Special day, extra-special efforts

What’ll happen to the good-old Punjabi love for show-shaa? Many wedding planners have found themselves working overtime to answer that question, as the government and the guidelines collectively pull out two of the favourite words out of the Indian weddings — big and fat. The words that have now been replaced by fun and safe!

“Let’s just say the weddings are not big or fat, but limited and exclusive now. Only the guest-list has shrunk, but not the spirit. Next week, I am organising a 20-people pre-wedding youngsters’ mask party. As in a masquerade party where everybody comes wearing masks and there are games based on ‘no contact’ philosophy,” Jyoti Pal Singh, from Ludhiana-based wedding planners, Shaadi Shoodi, says.

Safety comes first

It’s not just the pre-wedding cocktails, but the very concept of wedding traditions that is in for an overhaul. Kriti Pahuja, brand manager, Chandigarh-based wedding planning company Kreative Events, takes us by surprise when she mentions the keywords ‘contactless-milnis’. How on Earth are they supposed to happen? She laughs, “See, marigolds are considered auspicious according to Indian traditions and garlands are exchanged to welcome guests. Here we make the wedding parties exchange designer marigold pots. It’s relatively safer and more environment-friendly.”

Many novel ideas not just minimise contact at each point, but also bring along delightful newness to the wedding itself. She adds, “We’re up with completely refreshing concepts to make sure weddings are still fun, yet safe. For instance, to follow no-contact norms, we’ve also created the concept of ‘gullaks’ that people can leave their shaguns in, while there are sandooks for gifts.” Even with a long guest-list that concept certainly makes more sense no?

Limited guests

The number of guests is currently compromised, but they can deliver the same pomp and show, says Maninder S Sethi from Wedding Asia. “The demand for Covid-free wedding has led to new formats like having the venue, decorations and supplies screened.” Sanitising kiosk is another new addition to the wedding party. “Going with the theme of the wedding, customised masks and sanitisers are displayed for guests to pick,” chips in Puneet Gupta, a known name in bespoke invites.

Event planner Ashwin Jain has been keeping social distancing on high priority. “While we are using steam sanitisers to ensure nothing sticks on to the dresses of guests, dining will be in batches while keeping ample spaces in between caterers.”

House weddings

House weddings were always exclusive, but, more importantly, they are now cool! As many wedding blogs will let you know, for those with the luxury of space, open-air home weddings serve the purpose of a safe venue that can come alive with limited people. Everyone has a terrace right? The décor and lighting can bring alive any terrace or lawn space, while the shaadi halwai prepares the food right in front of your eyes.

For fifty to sixty-odd people, it’s possible to make weddings more fun and personal. Bhanu Ahuja, from Studio 69 Bespoke Wedding & Events, recalls a recent house wedding where not just the lehenga, but the accompanying mask also came from Sabyasachi. “That wedding was a 50-people event, but it was telecast for 150 on Zoom.”

Welcome to the new world of weddings!