Best hotels in India to say "I do" at if you’re a Bollywood buff

Have you ever witnessed a big fat Indian wedding scene in a movie and thought—“this will be me one day”? We relate! There’s something ethereal about extravagant picture-perfect weddings on screen that make us want to get hitched ASAP. If you’re a filmy bride-to-be and are on the lookout for the perfect venue that will bowl you over with its magnificence (and has a Bollywood connection to boot), then these hotels should definitely be on your wish list. 

The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Everyone will admit, the dreamy wedding Kalki Koechlin’s character in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani had us wanting a big fat Indian wedding of our own. It was shot at the stunning Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, the heritage resort that is situated by the banks of Lake Pichola. Pick this one if you want to pull out all stops for your wedding. 

Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar
Asoka

If you’re fascinated by history and can’t stop romanticising the bygone era, then Ahilya Fort should be your pick for your destination wedding. The fort was the royal residence of Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar, and is now a heritage resort. Located on the banks of river Narmada in the town of Maheshwar, it was the primary shooting location for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Asoka. 

Lallgarh Palace, Bikaner
Band Baaja Baraat

Destination weddings in Rajasthan have a hold on all of us, and we have their magnificent palaces to thank for that. Lallgarh Palace is another alluring option if you want to get married in a heritage building and pay homage to your love for Bollywood at the same time. Finding a place in the movie Band Baaja Baraat, it served as the location for one of the grand weddings in the film that was organised by the protagonists Bittoo (Ranveer Singh) and Shruti (Anushka Sharma). The red sandstone structure and opulent facade make it ideal for a lavish wedding. 

Woodville Palace Hotel, Shimla
3 Idiots, Black, and more

If you’d like to give the over-done forts and palaces a skip for a mountain setting, then the popular Woodville Palace Hotel should be your pick. A heritage property nestled in one of the valleys of Shimla, it dates back to the British era. You’ll find influences of the same in its architecture and interiors that have an old-world charm, making it the perfect destination for a regal wedding. Plus, the manicured lawns and rose gardens add to the romance. The hotel is most well-known for featuring in Black as Michelle McNally’s home (played by Rani Mukherjee). More recently, it served as the backdrop for the almost-wedding of Kareena Kapoor’s character Pia in 3 Idiots.  

Lead image: Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur