Rethinking the Ritual: Why More Indian Couples Are Choosing Vegan Celebrations. Indian weddings have long been synonymous with grandeur, tradition, and multi-course meals rich in ghee, paneer, and dairy-based desserts. But a quiet revolution is reshaping this opulent affair. A growing number of urban couples, especially from Gen Z and millennial circles, are choosing to say “I do” in a more ethical, sustainable way—by going fully vegan.
Driven by concerns about animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and personal health, vegan weddings are transitioning from niche statements to increasingly accepted choices among India’s urban elite. What was once considered radical is now being embraced for its creativity, intentionality, and Instagram-worthy appeal. From almond milk rasmalai to plant-based wedding juttis, a new wedding vocabulary is taking root.
Trend Snapshot
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Trend Name | Vegan Indian Weddings |
| Definition | Wedding celebrations entirely free of animal products, including food, fashion, and decor |
| Key Components | Dairy-free sweets, plant-based entrees, Ahimsa silk outfits, eco-friendly decor |
| Current Distribution | Metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru); rising in Tier 2 cities |
| Notable Examples | Richa and Pratik’s Pune wedding; JW Marriott vegan packages |
| Popular Hashtags | #VeganShaadi, #PlantBasedWedding, #CrueltyFreeCeremony |
| Target Demographic | Millennials, Gen Z, eco-conscious NRIs |
| Wow Factor | Ethical luxury; full alignment with personal values |
| Trend Phase | Early mainstream adoption |
Planting the Seed: Why Vegan Weddings Are On the Rise
The rise of vegan weddings in India reflects broader shifts in how younger generations view food, tradition, and social rituals. According to recent wedding industry surveys, more than 40% of millennial couples in Indian metros now consider dietary ethics when planning events.
Influencers, documentaries like The Game Changers, and global awareness about climate change have contributed to this awakening. In cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai, it’s no longer surprising to hear of wedding invites that announce “100% plant-based celebration.” For many, the decision is deeply personal—and proudly political.
“We didn’t want our most important day to be built on suffering,” said Pune-based bride Richa Patel, who planned an entirely vegan wedding in 2023 with her partner Pratik. “From food to footwear, we questioned every tradition. And our families embraced it more than we expected.”
Saying ‘I Do’ to Sustainable Menus
While food remains the centerpiece of any Indian wedding, vegan weddings are challenging chefs to be more inventive than ever. Classic dishes like butter paneer are reimagined using cashew-based sauces or tofu; mithais are prepared with almond milk and coconut oil instead of khoya and ghee.
Menus now include items like:
- Almond milk rasmalai
- Jackfruit biryani
- Beetroot kofta in vegan makhani gravy
- Cashew cheese kulchas
Some chefs are pushing boundaries even further. Delhi-based vegan caterer Green Nirvana crafts “mock-meat” kebabs from jackfruit and soya, and their rose-laced coconut barfi is popular even among non-vegan guests.
Hotels are catching up, too. JW Marriott and ITC Hotels have begun offering customizable vegan wedding packages, complete with tasting sessions, dietary consultations, and cruelty-free dessert bars.
The Vendors Making It Happen
Behind the scenes of these celebrations are a growing ecosystem of vendors specializing in ethical weddings. Plant-based caterers, vegan fashion designers, and cruelty-free makeup artists are now part of India’s evolving wedding economy.
Brands like Ahimsa Silk India offer wedding attire that avoids the traditional silk-worm-based fabric, opting instead for peace silk or blends with bamboo and cotton. For footwear, startups like Paio and Ethik produce leather-free juttis and mojaris designed for wedding wear.
Wedding planners like The Conscious Bride in Mumbai specialize in coordinating vegan and eco-conscious events—from menu curation to flower sourcing that avoids imported blooms with heavy carbon footprints.
Beyond the Buffet: Ethics in Décor, Fashion, and Gifting
A truly vegan wedding goes beyond the menu. Couples are rethinking every aspect of their big day, including:
- Décor: Reusable floral installations, potted plants instead of cut flowers
- Fashion: Ahimsa silk lehengas, plant-dyed fabrics, banana fibre sherwanis
- Makeup & Rituals: Cruelty-free cosmetic brands, organic turmeric for haldi
- Gifts: Seed kits, compostable packaging, donations to animal shelters
These details not only reduce the environmental impact of large gatherings but also reflect a sense of mindfulness that resonates with today’s values-driven consumers.
How Families and Traditions Are Adapting
Despite initial resistance, many families are embracing the shift when they see the intentionality and elegance behind vegan weddings. The younger generation’s ability to blend modern ethics with cultural richness has won over skeptics.
In cities like Pune and Hyderabad, vegan sangeets and haldi ceremonies have become opportunities to showcase creativity. Caterers often include “live counters” where guests can customize their meals—from vegan chaat bars to dosa stations.
According to The Times of India, a growing number of wedding photographers and content creators are now being hired to capture the sustainability story as much as the glamour.
A Global Movement With Local Flavor
India is not alone in this shift. Vegan weddings are growing in popularity in the US, UK, and Australia, often led by South Asian diaspora couples who want to blend cultural heritage with contemporary ethics. According to The Vegan Society, vegan weddings in the UK doubled between 2020 and 2023.
In California, a 2024 wedding of an Indian-American couple featured a full Gujarati thali made from plant-based ingredients—and was covered by VegNews and The New York Times.
India’s embrace of this trend marks a return to roots as much as a leap forward. After all, much of traditional Indian cuisine is already inherently plant-based. The vegan wedding is not a break with tradition—it is a revival of its most sustainable, sattvic form.
The Future of Ethical Celebrations
As the wedding industry looks to the future, vegan weddings are emerging not just as an alternative, but as a new standard for conscious luxury. Brands are innovating, hospitality groups are adapting, and a new generation is rewriting what it means to celebrate with joy and intention.
The next big fat Indian wedding might still have 500 guests and a live band. But it may also have beetroot kofta, almond ghee, and a sustainable ethos that lasts far longer than the celebration itself.
If you’re interested in how traditional flavors are evolving with modern values, check out our article on Why Southeast Asian Flavors Are Taking Over in 2025.