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INDIA: Wedding planners in India are drawing inspiration from Bollywood movies as couples opt to custom make bridal outfits worn by film stars and to hire special helicopter service for the groom.
Bride-to-be Parul Kalra's US$600 wedding dress is inspired by Shahrukh Khan's movie "Rab ne Bana Jodi", which means "Marriages are made in heaven".
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime affair. It's my day. Everyone will be looking at me. So I thought of wearing a designer suit. This is a similar dress worn by the actress of a Bollywood movie called "Rab ne Bana di Jodi."
From designer jewellery to mehendi tattoos, décor items in exquisite styles and even venues resembling film sets, wedding planners are offering clients almost everything possible to make their weddings memorable – in a Bollywood way.
Fashion designer Gunjan Nagpal said: "I think Bollywood has played quite a good role in that. People don't mind spending money these days. All they want is Karishma and Kareena's clothes and even if they cost 30,000 to 50,000 rupees (US$600 to US$1,000), they don't really care. It's just that they want that perfect look that Bollywood people have."
If money is not a problem, couples can even charter a helicopter to shower flower petals over the wedding venue.
Jyoti Gupta, joint president, Monarch International, said: "We are introducing the concept of using helicopters for the purpose of flower showering and groom arrivals. Even after the wedding, the newlyweds could go to a destination in a chopper, which makes it romantic and cosy."
The growing affluence of the middle class has given the wedding market a huge boost. Some families are even willing to spend a lifetime's savings on clothes, jewellery and decorations just to make the day perfect for the couple.
The planning and traditional ceremonies go on for weeks prior to the day of the actual wedding. Celebrations can also last two to three days, and there is no shortage of colour and pomp as no expenses are spared to make the event a memorable one.
- CNA/so
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