Weddings are the most beautiful moments that symbolize the beginning of a journey that brings together two souls. As the wedding season hits full swing, the entire scenario turns into a showcase of hilarious observations, economic insights, and relatable struggles — often highlighting the unpredictable moments and unique personalities of the couple and their loved ones.
Weddings are not just about the bride and groom. Whether they like it or not, sometimes the limelight is stolen by relatives or guests who become the talk of the town for their antics. After all, they create memories that make the event an affair to remember. Today, marriage ceremonies have become what could only be called a semi–movie production. You will find KJO-inspired weddings with sangeet, mehndi, cocktail, bachelor’s revelry, and God-knows-what-else parties before and after the wedding. From a drunk uncle burning the dance floor on his own to guests who eat like no one is watching — there’s so much that happens at an Indian wedding that we can all identify with. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the things that happen at an Indian shaadi:
The photographer is the stalker in every wedding. There’s a team of photographers who seem to be everywhere — at the reception desk zooming into guests’ faces, at the stage where the bride and groom are seated, and everywhere else, capturing every twitch, giggle, and nudge. These photographers love you at your worst. The moment you fill your plate with food, fix your dress, make a face, or do anything not remotely worth capturing — the flash goes off. Indian wedding photographers have a peculiar talent for discovering people just when they’re about to eat. Even if the bride and groom are dancing romantically or a relative is fighting, the cameraman is more interested in zooming into your buffet plate. I remember my uncle sarcastically telling one photographer, “Bhai, jab teri research khatam ho jaye, tab bula lena!” (“Brother, call me when your research is over.”)
The age-old promise of punctuality is the ultimate shaadi myth. The baraat never arrives on time, and dinner is served only when your stomach protests louder than the DJ’s speakers.
Mehendi colour decides how much your husband loves you — or so the myth goes. In India, it’s believed that the darker the colour of your mehendi, the more loving and caring your husband will be. The pain a bride goes through just to get that perfect hue is unimaginable!
The keys to the bride’s room are more important than they appear — they symbolize power. You’ll find chachis and mamis giving finishing touches to the bride’s makeup. The one holding the key practically controls half the wedding. And if you manage to be among the few women allowed near the bride, you’re guaranteed camera time!
Then there are the foodies, whose verdicts can make or break the wedding. The buffet holds more fascination than the bride’s entry. They starve themselves for a week and eat everything in sight on the wedding day. The food’s flavour, variety, and presentation become the most discussed topic post-wedding — even more than the couple!
There’s always that cousin agonizing over whether the dupatta should go on the right or left shoulder, or the groom’s friend unsure about wearing a blue waistcoat or a black blazer — and after all that drama, no one even notices them.
You’ll meet the moral-policing matriarch who decides everyone’s clothing appropriateness, the perpetually angry uncle or aunt who has a say in everything, and the elite circle of saree–gehna spotters who can tell a fabric’s cost and a necklace’s carats with one glance.
Of course, the grandparents’ sentiment — “I want to see you married before I die” — is alive and well. Weddings also serve as matchmaking hubs, with aunties scanning the crowd for suitable candidates.
There are debates on politics, career gossip, and risqué jokes from cousins. Guests crowd the stage for photos, sometimes outnumbering those seated below. Children run wild, uncles head straight to the open bar, and the “Hum ladke walon ki taraf se hain” line still works wonders for free gifts.
Despite all the chaos, there’s beauty in it — the colours, laughter, rituals, and family reunions. Yet, it’s ironic how weddings have turned into competitions of wealth and spectacle. The real essence — two lives joining together — often gets lost in the show.
Almost every wedding has two sides: the official one, filled with smiles and photos, and the unofficial one, whispered about for years. Hopefully, the youth of tomorrow will bring back weddings that celebrate love and unity — not status and showmanship.
