Big fat Indian weddings are a spectacle unto themselves – equal parts tradition, theatre, and full-blown logistical ballet. But while the spotlight shines on the couple, the couture, and the countless Instagrammable moments, there’s an entire world working behind the scenes to keep the magic seamless. And at the heart of it all? Luxury hotels that do much more than just offer a venue. From choreographing baraat entries to sourcing last-minute jasmine garlands at midnight, these hotels have quietly become the directors of the dream. Think of them as the wedding whisperers – teams who know which mandap works best at golden hour, how to get the chef to recreate your grandmother’s secret kulfi recipe, and why the bride must have backup heels in the bridal suite.
So what really goes into making these jaw-dropping weddings look effortless? We went behind the scenes to find out how some of India’s most iconic hotels pull off perfection, one phera at a time. We spoke to New Dlehi’s most prestigious luxury hotels – Shangri-La Group, Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort, The Leela Palace New Delhi, Andaz Delhi, By Hyatt and Westin Sohna Resort & Spa – where they shared their expert inputs and took us behind the scenes of the pompous weddings.
Typically, how far in advance do couples or families start planning a wedding with your property?
Ragini Gongo, Director of Sales & Luxury Events, Shangri-La Group, said, “At Shangri-La, couples typically begin planning their destination weddings 12-18 months ahead. This aligns with the broader industry trend, where 68% of couples are booking destination weddings a year or more in advance.”
At Westin Sohna Resort & Spa, things are a bit different. “The planning timeline for weddings has evolved significantly in recent years. While it was once common for couples or families to begin planning 9 to 12 months in advance, the current trend now typically falls within a range of 3 to 6 months prior to the event,” they said.
How do you incorporate traditional elements while delivering a luxury, global-standard experience in a wedding?
According to Mr. Anuj Chaudhry – General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort, “We seamlessly blend local traditions with international luxury. Whether it’s designing a sacred mandap with regional floral arrangements or incorporating traditional welcome rituals like aarti, tikka, or dhols, we curate a culturally rich yet elevated experience. Our food and beverage offerings also reflect this balance—guests can enjoy a lavish regional thali one evening and a modern world cuisine spread the next.”
Do you offer in-house wedding planners, or do most clients come with their own?
“We work with a selection of experienced wedding planners on our panel, familiar with the palace and its sensibilities. However, we also welcome external planners should the guests wish to bring their own. Our team ensures a seamless collaboration with the planner, regardless of the arrangement, to ensure a flawless event,” said Sulabh Chawla, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Leela Palace,Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
For Shangri-La, “We provide dedicated in-house wedding specialists at each Bandhan by Shangri-La destination, such as Shangri-La Eros New Delhi and Shangri-La Bengaluru, or at other properties in Sri Lanka, Turkey or Oman. These specialists act as trusted advisors throughout the journey. However, many of our Indian clients also bring external planners familiar with family preferences. Our teams work collaboratively.”
Whereas Himanshu Sharma, Director Sales and Marketing, Pullman and Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, said, “While majority clients work with their own planners, we have our dedicated in-house wedding team as well who steps in to meticulously execute every detail, offering end-to-end support.”
How does your hotel handle cultural and regional diversity in Indian weddings—Gujarati, Punjabi, South Indian, etc.?
“Andaz Delhi, by Hyatt is well-versed in curating diverse Indian weddings. The team’s flexible and collaborative approach allows them to accommodate a wide range of cultural traditions, rituals, and preferences, ensuring that each celebration is respectful, authentic, and uniquely personalised.
Their chefs and planners are adept at adapting menus, rituals, and setups to honor different heritages, whether it’s a South Indian or Punjabi or Gujarati.”
Ragini Gongo said, “At Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, we have hosted traditional Sikh Anand Karaj ceremonies with a fully vegetarian culinary spread, while Shangri-La Colombo seamlessly blends Sri Lankan and South Indian rituals for Tamil weddings. Shangri-La Bengaluru has curated Marwari wedding feasts complete with elaborate Jain menus. Understanding and honouring these nuances allows us to create experiences that feel deeply personal, never generic.
Meanwhile, “At The Westin Sohna, we embrace the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—by celebrating the rich cultural and regional diversity of Indian weddings. Whether it’s a traditional Gujarati, Punjabi, South Indian, or any other regional ceremony, we are dedicated to offering a personalised experience that honors the unique customs and rituals of each community. Our dedicated platform, M.com, enables us to not only curate exceptional Indian weddings but also cater to international celebrations.
How do you help the bride, groom, and their families feel pampered during the chaos of a big wedding?
“Luxury at Shangri-La means intuitive care. At Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah in Muscat, for instance, we offer wellness retreats at CHI, The Spa, allowing couples and their families to rejuvenate between ceremonies. Special butlers assist the bridal party with wardrobe changes, while curated in-room amenities like silk robes, spa kits, and personalised refreshment bars add moments of calm. Across destinations, our teams orchestrate these details so the families can simply live in the joy of the moment,” said Ragini Gongo.
Meanwhile, Mr. Anuj Chaudhry – General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort, added, “From personal butlers and spa treatments to dedicated concierges for the bride and groom, we ensure they have everything they need. Private spaces for downtime, pre-wedding wellness sessions, and curated in-room amenities make them feel cherished at every step.”
