The recent media coverage of the wedding of Pooja Chitgopeker to millionaire Vikram Kumar prompted a raging debate in my mind; is a lavish wedding a more memorable one? Or does the simplicity and wholesomeness of an intimate low key event create such wonderful memories that there is no need for helicopters, elephants or tigers?
Indian weddings are never a “cheap” affair by any means, particularly abroad. There are many costs to consider; decorations, multiple bridal outfits, jewellery, venue costs, catering, entertainment, and of course video and photography.
Let’s start with extravagance; in all honesty it is highly appealing and does make for a memorable experience. The average Indian family attends at least 5 weddings a year so making your wedding the one everyone remembers can be a little challenging. So here extravagance guarantees two things
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People will remember
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It will be the topic of discussion
And why would you not want your wedding to be remembered? After all it is one of the most important events of your life.
Most of us females have it planned out in our heads at a very early age as to how we want our special day to be. So being able to spend on only the best to have the biggest most beautiful Indian wedding is alluring at the least. What would I spend on? Only the most amazing venue, the finest clothing, and impressive decorations one could find.
I am curious though; does this over spending take away from the intimacy and true meaning of a wedding? Does the focus of a wedding then become about the “material” objects around the wedding instead of the union of two people making a commitment to share each other’s lives together?
If I had to describe one of the most beautiful weddings we have attended as photographers it would have to be a small wedding that took place in a temple in the presence of about 30 people. What made it so beautiful? For me it would have to be the unadulterated expressions of emotion that weren’t tainted by stress and more importantly the warmth we caught on camera.
For the most of us we fall somewhere in between extravagant and simple. There will be some things that justify spending more on and other things that can be sourced at a lower cost. What is more important are the memories you take away with you from your special day.
And here is where photography comes in. Yes Indian weddings are costly, yes video is a common “must have” but photography is really the only way to freeze frame those moments of emotion in time. So I recommend that you put aside a decent budget for photography because a really good photographer will produce priceless photos even without the elephants, tigers or helicopters.
Till the next time
Ange
