From Ballrooms to Beaches: Hotels Shaping India’s Wedding Landscape

From Ballrooms to Beaches: Hotels Shaping India’s Wedding Landscape

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 9, 2025

India’s weddings are far more than ceremonies; they are intricate, emotion-charged productions that ripple through the economy. Behind the visible glamour of décor, choreography, and couture lies another key player: hotels. From small-town gatherings to multi-day destination weddings, hotels quietly act as the backbone of the wedding ecosystem, orchestrating logistics, enabling creativity, and converting rituals into seamless guest experiences.

According to Nikhil Mahajan, Director at Kestone Utsav, “India’s wedding industry has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem, currently valued at around $130 billion (₹10.7 lakh crore). Hotels are pivotal, offering more than elegant venues. They architect experiences that blend tradition, luxury, and personalization, transforming weddings into unforgettable memories.”

Hotels today are curating specialized wedding packages that go beyond the conventional. From themed décor and regional cuisines to operational support for planners and bespoke welcome experiences, hotels actively shape every facet of a wedding, ensuring each celebration is immersive, unique, and flawlessly executed.

In 2024, India’s wedding season alone witnessed an estimated 4.8 million weddings, generating around ₹6 lakh crore in business. The destination wedding market is projected to reach $18.37 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 14.8% until 2033. By combining operational excellence with cultural sensitivity and innovation, hotels have become essential enablers of India’s vibrant wedding economy.

Hotels’ Multi-Faceted Role in Weddings:

  • Operational Command Centers: Hotels provide infrastructure few private venues can match, professional kitchens, power backup, climate control, housekeeping, security, and logistics for performers. This allows planners and families to attempt grander and more inventive formats with confidence.

  • Culinary Leadership: With multi-course menus, regional specialties, and bespoke tasting experiences, hotels handle dietary needs, last-minute sourcing, and days-long celebrations with professionalism.

  • Integrated Service Packages: Modern hotels bundle accommodation, catering, décor, AV, transportation, and guest services, reducing stress for families while creating recurring revenue streams.

  • Regulatory & Risk Management: From permits and safety checks to insurance and crowd control, hotels absorb responsibilities that would otherwise burden families or planners.

  • Local Ecosystem Building: Hotels contract florists, entertainers, decorators, and transport providers, acting as the primary local partner, especially for destination weddings.

  • Hospitality as Emotional Labor: Wedding days are high-stress. Experienced hotel teams manage crises like sudden rain or VIP itinerary changes with calm professionalism, ensuring a smooth experience.

Dilbir Sahni aka Bob, founder of IndoBangkok Weddings, adds: “People see the décor, food, and dance, but hotels manage everything from the first guest’s arrival to the final farewell. Their role goes far beyond providing rooms or ballrooms; they are the problem-solvers who hold everything together, making India’s complex weddings feel effortless.”

Challenges and Opportunities

Seasonality, talent shortages, sustainability concerns, and rising expectations for tech-enabled experiences create pressures. However, these challenges also open doors for hotels to innovate through modular infrastructure, sustainable practices, training programs, digital guest-management, and curated cultural experiences. Flexible pricing and creative packages can also extend the reach beyond premium urban and destination markets.

From local community halls to sun-drenched beaches hosting multi-day celebrations, hotels are the silent partners powering India’s wedding economy. Their contributions are operational, cultural, and economic, enabling scale, preserving tradition, and creating hospitality-driven memories. Recognizing hotels as active co-creators rather than just venues helps explain why India’s wedding industry remains a powerful engine of growth, employment, and cultural expression.


HollyBelly Steps Into Retail with New Partnership with DLF Hospitality and Max Estates

HollyBelly Steps Into Retail with New Partnership with DLF Hospitality and Max Estates

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 9, 2025

HollyBelly has forayed into the retail space through a new partnership with DLF Hospitality and Max Estates, marking a major step forward for the brand. Known for its handcrafted foods and thoughtful culinary creations, HollyBelly now aims to bring its signature flavours closer to everyday consumers. The new retail space will showcase an elegant selection of products, including small-batch sauces, condiments, freshly baked items, and globally inspired delicacies.

Over the years, HollyBelly has grown into a Pan-India and global food and beverage brand offering a complete set of culinary solutions. From gourmet catering and curated gifting to B2B meal services, consulting, and modern event spaces, the brand has built a strong reputation for blending emotion, elegance, and expertise. Its philosophy is deeply rooted in the “Food by Mood” concept, where menus are crafted to reflect moments and experiences.

Drawing from French, British, and regional Indian techniques, HollyBelly brings both authenticity and adaptability to its offerings. The brand goes beyond the typical idea of a catering service, providing specialised B2B food solutions tailored for businesses across industries. This includes corporate food services, café and restaurant supply, artisanal bread and viennoiserie production, bulk meal preparation, custom menu development, and retail-ready product creation and packaging.

With convenient pick-up points and a menu inspired by Indian traditions, HollyBelly offers handcrafted bowls, sandwiches, smoothies, and coffee designed for consumers who seek quality without compromising convenience. The brand positions itself where tradition meets speed while maintaining freshness and flavour.

The company is led by founders with strong global influence. Founder Janeya Mehta, an alumnus of the London School of Economics and a trained classical dancer, brings a deep focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing. Her leadership has shaped HollyBelly’s vision, earning her recognition including a Forbes 40 Under 40 honour. Co-Founder and Executive Chef Rishikant Bharadwaj, trained at Le Cordon Bleu London, brings modern French and British culinary techniques to the brand. His experience spans leading kitchens in Australia and well-known Indian establishments such as Le Bistro du Parc and ATM.

