Delhi’s Heritage Monuments Are Becoming the City’s New Wedding Destinations
Heritage sites across Delhi are opening up as wedding venues, here’s everything you need to know about it..
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to get married at Ghalib’s Haveli or the Qutub Minar, or even the Red Fort in Delhi, with an almost royal feel and main character vibe with the most hauntingly beautiful backdrop? This can soon be true as the Delhi government prepares to roll out a new policy aimed at making the capital city into a popular spot for destination weddings, private events and even cultural gatherings.
A progressive step in Delhi’s wedding evolution
Centered around Delhi’s historical heritage sites like Qutub Minar and Purana Qila, this move could redefine the city’s cultural landscape as the government actively explores ways to transform Delhi into a ‘Global Event Hub’.
While discussions continue amongst the higher authorities, including Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, we asked some of the country's top wedding planners what they thought about the policy and the significant shift it could possibly bring into the landscape of the capital city.
Mohsin Khan, founder of Vivah Luxury Weddings, believed that this was a great initiative by the Delhi Government. “Surely it will help because there are many people who want a heritage venue for their destination wedding.” Manvir Singh, founder, Shanqh Luxury Events, seconded the thought and stated that it was a progressive step towards boosting Delhi’s tourism, “Ideally, we have such great infrastructure in heritage monuments, I feel it is best to use the existing assets and craft them with good infrastructure to generate more footfalls.”
Meanwhile, Sachin Singhal, Founder and Ceo, Bandbaaja.com Wedding Planners, stated that the benefits of this initiative could be two-fold. “First, it would provide newer options to clients. Everything else has become so cliché in Delhi. Secondly, this would generate revenue for the government, which would further help to maintain these monuments better.”
Why Delhi’s Heritage Makes For A Majestic Backdrop
While it may be aesthetically pleasing to many people who are looking to get married with all the grandeur of a royal wedding, wedding planners believe this heritage sites have practical aesthetics as well. Manvir stated that most wedding planners are now focused on developing decor based on heritage themes, which have a historical feel and elements, and this policy would just make it easier to organise such weddings. “What could it be if we can execute weddings in heritage moments themselves. Celebrating will be all the merrier.”
Mohsin Khan highlighted that the Red Fort and the Qutub Minar would make up for the most aesthetically pleasing venues. Meanwhile, Sachin drew parallels with several of the other popular destinations, “People travel to Agra for a glimpse of the Taj Mahal. Delhi has just as many spellbinding settings—and they’re much more accessible.”
Challenges of Hosting Weddings At Heritage Sites
Of course, the allure of heritage weddings at historical sites comes with its own set of challenges, including logistical and preservation-related caveats. Singh noted that the biggest challenge to grand weddings at heritage sites in Delhi will be the upkeep and maintenance during and after the events. “Wedding guests and vendors can unintentionally cause damage, so checks and controls are vital.”
Khan spoke from an operational standpoint and emphasised the need for infrastructure planning. “You need kitchen setups, alternative venues for different ceremonies, and logistics for managing vendors. These monuments weren’t built for large-scale hospitality.” In addition, Sachin highlighted that sound restrictions, security as guest behaviour become key concerns when one plans a wedding at a heritage site. “Music and late-night events could be limited. The place has heritage value, and it must be treated with reverence,” he added.
Can A Wedding At A Heritage Site Still Be Grand?
A common aspect that all three experts agreed upon was the feasibility. They stated that heritage sites might not be the best for grand weddings, but smaller, more curated celebrations would be ideal for such places.
“A guest list of 100 to 250 is ideal,” Singh advises. “That way, crowd control is manageable, and the property can be preserved better.”
A full-scale wedding across multiple days might be a stretch to plan at a heritage site, according to Mohsin, but selective functions like mehendi, engagement or reception could work beautifully. He further went on to recommend starting with smaller events like birthdays or even anniversaries to test the format before organising a full-scale event.
Which Monument Would Be Ideal For a Destination Wedding?
Talking about which monuments could cut a full-scale wedding function, the three agreed that while not every monument lends itself naturally to hosting it, a few standout locations are emerging. “Diwan-i-Alam, Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar and even the Mughal Gardens could work”, Singh suggests, while also cautioning that many Delhi tombs may feel misaligned with the spirit of weddings, given that tombs have dead people buried under.
Mohsin believes Red Fort stands out for such events for its accessibility and royal aesthetics while Sachin names a surprising venue- Akshardham Temple. “Its architecture is breathtaking. A wedding shoot there would be pure magic.”
Designing a Wedding Around History
When asked how they could plan decor and themes that complement such centuries-old structures. The experts suggest that careful curation is key to it.
“You can’t go all-out with modern themes,” Manvir says. “But heritage backdrops naturally elevate the experience. There’s no need to overdo it.” Sachin agrees as he states, “Minimalist décor that respects the existing aesthetic works best. The goal is to enhance, not overpower.”
Mohsin highlights that such venues do not need a theme and believes that one should allow the beauty of the venue to speak for itself. "Heritage is a theme in itself.”
Could Delhi Become the Next Destination for Weddings?
Experts agree that these venues might appeal to the domestic crowd, but opinions remain split on driving the international wedding traffic. “Indian clients will be drawn to the novelty and elegance of heritage spaces in Delhi,” Singh affirms. “Internationally, we’ll need strong marketing, hospitality, and cuisine experiences to compete.”
Seconding Manvir, Khan also suggests trudging cautiously into the realm of organising weddings at a heritage site. “A luxury wedding needs more than a beautiful venue. Accommodation, guest experience, service quality—those all matter. Without them, it could fall flat.”
However, Sachin remains optimistic towards the idea. “Look at how Udaipur rivals Lake Como for wedding costs and experience. Delhi could become that next big name, if done right.”
As the capital city steps into this new direction of becoming a popular destination for grand events, its monuments may not just represent Indian history but the very phases where new stories begin.