Eco-Friendly Weddings Becoming The New Norm As Couples Embrace Digital Invites, Zero-Waste Catering, Ethical Fashion

The Wedding Company is redefining wedding planning in India with a seamless blend of technology, sustainability, and luxury. Founded to simplify the complexities of organizing weddings, the company now offers tech-enabled solutions, from instant wedding proposals to real-time guest management. “More couples are embracing sustainability with digital invites, zero-waste catering, and ethical fashion,” says Pawan Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, The Wedding Company, in an exclusive interview with Bizz Buzz.

With rising demand for destination weddings, The Wedding Company ensures premium quality by partnering with trusted vendors and hospitality providers worldwide. AI-driven customization is also shaping the industry, allowing hyper-personalized experiences. As weddings evolve, the company’s strategic innovations, cultural expertise, and commitment to excellence position it as a leader in India’s growing wedding market

What trends will we see in the industry in 2025?

Sustainability, tech-enabled planning, and personalized experiences will define 2025. More couples are opting for eco-friendly weddings with digital invites, zero-waste catering, and ethical fashion choices. AI-driven customization will also shape wedding planning, allowing hyper-personalized experiences. Additionally, smaller, intimate celebrations with high attention to detail will continue to gain popularity.

What unique challenges and opportunities do international venues present for Indian wedding planners?

International weddings come with logistical, cultural, and legal challenges. Understanding local regulations, vendor coordination, and guest accommodations are key hurdles. However, they also offer opportunities to create unique experiences, from beachside pheras in Bali to royal palaces in Europe. We mitigate challenges by partnering with local experts, conducting site visits, and offering full logistical support to our clients.

How to ensure premium quality and reliability across diverse geographies and vendor networks?

One can ensure premium quality and reliability across diverse locations through a rigorous vendor selection process. Every vendor undergoes thorough evaluation, including portfolio assessment, event history verification, pre-planning efficiency, customization capabilities, and on-the-day execution. Our team conducts quality checks at every stage, ensuring seamless coordination and high standards. By partnering with trusted professionals, one can guarantee exceptional service, personalized experiences, and flawless execution across all wedding destinations.

What are some of the rising trends in the wedding industry currently?

The Indian wedding industry is shifting toward personalization and grand yet intimate celebrations. One of the biggest trends is the rise of big fat intimate weddings, where guest lists are smaller but the overall experience is more luxurious and curated. Destination weddings continue to dominate, with locations like Udaipur, Jaipur, and Goa being top picks. Sustainability has also entered the Indian wedding scene, with couples choosing eco-friendly decor, plantable invitations, and upcycled bridal outfits. Technology is playing a transformative role, with live streaming, virtual wedding shopping, and AI-driven planning tools becoming integral. Another key trend is the emphasis on cultural fusion—modern couples want to honour traditions while incorporating contemporary elements into their weddings.

What is the spending pattern for wedding-related attire across different age groups?

Younger brides and grooms, particularly those in the 25–35 age group, tend to favour designer wear that balances modern trends with traditional aesthetics. They often splurge on statement pieces like lehengas, sherwanis, and cocktail outfits from renowned designers or premium boutique labels. Gen Z couples also focus on versatility, opting for outfits that can be reused post-wedding. Older couples or families, on the other hand, often prioritize heavily embroidered and traditional attire, choosing timeless styles that hold cultural significance. Across all groups, bridal wear accounts for a major chunk of the wedding budget, with increasing interest in sustainable and handcrafted options from Indian artisans.

How do brands collaborate with wedding planners or apps to promote wedding-specific collections?

In the Indian context, brands often collaborate with wedding planners to showcase their collections through experiential setups such as bridal showcases, exclusive exhibitions, or trunk shows at premium venues. Wedding planners also play a pivotal role in recommending brands to clients, making these partnerships highly valuable. Collaborations in India are also strengthened through influencer-led campaigns, where brides and grooms showcase branded outfits or products during their wedding journey.

How can brands integrate their services into wedding planning platforms to reach consumers early in their decision-making process?

For Indian weddings, where decisions are made months in advance, integrating with wedding planning platforms is essential. Brands can use features like virtual shopping tours, augmented reality-based bridal trials, and curated recommendations to attract customers early on. Localized content is also crucial; for example, brands could showcase collections tailored to specific regional wedding styles, such as South Indian silk sarees or North Indian bridal lehengas.

How many people are spending on cosmetics, jewellery, apparel, and destinations for their weddings?

India’s wedding market is one of the largest in the world, with an estimated 10 million weddings taking place annually. Nearly every wedding budget heavily invests in key categories like cosmetics, jewellery, apparel, and destinations. 60-70 per cent of wedding expenses are typically allocated to the venue and destination cities. Destination weddings, though niche, are gaining momentum, with many middle- and upper-class families willing to spend significantly on creating memorable experiences. The industry is expected to grow further as aspirations for unique, lavish celebrations continue to rise across India.

