Not just Dubai, Muscat is going big with grand Indian weddings, too

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6 hours ago

With cheap and direct air connectivity with major Indian cities, and a blend of the stunning views of the Arabian Sea juxtaposed against rocky mountains, Muscat has become the latest destination to say 'I do' for Indian couples read more
Not just popular spots, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the latest Middle Eastern wedding destination Indians are eyeing is Muscat, the capital city of Oman.
The destination-wedding industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is projected to grow substantially, rising from an estimated USD 3.7 billion in 2025 to USD 8.7 billion by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% during the 2025–2035 period. While all of UAE combined contributes 50 percent to the total wedding tourism market, Oman alone contributes roughly 10 percent to that number, as per a report by marketinsights.com.
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Official records released by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman, between 2022-2023, revealed that the nation hosted seven foreign high-profile weddings, primarily from India, with guest lists ranging between 400 and 800 guests from various parts of the world. The same year, the total number of Indian tourists in the country was over 6, 00, 000, according to reports.
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And, that figure on weddings? It has since increased 'twofold', officials claim. In fact, in 2024, Oman generated a total of 6 million Omani Rial (OMR) from wedding tourism alone, as per another report.
Speaking about this sudden and rapid surge in Indian weddings in Muscat, Parthip Thyagarajan, co-founder, WeddingSutra.com, India's leading wedding media brand, said that while Dubai is not new to a lot of Indians, Muscat is, and it is this lack of exposure to its scenic beauty that has turned out to be Muscat's 'biggest USP'.
'The Oman tourism board knows the importance of wedding tourism and understands what it means to invite affluent Indians for a milestone event or a destination wedding. They are doing a good job with that,' explained Thyagarajan.
Oman's strategic move—to promote Indian destination weddings in their country—is part of Oman Vision 2040, aimed at strengthening the tourism industry and celebrating cultural diversity, which has set a goal of reaching the 11.7 million international tourists target annually by 2040.
The tourism ministry is relying on India's growing outbound tourism market to meet its 2030 goal of 6 million tourists. Destination weddings, common among upper-middle-class and wealthy Indians, are on the top of their agenda and the ministry is working closely with Oman Airports, the Royal Oman Police, and tourism operators to support wedding events, developing yearly strategies to draw more weddings to the country.
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Indian couples, too, are surely reaping the benefits of the country's wedding tourism ambitions.
'Crazy Rich Indians'
When it comes to the overall likeability of Muscat as a wedding destination, as pointed out by Krupa Khimji, Founder and Director of Mosaic Events Oman, it is the region's untapped beauty and overall proximity to several Indian as well as global destinations that makes it a hot favourite among brides and grooms.
'One of the key reasons is Oman's convenient proximity to India, the wider Middle East, and key European cities. It's just a short flight away. Also, Oman is still a relatively untapped gem in the world of destination weddings. From serene beaches to majestic mountains and rolling desert landscapes, each event can be set against a uniquely stunning backdrop, offering couples and their guests a refreshing alternative to the more commercialized wedding destinations.'
The allure of the old-world Arabic charm may initially attract young, much-in-love Indian couples, but the factors that contribute to Muscat being the 'it' destination for brides and grooms are aplenty.
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Muscat and matters of the heart
For newlyweds Yash Daswani and Roshni Patel, exchanging their vows amid the stillness of Muscat was a 'no-brainer'. 'Our venue nestled between two mountain ranges with stunning views of the sea, offering the full package of natural beauty and seclusion,' said the couple in unison. 'What made it even more remarkable was its versatility. With multiple options to choose from, all seven of our events were comfortably accommodated, each one feeling distinct and special for our 400 guests,' added the pair.
Others, such as Uday Bhasin and Nanki Lamba, busy New Yorkers originally from India, felt the Omani people warmed the cockles of their hearts in an instant.
'Although Indian hospitality and food are unmatched, Oman did its due diligence. Omani people are extremely warm, and we felt very welcomed into the country,' shared the couple, before revealing that despite the many challenges of doing an out-of-country destination wedding, all their requirements were met and surpassed. 'We wanted mainly outdoor events. There were, of course, hurdles to overcome, as there will be for planning any event. One of the major things was trying to do an outdoor Anand Karaj, which is quite difficult, but we got there in the end with the team's support,' revealed Uday.
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In the upcoming wedding season, another desi couple, Manav Agarwal and Sneha Khetan, are also tying the knot in Muscat. When asked about the theme for their grand Indian wedding, they proudly shared, 'We want the aesthetic to pay homage to Oman, something that embraces its natural beauty as well as its culture.'
Sure, the Indians are marrying in Muscat for a plethora of reasons, and while the couples seem to be delighted with the choice they have made, these large-scale weddings come with their fair share of unique requests that everyone involved seems to enjoy taking on, from the event organizers to the wedding photographers.
The fun, the daring, and the off-beat: What do Indian couples want in Muscat?
Short answer: New-age Indian couples don't want to be 'boring' and 'conventional', and would like to enjoy the freedom to just be without having to host a series of chaotic events on the most beautiful days of their lives. The onus, therefore, is on the organising team to make things happen.
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'What we love is the vibe of the couples who choose Muscat—they're usually looking for something different, and that shows in their energy. We've had bride and grooms make ATV entrances, we've made couples run into the ocean with their friends post-Haldi, and wild, laughter-filled moments that are pure gold for us as photographers,' said Ankita Asthana, Founder, WeddingNama, who has shot four weddings in Muscat in the last few years.
While some couples like to unleash their adventurous sides during their wedding, others go for unheard-of themes on their big day. 'Indian weddings are typically known for their vibrant colors and bold décor, but one of the most unique celebrations I've worked on was an all-white themed party. From the floral arrangements to the attire and lighting, everything was styled in elegant white tones. It showed how Indian weddings today can be deeply personal and creatively reimagined,' shared Jannielyn Trinidad, Events Manager, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, who is also in charge of planning Indian weddings at the luxury property.
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Some couples, on the other hand, like to incorporate their Indianness into the culture they later embraced in life, in an Omani setting. For instance, recently, an Indian couple living in Africa wanted their wedding to be an elegant mish-mash of their Indo roots and African ways of life.
'A large portion of this couple's guests flew in from various African cities as well as from different parts of the world. What made this wedding stand out was the beautiful fusion of African and Indian cultures. They requested a vibrant African décor, and the music seamlessly blended with the traditional Indian ceremonies, creating a truly unique and meaningful celebration,' concluded Lea Agnes Arbiol, Director of MICE and Events Management, Shangri-La Resorts.
With the peak Indian shaadi season coming upon Muscat—between October and early April—industry insiders tell me the city is beyond ready to host what is famously known as the 'big-fat Indian wedding' the world over… one baraat, one mandap, one stunning couple at a time.
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