The Covid effect: India sees highest cancellation of wedding receptions

NEW DELHI: India is witnessing the highest cancellation of wedding receptions compared to other countries, with 23% couples going ahead only with the ceremonies but no large gatherings, global wedding planning and technology company The Knot Worldwide said in a new report, Global Covid-19 Weddings.

The report said three-fourths of respondents in India said they would go ahead with the wedding ceremonies on dates planned before Covid-19 and not wait for a big fat Indian wedding celebration. Most couples said they would reduce the size of their guest lists and hire fewer vendors to ensure that Covid-19 norms are followed.

Adding some more numbers, it said 23% couples are not going ahead with a wedding reception while 48% are planning one but with health and safety measures. The report said a vast majority of to-be-weds (80%) said they would encourage social distancing, and invite only immediate family and close friends.


Guest requirements would include Covid-19 tests and temperature checks, and respondents said guests would be provided with hand sanitisers and face masks, while photographers and makeup artists would be required to wear masks or PPE kits. Smaller groups of guests and venues have replaced week-long celebrations, the report said.

“Live streaming, and socially distant gatherings of friends and family or mini-ceremonies with only immediate family are some of the measures that are being adopted,” said Ankur Sarawagi, India country head of The Knot Worldwide. The report said it is based on data among 9,767 couples who originally had weddings planned between October 2020 and February 2021, and spanned global data including from the US, Canada, UK, France, India and Mexico.