“We create special moments at various touchpoints—like curated in-room amenities or a personalized arrival experience—to make them feel cherished. After the celebrations, our team gathers to raise a toast and present a parting gift, turning the finale into a heartfelt memory,” said Mr Sharma of Pullman and Novotel New Delhi.
What’s your approach to curating “wow moments” during the wedding – things guests will remember for years to come?
“At The Westin Sohna, we believe that the key to creating unforgettable “wow moments” lies in the thoughtful, proactive service provided by our dedicated team. From personalized touches to anticipating every need, our butlers and staff work seamlessly to ensure that every moment is memorable. Whether it’s a surprise gesture, an extraordinary dining experience, or a custom-designed element that speaks to the couple’s unique story, we focus on crafting experiences that leave a lasting impression.”
“From personal butlers and spa treatments to dedicated concierges for the bride and groom, we ensure they have everything they need. Private spaces for downtime, pre-wedding wellness sessions, and curated in-room amenities make them feel cherished at every step,” is the strategy at Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort.
Meanwhile, at Pullman and Novotel New Delhi, “While many thoughtful initiatives go into our planning, what truly sets moments apart are the unexpected, personal touches. I recall a beautiful instance when one of our team members, shot candid moments throughout the celebrations on his phone and shared it with the hosts on the day of their departure. The families were deeply moved, and it was this small gesture that resonated the most. In fact the couple returned to the hotel to celebrate their first anniversary.
Do you offer end-to-end wedding packages, or are most weddings customised down to the smallest detail? How do you manage that level of personalisation?
“While many properties like Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri Abu Dhabi offer elegant all-inclusive packages for efficiency, most Bandhan weddings are fully bespoke. At Shangri-La Bengaluru, for instance, we recently customised an entire wedding weekend with curated Bangalore street-food evenings, Bollywood dance workshops, and personalised itineraries for each guest. Advanced event planning tools, strong internal coordination, and a culture of listening deeply to families allow us to deliver hyper-personalized experiences with precision,” said Ragini Gongo, Director of Sales & Luxury Events, Shangri-La Group.
While “At Andaz Delhi, by Hyatt, weddings are tailored down to the last detail. The team treats the venue as a blank canvas, allowing families to co-create every aspect of their event. This level of personalisation is achieved through seamless collaboration between in-house experts, planners, and the latest technology tools. Whether it’s customising menus, décor, entertainment, or guest experiences, the hotel supports each couple in telling their own love story through design and detail.”
On the other hand, The Leela Palace New Delhi offers “comprehensive room and banquet services, including fully customisable culinary experiences. For décor, entertainment, and event planning, we work with a panel of experts who help each client personalize every detail to their preferences. Every event is tailor-made in collaboration with families, while our team oversees the operations and works day and night to ensure their vision is brought to life.”
How do you ensure flawless coordination between venues, catering, décor, logistics, and hospitality?
“At The Westin Sohna, all departments work in close synergy, guided by our experienced event management team. From venue setup and décor to catering, logistics, and guest hospitality, every element is meticulously planned and executed. Regular pre-event meetings, detailed checklists, and real-time communication among all teams ensure that each aspect of the wedding flows seamlessly. Our goal is to deliver a cohesive and elevated experience where every detail is executed to perfection.”
At Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort, they “conduct detailed pre-event walkthroughs, daily briefings, and dry runs before major functions. Every event has a central command post with key decision-makers from each team. We also designate on-ground captains for each zone—venue setup, guest arrival, food and beverage experiences—to ensure real-time coordination and issue resolution.”
What are the backup plans you have in place for last-minute mishaps—weather issues, late vendors, tech failures?
“We have comprehensive contingency plans in place to manage any last-minute challenges that may arise, including weather-related disruptions, delayed vendors, or technical issues. At The Westin Sohna, our team conducts thorough risk assessments during the planning phase and prepares alternate arrangements such as indoor venue options, backup equipment, and vendor redundancies. Our experienced staff is trained to respond swiftly and efficiently, ensuring that the event continues smoothly without compromising the guest experience or overall celebration.”
At Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort, they “always prepare for the unexpected. For outdoor events, we maintain alternate indoor venues on standby. All vendors have backup timelines, and we work with partners who understand our standards. Our in-house tech team ensures redundancy in sound and lighting setups, and we have a rapid response team trained for on-the-spot fixes, be it a power glitch or a misplaced vendor item.”
At The Leela Palace, “For all outdoor events, alternate indoor venues are offered based on availability. We also offer our guests an option to opt for pre-installed weather protection structures. We always work with a vetted panel of vendors to ensure promptness and high-level of professionalism. Incase of an external vendor, we ensure to allow them early access and all the required assistance to ensure smooth operations. Our in-house AV team also maintains backup systems in place, to ensure uninterrupted celebrations.”
Pullman and Novotel “proactively identify backup venues, conduct thorough technical checks, and ensure vendor redundancies are in place to minimize any potential disruptions. Our wedding planner plays a critical role in anticipating challenges and implementing contingency measures well in advance. Every aspect of the event is carefully safeguarded to ensure a seamless experience, regardless of unforeseen circumstances—so the celebration continues exactly as planned.”
At Andaz Delhi, “The hotel’s reliance on experienced planners and advanced technology implies that comprehensive backup systems are in place. Whether it’s an unexpected weather change or technical glitch, the team is equipped to adapt swiftly and maintain the guest experience. Indoor and outdoor space flexibility, strong vendor partnerships, and contingency checklists are key to Andaz Delhi’s approach to crisis management.