Navigating Family Expectations for a Small Indian Wedding
A woman born in Kolkata and raised in London describes the tension between her desire for an intimate wedding with 35 guests and her family's expectations rooted in Indian wedding traditions. She and her partner compromised on a civil ceremony with drinks and canapés, but her mother and relatives pressured her to host a larger reception in India. She reflects on how Indian weddings often prioritize community and family status over the couple's preferences, and questions whether it's acceptable to choose a wedding that reflects her own life and budget. The piece explores the guilt of being an only child and the challenge of balancing personal desires with cultural obligations.
Key facts
- The author was born in Kolkata, India, and moved to London at age seven.
- She got engaged three years after falling in love.
- She and her partner planned a civil ceremony with 35 guests.
- Her mother moved back to Kolkata almost a decade ago.
- Indian weddings she attended as a child often had 800 guests.
- Smaller Indian weddings now consist of about 300 people.
- She has no family in London; she keeps in touch with cousins and aunts.
- She is an only child.
Entities
Locations
- Kolkata
- India
- London
- United Kingdom