Wedding Season
Given the onslaught of the wedding season that starts from November and goes on till January, Karachiites have much to look forward to because it gives them a reason to dress up and gorge on shaadi food. For others, weddings are important because it is a time to see and be seen, and of course, to gossip at length about everything and anything that goes on in the functions —- from the dresses to the jewellery ,from the food to the décor. Surprised? I’ll say.
Weddings are no longer the simple 300-or-so-people affair with the standard qorma/biryani/kheer menu. If anything they are elaborate and, at times, ostentatious events that more often than not scream of noveau riche. Dull gold, maroon and pink canopies coupled with stages that are decorated with flowers, antique-looking vases, sculptures (yes, sculptures) and lanterns are all the rage at most weddings, costing an arm and a leg at the very least.
Then there are choreographed dances, DJs that promise to add life to the party, ample quantities of liquor and exquisite, colour coordinated, candle-lit table settings for the guests which makes one feel like royalty if not more. And who can forget the wedding meals —- eight, nine and 10 course meals —- which are truly a feast fit for a king.
Often the cost of the décor and catering put together are outrageous and ten to twenty million spent on the pre-wedding functions along with the wedding and the valima are the order of the day. The newlyweds, on the other hand, don’t get much of a chance to enjoy their shaadi, not to mention the fact that they don’t even have half of the amount stated above to start their married life. This is unfortunate because most couples could really use that money to build a future for themselves; money which is spent on other people who party at their expense and then forget about the whole thing in less than a week.
Going all out on weddings is definitely a trend which is on the increase. Families whose children are about to be married face constant pressure to outshine all other shaadis during the wedding season so that their event is memorable and one of a kind. It doesn’t matter whether one is rich or poor — one has to put up a show for the benefit of one’s guests, and a good show at that. And what makes it worse is that guests start expecting more. Thus, the weddings get louder, more elaborate and in your face —- a crass display of wealth at best —- while simplicity and good, wholesome fun is marginalized
