The Big Fat Indian Wedding is evolving into a ‘playground’ for couples seeking to transform traditional ceremonies into immersive, curated experiences.
Bahrain is no stranger to the trend, having hosted a growing number of lavish Indian weddings in recent years.
The kingdom’s appeal as a celebration destination was recognised at the 16th WOW Asia Awards in 2025, where it was named the ‘Leading Destination for Events and Celebrations’.
Destination weddings are also emerging as a key driver of tourism, aligning with Bahrain’s broader strategy to expand its hospitality sector under the stewardship of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority. Initiatives such as wedding fairs, familiarisation trips, and efforts to encourage investment and business partnerships are helping position the kingdom as an attractive venue for large-scale celebrations.
Since 2017, Bahrain has hosted more than 100 grand wedding receptions, reinforcing its reputation as a regional destination wedding hub.
The growing market reflects a wider trend in India, where industry reports suggest that one in four weddings is now held at a destination venue, with the wedding planning sector valued at millions of dollars.
The kingdom’s appeal was evident last year when more than 500 guests and crew arrived in Bahrain for a high-profile Indian wedding. A luxury property in Zallaq was exclusively booked for four days, hosting a series of events as part of the festivities. Among them were rituals like Sangeet (a pre-wedding musical evening featuring performances by both families), Haldi (a ceremony in which turmeric is applied to the bride and groom) and Mehendi (a henna ritual). Each event incorporated contemporary elements, reflecting a growing trend towards transforming cultural ceremonies into curated experiences.
The barat (procession) was brought alive as a ‘party on wheels’. Originally, the boy’s family arrive at the girl’s home with dance and pomp before the nuptials or Saath Phera (seven circles around the fire). However, at this wedding, a convoy comprising a DJ truck, a vintage car and all the guests in tow walked into an after-party celebration.
In addition to themed events, elaborate dress codes are becoming increasingly popular, ranging from Gatsby-inspired cocktail attire to embellished Bollywood-style lehengas (long bridal silk skirts), complemented by extravagant décor and immersive settings.
The trend was epitomised by the lavish Ambani wedding in Mumbai, where industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s son Anant married businesswoman Radhika Merchant. The celebrations reportedly featured a 10-page dress code guide and themed events inspired by concepts such as ‘Jungle Fever’ and ‘Moulin Rouge’.
The bride wore a series of custom-made outfits, including a lehenga adorned with 20,000 Swarovski crystals and a pink interpretation of a Versace gown made famous by actor Blake Lively at the 2022 Met Gala. The groom also embraced the opulence, wearing a Richard Mille wristwatch valued at an estimated $1.5 million.
Venues were transformed to match the themes, including a Bridgerton-inspired floral setting for the cocktail evening, titled ‘An Evening in Everland’. Other celebrations incorporated Indian motifs, from hand-painted peacocks adorning walls to ‘Mela Rouge’, a theatrical showcase of red florals designed to create an immersive experience for guests.
Bahrain has sought to capitalise on this growing demand by offering destination wedding packages that incorporate local traditions and culture, from henna ceremonies to Arabic gahwa experiences, helping couples create personalised celebrations.
As it continues to position itself as a regional hub for destination weddings, the kingdom sees the sector as a key avenue for expanding tourism and boosting event-driven economic activity.
The GDN previously reported that Tourism Minister and BTEA chairperson Fatima Al Sairafi discussed expanding co-operation to support tourism investment and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises with Bahrain Development Bank chief executive officer Dalal Al Qais.
They reviewed joint initiatives to strengthen the tourism and events sectors in line with the Tourism Strategy 2022-2026 and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
Recent Bollywood weddings that created a buzz:
* Actors Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal (2024)
* Actors Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif (2021)
* Actor Priyanka Chopra and American singer Nick Jonas (2018)
* Actor Anushka Sharma and former Indian cricket team captain Virat Koli (2017)
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