Top 10 Destination Wedding Locations in Uttarakhand

Best Places for Destination Wedding in Uttarakhand

Whether you dream of a hilltop wedding, riverside pheras, or a snow-kissed ceremony, Uttarakhand offers diverse wedding destinations suitable for every style and budget.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh, this spiritually charged location gives a couple a unique opportunity to get married by the banks of the sacred river Ganga.
There are magnificent resorts like Aloha on the Ganges and Taj Rishikesh Resort and Spa that provide wedding lawns and banquets that overlook the river.

Ideal season of the year- October-March.
Transport: The nearest airport to Dehradun is known as Jolly Grant (21 km in one hour).
Budgets: INR 1225 lakh on a 100-guest wedding.
Why it is dreamy: mandap arrangements by the Riverbank, sunrise/ sunset wedding shoot, and evening aartis at Triveni Ghat as one of the guest experiences.

Note: Riverside celebrations mightrequire permission from the venue or the city authorities.

Nainital

The beauty of the lake in Nainital and the hills around it form an innate romantic setting. The Manu Maharani and Shervani Hilltop resorts have banquet lawns that are located along the valley.

Peak seasons: March- June or September - November.
Travel: Kathgodam Railway station (34km), the Pantnagar Airport (70km, about 2.5 hours by road).
Price quotation: INR 10- 20 lakh for 100 guests.
Attraction: Many sightseeing places of mine include boating on the lake where the wedding will be and taking pre-wedding pictures, having a view of the snowy range at the Snow View Point, and old colonial buildings to take photographs of vintage style.

Note: Do not arrange a wedding in town at the time of the year when there are the most tourists (late May-June) and the town is packed.

Mussoorie

Mussoorie is a nostalgic hill-station destination and their colonial theme contributes any event and experience. As far as weddings are concerned, hotels such as JW Marriott, Walnut Grove Resort, and Spa or Fortune Grace Hotel have huge banquet halls with a mountain view.

Best season: March -June or October-December.
Travel: 60 km/Dehradun Airport (about 2 hours drive).
Cost per head 15-30 INR per guest 100 guests.
Sights to offer: Mandaps with beautiful backdrops, baraats in the colonial streets, and panoramic shots in Lal Tibba or Camel Back Road.

Note: It is possible to have foggy winters, so have an alternative indoor venue.

Auli

Auli is the jewel in the crown for couples having a dream of a snowy fairytale wedding. It has a reputation of skiing and Himalayan scenery which makes it a perfect location to hold a winter wedding in. Resorts such as Clifftop Club Auli and eco-lodges can be considered to be the ideal spots for the big day.

Best season: December-February (when it is time to have snow weddings) or May-June (clear green backdrops).
Travel: Jolly Grant Airport (280 km, approximately 9 hours’ drive); cable car at Joshi mat can be added to the adventure.
Budget limit: INR 20-40 lakh because of logistics and lack of accommodation.
Highlights: Mandaps that are covered with snow, photography of Himalayan sunset, and bonfire sangeets.

Hint: Small capacity of guests - best suited in case of small weddings consisting of between 50 and 80 people.

Almora and Kumaon Region

Almora is culturally enriched and has the Kumaoni customs, heritage bungalows, and views of the mountains. The venues will cover boutique accommodation such as Kasaar Jungle Resort.

Peak season:March-June and September-October
Access: airport of Pantnagar (115km, 4 hours by road)
Budgets: INR 8- 18 lakh for 100 guests
Why it is special: Local folk musicbands, authentic Kumaoni foods and pre-wedding shoots in pine forests.

Thought: This is the most appropriate destination, as when a couple wants to have a non-commercial yet culturally oriented wedding venue in the core of Uttarakhand.

Jim Corbett National Park

Corbett has one of the most demanded wedding venues in India. Other resorts such as the Namah, Aahana the Corbett wilderness and The Riverview retreat have a lot of lawns, decks at the river, and the background forests too.

Best season: October-April.
Travel: Pantnagar Airport (85 km, 3 hours drive).
Budget: INR 15- 35 lakh by resort.
Dream factor: wedding in the middle of the forest and within luxury by the beautiful river banks.

Note: The only exception is that you cannot conduct a wedding in the middle of the park which is a preserved area. Make sure to check about the permits and safety.

Lansdowne

Lansdowne is a cantonment town that is quiet, not so commercial and ideal when one wants to have intimate gatherings. Guesthouses and guest houses are used as wedding locations.

Peak season: March- June, September-November.
Travel: 152km away at Dehradun (nearly 4.5hours of drive).
Budget estimate INR 7-15 lakh for 80-100 guests.
Reasons why it is a good choice: A walk in the pine forest, photography in old churches, and no tourists around.

Hint: There is not much accommodation, hence block booking in advance is important.

Ranikhet

Ranikhet is known as a producer of apple orchards, golf courses, and uninterrupted Himalayan views. venues are heritage clubs and boutique resorts.

Best season March-June or September- October.
Travel: Kathgodam rail (110km apx. 4 hrs).
Estimate of the cost: INR 10-20 lakh to have a mid-sized wedding.
Attractions: Outdoor wedding customer services in beautiful orchards, baraats in the golf course, and photo shoot in Chaubatia Gardens.

Note: It is recommended that the shuttle plans be made in advance for the guests of the wedding.

Kausani

Kausani is the name that is often referred to as the Switzerland of India due to the sweeping Himalayan views. These resorts are used in small destination weddings. It is a small town, ideal for a perfect, intimate wedding.

Best season: The best season is October-March, which gives clear views.
Travel: 132 km by air to Pantnagar Airport (5 hours).
Budget:INR 8-18 lakh on low-end weddings.
Pros: Mandap arrangements with a backdrop of the Trishul and Nanda Devi mountains, greenery wedding decor, and a small-scale atmosphere.

Note: Ideal when the size of the wedding is below 100 people because of the venue.

The Valley of Flowers and Joshimath

The Joshimath or the area around the Valley of Flowers is enchanted for those couples who want something really special. Even though one is not within the guarded valley, there are resorts that surround it that offer alpine landscapes and mountainous scenery.

Peak: July-September
Travel: Jolly Grant Airport (280 km, almost 9 hours).
Budget range: INR 12-25 lakh on the basis of logistics.
The reason it is unique: Mandaps in the wildflowers, hiking/photo shooting, and an adventurous atmosphere.

Hint: This place is a decent option but not an easy one to reach, and this is where the couple should go when they want to arrange an offbeat nature-related wedding celebration.

Planning a Destination Wedding in Uttarakhand

Choose the right season of the year: Please do not do it during monsoons (July- August) due to the landslides. Best months: October-April - when there are hill stations; December-February - when there are snow weddings.
Get permits: River, forest, or heritage property weddings would need to be checked with the local authorities.
Book early enough: Rishikesh, Corbett and Mussoorie are some of the most well-liked resorts in the region, which is already booked 1 year before.
Logistic: Get transportation arrangements to the guests between Kathgodam, Dehradun or Pantnagar.
Vendors: Be a combination of local talent (folk musicians, caterers) and city-based vendors for decor and photography.
Weather contingency: This should have an indoor/covered space.
Legal formalities: Register the marriage beforehand or at the metropolis of the couple in order to save time.