The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : No cut in wedding expenses despite inflation

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Monday, Aug 25, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

No cut in wedding expenses despite inflation

The costs differ depending on customary practices in the respective communities, writes V.S. Palaniappan

The latest trend is to put up a flex banner
in front of the marriage hall
Beauty salons have special ‘bridal packages’

Photo: K. Ananthan

TIME TO REJOICE: Ultimately, the festive atmosphere overshadows the sharp rise in wedding expenses. —

Couples on becoming parents prepare themselves for wedding expenses from day one and the consolidation of financial strength begins as the girl child starts growing.

Savings accumulated over a period of ten to 16 years were proving to be inadequate to meetthe expenses especially when marriages are taking place at a time when the inflation had reached double digits.

The wedding expenses differed depending on the customary practices in the respective communities and social status.

Despite inflation, parents refrained from exercising austerity measures either owing to peer pressure or simply for making it a memorable occasion.

Janaki Padmanabhan who had recently spent about Rs. 3.5 lakh on the marriage of her daughter said, “Not because of what my relatives and friends think of my status, I want to make the wedding of my only daughter a grand event.”

Such a sentiment was strong in the case of couples having two children, while parents with three or more children endorse the need for austerity measures.

The major expense was in terms of the dress materials for the bride and groom.

The dress materials for the family members and close relatives alone constituted a substantial part of the expenditure, says K. Karuppasamy, who is involved in arranging the wedding of his sister’s daughter.

The expenses start with engagement and wedding invitations.

Invariably every wedding has more than two sets of invitations. One is by the girl’s parents and the other by the boy’s parents besides the latest trend of the bride and groom printing separate invitation.

Spacious marriage halls in the heart of the city cost more and the rent depends on the number of days of hiring.

This ranges from Rs. 2,500 to Rs 1.2 lakh. Some hotels offered halls for wedding and reception on hour basis free of cost provided the food was supplied by them. Now, people organise marriages in temples and hire the hall for half-a-day for hosting a reception. The other major expense encountered was for hiring of at least two to three cars and for rooms for visiting close relatives and friends. Decoration expenses start from Rs. 1,000 and go up to Rs. 1.2 lakh.

The latest trend is to put up a flex banner in front of the marriage hall with the photograph of the bride and groom. These banners range in price from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 18,000, says V.R. Saravanaperumal, a flex board artist. Decorative lights for the marriage hall and stage cost Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 40,000 says M. Arumugam, a decorator associated with more than 12 marriage halls. Beauty salons have special ‘Bridal packages’ that can be chosen by the bride.

A variety of services are offered from facial, pedicure and manicure to sari draping.There is a special package for the groom, but not as elaborate as the bride’s.

According to T.S. Sivapriya, Managing Partner, Naturals Family Beauty Salon, Race Course, there are five to eight brides who come for the “bridal” a month.

“We select the right kind of make-up and hair style before the wedding and do a trial. The basic treatments are done two days prior to the wedding.”

The total package works out to between Rs. 5,500 and Rs. 10,000 which is definitely expensive for the middle class. “But, that does not deter many as they are assured of looking good by a professional and use of quality products,” says Ms. Sivapriya.

There are even some who prefer to get dressed and made-up at home, which come at extra charges. The dressing up, however, does not stop with the bride. “The family members ask for party make-up that involves the hair do and face make-up,” adds Ms. Sivapriya. Rubina, who is getting married in three weeks, has already selected her package.

“There are any number of expenses involved in a wedding. It is once in a lifetime. Why should I compromise on looking good for a few thousands?” she echoes the opinion of many.

On the wedding day, the families of both the bride and the groom want the food to be a lavish spread with many varieties.The food bill per wedding alone ruled at a minimum of Rs. 45,000 and could go up to even Rs. 3 lakh depending on the menu, says B. Unnikrishnan, a caterer. The food bill escalation often depended on the number of sweets, desserts, plantains and beeda. Only middle income families compromised on the menu to bring down the bill, he added.

The next major expense was photography and videography. Budget conscious marriages often had one photographer and one videographer while those willing to spend went in for more photographers and videographers.

They even opted for installation of television sets for relaying the wedding ceremony live across the mandapam and the expense ranged from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 30,000.

With inputs from

Amutha Kannan

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