Terrace weddings make a stylish comeback: The Guide decodes the trend

In a way banquet halls may still dominate the wedding circuit but terraces and balcony weddings are quietly stealing the spotlight From Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhattrsquos intimate balcony ceremony to Gaurav Kapur and Kritika Kamrarsquos recent terrace reception openair celebrations are proving that sometimes the city itself can offer the best decor We invited wedding planners and designers to help you look at the idea in a practical and financial wayAiming for aestheticsRooftop and terrace venues are increasingly becoming part of wedding conversations in the city An openair space with a sweeping skyline or sea view naturally elevates the experience of a reception There is a shift towards smaller more thoughtfully curated celebrationsCouples today prefer a wedding that feels personal and immersive rather than simply large in scale and terraces lend themselves beautifully to that moodFormer cricketers Yuvraj Singh right and Virender Sehwag behind Singh at the celebration Pic courtesyYoutubeWhen designing a terrace celebration the view is always the hero Instead of competing with the skyline the aim should be to frame it That often means keeping stage backdrops minimal or even transparent so the cityscape continues to be visible behind the couple Lighting becomes one of the most important design tools Warm fairy lights candle clusters and soft ambient lighting help build the atmosphereAlia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor during their wedding ceremonyDecor in these spaces tends to lean towards modern elegant and slightly minimal aesthetics Rather than heavy installations or elaborate structures we often work with sleek lounge seating curated floral accents and layered lighting The layout is equally important A terrace should feel fluid and social so design the space in a way that encourages movement and allows guests to experience the skyline from different vantage pointsShivaansh PuriOf course the beauty of a rooftop also comes with practical considerations Weather particularly in March to June in Mumbai is the most obvious variable which is why one should always have a contingency plan such as transparent roofing or quickinstall covers There are also sound regulations lift logistics and loadbearing limits when transporting decor and technical equipment to a terrace In many ways planning a rooftop event requires the designers to think like production managers mdash balancing aesthetics with engineering logistics and guest flow to ensure the experience feels seamlessShivaansh Puri 32 entrepreneur ChemburLetrsquos talk financeFrom a visual standpoint terrace weddings undeniably have a strong appeal In an Instagramdriven era where couples value memorable moments such as a lsquosunset varmalarsquo or goldenhour portraits rooftop venues offer a naturally beautiful backdrop that traditional banquet halls often struggle to replicateKapur and Kamra during their reception on the terraceThat said from a financial perspective terrace celebrations are not automatically the more economical option In cities like Mumbai many luxury hotels and restaurants actually charge a premium for rooftop spaces precisely because they are in demand and perceived as more exclusiveCouples at times assume that the natural skyline will significantly reduce decor costs but in practice the budget often shifts rather than decreases If you are saving on largescale banquet draping or elaborate stage structures that money may instead lean towards installations architectural lighting or specialised decor designed for openair settings In many cases the final expenditure ends up being quite comparable to a traditional reception and occasionally could be higherDisha WadhwaniGuest capacity also plays a role in budgeting Terrace venues usually accommodate fewer people which can naturally reduce catering and service costs However that advantage is often balanced out by the additional infrastructure required to make an outdoor event comfortable Keep in mind the logistics and regulations as they play a significant role in rooftop weddings Planners often have to secure multiple permissions including sound licences and venue approvals which can add significantly to the event budgetA lightly styled dining table in soft pastel tones for a terrace celebration Representation picstockWeather preparedness is one of the biggest financial considerations In a coastal city like Mumbai humidity can be particularly challenging At a recent rooftop event I planned we installed nearly 30 mist fans and industrial coolers across the venue yet guests were still feeling the heatDisha Wadhwani 21 wedding planner Andheri