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Across the globe, Indian culture is known for having lavish weddings with the guest list casually exceeding over 1000 people and going as far as the parents taking bank loans to organize a wedding. Who can one blame anyway, the concept of a big fat Indian wedding has been engraved in our culture since the very beginning of time and with each passing year and each celebrity wedding, the bar keeps moving higher. We have witnessed an exponential hike in the amount of money spent on Indian weddings, with Ambani's spending as much as 100 million dollars on Isha Ambani's wedding.
The fact is, in our country, a wedding isn't just two people getting married it is celebrated with the same enthusiasm and excitement we Indians celebrate our festivals. Ranging anywhere between 2-7 days, people spend years planning their wedding. As its well-said, “Shaadi Se Khatarnak Hote Hai, Shaadi Ke Side Effects”
But what happens when a pandemic as deadly as the SARS, COVID 19 hits all of us and causes a nationwide lockdown. Will weddings now be celebrated with the same grandeur and lavishness? Find out how weddings have been impacted because of the coronavirus and whether or not weddings will ever be the same grand event as they were earlier.
1. SAY GOODBYE TO A NEVER-ENDING GUEST LIST
So you included all the distant uncles and aunts and their neighbor's you could possibly think of and are ready to host a wedding of the number of people who exceed the capacity of your wedding venue. Well, not anymore because as per the new guidelines, only 100 people are allowed to attend a wedding. This although is a relief from the earlier guidelines issued where only 50 people were allowed, but still remains to be one of the most crucial decisions families have to make simply because of the tradition of overcrowded weddings and unnecessary guests. If you have grown up in an Indian household you know how prioritizing relatives is a real struggle because you definitely don't want to upset the 'Fufa Ji' you haven't seen in years.
2. DESTINATION WEDDINGS - A THING OF THE PAST
Let's face it, we've all dreamt of getting married like royalty in one of the astonishing palaces of Udaipur, destination weddings have been a dream for many of us, and with celebrity weddings in Italy and Spain giving us literal wedding goals; it is hard to settle for one in a small banquet hall or a temple. Apparently, that seems to be the only viable option since travel has been completely prohibited and even if not, isn't quite safe. So, you either settle for a local wedding or postpone your wedding till... ERROR 101, date not found. (Whenever the vaccine comes out and travel is safe, which again is unpredictable)
3. WHO IS GOING TO DO A NAGIN DANCE IN THE BARAAT?
It isn't uncommon to see the relatives and friends being more excited than the groom at his wedding and a classic example of that is how it takes 6-7 hours for a Baraat, to reach the destination. With a limited number of guests and the social distancing norms, dancing in a baraat, the band players and the classic dholwala are probably the people we will miss the most.
4. OPEN AIR WEDDINGS
With the already existing situation and people being confined to closed spaces, people are resorting to opt for open spaces for weddings. Not only will it provide the much-needed change, but will also ensure an ample amount of space to plan seating arrangement, keeping in mind social distancing norms. The weather can be a potential risk but then aren't weddings themselves a risk in these times.
5. THE MOST IMPORTANT 'KHAANA'
A major part of what Indian weddings are all about is the variety of food they have to offer. Ranging from a seven-course meal to separate stalls for all the delicacies, a wedding somewhere is known and remembered by its food. Due to coronavirus, a lot of things might change in this aspect. Ensuring proper sanitation might mean buffet systems to be discarded altogether and common, waiters serving us on our tables won't even be half as fun as having a table full of mouth-watering dishes to choose from. 'Sit – Serve – Savor' will be the new mantra. We will definitely miss the chance of eating your favorite dish again and again.
6. GROOMING & DRESSING TAKES A NEW TURN
With matching masks being a necessary part of an outfit, the way you dress and look has also transformed. All the wedding outfits are now customized with an exotic matching mask. Everyone dreams of looking their best on the wedding day and a virus shouldn't change that. The hair, makeup, outfits and of course the masks have to complement the new normal. However, designers, stylists and make-up artists have definitely raised their game with giving the bride and groom a spectacular look that goes well with their outfit, even if that means wearing PPE kits, they will go to any extent to make the couple talk of the town. If you are looking for the safest and designer premium options this wedding season, look no further. Make Enzo League your wedding buddy!
7. WEDDINGS NO MORE BURN A HOLE IN YOUR POCKET
Weddings are known to cost a family a fortune, even the simplest of weddings come with a hefty bill. But with the markets crashing all over the world, everyone is in poor financial condition and it is only natural to see families cutting down on wedding costs. With limited guests, we can expect a fall in the otherwise crazy sum of money spent on an average Indian wedding. The wedding industry has been valued at roughly 40,000 Crores Indian Rupees, needless to say, the livelihood of tons of people depend on this one event and with weddings being a not so grand affair anymore, the people involved have been the worst affected. Right from the florists to the caterers to vendors, their livelihood is in danger and although incomes gave started coming in for them, overall these people are still trying hard to make ends meet.
Out of all the things that have changed during this pandemic, weddings have been one of the worst affected industries but considering how big of a deal weddings are in India, the future of weddings during COVID-19 times don't look all that bleak and is likely to recover comparatively quicker than other industries. Like SRK says “Hum Ek Baar Jeete Hai, Ek Baar Marte Hai, Shaadi Bhi Ek Baar Hoti Hai, Aur Pyar Bhi Ek Hi Baar Hota Hai”. Until then, wedding lehengas/sherwani and matching masks will have to do. Indian weddings are known for their glitz, glamour and grandeur. So, this wedding season just enjoys the occasion as well as stay safe with the required precautions.