Mumbai monsoon leaves wedding planners and families counting losses

Guests brave the downpour during a wedding ceremony at the Central Railway Machines Institute Ground at Parel in 2021. File pic/Satej Shinde

The rain across Mumbai has cast a shadow over the city's wedding season, leaving banquet hall owners and families counting their losses as guests skip ceremonies. Wedding organisers say attendance at several functions has dropped by 20 to 40 per cent over the past few weeks, resulting in food, décor and other arrangements going to waste.

Vidya Bagwe with her husband during their daughter's wedding

Last-minute cuts becoming the norm

Wedding planner Priya Mehta said last-minute changes have become routine.

"Families keep calling us to reduce seating, cancel live counters or cut down on décor because they expect fewer people. Unfortunately, most catering orders have already been placed, so a lot of food ends up going to waste," she said.

Families count their losses

For families, the uncertainty has only added to the stress of planning what is meant to be a joyous occasion.

Those whose weddings were scheduled in June were relatively fortunate as the monsoon arrived late this year.

Wedding halls feel the monsoon pinch

Dhaval Doshi, owner of Nirala Crystal Wedding Hall in Borivli
‘To prevent cancellations and retain customers, we have been forced to lower our minimum guest capacity requirements. Our regular minimum capacity is 750. We have brought it down to 500'

Jidnyasa Patel, owner of Sanjeevani Hall in Dahisar
‘Earlier, we insisted on a minimum booking of around 300 guests. But with the current weather, families are hesitant to commit. We've reduced our minimum numbers because we would rather host a smaller function than lose the order'

Families count their losses

Mansi Mehta, whose son's wedding took place earlier this week
‘We invited nearly 850 people, but barely 300 turned up because many roads were flooded and local trains were delayed. Not only did we suffer financially, but a huge amount of food also went to waste. The hall management managed to donate some of it to a nearby old age home, but as it had only around 75 residents and staff members, the rest of it had to be discarded'

Swati Wadke, a Mira Road resident whose daughter's wedding is scheduled for Thursday, said nearly a third of the guests would be missing
‘All our relatives and guests travelling from Pune, Kalyan, and Ghatkopar have informed us that they won't be able to attend the wedding. The only relief is that they informed us in advance, so we could tell the caterers. Our house help also couldn't come for the past few days because water entered her home. Managing guests at home along with the wedding ceremonies has become extremely difficult. At least 30 per cent of our guests won't be attending'