What makes a destination truly unforgettable? For some, it is the architecture, the landscapes, or the sense of grandeur. For others, it is the culture, the people, and the stories that make a place unlike anywhere else. Increasingly, it is the coming together of all these elements that defines luxury destination weddings, and few places capture this quite like India.
This October, the global destination wedding community will gather in Udaipur as QnA International brings the 17th edition of the Destination Wedding Planners (DWP) Congress to India for the first time. Taking place from 6–8 October 2026 at Fairmont Udaipur Palace, the Host Palace Partner, the Congress marks a significant moment for India’s presence on the international luxury wedding stage.
Ahead of the gathering, leading wedding planners, designers and industry voices share their perspectives on India’s growing appeal, the enduring allure of Udaipur and the role that global platforms such as DWP Congress play in shaping the future of the industry.
A Destination With a Story to Tell
In luxury weddings, a beautiful backdrop is only the beginning. Today’s celebrations are increasingly shaped by the character of the destination itself, from its heritage and traditions to the experiences it offers couples and their guests.
For Precious Thamaga, Luxury Wedding Planner & Event Designer at Precious Celebrations, that sense of identity is central to what makes a destination compelling. “I am particularly drawn to destinations that do not have to manufacture their identity. They already have one.”
Udaipur brings this idea to life through its historic palaces, shimmering lakes, and architectural legacy. It offers a setting where the atmosphere of the destination becomes an integral part of the celebration rather than simply a backdrop.
Elizabeth Priya Kumar, Founder & CEO of Premini Events, captures this quality in her perspective on the city. “Udaipur has the ability to make a celebration feel cinematic while still feeling deeply rooted in place.”
For Ariel Leanne Chen, Founder of Le Reve Events International, it is this interplay of different qualities that makes India particularly appealing. “The main pull is the combination of luxury and authenticity.”
Together, these perspectives reflect a wider shift in luxury celebrations, where the appeal of a destination lies not just in how it looks, but in the sense of place it brings to every moment.
India’s Heritage, Reimagined for Luxury Celebrations
India’s appeal lies in its extraordinary range of experiences. Every region brings its own architectural styles, culinary traditions, craftsmanship, and cultural influences, giving wedding professionals an expansive canvas on which to create celebrations with a distinct identity.
For Mahesh Shirodkar, Founder of Tamarind Global, this diversity is fundamental to the country’s destination wedding offering. “India is a continent and not a country.”
In Udaipur, that diversity finds expression in royal architecture, lakeside settings, centuries-old heritage and a hospitality culture that lends itself to celebrations of different scales and styles.
Kaival Patel, Director of Absolute Events, highlights the destination’s royal heritage, lakefront landscapes, world-class hospitality and iconic venues as elements that make it possible to create everything from intimate gatherings to elaborate, multi-day celebrations.
For Bhavnesh Sawhney, Co-Founder of FB Celebrations, India’s appeal also lies in its ability to bring together grandeur and a strong sense of cultural identity. He describes this offering as “authentic grandeur”, where palaces, lakes, living traditions, craftsmanship and hospitality become part of the celebration itself.
For international planners and designers, this creates opportunities to work with a destination that offers both a distinctive visual identity and the depth to shape celebrations around the stories of the couples themselves.
Beyond the Destination, the Power of Connection
While destinations provide the setting, the relationships behind the celebrations are what keep the global wedding industry moving forward. Planners, designers, hoteliers, venues, production specialists, and destination partners all contribute to an ecosystem built on collaboration.
This is where DWP Congress takes on a role beyond bringing the industry together in one location.
“Every industry has a room where the future is rewritten. For luxury weddings, that room is the DWP Congress,” says Bhavnesh Sawhney.
By bringing together professionals from across markets and specialisations, the Congress creates opportunities to exchange ideas, build partnerships and understand how different destinations and businesses are approaching the evolving expectations of luxury couples.
For Elizabeth Priya Kumar, the value of these interactions comes down to the relationships they create. “Because relationships are still the currency of our industry.”
The importance of personal connections is echoed by Mahesh Shirodkar, who observes, “In our industry, business is ultimately built between people, not platforms.”
These connections can extend well beyond the event itself, shaping collaborations, opening doors to new markets and building professional relationships that continue long after delegates return home.
For Matthew Oliver, Director of Matthew Oliver Weddings, who has attended DWP for 10 years, this lasting impact is a defining part of the experience. “It’s allowed us to meet amazing people from all over the world who are now great friends.”
It is this combination of professional exchange and genuine human connection that gives an international gathering like DWP Congress its wider significance.
Udaipur Prepares to Welcome the World
The upcoming edition brings these conversations to a destination where India’s heritage and contemporary luxury meet naturally. As the global wedding community arrives at Fairmont Udaipur Palace, the city will offer more than an evocative setting for the Congress. It will also provide an opportunity for international industry professionals to engage with India’s destination wedding landscape firsthand.
With more than 350 delegates expected from across the world, DWP Congress 2026 will bring together the people, ideas and partnerships shaping the future of luxury destination weddings.
The significance of this edition extends beyond its location. Hosting the Congress in India for the first time places the country’s diverse wedding destinations and creative expertise at the centre of an international industry conversation, while creating opportunities for professionals to build connections across borders.
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Behind every remarkable destination wedding is a network of partners whose expertise brings each element together, from production and lighting to music, décor and guest experiences. For Sidh N.C., Director of QnA International, these collaborations are central to what makes a celebration truly memorable.
“A great destination wedding is never one great idea. It is a hundred exacting details, from the stage and the lighting to the music, the fabric and the welcome, all landing as one. The partners joining us in Udaipur are the ones who make that happen, and DWP Congress is where the industry gets to see how it’s done.”
He believes delegates will leave Udaipur with new contacts and new ideas, having also witnessed firsthand what it takes to create an experience that reflects the character and identity of its destination.