Rush to get hitched on ‘auspicious dates’ sends wedding costs soaring this season
Times of India | 3 January 2026
Kolkata: A desperate rush for ‘auspicious dates' this wedding season has pushed up the demand for and the cost of booking ceremony halls and, in turn, the cost of weddings that have taken place over the last few weeks.
Kolkata's wedding industry is witnessing one of its busiest and most profitable seasons in recent years.
According to wedding-related service providers across the city, most prefer dates around the weekend as that makes it convenient for both hosts and guests. This has compressed the wedding calendar, pushing up demand for wedding planners, venues, stylists, photographers, and caterers.
According to priests, the rush is also because weddings are avoided during the month of Poush, which began on Dec 22. "Once Poush starts, families avoid scheduling weddings, as it is not considered an auspicious period," said Sankha Mukherjee, a priest from Kalighat who conducts several weddings during the season. The wedding season will resume in the third week of Jan and continue through Feb.
Event managers said the short window has resulted in juggling of multiple assignments in a single day.
According to Raj Jaiswal of Wedding Sutra Event Management Pvt Ltd in Rajarhat, demand has surged sharply. He said his company was "swamped with bookings", and every wedding service — from banquets and videography to grooming and decor — is fully booked.
"I had to split my team for multiple assignments in a single day," said a wedding photographer.
Couples who started scouting for venues a few months before their wedding found it tough to book preferred ones. Priyanka and Aniket Chatterjee, who tied the knot in Dec, contacted eight venues before finding one that was open to booking. "That too on a weekday, and at a higher rate than usual," said Priyanka.
Caterers, too, have very few dates to spare. "We are taking two to three weddings a day," said Amit Saha, a caterer from Jodhpur Park.
According to estimates from two national trade bodies, weddings this season are expected to generate significant business in the state, driven mainly by Kolkata.
The Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations estimated that the current wedding season — Nov 2025 to March 2026 — will bring in between Rs 55,000 crore and Rs 60,000 crore. This includes spendings not only on wedding arrangements but also on jewellery, clothing, travel, and hospitality.
Traders say jewellery and trousseau account for about 30% spending per wedding, while hospitality, venues, catering, and food together represent nearly 25%. Garments account for around 15%. "We saw a very strong festive season and now the momentum carried over into weddings. Jewellery, garments, and event services are all witnessing brisk business," said Sushil Poddar, president of Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations.
Supporting sectors like photography, invitations, floristry, décor, and logistics are also benefiting from the boom. Many professionals are working without a break throughout the peak days.