Big Fat Weddings: Love, Debt, and Filter Coffee
Valentine’s Day is here, and love is in the air. But in Tamil Nadu, we don’t need Cupid – our love stories are already scripted like Kollywood blockbusters. And if there’s one place where love truly takes centre stage, it’s at our weddings. Grand, over-the-top, and occasionally breaking the laws of physics – Tamil weddings are a genre of their own.
Wedding or a Mega Serial?
Forget ‘Romeo and Juliet’ – here, we have ‘Muthu Meets Meenakshi’ at an event that could outlast a Vikatan TV serial. The groom’s entry is no less than a hero’s intro scene with dry ice smoke, LED-lit pathways, and background dancers (also known as cousins who were promised biryani in return). Meanwhile, the bride walks in slow motion, carefully balancing the weight of her 20-kilo Kanchipuram saree, gold that could make a Dubai jeweller jealous, and emotional blackmail from her chitthis and athais about how this is the most important day of her life.
The Great Tamil Wedding Economy
Weddings in Tamil Nadu have their own GDP. Parents start saving for it before the bride or groom is even born. From the ‘ponnu paakara’ scene (official Tamil matchmaking first meet) to the ‘Thaali kattra’ moment, everything is choreographed like a Mani Ratnam movie. And just like in any Tamil film, there’s always that one uncle who takes charge of the microphone, gives a long speech about his childhood with the groom’s father, and completely derails the schedule.
The ‘Content’ Marriage
Once upon a time, marriages were about family blessings. Now, they are about Instagram blessings. The photographer is no longer just a photographer – he’s a ‘wedding content strategist’ who ensures the couple gets cinematic slow-mo shots, drone coverage, and a pre-wedding shoot in Mahabalipuram where the groom awkwardly lifts the bride while random tourists clap. And of course, there’s the post-wedding ‘thank you’ reel, featuring temple wedding shots with ‘Uyire Uyire’ playing softly in the background.
Love vs. Logistics
Love is beautiful, but let’s be honest – Tamil weddings are often less about romance and more about logistics. Guest lists reach epic proportions, featuring relatives who last attended a family event in 1997. The wedding caterer is treated with more respect than the groom. And let’s not forget the all-important tiffin counter. Some people attend just to rate the ‘sambar vada’ and ‘badam halwa’ like food critics on YouTube.
And They Lived Happily Ever After… Maybe?
In the end, amidst the chaos, the bride and groom finally sit down, exhausted but happy. Love wins – along with the wedding planners, caterers, florists, and drone operators. The guests leave, plates full, hearts full, and Instagram feeds fuller. And as for the newlyweds? Well, their real story begins the next morning – when they wake up and realize they’ve forgotten to pack for their honeymoon and the wedding loan EMIs are waiting.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all the lovers, dreamers, and wedding survivors!
Ann Dhanalakshmi Muralidharan, a seasoned educator with over 25 years of experience, is the principal of a leading school. A passionate reader and writer, she blends wisdom with, bringing everyday stories to life with charm, insight, and a touch of humour.
