Essentially, wedding halls have become commercial establishments that play on emotions. | Image credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
BBack then, weddings were held in private homes. Today, everyone wants to get married in the most lavish style, with lots of food, expensive clothes and jewelry, and elaborate rituals in rented halls.
Even in small air-conditioned halls, half a day of ceremonies will cost Rs 50,000. Catering, jewellery, clothing and gifts to close relatives, extended family, friends and acquaintances add to the cost. Gift items range from stylish bags, statuettes, decorative lamps and jewellery pouches to pieces of seashells and small shrubs.
A wedding is an opportunity to create lasting memories and impress guests with your inimitable style. Much has been said about the need for simple ceremonies, but to no avail.
The need for careful organization and planning has given rise to a new industry: wedding planners. Essentially, wedding halls have become business houses that play on emotions. Weddings have reached the status of an industry that spawns a variety of related businesses. There is a boom in the number of catering companies, jewelry stores, textile companies, beauty salons, priests, musicians and gift shops, not to mention florists, grocers and vegetable sellers.
Generous social workers have the opportunity to collect leftover food and distribute it to those in need.
There are nearly 150 days a year when it is not a good time to have a wedding. The wedding industry probably encourages families to spend extravagantly to make up for these lean days.
Young brides and grooms spend many hours planning their mega wedding. But remember that “happiness is not a question of intensity, but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony,” as Thomas Merton said.
