{
  "id": 2421310,
  "title": "Indian couples say ‘I do’ off the beaten path",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/indian-couples-say-i-do-off-the-beaten-path",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-21T19:08:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/goa-is-out-coorg-is-in-indias-wedding-crowd-is-looking-for-new-destinations/articleshow/133412989.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "San Francisco-based designers Smera Rose Jose and Ashwin Nambiar chose the serene hill station of Coorg in Karnataka for their Indian wedding in January, eschewing more conventional and crowded destinations. The couple sought an intimate celebration with only those closest to them, rather than an extravagant affair replete with decorations and a lengthy guest list. Jose told ET that the couple cherished the opportunity to relish every moment, from conversations to music and dancing, without the pressures of a large-scale wedding. Their experience echoed a 20-30% surge in bookings for off-the-beaten-path locations, as noted by wedding planners and décor companies. Destination weddings in Tier 2 and 3 cities have also grown by 12% in the last year, according to the Event and Entertainment Management Association. Celebrants of higher income brackets, who can afford urban homes, are now opting for quieter places that can host 300-400 guests. Jose reiterated that the key was the personal touch - having the chosen guests in a tranquil setting, rather than simply following tradition.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "San Francisco-based designers chose Coorg for intimate wedding",
    "Off-the-beaten-path destinations see 20-30% booking surge",
    "Higher income couples opt for quieter, larger-capacity venues"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}