What inspired you to create the company, and how has the journey evolved since its inception?

The Company was born out of a vision to simplify wedding planning in India. I noticed that couples and families struggled with coordinating multiple vendors, managing budgets, and ensuring a seamless experience. We set out to create a one-stop solution that blends technology with expert wedding planning. Since our inception, we’ve grown from just a planning service to a tech-enabled platform that offers instant wedding proposals, detailed budget breakdowns, and a network of premium vendors. Our journey has been about constant innovation, customer-centricity, and expanding our services to cater to local and destination weddings.

Can you share more about the strategic thought behind the recent rebranding?

Rebranding was a crucial step in reflecting our evolution as a company. We wanted to move beyond being a wedding planner and establish ourselves as an end-to-end wedding solutions provider that seamlessly integrates technology with personalized service. The new branding emphasizes our commitment to innovation, our premium service offerings, and our ability to create a stress-free, elegant experience for couples. We have also revamped our visual identity, messaging, and digital presence to better align with the aspirations of modern couples who value both convenience and grandeur. This transformation allows us to cater to a broader audience, including destination weddings and luxury events, ensuring that every couple finds a perfect fit for their dream wedding with us.

How does technology play a role in the business model and the overall wedding planning experience?

Technology is at the core of a wedding company. Our flagship feature, the Instant Wedding Proposal, generates personalized wedding plans within 30 seconds. Additionally, digital guest management, RSVP tracking, and real-time planning dashboards, which is our next feature launch, will ensure a stress-free experience for couples and their families.

What challenges have you encountered in scaling operations, and how have you addressed them?

Scaling operations comes with challenges like sourcing skilled planners, securing reliable vendors, and investing 6-12 months in establishing a new city. We’ve tackled this by automating venue selection, pricing, and availability to streamline planning. Additionally, we’ve strengthened marketing to support city launches while ensuring top-tier customer service and flawless event execution. Maintaining high customer satisfaction (NPS) remains a priority as we expand without compromising quality and experience.

With $10 million in services projected for next year, what key strategies are driving this growth?

With $10 million in projected services next year, our growth is driven by strategic expansion within our existing eight cities, focusing on scaling orders rather than adding new locations. We are strengthening our marketing efforts, optimizing lead generation, and enhancing customer engagement. Additionally, we are automating key aspects of the wedding planning journey, streamlining operations, and improving efficiency. These strategies ensure seamless execution, higher conversion rates, and sustained business growth.

Tell us about the new features you've launched, the Instant Wedding Proposal

The company, has taken a giant leap in technology integration by introducing India’s first Instant Wedding Proposal Tool to provide customized venue, decor themes and budget planning instantly. Traditionally, planning a wedding in India is a complicated and time-consuming process. Brides, grooms and their families struggle with venue research, multiple visits and tedious negotiations to get the best price and availability. This adds another layer of uncertainty, making the entire planning process transparency. The Wedding Company addresses this concern with its newly launched Indian Wedding Proposal Tool by providing venue options and pricing to brides and grooms in just 30 seconds.

What are the biggest logistical hurdles in hosting destination weddings, and how does the company collaborate with local hospitality providers to overcome these?

Destination weddings come with logistical challenges like coordinating flights, accommodations, vendor reliability, and legal formalities. To ensure seamless execution, we partner with trusted local hospitality providers, including resorts, tourism boards, and travel agencies. Our dedicated wedding team streamlines logistics, secures exclusive deals, and offers comprehensive packages, ensuring a hassle-free experience. With strong local collaborations, we guarantee smooth planning, reliable services, and a stress-free celebration for couples and their guests.

How does the company cater to the cultural and regional nuances of Indian weddings, considering the diverse traditions and guest expectations?

Our planners are well-versed in the cultural and regional nuances of Indian weddings, ensuring every ceremony reflects its unique traditions. Whether it’s a serene South Indian temple wedding, a lavish Punjabi celebration, or a royal Rajput affair, we customize every detail—from rituals and décor to cuisine and entertainment. With deep cultural insight and seamless coordination, we create authentic, memorable experiences that honour traditions while exceeding guest expectations.

What factors influence the choice of destination weddings, and how do partnerships with venues in Bali, Phuket, and Indian cities enhance customer offerings?

Several factors influence destination weddings, including scenic beauty, hospitality, accessibility, and cultural appeal. Bali, Phuket, and Indian cities like Udaipur and Goa are top choices for their stunning landscapes and luxury venues. Our partnerships with these destinations offer exclusive rates, customized packages, and seamless execution. From venue selection to guest management, we ensure a stress-free, elegant celebration with top-tier vendors and personalized services for a memorable wedding experience.