India’s forthcoming wedding season is projected to generate a staggering ₹6.5 lakh crore in business, according to a report by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).
The report estimates about 46 lakh weddings across the country during the 45-day season starting early November 2025.
Why this matters
- The wedding economy touches many sectors: jewellery, apparel, catering, venues, entertainment, and travel.
- A surge of this magnitude signals strong consumer sentiment, higher disposable incomes and buoyant demand in the services & goods ecosystem.
- For MSMEs, local artisans, vendors, venues and allied services, this season could deliver a major revenue boost.
- The regional economic impact is also significant — for example, Delhi is expected to contribute ~₹1.8 lakh crore in business from ~4.8 lakh weddings.
Key insights from the CAIT report
- The figure of ₹6.5 lakh crore represents about a 10% increase over the previous comparable season, where ~48 lakh weddings generated ~₹5.90 lakh crore.
- The report was based on a survey across 75 major cities in India.
- A notable shift: more purchases of Indian‐made goods in weddings (apparel, décor, utensils etc.) aligning with “Vocal for Local”.
Breakdown of spending areas
While CAIT does not provide a full detailed breakdown for this season, past estimates show:
- Jewellery contributes ~15% of wedding spending.
- Clothing/apparel ~10%
- Services such as banquet/venue, catering, décor, transport and photography also form major parts
Implications & what to watch
- Retail and services boost: Vendors—from jewellery stores to banquet halls—should see strong demand.
- Gold & jewellery price sensitivity: With jewellery being a key component, fluctuations in gold/silver prices may impact spending patterns.
- Regional differences: The “big wedding season” tends to concentrate in certain regions and holidays/dates considered auspicious—so local markets may behave differently.
- Supply-chain pressure: With elevated demand for goods (apparel, décor, utensils) and services, supply constraints or price inflation could emerge.
- Consumer behaviour shifts: Though budgets are rising, there may be increased focus on value, local sourcing, and possibly tighter spending in some segments.
Risk & caution
- The ₹6.5 lakh crore figure is projected, based on survey estimates — actual spending may vary.
- Tracking of informal spending (cash payments, smaller vendors) may not be fully captured, so ground reality might diverge.
- Macroeconomic factors (inflation, interest rates, disposable income growth) could affect spending decisions.
Summary
India’s wedding season is poised for a massive economic impact, with estimated spending of ₹6.5 lakh crore over the ~45-day period starting November 2025. The scale of this translates into strong demand across goods and services—from jewellery and apparel to catering and venues. This highlights how weddings continue to be a major driver of consumption and economic activity in India.
