Marriages are made in heaven. But for Bengalis, they are celebrated like a Durga puja festival on Earth! There is hardly a difference between the two because marriage is a week-long celebration with family in a Bengali household. Starting from ashirbad, briddhi, gaye holud to biye, kaal raat, and bou bhat.

Welcoming Kaka, Mama, Mashi, Pishi

Our bong families are big. With a dozen mashi, pishis, and mama, mamis, and their chana ponas, we alone would fill a wedding hall without the need of outside guests. However, it is a grandeur that must be witnessed by a minimum of hundreds of guests. Coming back to the ceremonies, the celebrations start with puja and gaye holud.

Pandemic Ceremonials are Different

Following the entire night and day of merriment, the bride and bridesmaid deck up with gold jewelry that your eyes will begin to shimmer. Anyway, earlier, even the least known people would have made it to the guest list. Even acquaintances who just shared a one-way train journey with our parents would be invited to the wedding party.

The pandemic changed the face of Indian weddings altogether. It’s such a shame, that only 50 guests are allowed to attend the wedding party now. On the bright side, it’s a relief for parents and families alike. Because, there’s no obvious need to invite people who are not so close, like those train friends mentioned above.

Weddings Must Go On

Though the guest list should be limited, the pandemic has hit the world, the world might even be ending, perhaps, the apocalypse is also near, but weddings must go on! Against all odds with the beginning of an auspicious month, people have leaped getting married amidst the pandemic. It’s all the same. November and December don’t feel bad anymore, because, hey! Weddings are here. Just like any other year.

Only 50 Guests Per Wedding

Wait! Yes, it is quite difficult to exclude people from the guest list. Whom to invite and whom not to is a huge dilemma! Bengalis are anyway cultural and social folks. And they love to brag. The government regulatory has made only 50 guests per wedding mandatory. So, what are the chances of getting an invite? 0.5 percent! Only being a family is an exception.

But if you really have to come to a wedding you will have to come to the good books of the wedding arranger. Making it to the most important list of 2020 has become so competitive.

Well, we are on the constant lookout to be good relatives (it’s a pun) and feast at a wedding party! If you still haven’t got an invite, it’s time to bring the change and come in the top 50 list!

Happy Wedding Season!