Social media influence reshapes wedding traditions
ISLAMABAD:
The growing influence of social and digital media has significantly transformed wedding traditions in the country. Once simple celebrations, weddings have now evolved into extravagant, week-long affairs featuring multiple events and lavish spending.
New trends, such as "Bride-to-Be" parties, Mehndi nights, and Dholki celebrations, have gained popularity, largely inspired by TV dramas and social media influencers. These events, marked by elaborate decorations, entertainment, and extravagant feasts, have become an essential part of modern Pakistani wedding culture.
According to wedding planners and industry experts, the average cost of a wedding in Pakistan has skyrocketed, with some families spending upwards of Rs5 million on a single event.
Imtiaz Niazi, a wedding planner said the wedding industry in Pakistan has become a multi-billion-rupee market as families willingly spend exorbitant amounts of money to make their wedding celebrations unforgettable not for just family members but for getting popularity and likes on social media apps like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
It is encouraging to note that not everyone is pleased with the shift towards excess.
Still, many families feel that emphasis on materialism and extravagance has overshadowed the true meaning of marriage.
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Shahzad Abdullah is a PR and communications strategist, cultural curator and director of communications at Media Matters All facts are information are the sole responsibility of the
