Dev Uthani Ekadashi: As India enters grand wedding season, 48 lakh weddings in 1 month to generate Rs 6 lakh crore business?

Wedding Season: Dev Uthani Ekadashi marks the official start of the wedding season i.e, November 12. A large number of weddings are expected to take place across India, with the season running until December 16. According to a study by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), an estimated 48 lakh weddings are expected to occur this season, contributing to a business worth around Rs 6 lakh crore.

Business Expected to Surpass Last Year’s Numbers

The wedding season this year is anticipated to perform better than in 2023. Last year, there were 11 auspicious dates, with 35 lakh weddings generating Rs 4.25 lakh crore in business. However, with 18 auspicious dates this year, higher business figures are expected.

In Delhi, an estimated 4.5 lakh weddings are expected to generate around Rs 1.5 lakh crore in business. Acharya Durgesh Tare, convener of the Vedas and Spirituality Committee of CAIT, outlined the auspicious dates for the wedding season. In November, these dates are 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, and 29, while in December, they are 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, and 16. After this period, weddings will be restricted for about a month.

Wedding Cost Estimates

B.C. Bhartia, National President of CAIT, provided details on the expected wedding expenses. According to the estimates, weddings will vary in cost across the country:

10 lakh weddings at an average cost of Rs 3 lakh each
10 lakh weddings at an average cost of Rs 6 lakh each
10 lakh weddings at an average cost of Rs 10 lakh each
10 lakh weddings at an average cost of Rs 15 lakh each
7 lakh weddings at an average cost of Rs 25 lakh each
50,000 weddings at an average cost of Rs 50 lakh each
50,000 weddings at an average cost of Rs 1 crore or more each
In addition to weddings, other functions related to the celebrations, such as mehendi, sangeet, and engagements, are also significant expenses.

How Wedding Budgets Are Spent

Praveen Khandelwal, National General Secretary of CAIT and Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk, Delhi, explained that wedding expenses are divided between goods and services. Here's a breakdown of typical spending:

10% on clothes (sarees, lehengas, and other attire)
15% on jewellery
5% on electronics, electrical goods, and consumer durables
5% on dry fruits, sweets, and snacks
5% on groceries and vegetables
4% on gift items
6% on miscellaneous items

When it comes to services:

5% on banquet halls, hotels, and wedding venues
3% on event management
10% on tent decoration
10% on catering and food services
4% on flower decorations
3% on transport and cab services
2% on photography and videography
3% on music, orchestra, etc.
3% on light and sound
7% on other services

Khandelwal emphasised that the sales during this extended wedding season will not only benefit the wedding industry but also boost the broader Indian economy, positively impacting various sectors such as textiles, hospitality, food, and event management.