What’s New in Indian Wedding Entertainment Trends in 2025

By: Pooja Prabbhan Srijith  

It’s obvious — even the new-age Indian baraati aren’t showing up just for the bare minimum: good food and drinks. Case in point: Multi-layered experiences, such as live bands at sundowners, themed sangeets, cultural fusion acts, and intimate after-parties with global artists are gaining precedence over customary celebrations. A lot of this evolution has to do with the technology at hand today — immersive lighting, projection mapping, and AR installations enhance the visual narrative. And rightly so, as weddings are designed to feel as much as they are to impress, as the focus shifts from spectacle to sensation. We get a volley of popular names from the fraternity to share what’s ruling the (wedding) roost in 2025. 

“Youngsters are more focused on creating experiential celebrations. Rituals are being reimagined and converted into immersive showcases. Instances such as a mehendi are no longer traditional ceremonies— they’re festivals with curated décor, interactive entertainment, themed food, and music that elevates the mood,” begins Vicky Tulsyan, Founder and Creative Director of Mirage Weddings and Events. 

DJ Krish aka TBom shares, “The journey begins with deep Bollywood nostalgia and traditional Indian roots that honour family and culture. Then, as the evening builds, the music transforms into a high-voltage global set that mirrors the couple’s modern identity. From the soulful notes of a shehnai to the pulse of Afrobeats and House, it’s a seamless evolution that captures generations and worlds in one night.”

The transition has been a gradual yet intentional shift that garnered maximum traction in the past couple of years, following the pandemic. Clearly, because luxury today isn’t about excess but is rather about delivering experiences that feel original, reflective, and mental keepsakes. While everyone gets how ‘customisation’ is the code, DJ AJ aka Arjun Shah believes timing is everything. “The energy at a wedding flows in waves, and planners who get the timing right can keep guests engaged from start to finish,” he says, emphasising how the focus is on ensuring guests leave with something unique and memorable — that conversations don’t just stick to food. “One of the unique ones being our hologram act. Synced lighting shows to LED visuals that change with the music — we’re seeing a lot more integration between sound, light, and production,” adds AJ. 

Moreover, today’s couples want their celebrations to reflect their personalities, which means everything from music curation to artist collaborations and production design is thought through. A strong proclivity for experiences that go beyond the usual has also permeated into the arena of wedding music. Entertainment has transformed from being a single highlight to becoming the heartbeat of the celebration. 

“The crowd’s younger, more global in taste, and they want everything from Afro and Deep House to Techno and Punjabi pop,” notes DJ Kiara, who suggests event planners keep the flow alive to keep guests entertained. “Don’t treat the line-up like a checklist; treat it like a story. Every event has its own rhythm, so give your DJ the space to read the crowd and build that journey instead of forcing playlists. I’ve seen it first-hand — when there’s creative freedom, the energy just builds naturally, and even the grandparents end up vibing on the dance floor. Also, don’t book artists just because they’re famous. Book someone who fits the family’s energy. When the artist truly connects with the crowd, the night doesn’t just end — it stays in everyone’s memory,” she opines.  

Conscious Celebrations 

Interestingly, sustainability and cultural sensitivity are other trends that see an uptick in weddings today. “Guests love when elements reflect the couple — custom playlists, inside jokes in performances, or décor nods to shared memories,” shares Priya Maganti, CEO and Co-Founder of RVR PRO and RVR Eventz & Design. 

There’s also a growing preference for interactive and participatory entertainment — flash mobs, karaoke corners, tarot readers, tattoo artists, live caricature booths — which make guests part of the celebration rather than mere spectators. Moreover, digital entertainment — LED backdrops, projection mapping, drone shows, and social media live-streaming — has made weddings not only experiential but also highly shareable. 

“A bored or tired guest won’t enjoy even the best entertainment. Schedule smartly — no overcrowded itineraries, and ensure good acoustics, lighting, and flow between events,” believes Maganti. She also adds a pro tip that’ll keep your guests hooked: “The most memorable weddings have that wow moment — a sudden rain dance setup, a celebrity drop-in, or a coordinated family flash mob.” 

While it’s commonly believed that social media drives trends, industry experts suggest that discerning brides and grooms don’t want what everyone’s already seen on the ‘gram. “They want their story reflected in their celebration. That could mean an original composition for the bridal entry, an immersive after-party inspired by Tomorrowland or Nikki Beach, or even weaving their love story into a performance,” cites Devanshi Patel, Founder of Shreem Events. 

The pattern also stems from the fact that guests — especially Gen Z and millennial couples’ friends — are incredibly well-travelled and digitally exposed. “They’ve seen so much online that repetition doesn’t impress them. What excites them are ideas that feel original, unexpected, and reflective of the couple’s identity. As luxury planners, our role is to constantly think beyond the obvious, curate something fresh, and set trends that often get replicated later. That’s when you know you’ve truly delivered — when the couple feels their wedding was one-of-a-kind, and guests leave with memories they haven’t experienced elsewhere.” The firm prides itself on creating moments as spiritual as the Panchmahabhuta Aarti — honouring the five elements of nature in a soulful wedding ritual — and as glamorous as a MET Gala-inspired sangeet followed by an after-party with international DJs. 

Now that the memo is out, it comes as no surprise to find a seemingly large number of wedding planners prioritising entertainment that flows naturally with the wedding’s mood. “Don’t just plan acts — plan experiences. Keep the energy dynamic by alternating between high-octane and soulful moments — an unplugged set between ceremonies, a surprise flash mob during cocktails, or interactive corners where guests can engage and unwind. Think of the whole process as storytelling through entertainment — where every act, every performance, has meaning and memory attached,” concludes Shivaansh Puri, founder of Shaadi Atelier.  

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