Marriages, now, are made in Malaysia
Indians sold out on “destination weddings” are flying out to fancy Southeast Asia locales to get married, reports Zia Haq.
If you thought India was the hottest place for exotic weddings, think again. Indians sold out on “destination weddings” are now flying out to fancy Southeast Asia locales to get married.

Depending on how much you can splurge, it could either be Lankawi (Malaysia), Phuket (Thailand) or Bali (Indonesia). Malaysia is a hot destination. “Over the past year, 20 Indian couples chose our country. We collaborated with Indian wedding consultants after noticing a trend,” Mumbai-based director of Malaysian Tourism, P. Manoharan, said.
For the super rich, nothing can be more exclusive than marrying abroad, said Jai Raj Gupta, CEO of Shaadionline, listed with Malaysian Tourism. Young Mumbai industrialist Mehul Gupta had Jodhpur in mind for his October marriage until “the wedding planner suggested Malaysia for a similar cost”.
“In Rs 25-30 lakh, you can hold a wedding in Genting or Bali,” Raj said. Consultant Meher Sarid handled 13 marriages in Thailand last season. Sri Lanka will soon unveil wedding packages targeted at
Indians, Lanka tourism head Dileep Mudadeniya said from Colombo.
ABOUT THE AUTHORZia HaqZia Haq reports on public policy, economy and agriculture. Particularly interested in development economics and growth theories.

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