Destination Weddings Abroad Are Changing How Indians Think About Travel Insurance: Policybazaar Report

Indian weddings held overseas are no longer occasional extravagances; they’re steadily turning into a planning category of their own, influencing travel choices as well as insurance decisions, and, according to a recent report by Policybazaar on wedding tourism, the rise in destination weddings is now clearly reflected in growing demand for travel insurance among Indian families.

The shift hasn’t happened overnight. A decade ago, foreign weddings were mostly celebrity territory or ultra-high-net-worth indulgences. Now, a wider slice of urban India is exploring them, sometimes for novelty, sometimes for convenience, and often simply because combining wedding and vacation makes logistical sense. But once the guest lists, hotel bookings, and multi-day functions start adding up, so does financial exposure.

More Than Just A Wedding Trip

Thailand remains a familiar choice because it balances accessibility with cost, while the UAE appeals to families seeking plush venues without long-haul travel fatigue. Some couples are scouting Vietnam or Sri Lanka as scenic yet relatively affordable options. Then there’s the aspirational segment heading to Europe, smaller guest lists, higher spend, and plenty of photo-worthy settings.

Wherever the location, expenses tend to climb faster than many expect. Flights for dozens of guests, accommodation blocks, event planners, décor, food, and entertainment, each piece adds another layer. It’s not unusual for budgets to run into several lakh rupees. That reality alone is prompting families to consider backup plans in case something goes wrong.

Missed connections, delayed baggage carrying wedding outfits, sudden medical issues, these aren’t theoretical risks when large groups travel internationally. Insurance, once considered optional, is quietly moving into the “better safe than sorry” category.

Families Travelling Together Change Priorities

Another noticeable trend is the age mix of wedding travellers. These trips rarely involve just the bride, groom, and their friends. Parents usually travel, grandparents often do too, and sometimes entire extended families end up for the celebrations. When that many people are moving across countries, health worries inevitably enter the conversation, especially for older travellers unfamiliar with foreign healthcare systems.

There’s also the pressure factor. Weddings run on tight schedules and months of preparation. If luggage with wedding clothes goes missing or flights get disrupted, it’s not a minor inconvenience; it can throw carefully planned events off track. That reality is pushing many families to think a bit more seriously about insurance than they might have earlier.

Another noticeable change is who’s planning these weddings. Metro cities still lead, but interest isn’t limited to them anymore. Families from smaller cities, helped by rising incomes and easier travel access, are increasingly willing to explore overseas venues, something that would have seemed far-fetched not too long ago.

None of this suggests every wedding is heading abroad. But the trend is clearly established enough to reshape how families think about risk. Insurance is gradually being folded into wedding budgets alongside photography, décor, and travel logistics. It may not be the most glamorous part of the planning, yet for many families it’s becoming one of the more practical decisions in what is otherwise an emotional, and often expensive, milestone.