Getting married just got easier, you can now get a spouse on-rent

Those offering complete wedding services in India — from theme decision to the send-off and more — need to have a look at Vietnam, a burgeoning market with a procurement list that also includes spouse, family and friends. It makes sense that any self-respecting wedding consultancy should also be able to rustle them up too if the client so desires — and has the funds to back it up. Why should a wish to wed remain unfulfilled simply because there is no partner, no willing parents and relatives or friends to participate in the celebrations? Arguably, there is no need for a wedding to include two people at all any more.

Of course, the rent-a-family trend in Vietnam is a result of tremendous social pressure there to marry, especially if people wish to have children. But the desire there to work around hurdles such as non-cooperative families or non-existent betrotheds by simply hiring them is a stunningly simple way to please everyone, putative bride or groom included.

New situations also throw up new career opportunities and being professional brides, grooms, relatives or wedding guests cannot be all that bad, considering food and clothes come with the package. India, of course, has a surfeit of real brides, grooms, relatives, etc, but maybe the Vietnamese might not insist on their own compatriots to make up the numbers.…