Why Every Indian Wedding Is a Business Transaction (Even in Love Marriages)
Nikita Kanyal | Mar 05, 2025, 23:33 IST
Indian weddings may be wrapped in love and tradition, but underneath the glamor lies a hard truth they are business transactions. Whether arranged or love, financial negotiations, dowry disguised as ‘gifts,’ social status battles, and unrealistic wedding expenses turn these sacred unions into strategic deals. The groom’s ‘market value,’ the bride’s ‘status,’ and the pressure to maintain ‘society’s respect’ overshadow love. Even divorce is taboo because it ‘devalues’ the investment. Are Indian weddings really about love, or are they carefully crafted financial agreements?
Indian weddings are grand, extravagant, and deeply rooted in culture. But beneath the layers of vibrant decor, designer outfits, and multi-day festivities lies an uncomfortable truth—every Indian wedding, even love marriages, is a business transaction. While love may be the foundation, societal expectations, financial investments, and family negotiations turn this sacred union into an elaborate deal. But what exactly makes Indian marriages more of a financial arrangement than a romantic commitment?
1. The Dowry System Never Really Disappeared
Though officially illegal, dowry is still deeply embedded in Indian marriages. Families might not openly call it ‘dowry,’ but phrases like ‘gifts for the groom’s family’ or ‘helping the couple settle’ disguise the same age-old practice. Whether it’s gold, a car, or a lavish honeymoon, these ‘expectations’ turn the marriage into a transaction where the bride’s family pays for the privilege of giving away their daughter.
Even in love marriages, where dowry might not be explicitly discussed, there is often pressure to match financial standards whether it’s in the form of a grand wedding or ensuring the bride meets a certain ‘status’.
2. Weddings Are a Multi-Million Rupee Industry
Indian weddings are not just personal celebrations, they fuel an entire industry worth billions.
Wedding planners, caterers, designers, photographers, and venues charge exorbitant prices because weddings are seen as a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Families, even middle-class ones, stretch their finances to ‘keep up’ with societal expectations, sometimes taking on heavy loans.
The demand for extravagant weddings has skyrocketed due to social media pressure, making these events more about showcasing wealth than celebrating love.
This endless spending begs the question—are weddings about love or about flexing financial status?
3. The Groom’s ‘Market Value’ and the Bride’s ‘Status’
In arranged marriages, the groom’s financial standing, job, and family wealth often determine his ‘market value’. A high-earning professional is ‘worth more’ and is often paired with a bride who comes from an equally affluent family.
For brides, beauty, family reputation, and sometimes career success add to their ‘value’. Even in love marriages, factors like caste, financial stability, and family background play a crucial role. If love were the only factor, why do so many couples still struggle to convince their families if one partner is financially or socially ‘less desirable’?
4. The Pressure of ‘Society Ki Izzat’
Indian parents don’t just marry off their children—they marry entire families. Weddings become a display of power, social standing, and family pride. The number of guests, the luxury of the venue, and the cost of gifts are all measured to ensure that society respects the family.
Even love marriages, which should ideally be simple and personal, often get caught in this trap. The couple might want a small ceremony, but parents insist on a grand wedding to ‘avoid gossip’ or ‘match’ the scale of a relative’s wedding. This transforms an emotional commitment into a high-stakes social event.
5. Marriage Is Still a Financial Security Plan
For centuries, marriage has been a means of economic stability. In many cases:
Women, even educated ones, are still encouraged to marry men who can ‘provide’ for them, reinforcing financial dependency.
Parents see marriage as an investment spending lavishly on a daughter’s wedding in the hope that she secures a ‘good’ (read: wealthy) husband.
In-laws sometimes consider the bride’s salary as an added family income rather than her personal earnings.
In reality, marriage should be an emotional partnership, not an economic safety net.
6. Divorce Is Unacceptable Because It ‘Devalues’ the Transaction
A transaction is expected to be final. Similarly, Indian marriages are designed to be ‘forever’, making divorce taboo. Families invest so much money, effort, and social prestige into weddings that ending a marriage is often seen as a failed investment rather than a personal choice.
Women, in particular, are pressured to ‘adjust’ and ‘compromise’ because their family has spent too much on the wedding. Divorcees, especially women, face social stigma, as if they are ‘damaged goods’ who have lost their value in the marriage market.
The Need for a Mindset Shift
It’s time to rethink what Indian weddings stand for. Instead of focusing on financial exchanges, social status, and extravagant displays, the real essence of marriage love, respect, and companionship should take priority.
