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.

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

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

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:

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.

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.

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

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:

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

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

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?

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