The new, conscious Indian wedding aims for no more waste – or patriarchy
- Millennial couples are changing the narrative of the big, fat Indian wedding by eliminating waste and choosing minimalism
- Traditional rituals like washing the groom’s feet and ‘kanyadaan’, or ‘donating one’s daughter’, are also fading in favour of socially mindful actions
“We were both clear that we wanted to minimise resources used and also avoid wastage. I decided to wear my grandmother’s sari and family jewellery. Vignesh followed me in wearing something from his wardrobe,” said the 26-year-old, who runs a sustainable lifestyle company.
“Right from the e-invite, we planned carefully. We chose a wedding venue that was open air, to reduce electricity and lighting costs. Natural, seasonal flowers from farmers markets decorated the venue,” she said. “Plantain leaves and areca bowls were used to serve the vegetarian lunch. Almost everything was composted after the wedding. All the excess food was donated to the NGO Robin Hood army for distribution to orphanages and shelters.”
She said it was also a “simple wedding” where the couple’s Sanskrit vows “were explained in English so that we and everyone else understood what was going on”.
Balakrishnan and 34-year-old Vancheeshwar are one of a new breed of millennials in India who are trying to change the narrative of the big, fat Indian wedding – with its loud music, extravagant decor, lavish meals, expensive attire and patriarchal nature – by eliminating waste and making socially conscious changes.