Knot now: Wedding costs have doubled as compared to this time last year, forcing couples to cut corners

Harsha Khilnani (25) is every bit the ecstatic bride-to-be, for next month she will marry the love of her life, Hariom Sharma (25). Yet, Harsha admits she is a little preoccupied, not with the wedding preparations, but the lack of it. "I always wanted a dream wedding, something absolutely different, tailored just for me. I wanted a huge reception, and I wanted to dress the part jewellery to match every  outfit in my trousseau," admits Harsha.

'All because of the Sensex'

Said Harsha, "You see, I'm Sindhi and he's Punjabi and our weddings are usually extravagant. Now, all that's nixed. We can't afford it."

The limping Indian economy, not penury, has upset the couple's plans. In actual terms, this means their budget has gone up by approximately Rs 3 lakh. "We have cancelled the reception and postponed our honeymoon. What do we do?" added Harsha. 

Sarathy Elayath, who will wed in January, will only buy jewellery for his wife, not himself. "That means I will save at least Rs 25,000. My budget is going through the roof," he says. Gold prices have shot up to Rs 12,000 per tola from last Diwali's Rs 9,500.

Cards

Also affected are the chaps that make a wedding happen. Wedding planners say there's been a 50 to 60 per cent fall in business. Pravin Shah, a wedding card dealer at Fort, who used to get 300 card orders for winter weddings, has got just 60 this time. "I have the Sensex to thank," he said and added that couples have been opting for cheaper wedding cards.

Khaana

Karnail Singh, owner of Mini Punjab Caterers, who were hired by Arun Gawli for his daughter Geeta's wedding, said the business was down by 60 per cent. "Clients tell us outright they have a limited budget, a small guestlist and wanted a discount," he said. Added Sahil Sarang, assistant manager with the Juhu-based A la Mode Banquets, "Before our clients moan over the prices, we give them discounts and freebies on bookings." Sources said that Indian food was in, Chinese, Continental and Italian, out.

The cost of khana-peena runs up to  around Rs 2 lakh for 500 guests (five main courses, three starters, two desserts); last year it was Rs 1 lakh.

Organisers like Wedding Planners reveal that the demand for five-star hotels has gone down, as customers now prefer open grounds than the expensive banquet halls. Girish Thapar, owner of A To Z Wedding Organisers, said, "Theme weddings are also on the way out, as they are expensive. The average cost of a wedding this year (catering, hall, gifts, trousseau) runs up to between Rs 7 and Rs 10 lakh for 500 guests; earlier  it was between Rs 5 and Rs 7 lakh.

Gana

Wedding singers like Kishore Manraja, who sang at the CM Vilasrao Deshmukh's wedding in February, says, "My earnings are down by 50 per cent thanks to inflation."