Attending a wedding? Keep invite on hand

After families, event planners highlight confusion over marriages scheduled during curfew, govt clarifies weddings can go on, but with restrictions

Were you preparing to attend a wedding in the city over the weekend, when the Gujarat government imposed a curfew? Do not put your fancy outfits and jewellery back in the cupboard yet. First, make sure your name is still on the wedding list. Then, carry your invitation card while going to the venue and you can be part of the festivities.

Arranging a wedding is a big headache in itself. And Gujarat government made it worse for Amdavadis by suddenly imposing a curfew on the weekend when around 1,800 weddings have been scheduled. With wedding cards distributed, halls booked, advance paid to everyone including dholis, singers, caterers, beauticians, flower sellers, mandap decorators, and event organisers, the diktat has left families, who should be enjoying the happy union, worried about the event.

According to the Hindu calendar, November 22 is one of the most auspicious days (muhurats) to conduct a wedding.

Earlier in the day, event organisers, marriage hall owners, and musicians sent across a message to the state government. "If the weddings are cancelled, it will affect not just the concerned families but a host of related businesses as well. Everything cannot be cancelled on a whim. The state government needs to take effective measures to ensure that the weddings are not cancelled," said Mitesh Patel of Krishna Events.

Singer Jaikar Bhojak said, "Most wedding arrangements are made at least six months in advance. There are about 70 agencies that survive entirely on the marriage season.


"The muhurat has been set and halls have been booked. Decorations, jewellery, ornaments, wedding costumes and dresses are ready. But there's confusion over how to conduct the wedding."

An event organiser said, "The government never thought of curfew during elections when huge rallies were staged and large numbers of people went out to vote. There were functions at Kevadia and Ahmedabad for the seaplane. Why impose a curfew now?"

Addressing their woes, DyCM Nitin Patel in the evening said, "Weddings can be held with permission from local police but there cannot be more than 200 persons. People have to ensure that marriages are held during the day and wrapped up quickly."