A POPULAR IRISH website aimed at brides-to-be has opened up a new sister site in India, hoping to break into one of the world’s biggest marital markets.
WeddingsOnline.ie, a directory of wedding suppliers, venues, caterers and more, opened its Indian sister site WeddingsOnline.in in Mumbai yesterday.

The launch was hosted by Ireland international cricketer Niall O’Brien – who is currently hoping to win a place on a side in the Indian Premier League, ahead of next month’s player auctions – and by Bollywood actor Iqbal Khan.

The new Indian site, similar to its Irish sister, is one of the largest directories of suppliers of wedding goods and services to India’s 1.2 billion people.

The website also plans to publish a print magazine in the country to gain further exposure in the country.

Weddingsonline managing director Peter Bryans said the company’s success in Ireland had helped it attract the confidence of suppliers in India.

“We are well placed for the expansion into the Indian market. We have always offered a competitive and innovative service to our clients, and we will do the same with weddingsonline India.”

The opening of the new Mumbai office, which began operations last month, was supported by Enterprise Ireland, whose Indian director Pat O’Riordan cited weddingsonline as “an excellent example of an innovative Irish company with proven pedigree adapting its model for the vast Indian wedding market”.

He said online services were expanding rapidly in India, which has over 61.5 million Facebook users and over 120 million internet users in total.

The company estimates that 80 per cent of brides-to-be in Ireland use its services to find details of suppliers, venues, caterers, dressmakers and bands.

Weddings in India can often be large and lavish events, up to seven days in length, with hundreds – if not thousands – of guests in attendance.