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Shawn Chauhan

@shawnchauhan1

Published: March 16, 2025
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How much should a wedding cost? In America: 2 months' salary In Europe: 6 months' salary In India: 20 years of savings Here's the untold story of how India's $50B wedding industry is destroying an entire generation 🧵

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan
Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

Every year, millions of Indian families spend 20% of their lifetime earnings on a single day. The average middle-class family takes loans of ₹4 lakhs ($4,800) for weddings. Many sell their assets or mortgage homes. But this wasn't always the case.

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

In the 1990s, Indian weddings were primarily cultural celebrations. Today? They're a $50 billion industry growing at 25% annually. What changed?

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

The rise of "Instagram weddings" created impossible standards: - Designer wear - Destination venues - Celebrity performers - Luxury gatherings But the real cost isn't just financial.

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan
Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

In India there is a 300% increase in wedding-related anxiety cases in the last decade. The numbers are shocking: - 67% report severe anxiety - 42% experience depression - 31% have suicidal thoughts All tied to wedding preparations. The pressure comes from every direction:

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

1. Family demanding grand celebrations 2. Society linking family honor to wedding scale 3. Social media creating unrealistic expectations 4. Peers constantly comparing ceremonies The impact? A perfect storm of mental health issues.

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

Meet Priya (name changed), a 25-year-old software engineer from Delhi. Her parents' annual income: ₹8 lakhs ($9,200) Expected wedding cost: ₹25 lakhs ($29,000) The math doesn't add up. But society doesn't care. The wedding loan industry is booming: - 45% increase in 5 years - Rising default rates - Young couples starting life in debt But something interesting is happening.

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

A new generation is fighting back. Post-COVID, intimate weddings are rising: - 50-100 guests instead of 500+ - Focus on experiences over extravagance - Digital celebrations gaining acceptance The results are: - Lower costs - Reduced stress - More meaningful celebrations

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

But the industry isn't backing down. Wedding planners, designers, and venues are pushing back: - "It's once in a lifetime" - "What will people say?" - "Think about family prestige" The solution? Experts propose a three-pronged approach:

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan
Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

1. Policy Changes: - Cap on wedding expenses - Regulation of wedding loans - Tax benefits for smaller weddings

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

2. Mental Health Support: - Pre-wedding counseling - Family therapy - Support groups

3. Cultural Shift: - Promoting sustainable celebrations - Challenging social pressure - Prioritizing couple's well-being

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

The movement is growing. Young couples are choosing: - Court marriages - Intimate gatherings - Charity donations over expensive functions The big fat Indian wedding might be a $50 billion industry. But the human cost?

Image in tweet by Shawn Chauhan

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