Love or Business? The Choice Is Ours
Indian weddings may never completely detach from financial and societal expectations, but change starts with awareness. Whether arranged or love, a marriage should not feel like a business deal where families negotiate terms. Instead, it should be a personal journey of two people building a life together—without price tags attached.
1. The Dowry System Never Really Disappeared
Dowry
( Image credit : Freepik )
Though officially illegal, dowry is still deeply embedded in Indian marriages. Families might not openly call it ‘dowry,’ but phrases like ‘gifts for the groom’s family’ or ‘helping the couple settle’ disguise the same age-old practice. Whether it’s gold, a car, or a lavish honeymoon, these ‘expectations’ turn the marriage into a transaction where the bride’s family pays for the privilege of giving away their daughter.
Even in love marriages, where dowry might not be explicitly discussed, there is often pressure to match financial standards whether it’s in the form of a grand wedding or ensuring the bride meets a certain ‘status’.
2. Weddings Are a Multi-Million Rupee Industry
Multi-Million Rupee Industry
( Image credit : Pexels )
Indian weddings are not just personal celebrations, they fuel an entire industry worth billions.
Wedding planners, caterers, designers, photographers, and venues charge exorbitant prices because weddings are seen as a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Families, even middle-class ones, stretch their finances to ‘keep up’ with societal expectations, sometimes taking on heavy loans.
The demand for extravagant weddings has skyrocketed due to social media pressure, making these events more about showcasing wealth than celebrating love.
This endless spending begs the question—are weddings about love or about flexing financial status?
3. The Groom’s ‘Market Value’ and the Bride’s ‘Status’
The Value and Status
( Image credit : Freepik )
In arranged marriages, the groom’s financial standing, job, and family wealth often determine his ‘market value’. A high-earning professional is ‘worth more’ and is often paired with a bride who comes from an equally affluent family.
For brides, beauty, family reputation, and sometimes career success add to their ‘value’. Even in love marriages, factors like caste, financial stability, and family background play a crucial role. If love were the only factor, why do so many couples still struggle to convince their families if one partner is financially or socially ‘less desirable’?
4. The Pressure of ‘Society Ki Izzat’
Society Ki Izzat
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Indian parents don’t just marry off their children—they marry entire families. Weddings become a display of power, social standing, and family pride. The number of guests, the luxury of the venue, and the cost of gifts are all measured to ensure that society respects the family.
Even love marriages, which should ideally be simple and personal, often get caught in this trap. The couple might want a small ceremony, but parents insist on a grand wedding to ‘avoid gossip’ or ‘match’ the scale of a relative’s wedding. This transforms an emotional commitment into a high-stakes social event.
5. Marriage Is Still a Financial Security Plan
Financial Security Plan
( Image credit : Pexels )
For centuries, marriage has been a means of economic stability. In many cases:
Women, even educated ones, are still encouraged to marry men who can ‘provide’ for them, reinforcing financial dependency.
Parents see marriage as an investment spending lavishly on a daughter’s wedding in the hope that she secures a ‘good’ (read: wealthy) husband.
In-laws sometimes consider the bride’s salary as an added family income rather than her personal earnings.
In reality, marriage should be an emotional partnership, not an economic safety net.
6. Divorce Is Unacceptable Because It ‘Devalues’ the Transaction
A transaction is expected to be final. Similarly, Indian marriages are designed to be ‘forever’, making divorce taboo. Families invest so much money, effort, and social prestige into weddings that ending a marriage is often seen as a failed investment rather than a personal choice.
Women, in particular, are pressured to ‘adjust’ and ‘compromise’ because their family has spent too much on the wedding. Divorcees, especially women, face social stigma, as if they are ‘damaged goods’ who have lost their value in the marriage market.
The Need for a Mindset Shift
It’s time to rethink what Indian weddings stand for. Instead of focusing on financial exchanges, social status, and extravagant displays, the real essence of marriage love, respect, and companionship should take priority.
- Couples should push for simpler, meaningful weddings that focus on the relationship rather than the spectacle.
- Families need to let go of the outdated idea that marriage is a financial or social obligation.
- The stigma around divorce needs to change. A failed marriage should not be viewed as a loss of status but as a personal choice.
Indian weddings may never completely detach from financial and societal expectations, but change starts with awareness. Whether arranged or love, a marriage should not feel like a business deal where families negotiate terms. Instead, it should be a personal journey of two people building a life together—without price tags attached.