Kashmiris must make weddings simpler. It is a social and economic imperative

As the wedding season returns to Kashmir, what should have been a time of celebration is instead casting a shadow over thousands of families. The tradition of extravagant weddings, often centered around heavy gold transactions and elaborate customs, is no longer just a cultural marke, it has become a source of financial stress and social pressure.

This year, the unusually sluggish gold market in the Valley reflects a deeper crisis. With gold prices touching nearly Rs 9,650 per gram, families are postponing or scaling down wedding purchases. Traders speak of deserted shops and idle craftsmen, highlighting how volatile global markets now directly affect the most intimate social institution in our lives: marriage.

But perhaps this disruption is an opportunity in disguise, a wake-up call for Kashmiri society to rethink the way we approach weddings. The dowry-like expectation of gifting gold, alongside complex and costly traditions like wazwan feasts and ceremonial rituals, burdens families, especially those from lower and middle-income backgrounds.

The pressure to “match” societal standards leads many into debt, and often delays marriages altogether. For a society grappling with high unemployment, inflation, and economic instability, these outdated practices are unsustainable and unjust.

We need a cultural shift, one that places greater value on the union itself, rather than the extravagance that surrounds it. Simpler weddings, community-driven support systems, and a rejection of unnecessary gold exchanges can make marriages more accessible and equitable.

Religious and community leaders, civil society and policymakers must step in to promote this change. Incentivizing minimalistic ceremonies and educating the public on the ethical and economic importance of cutting down costs can go a long way.

Late marriages, debt and poverty associated with extravagant weddings has created a social, health and economic emergency in Kashmir. Marriage should be a means to build families, not break them financially. Kashmir, with its rich spiritual and cultural heritage, must lead by example making weddings a celebration of love and unity, not status and show.