COVER STORY
Most Indian weddings are no longer what they used to be but have become a showcase of social conservatism
01 April 2024
Outrageous, Outlandish, Ostentatious: Dalit grooms are attacked for riding a horse to the bride’s house. Then there are top Bollywood stars dancing to the tune of big business. The wedding chasm is widening.
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Glitzy, opulent weddings popularised by Bollywood inspire real-life marriage ceremonies, making them all look the same, drowning out local customs, cuisines, and contexts
Young couples are now exploring the idea of stepping outside the traditional mandaps and scouting for unique destinations in India and abroad
Destination weddings have picked up pace in Kashmir. Though it’s an expensive affair, but that has not stopped people from pouring in to the Valley to do wedding recces
From staged to candid and back—wedding photography has come a full circle
Most professional matchmakers operate like big businesses today—super-organised, digitally savvy, keen to extend their reach beyond Indian shores
Bridal wear has gone extravagant with custom-made couture created by leading Indian designers
During some recent big fat pre-wedding festivities, the beaming groom fondly talked about his maternal grandmother and mentioned she is a “proud Nagar Brahmin”. Much like Indian society, desi weddings remain mired in divisions of caste and class
As the trend of lavish five-day weddings becomes the norm, many are going back to the roots to revive lapsed traditions
Tribal communities in the country have had interesting and unique wedding customs, but most have gone extinct with time
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Glitzy, opulent weddings popularised by Bollywood inspire real-life marriage ceremonies, making them all look the same, drowning out local customs, cuisines, and contexts
-
Young couples are now exploring the idea of stepping outside the traditional mandaps and scouting for unique destinations in India and abroad
-
Destination weddings have picked up pace in Kashmir. Though it’s an expensive affair, but that has not stopped people from pouring in to the Valley to do wedding recces
-
From staged to candid and back—wedding photography has come a full circle
-
Most professional matchmakers operate like big businesses today—super-organised, digitally savvy, keen to extend their reach beyond Indian shores
-
Bridal wear has gone extravagant with custom-made couture created by leading Indian designers
-
During some recent big fat pre-wedding festivities, the beaming groom fondly talked about his maternal grandmother and mentioned she is a “proud Nagar Brahmin”. Much like Indian society, desi weddings remain mired in divisions of caste and class
-
As the trend of lavish five-day weddings becomes the norm, many are going back to the roots to revive lapsed traditions
-
Tribal communities in the country have had interesting and unique wedding customs, but most have gone extinct with time
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