budget manageable.
Opinions, Reactions, and Shifting Trends
Discussions online show a divide. Many feel wedding expenses in India are “financially draining,” forcing families to spend years of savings. Even a middle-class marriage budget in India of ₹25 lakh can feel basic yet burdensome in metros.
Younger couples increasingly prefer smaller, intimate weddings with simple Indian wedding budgets of ₹2–5 lakh, sometimes splitting costs equally. Instead of large crowds, they prioritize honeymoons or memorable experiences.
Meanwhile, traditional families in rural India still view jewellery and gifting as unavoidable, with shadi ka kharcha lists running into lakhs. Critics argue priorities should shift toward education and stability rather than extravagance.
The bottom line: average marriage cost in India is highly variable. What feels extravagant in one town may be “basic” in a metro. But across conversations, one theme stands out—weddings should celebrate love, not drain a family’s finances.
Also Read: Haldi Ceremony Guide
Frequently asked questions on Google
A typical middle-class wedding in India can range between ₹8–20 lakh, depending on the city, guest count, and cultural traditions. Smaller towns and rural weddings may stay under ₹5 lakh, while metro weddings with 200–500 guests often exceed ₹15 lakh. Luxury weddings can cross ₹1 crore, especially in high-end venues.
For 100 guests, a simple Indian wedding budget can range from ₹3–8 lakh. Key expenses include venue, catering, décor, clothing, and photography. Opting for smaller halls or banquet packages helps manage costs.
To keep marriage expenses in India low:
Limit the guest list to close friends and family.
Choose local community halls or farmhouses instead of luxury hotels.
DIY décor, order fewer clothing sets, and minimize jewellery.
Consider off-season months when venues and caterers offer discounts.
Traditionally, the bride’s family handles major costs like gold jewellery, outfits, and pre-wedding ceremonies, while the groom’s family covers the wedding day venue, catering, and rituals. Nowadays, many couples split costs to reduce financial strain.
Splitting costs fairly can help manage a middle-class marriage budget in India:
Bride’s family: jewellery, outfits, pre-wedding events.
Groom’s family: Wedding venue, catering, rituals, and honeymoon contribution.
Couples may pay for photography, décor, or honeymoon directly.
Typically, food and catering account for 30–40% of the total marriage expenses, followed by gold jewellery (50–70% in North India). Venue rentals and décor are also significant costs, especially in metro cities.
Yes, a small, simple Indian wedding budget is feasible with ₹5 lakh if you:
Keep guest count under 100.
Opt for local halls or court weddings.
Limit pre-wedding functions, décor, and jewellery.
A “big fat” Indian wedding in a metro city with 500+ guests often costs ₹25–50 lakh, excluding luxury jewellery. Destination weddings and luxury venues can push the total above ₹1 crore.
For 200 guests, the average Indian wedding cost ranges between ₹10–20 lakh, depending on the city, catering style, venue, and décor choices. South Indian weddings may cost more due to elaborate food spreads, while North Indian weddings may be jewellery-heavy.
Luxury weddings in India, held in 5-star hotels or destination resorts, typically cost ₹1–3 crore or more. This includes high-end catering, designer clothing, gold/diamond gifts, luxury vehicles, live entertainment, and professional wedding planners.
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