Goa Blog

By Jenny Coutinho, Goa
The author is a writer, columnist and French teacher by profession

For many Indians, weddings are a celebration — an occasion to remember and cherish throughout their lives. And they will put all the money they have into one.

The cost of a wedding for the rich starts at 5,00,000 rupees (approx. US$12,000) while for the middle class it starts at 2,00,000 rupees (approx. $4,800). For example, Malwin D’souza, who works in the Cayman Islands, got married to Ashwini Rebello on April 28. He hails form a middle class family. His wedding cost was 3,00,000 rupees (approx. $7,200).

D’souza and Rebello come from upwardly mobile middle class Goan families. Because their friends and relatives have celebrated their weddings in similar style, they cannot buck the tradition.

Typical Christian weddings in Goa are an expensive affair, what with the bridal gown, suits for the groom and best man, dresses for the bridesmaids, floral decorations, catering, not to mention the charges for the hall, car, MC and band. And let’s not forget the cost of the clothes for all the relatives — a severe drain on one’s resources for those with large families.

A typical Goan catholic wedding begins with a lavish lunch for all the villagers, which is hosted by the bride and groom at their respective homes one week before the wedding. It is an occasion is to remember forefathers who have passed away. Some say it is old Hindu tradition that the Christians continued when they converted to Christianity.

The gifts parents give to their daughters have changed. In earlier years, copper utensils and many household items were given as well as cash. Nowadays, a bride will receive a washing machine, TV, refrigerator and a host of modern gadgets. Cash in the form of fixed deposits are given to the daughter at the time of her marriage.

On the day of the wedding, the bride wears gold and a white gown. The groom wears black or a dark blue suit. Some catholic Indians prefer to wear a sari (bride) and a Sherwani suit (groom). Bridesmaids wear colorful dresses that add splendor to the wedding.

The bride and groom travel to the church in the most luxurious car they can hire for the day. The best church choir is hired. And the church is decorated by the best decorator.

After the ceremonies are over, and the priest declares the couple husband and wife, it is time for music and dancing. Some prefer to an outdoor dance floor; others, a less costly indoor hall.

The master of ceremonies regulates the show on the dance floor while the musicians play their music. The toastmaster makes his appearance after the first dance ands gives the couple advice.

A leading band charges some 20,000 to 30,000 rupees (approx. $480-720). Because the music has to stop by 11 p.m. by state law, the band will typically play for three or four hours.

A Goan wedding is incomplete without liquor. A lavish buffet is also laid out. The guests will be sure to take home some mementoes from the couple’s wedding.

The wedding expenses do not end there. Couples will be familiar with Goa’s beaches and so prefer to spend their honeymoon elsewhere — in a hill station or even in breathtaking Mauritius, if they can afford it. Those who cannot will celebrate their weddings in a much less lavish way.

Middle class Goans will feel the pinch of a high cost wedding but they are unable to break away from the lavish spending system and go for simpler weddings because of societal pressure.

[This article has also appeared on ohmynews.com]