CRITICAL ANALYSIS: WEDDINGS IN NEPAL – JOYOUS OCCASIONS OR ECONOMIC BURDENS?

 

Weddings in Nepal are widely considered one of the most culturally significant and socially celebrated milestones. They are rich in ritual, color, and symbolism, drawing together families and communities in a spirit of festivity. Traditionally, weddings signify not only the union of two individuals but also the alliance of two families, encompassing deep cultural, religious, and spiritual meaning. However, in contemporary Nepal, the growing scale and extravagance of weddings are increasingly raising questions about their financial sustainability and long-term socio-economic consequences. The celebration of love and commitment is being overshadowed, for many, by rising costs, social expectations, and economic pressure—especially for lower and middle-income families.

Nepali weddings are often multi-day events, blending Hindu or Buddhist traditions with regional customs. Rituals such as Swayambar, Kanyadaan, Pani Grahan, and elaborate sagai (engagement) ceremonies are embedded with symbolic meaning, but they also require extensive logistical arrangements. In the modern context, these rituals have become commercialized, expanding into grand banquets, designer attire, large guest lists, photography teams, and destination venues. These changes are partly driven by a culture of comparison and social display, where families feel pressured to meet or exceed the standards set by peers or relatives (Tamang, 2018).

In a deeply stratified society like Nepal, weddings have become markers of social prestige. For many families, especially in urban areas, a lavish wedding is seen as a reflection of financial success, family honor, and even moral duty. Dowry, though legally restricted by the Social Practices Reform Act of 1976, continues in practice in many parts of the country. The expectation for the bride’s family to provide gold, cash, furniture, and even vehicles contributes to significant financial strain, particularly in the Madhesh and Terai regions (UN Women, 2021). Despite the law, the social pressure to conform often overrides legal or ethical considerations.

The commercialization of weddings has also been fueled by a growing wedding industry, which includes decorators, caterers, fashion designers, event managers, and media professionals. The rise of social media has intensified the pressure to produce visually stunning, Instagram-worthy ceremonies. Middle-class families are increasingly taking loans or using life savings to finance weddings that meet these social expectations, sometimes at the cost of long-term financial security (Gurung, 2020). For many, the burden continues long after the festivities end, turning a celebration into a source of debt and stress.

In rural areas, the economic burden can be even more disproportionate. Families often sell land or livestock to afford the costs associated with marriage ceremonies. Daughters, instead of being celebrated, may be viewed as financial liabilities, reinforcing gendered perceptions and contributing to practices like early or forced marriage, especially among economically disadvantaged communities. The emotional and financial toll of these expectations raises questions about whether such rituals, though culturally rich, remain equitable in today’s socio-economic reality.

There is, however, a growing awareness and resistance to this culture of excess. Youth-led social media campaigns, feminist discourses, and media critiques have begun to challenge the notion that weddings must be grand to be meaningful. Some couples are opting for minimalistic weddings, with limited guests and simple rituals, often choosing to invest their money in education, travel, or property instead. These choices signal a cultural shift, although such practices remain exceptions rather than the norm.

In conclusion, while weddings in Nepal are undeniably joyous and culturally significant occasions, they are increasingly becoming financial burdens that strain families, reinforce social inequalities, and perpetuate harmful gender norms. The shift from meaningful tradition to performative extravagance reveals deeper societal issues, including the obsession with social status and the commercialization of cultural rituals. Unless society collectively rethinks the purpose and scale of weddings, the celebration of unity may continue to be overshadowed by its economic toll. To restore balance, both cultural pride and economic mindfulness must coexist in redefining what a wedding truly means in modern Nepali society.

REFERENCES

Gurung, A. (2020). Big Fat Nepali Weddings: The Socioeconomic Impact of Marriage Expenses in Kathmandu. Journal of Contemporary Social Studies, 5(2), 66–80.

Tamang, S. (2018). Social Prestige and Cultural Expectations: The Changing Nature of Weddings in Urban Nepal. Nepalese Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 12(1), 45–59. https://doi.org/10.3126/njsa.v12i1.22344

UN Women. (2021). Dowry and Gender Discrimination in South Asia: A Situational Analysis. https://asiapacific.unwomen.org

Government of Nepal. (1976). Social Practices Reform Act. Kathmandu: Ministry of Law and Justice.