₹20 lakh gone in 24 hours? Bengaluru CA breaks down the real cost of big fat Indian weddings; 'Guests remember nothing, but your bank account remembers'

Indian weddings are not just simple ceremonies; they are celebrations between two families and feel like complete festivals. There are two sides to Indian weddings: one that prefers grand and lavish celebrations, spending huge amounts of money in just one day, and another that takes a more practical approach, choosing not to spend excessively and instead planning the wedding more realistically.

Wedding Costs Add Up Quickly

A Bengaluru-based chartered accountant has sparked fresh discussion around wedding spending by showing how a ₹20 lakh budget can be exhausted in just two days, often leaving a lasting financial strain.

Cost Breakdown of a ₹20 Lakh Wedding

Meenal Goel recently shared a post on social media where she outlined how expenses typically unfold in such weddings. Her detailed breakdown revealed how quickly costs pile up across various categories. According to her estimates, nearly ₹6 lakh is spent on food, ₹5 lakh on the venue, and ₹3 lakh on decorations. Photography and entertainment account for ₹2 lakh each, while the remaining ₹2 lakh goes toward miscellaneous expenses.

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A post shared by Meenal Goel | Finance (@ca.meenalgoel)

"A wedding is a celebration. It doesn’t have to become a financial burden. Celebrate within your means, create memories, and start your married life with financial peace—not financial pressure. Build a marriage, not just a wedding." she captioned her Instagram post.

In her post she said how long it actually lasts. Here is the complete breakdown in which food for 2 hours, DJ for 4 hours, decoration for 1 day, photos for a few albums, venue handed back the next morning. She further added 20 lakhs gone in 24 hours.

At the same time, she made it clear that her message was not against celebrating weddings. Instead, she emphasized the need to celebrate within one’s financial limits and to begin married life without avoidable financial stress. According to her, the priority should be on building a lasting marriage rather than overspending on a one-day event.

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