10 Lesser-Known Places For Your Destination Wedding In India (Hidden Gems!)

If you’re thinking of having a destination wedding in India, the beaches of Goa and palaces of Rajasthan are not your only options. Couples in India have been ...

If you’re thinking of having a destination wedding in India, the beaches of Goa and palaces of Rajasthan are not your only options. Couples in India have been exploring fresh offbeat venues to host their destination wedding. From national parks to tea estates and heritage sites, every destination is now a wedding destination helping urban couples host intimate, budget events away from their crowded home cities.

We’ve curated a fresh list of the best 10 offbeat places for your destination wedding in India:

1. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

2. Kanha, Madhya Pradesh

3. Naukuchiatal in Nainital, Uttrakhand

4. Rishikesh, Uttrakhand

5. Dehradun, Uttrakhand

6. Mussoorie, Uttrakhand

7. Khimsar, Rajasthan

8. Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

9. Hampi, Karnataka

10. Kumarakom, Kerala

Read on to find all the details of each destination, including recommended venues (hotels & resorts) and tried and tested decorator names!

1. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is not the first state that comes to mind when one thinks “destination wedding.” Heck, it probably doesn’t make it to the top 5! But the heritage city of Khajuraho has found Madhya Pradesh a spot on the Indian destination wedding map thanks to its many regal hotels and historically significant monuments. The beauty with which the old and the new amalgamate in Khujaraho is, quite frankly, unparalleled. It’s a good alternative for anyone wanting a royal wedding in a location that’s not Rajasthan.

Image Courtesy: Naman Verma Photography

2. Kanha, Madhya Pradesh

If you want to have a destination wedding in Madhya Pradesh, another great place is Kanha national park. It has some great five-star properties, thus giving you the best of both worlds – a luxurious stay and raw natural vibes. Adventure lovers won’t be able to find a destination more suitable than Kanha for their wedding.

Image Courtesy: Abha Chaubal

3. Naukuchiatal in Nainital, Uttrakhand

It’s a hidden gem in Uttrakhand, with views of both the lake and hills! The Lake Resort in Naukuchiatal (Nainital) is a tried and tested cool wedding venue that comes highly recommended by multiple brides. You can have your mandap ceremony overlooking the lake or host a wedding event in the middle of a forest-like area. There are a variety of spaces for different wedding functions here.

Image courtesy: Arjun’s Tryst with the Camera

Image courtesy: Arjun’s Tryst with the Camera

4. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

For north Indian couples, the Rishikesh river beds are the perfect replacement for the beaches of Goa and still within driving distance. Save up on flight costs and spend instead on booking a good hotel and decorator who can create the perfect setup for you. This is one place you should consider exploring if you’re looking to host a destination wedding near Delhi.

Image Courtesy: Jackson James Photography

5. Dehradun

Similar to Rishikesh, Dehradun is another great place to host a destination wedding in India. If you’re having a summer wedding in North Indian, a hill station is a good idea, especially as an alternative to all you Delhi couples. Your guests will thank you for saving them from the unbearable summer heat and the nice views!

• Tried & tested local wedding decorator for these venues: Jyotika Anand

6. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

Mussoorie weddings bring with them the scope to shoot stunning couple portraits with the Himalayan peaks in the backdrop. Hotel chains like Jaypee and JW Marriot already have established properties here, which can make your planning process much simpler.

Image Courtesy: Shutterdown Photophraphy By Lakshay Chawla

7. Khimsar, Rajasthan

If you think a destination wedding in Rajasthan only means a palace venue, think again. Khimsar’s untouched beauty is getting a lot of attention and it’s giving competition is the palaces of Jaipur, Udaipur & Jodhpur! What we love most about this destination? The option to get married in a literal desert with an oasis as a backdrop for your mandap. If that isn’t refreshingly different enough, we don’t know what is!

Image Courtesy: One Fine Day

# In South India

8. Vizag (Visakhapatnam), Andhra Pradesh

Beach weddings don’t have to necessarily mean Goa! Vizag is a beach destination that has clean and empty beaches to add to the charm of your intimate wedding. You can depend on any of the successful hotels and decorators of the city to give you the wedding of your dreams.

Image Courtesy: Manan Photography

9. Hampi, Karnataka

This world heritage site is still new on the map but totally worth a mention. We’ve recently seen some stunning wedding setups being created in this city, which is away from the rush of other Indian wedding destinations. You can book Bangalore’s top wedding vendors since it’s just seven hours away, thus cutting down on flight and stay costs for everyone.

Image Courtesy: Atul Pratap Chauhan

10. Kumarakom, Kerala

Backwaters, houseboats, beach shacks and abundant forests, Kumarakom’s got it all. The closest airport (Cochin International Airport) is just an hour away and we’ve heard of many road trip enthusiasts driving to this exotic location from as far as Bengaluru too (10 hours). Look up the Lake Resorts here and prepare to be wowed!

Image Courtesy: Sephi Bergerson

If you’re planning to have a destination wedding in India, we hope you’ve found this post helpful.