Bridal retreats are the new getaway for brides seeking calm before the chaos

When she embarks on a fun trip with her trusted tribe before walking down the aisle, it’s called a bachelorette. When she holidays with her husband after the pheras and functions, it's deemed a honeymoon. But when the bride takes that introspective trip before her big day, that’s termed a bridal retreat. 
 

(B)ride or die

Typically organised with a group of other brides-to-be or individually, this is not your average beach vacay with a floating (or fleeting?) breakfast. Nor is it bar-hopping across archipelagos. In fact, the bridal retreat is as camouflaged as it is convenient, turning into anything the bride wants it to be. If she’s looking to press pause on the pandemonium of wedding planning, there’s sound healing by the Himalayas. Or, if she’s perfecting her wedding decor, perhaps a private session with industry experts to curate the moodboard? 

Say yes to the rest

“Our very first retreat was hosted in Khimsar (Rajasthan) in September 2023, making it the first structured retreat in India designed exclusively for brides-to-be,” shares Ekta Shah, founder of Here Comes The Bride. “Brides experienced a three-day immersion that blended styling moodboards, guided journaling, wellness sessions, and intimate bonding circles.” As a pioneer of bridal retreats in the country, Shah’s brand strictly caters to the bride, making it a class apart from just another soiree. “It’s a space where the bride steps away from the wedding planning chaos and invests in herself—mentally, emotionally, and aesthetically. We later brought the experience into an urban luxury gym space in South Bombay for select brides, blending fitness, finance, and bridal styling into a one-of-a-kind city retreat,” Shah explains. Recently, a thoughtful experience was organised in Alibaug, which centred around emotional readiness, creating an open space for prospective brides to opine and dine.

The highlight, though, remains bride-forward bespoke experiences that run the gamut, from fireside chats with industry veterans to masterclasses with dermatologists and decor consultants. For those battling pre-wedding anxiety, there are wellness-oriented sessions that incorporate breathwork or yoga. And luckily, the retail therapy comes to you at these retreats, with styling workshops, and even intimate wine-and-cheese evenings to bond and build your bride tribe. 

Where to go

The location, of course, plays a crucial role in setting the stage. ITC Grand Central Mumbai, for instance, typically hosts an intimate gathering of around five to 10 ladies—like the bride’s closest friends or bridesmaids—who are mostly in their 20s or 30s. And their trademark experience can be found at the in-house Kaya Kalp spa. Designed to relax, rejuvenate, and instil that natural pre-wedding glow, this is the place where soothing body therapies, foot baths, and facials do the trick. There are also bite-sized street treats, such as quinoa bhel tartlets, sprout chaat cones, zucchini ribbon rolls, and lotus root crisps with Thai basil hummus, for mindful indulgence.

Meanwhile, at the Westin Himalayas, emotional well-being takes precedence over all else, with Panchakarma-inspired ayurvedic therapies, sunrise yoga, and guided meditation sessions on offer. Set against the backdrop of the majestic mountains, this holistic approach encourages brides to detox, with treatments such as Pinda Swedam and Shirodhara to Sarvanga Abhyangam and Mukh Lepam. There are also Satvic and Garhwali thalis on offer, packed with nutrient-rich indigenous ingredients. The intrinsic revelry extends outdoors, with a spiritual trek to the region’s Kunjapuri Temple, frequented for its radiant sunrise. 

Priceless planning

All this pampering, centring, and pre-wedding glow-up does come at a cost, of course. Most bridal retreats in India now range anywhere between ₹60,000 to ₹2,00,000 per bride, depending on where you're going, how long you're staying, and how bespoke you want the schedule to be. Think: a two-night city retreat with wellness sessions at the lower end, and a three-day Himalayan detox with curated workshops and treatments at the higher end.

But brides who’ve tried it swear that the investment goes beyond massages and moodboards. A good retreat gives you something you rarely get during wedding planning—space. Space to breathe, reset, gather yourself, and walk into the celebrations feeling a little more grounded and a lot more you.

Whether it’s sunrise meditation, a styling masterclass, or simply eating a bowl of quinoa bhel without having to explain your seating chart for the fifteenth time, the bridal retreat is really about putting the bride back at the centre of her own story.

A pretty perfect prequel to your happily ever after, if you ask us.

Image credits: Getty, Here Comes The Bride, ITC Grand Central Mumbai, Westin Himalayas

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