Band, baaja, baraat: The industry anticipates Rs 65,000 crore during this big, fat wedding season in Kolkata
Times of India | 18 November 2024
KOLKATA: Band, baaja, baraat also means big bucks. The wedding season, which began on Nov 12 and extends to Dec 12 with a subsequent phase starting mid-Jan, is set to bring substantial economic activity, as Kolkata and surrounding areas prepare for over 60,000 ceremonies.
Industry experts and trade organisations indicate business could reach Rs 65,000 crore, a 35% increase from the previous season. The registrar general of marriages reported 1,42,318 weddings across the state and approximately 49,000 in the Kolkata region last season. This Nov, more than 5,700 wedding cer tificates have been issued already, and applications for registration of marriages are pouring in, an official said.
The Confederation of All India Traders projects five million weddings nationwide, generating Rs 6 lakh crore in business. “This year, the wedding season is starting early, on Nov 12. Last year, it had started in the last week of Nov and continued only until mid Dec. Pre-wedding rituals have already begun,” said Vinod Bhandari, a wedding planner.
Allied sectors expect biz boost
Allied businesses, such as the jewellery sector, has been experiencing heightened activity. “Buying jewellery is an integral part of Indian weddings and the surging price of gold is not a deterrent. In terms of revenue, we are expecting a rise of around 20% compared to the last wedding season. Going by pre-wedding trends, the sales volume will also increase compared to the previous wedding season,” said Pramod Dugar, state president of India Bullion and Jewellers’ Association and secretary, Calcutta Gem and Jewellers Welfare Association.
The flower industry also anticipates growth. “Orders have started pouring in for the wedding season. Last wed ding season, we touched the Rs 5-crore mark. This year, we are expecting it to be at least 10% more,” said wholesaler Tukai Das, a member of the Mullick Ghat Flower Traders’ Welfare Association.
Wedding photographer Samarth Agarwal reports being fully booked.
“Queries are still coming in but our schedule is already full,” Agarwal said.