Honeymoons Get A Makeover As Indian Couples Pick Meaning Over Glamour

Indian newlyweds are giving the traditional honeymoon a quiet but noticeable twist, according to a recent report by Business Standard. Instead of treating it as a flashy post-wedding ritual, many couples now see it as the true beginning of their life together, something they want to build with intention, emotion and a sense of who they are.

From Showpiece Trip To Personal Chapter

For a growing number of young couples, the honeymoon is no longer a competition of destinations or resort photos. They’re moving away from the “see-everything, do-everything” mindset and choosing trips that leave space for conversation, rest and intimacy. Long, lazy breakfasts, walks with no agenda, evenings at local cafés, or learning a new skill together, these are becoming the highlights instead of a frantic sightseeing list.

This shift is reflected in how people spend as well. While luxury travel still has its takers, many prefer to put money into experiences that feel personal rather than extravagant. The idea is simple: the honeymoon should feel like them, not like a brochure.

For many newlyweds, the honeymoon has quietly become their first real money decision as a team, and the amounts they set aside reflect that shift. A lot of Indian couples now plan anywhere between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh for an overseas trip, depending on how personalised they want it to be. Travel planners say most people still hover around the Rs 1.5–2.25 lakh mark, but there’s a clear rise in those willing to spend much more for something crafted specifically for them. This steady appetite for customised itineraries has also pushed overall honeymoon spending up by roughly five to seven per cent each year.

A Wider Map And A Different Lens

Classic favourites like the Maldives or Italian cities continue to draw Indians, but the travel map is expanding in interesting ways. More and more couples are looking beyond the usual hotspots and picking places that feel quiet and rooted, maybe a simple cottage in the middle of a forest, a sleepy coastal town, or even a wellness retreat where the days move at an unhurried pace. And while the pull of these spots is emotional, money still matters; people want something that feels special without stretching the budget for no reason.

Newlyweds today are savvy travellers who want emotional richness without overspending. This is why offbeat Asian and European spots, or itineraries combining two contrasting experiences, such as a beach week followed by a mountain escape, are getting popular. They let couples shape a layered honeymoon rather than a predictable one.

Planning For Connection Instead Of Spectacle

Resorts and travel planners say requests for quieter, more intimate experiences have risen sharply. Private dinners, mind-body therapies for couples, curated day-trips with local guides, or simply secluded villas where no one interrupts, these are increasingly sought after.

For many, this is the first major decision as a married unit, and they want it to reflect shared values rather than social expectations. The focus is on creating moments that strengthen the relationship, not on producing a set of pictures for public consumption.

A Beginning, Not Just A Getaway

What’s emerging is a cultural change in how young Indians view the start of married life. The honeymoon is being treated as a space to pause, reconnect and settle into a new chapter before the routines and responsibilities resume.

It matters less whether the backdrop is a quiet island or a remote hillside. What counts is the sense of togetherness the trip fosters, a feeling that this journey is theirs alone, shaped intentionally, and remembered for what it meant, not what it looked like.