Lin Laishram says guests loved the food at her wedding: ‘Randeep and I kept saying, kaun khaayega'; why it plays a significant role

Indian Express

02-06-2025

Lin Laishram, who married actor Randeep Hooda in an intimate ceremony in Manipur, reflected on candid moments from her November 2023 wedding and shared how food became a topic of conversation. 'Food was…I didn't actually eat. But we were told that the food was very good. In Manipur, we had our traditional Manipuri cuisine, and also we had biryani, Mughlai style, and all that. And Mumbai's also…we had a wide spread,' recollected Lin.
She mentioned that while the couple dismissed the need for such a big spread with different cuisines, their wedding planner emphasised it.
'Our wedding planner arranged so many different cuisines. Randeep and I kept saying, Arey, 5 dishes rakho. Kaun khaayega? (Keep 5 dishes. Who will eat?) We were thinking very small. We don't really go to a lot of parties, so we don't have the understanding of what food people like and expect. We realised how important food was after the marriage because everybody talked about the food, like this was good, that was good. We had multi-cuisine and it was great,' Lin said in a conversation with Hauterrfly.
Taking a cue, we reached out to wedding planners to understand how food is an essential part of celebrations like weddings.
'Most weddings I see involve families disagreeing on many things except for one: food. Especially in Indian families, there is never any compromise on the quality and variety of food, as it is the one thing all guests truly look forward to,' said Dilbir Sahni, founder, Indobangkok Weddings.
As Indians, we speak many languages from different states, but we are all united over food, Sahni asserted.
'We always state that this aspect is directly proportional to guest satisfaction. Guests may not always remember the décor, music, stage, or even the rituals, but they will always remember a delay in food or a compromise in its quality,' said Sahni.
Sahni also recalled how, at one of their recent events, they flew in a maharaj (traditional chef) who prepared fresh haldi doodh live, accompanied by engaging performances. 'Our Maharashtrian guests were spellbound to witness this in Thailand and spoke of the experience long after the celebrations ended,' shared Sahni, who said that it goes beyond being just a meal.
'It is emotion, tradition, and often the centrepiece of celebration,' said Sahni.
Pawan Gupta, co-founder, CEO of The Wedding Company, called food 'practically a cultural truth'. 'After all, every guest goes home not just with memories, but with a full stomach and a detailed review of the menu,' shared Gupta.
According to Gupta, food plays a crucial role in weddings, acting as a symbol of unity, tradition, and celebration. 'It can honour heritage, faith, and even represent good omens. A well-chosen menu can enhance the overall experience and create lasting memories,' said Gupta.