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Weddings go hi-tech
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Young couples are looking at websites as another option for inviting guests to their wedding
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PHOTO: SATISH. H
MARRIAGE VOWS Wedding websites allow you to tell your story
Behind every perfect wedding celebration, there's lot of running around.
Most important of all is the task of inviting people. This starts with printing the cards, getting all the addresses in place and visiting innumerable homes.
Everyone wants to know where it all started and how. Just imagine the plight of the bride and the groom who have to repeat the same story 100 times.
Is there a way to escape this? Yes, thanks to technology.
Love story retold
How about creating a website for your wedding that contains all the requisite information?
A whole lot of websites now help you create a personalised wedding website in the simplest possible manner.
They allow you to choose the themes (classic, bohemian, Indian), colours, the number of pages and the kind of pages.
You are free to write the content and upload pictures. A wedding timer will provide a countdown to the Big Day and you also have an exciting opening page using Flash.
And yes, all it costs is about $10. Since most of these sites are based in the U.S. or U.K., the mode of payment is in dollars, which in Indian Rupees will translate to about Rs. 500 a month.
Though some sites allow you to pay depending on the number of months you want it online, most work on an annual basis.
Many websites even allow you to chose your personal URL, conduct polls and quizzes, but at extra cost. And, once the wedding it over, you can use the space to upload your honeymoon pictures and other family details.
Shilpi Agrawal, a business analyst who is all set to tie the knot in February, found the idea of having a website enticing and practical as well.
"My fiancé Chirantan also liked the idea as we could say much more this way than through traditional cards. Also, unlike cards, which are either from the bride's or groom's side, we could keep the website common. Even my parents liked the idea," she says.
Her site narrates everything from their story to the wedding functions to directions to the function hall and online RSVP.
A good alternative
"I am getting different kind of responses, most of them appreciative. Websites cannot replace the traditional cards, but are definitely a good alternative," she feels.
This concept is a hit abroad, but is yet to catch up in India.
Namrata started her website, mydreamshaadi.in, about a year back and gets about 15 enquiries a month. "We came up with this idea to ease the stress in information sharing before, during and after the wedding. Though based in the U.S., I have a lot of Indian as well as NRI clients. Our projection is that in the next 18-24 months, wedding websites will become mainstream," she says.
The ones who are getting married soon are already taking to it.
Aarthi Ramaswamy, a consultant, wants to have her site up for at least 45 days before her June wedding.
"I think it's a good idea as my fiancé is in the U.S. and it will be easier to convey the news through the website. People can know all that we have to say."
The publicity the couple gets, she feels,has both positive and negative aspects.
"Even those who needn't know about our wedding will get to know about it," she adds.
MANGALA RAMAMOORTHY
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