Feasts, Fables, and Forever

From Kerala to Dubai, and even Tuscany, Indian couples are transforming destination weddings into immersive culinary experiences

- — By Geetika Sachdev —

For Indian couples today, destination weddings are less about the zip code and more about the palate.

As celebrations become increasingly experiential, food has emerged as the defining thread to express culture, connection and creativity. The modern wedding menu no longer stops at a single cuisine or a chef's whim; it is a curated journey across continents and traditions, plated with purpose.

When Delhi-based entrepreneurs Naina Sahay and Arjun Mehta chose Dubai for their nuptials, they wanted guests to “dine their way through the city.” “We had everything from mezze bars and Japanese robatas to a nostalgic midnight chaat counter flown in from Delhi,” shares Sahay. For Kochi-born bride Tara Menon, Kerala's lush backwaters offered a culinary homecoming: a traditional sadhya reimagined with modern plating, spice-scented cocktails, and coastal produce. “I wanted the wedding to be about bringing everyone home—to Kerala and its flavours, its rhythms, and its stories. Every dish, from the sadhya to the cocktails, was a way to share a piece of my heritage with our guests,” Menon adds.

Whether it is truffle-scented celebrations in Tuscany or temple feasts by the Arabian Sea, couples today curate weddings that taste as exquisite as they look. In this new era, the destination is not just a backdrop—it is the banquet. Here's a look at some hotspots leading this culinary evolution.

Southern splendour:

Backwaters, banquets, and traditions