Ginger Films
There Is No Single "Best" Place
Couples ask us this a lot. The honest answer: the best destination is the one that fits your guests, your season and your style. A palace that is perfect for a royal-looking wedding can be a nightmare for elderly grandparents. A beach that looks dreamy in photos can be too hot by noon.
So instead of a ranking, here is how the main kinds of destinations in India actually work.
1. Palaces and Forts (Rajasthan)
Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur and smaller heritage towns around them.
- Good for: grand, traditional weddings with a royal feel. Courtyards, arches and lake views do half the decoration for you.
- On camera: rich colours, textured walls, beautiful evening light. Big spaces make wide, cinematic frames easy.
- Watch out for: heat outside the winter months, lots of stairs for older guests, and heritage rules on noise, fire and decor. Ask the venue what is not allowed before you plan your sangeet.
2. Beaches (Goa, Kerala, the Andamans, Puducherry)
- Good for: relaxed, holiday-style weddings where guests stay for a few days.
- On camera: golden hour by the sea is hard to beat. Midday sun is harsh, so plan ceremonies early morning or late afternoon.
- Watch out for: wind (veils, flowers and microphones all suffer), sand in shoes, humidity for makeup, and the monsoon. Always have a covered backup space booked, not just "discussed".
3. Hills and Mountains (Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Coorg, Himachal)
- Good for: smaller, cosier weddings and couples who love nature.
- On camera: soft, misty light, green backdrops and dramatic views. Some of the most romantic couple portraits we know come from the hills.
- Watch out for: long, winding drives for guests, cold evenings, limited big venues, and roads that can close in bad weather. Keep the guest list tight.
4. Backwaters and Plantations (Kerala, Karnataka)
- Good for: calm, green, slow-paced celebrations.
- On camera: water reflections, palm trees and soft daylight. Boats and old homes make lovely portrait spots.
- Watch out for: rain for much of the year, mosquitoes in the evening, and travel time from the nearest airport.
5. Heritage Homes and Mansions
Old havelis, Chettinad mansions in Tamil Nadu, colonial bungalows and restored family homes.
- Good for: intimate weddings with a lot of character.
- On camera: pillars, courtyards, tiles and window light. Every corner is a frame.
- Watch out for: fewer rooms, so guests may stay elsewhere. We wrote a full guide on heritage venue weddings.
5 Questions That Pick the Place for You
- How many guests are really coming? Some places only work for a small group.
- When is your date? The same place can be perfect in one season and unbearable in another.
- How easy is it to reach? Count flights, trains and drive time for your oldest guest.
- Is there a backup space? For rain, wind or heat.
- What do you want your photos to feel like? Royal, beachy, misty, green or homely?
From our side: we film and photograph weddings across India. Wherever you choose, ask your photographer whether they have shot that kind of location before. Palace light and beach light need very different planning.
Still deciding whether to go away at all? Read our destination vs hometown checklist. Ready to plan? Our step-by-step destination wedding guide walks you through it.
