Young Indian couples are redefining weddings with intimate celebrations, sustainable practices, and eco-conscious choices.
New Delhi | August 26, 2025
Indian weddings, notorious for their user friendly symbolism, grand décor, and elongated celebrations, are going through a cultural change in 2025. Across the urban and semi-urban areas of India, couples are opting for a minimalist, eco-friendly, small wedding rather than a traditional extravagant celebration.
Wedding: From Extravagance to Elegance
Traditionally, Indian weddings are associated with extravagance — multi-day gatherings, heavy gold jewelry, exotic décor, and hundreds (if not thousands) of guests. However, the increase in environmental awareness, money consciousness, and social change has shifted in place.
A growing number of young couples are moving away from extravagant halls, preferring smaller venues, limited gatherings, and eco-friendly decorations. “We wanted our wedding to represent who we are — simple, conscious, and mindful,” said Sonam and Lucky, a couple from Agra who just had a zero-waste wedding for 150 guests.
Eco-Friendly Practices Is The New Norm
Sustainability has moved from being a subculture to being the entire culture. The trends on the rise are:
Plant based décor: Couples are complementing plastic and synthetic decorations and are using potted plants, local flowers, and upcycled materials.
Digital invitations: E-invites and wedding websites are replacing glossy paper cards.
Sustainable fashion: Brides and grooms are increasingly renting outfits or wearing handloom and recycled fabrics rather than investing in heavy designer wear.
Zero-waste catering: Menus now include seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, served in biodegradable cutlery. Leftovers are being donated to NGOs and food banks.
Eco-conscious venues: Farmhouses, heritage homes, and open gardens are replacing large banquet halls to reduce electricity and resource consumption.
Cultural Impact and Changing Mindsets
This shift reflects deeper cultural changes. While families once saw weddings as a display of social status, today’s younger generation views them as personal milestones meant to be authentic and environmentally responsible.
Moreover, parents who once resisted smaller celebrations are warming up to the idea. Practical concerns like avoiding food waste, saving money for the couple’s future, and reducing stress are influencing family decisions.
Influence of Technology and Global Trends
The influence of social media is pushing couples to embrace these trends faster. Eco-friendly weddings often gain significant attention online, inspiring others to follow suit. Wedding planners too are embracing “green wedding packages,” offering sustainable décor, reusable props, and carbon-neutral event management.
Global trends also play a role. With climate change becoming a pressing issue, couples in Europe and the US have already popularized micro-weddings and eco-conscious ceremonies. Indian couples are adapting these ideas to blend with local traditions — creating a unique cultural fusion.
Balancing Tradition with Modernity
The shift may be modern, yet tradition continues to hold its place in these weddings. Rituals, blessings from elders, and cultural symbols remain central. The difference lies in how they are executed — with a reduced carbon footprint and a more intimate guest experience.
For instance, many weddings still include mehendi, sangeet, and pheras, but in smaller gatherings with live folk music, traditional home-cooked meals, and handmade décor.
Experts believe the minimalist and eco-friendly wedding trend will continue to grow in the coming years, reshaping India’s massive wedding industry, valued at over $130 billion. While luxury weddings will always have a place, the parallel rise of sustainable, budget-friendly weddings signifies an important cultural evolution.
As one planner in Delhi summed it up: “Earlier, couples asked us for the biggest stage. Now, they ask us for the smallest carbon footprint.”