With a growing presence across India and international collaborations, HollyBelly has become a trusted partner for some of the world’s leading brands. Its client list includes Facebook, Adidas, Sephora, Ritu Kumar, Coach, BMW, Jimmy Choo, Pernia’s Pop-Up, and others. Sustainability remains a key pillar, reflected in their commitment to eco-friendly menus, waste reduction, and sourcing local ingredients.

Through its entry into retail, HollyBelly continues to expand its vision of offering complete, end-to-end culinary experiences while staying rooted in thoughtful food, innovative techniques, and modern consumer needs.


The Golden Tusk Announces Christmas Weekend & New Year Nature Carnival 2025

The Golden Tusk Announces Christmas Weekend & New Year Nature Carnival 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 9, 2025

The Golden Tusk, an experiential and family-friendly nature resort on the southern boundary of Jim Corbett National Park, has announced its festive holiday line-up for the year-end season. The resort will host its Christmas Weekend Celebration from 23 to 26 December and the signature New Year Nature Carnival from 30 December to 1 January, offering one of the region’s most engaging nature-meets-luxury holiday experiences.

The three-day Christmas program has been curated to bring a nostalgic and warm festive feel. Guests can start their day with mindful village walks and yoga sessions, while children can enjoy a range of creative workshops such as pebble painting, origami, craft activities using waste materials and Christmas-themed art sessions. Evenings carry a cosy, celebratory atmosphere with bonfires, live flautists, duo bands and elaborate buffet spreads at The Golden Forest restaurant. Christmas Eve brings special moments with Santa’s arrival, carols, plum cake distribution and a lively round of Tambola, creating a beautiful community-style celebration.

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Anirudh Lakhotia, Director, Ivory Destinations, said “This year, we wanted to deliver more than a holiday, we wanted to create moments that feel grounding, joyful and truly memorable. Every element of our Christmas and New Year programs is designed to bring families closer to nature and closer to each other. From sunrise walks and plantation drives to gala dinners and musical nights; these retreats offer a refreshing blend of relaxation and celebration.”

The New Year Nature Carnival brings a more vibrant and energetic itinerary. Guests can enjoy unplugged live band performances, intimate guitarist evenings, magic shows for children, mocktail-making sessions and a traditional Folk Dance performance on 1 January. The highlight remains the Family Fun Carnival on the main lawn, followed by a Gala Dinner and Musical Night at The Hive. The New Year countdown and the annual raffle, where one guest wins a complimentary holiday package for 2026, add to the festive excitement.

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Accommodation options include Garden Suites, Nature View Suites, Luxury Tents, Pool View Suites, Corbett Suites, Private Pool Villas and the spacious Tiger Suite for larger groups. Christmas packages and New Year packages are offered across categories, including premium options such as the Jungle Spring Villa with a private jacuzzi and the Waterhole Villa with a private pool.

Staying true to its nature-first philosophy, The Golden Tusk has woven eco-learning and mindful bonding into its festive programs. Children can participate in plantation drives, craft sessions and guided games, while adults can relax among landscaped greens, bonfires and warm hospitality, elements that have made the resort a preferred choice for many returning guests.

Located close to the Jhirna and Dhela safari zones, the resort continues to promote holidays that combine the calmness of nature with modern comforts. With rising demand for the 2025 festive season, The Golden Tusk is positioning its holiday retreats as an ideal year-end escape for families and leisure travellers seeking meaningful experiences.

Each New Year package includes eight premium-brand alcoholic drink coupons, unlimited soft beverages, chef’s-choice snacks during evening programs, complimentary carnival coupons and complete entertainment over the two nights. All stays include breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets featuring regional and multi-cuisine menus. The child policy remains family-friendly, with complimentary stays for children up to five years, while ages 6–11 are charged at 25% and ages 12+ at 35% of the package.


IBCA Announces Scholarships Worth ₹1 Lakh for Aspiring Chefs in 2026

IBCA Announces Scholarships Worth ₹1 Lakh for Aspiring Chefs in 2026

By Hariharan U

Published on December 9, 2025

The Institute of Bakery & Culinary Arts (IBCA), a leading centre for bakery and culinary education in India, has announced scholarships worth ₹1,00,000 for students enrolling in its programs for 2026. The initiative aims to support over 400 aspiring chefs from across the country, helping them pursue diploma and certification courses in the culinary field.

The scholarship amount ranges from ₹25,000 to ₹1,00,000, depending on the course and eligibility criteria. Through this programme, IBCA aims to make professional culinary education more accessible to passionate learners.

IBCA offers a wide selection of industry-aligned programs that meet global standards. The courses include an 18-month Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts (Level 3), 18-month Advanced Diploma in Pastry (Level 3), 12-month Diploma in Culinary Arts (Level 2), 12-month Diploma in Pastry Arts (Level 2), a four-month Certificate Course in Pastry (Level 1), along with specialised hobby programs in both culinary and pastry arts. Each course follows an international curriculum and focuses on strong practical exposure.

The institute is affiliated with globally recognised organisations, including City & Guilds (UK), the Confederation of Tourism & Hospitality (London), the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (India) and the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC). With these partnerships, students gain access to structured training, certification and placement opportunities with leading hotels and restaurants. Final placements are offered after rigorous trials and interviews.

Through this scholarship initiative, IBCA further strengthens its commitment to building future culinary talent and ensuring that deserving candidates can access world-class training.

Last Date to Apply: 25th December 2025

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