Today, social distancing has become a way of life. And in this new world, technology has become a key driver to bring people together — whether it’s working from home, attending school through online classes, shopping for groceries, or keeping in touch with loved ones overseas. Connecting virtually is the new way of communication– enabling people to not only hear, but also see and feel emotions. E-invites over personally visiting and inviting relatives are preferred today, while online gift registries ensure ease the whole gifting process. While most industries including transportation, retail, and even education have already gone through their phases of tech-revolutions, the Indian wedding industry is still very nascent. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has become a catalyst for great change and transformation in the Indian wedding landscape. The industry has adapted in unimaginable ways and the traditional Indian wedding which once used to be a ‘big-fat’ affair with unending guest lists, has now embraced small and intimate ceremonies with close family and friends. This has brought to the fore the trend of virtual celebrations as well as pushed many local, small and medium businesses to embrace technology and digital transformation.
Although the wedding industry witnessed its worst slump during the pandemic-induced lockdown, every unlock phase has been a reason for optimism as various businesses in this industry have been receiving gradual momentum. Moreover, a majority of the business recovery that has been witnessed can be attributed to online demand as people are now open to digital solutions for the wedding ceremonies. Therefore, accelerating the adoption of digital technology and use of innovative solutions to automate processes. After all, this is the best way forward for businesses to become more resilient and sustainable for the future.
Even though the wedding industry is not completely immune to the impact of the lockdown and the impact it has had on business, here are some ways in which the industry has bounced back through innovative disruptions:
Weddings are an integral part of Indian culture and is often known to be a recession proof industry. Although the industry faced a setback during the lockdown, not all hope has been lost because the market has found new ways to cope and sustain operations through innovative digital solutions. As couples move to intimate small-scale ceremonies that are beamed over video communication platforms, there is a demand for a whole new set of services. For example, live-streaming of events, online gift registries, wedding websites for better management, among others. Digital solutions like these that help customers plan their wedding in a seamless manner from the comfort of their home will be in great demand in the months to come. As a result, this sector is fast evolving to become innovation-led and has great potential to attract investments for technological advancements.
Wedding planning apps and websites were already in vogue before the pandemic, now, with social distancing having become the new norm, apps and websites have become the go-to-option for couples looking to plan their small-scale and intimate wedding ceremonies amidst a pandemic. From wedding venue managers offering thorough virtual tours to decorators sharing creatively imagined plans via virtual platforms, the wedding planning business is fast adopting contactless solutions.
Wedding planning websites and apps offer digital solutions for all kinds of wedding-related requirements, and couples have the option of selecting their desired vendors, researching latest wedding theme trends, getting expert recommendations and much more via such platforms.
The contactless innovation trend can be seen across the board, whether it is fashion designers who have shifted to virtual fashion shows and online catalogues or wedding invitation designers who are designing e-card invitations that can be customized with cute caricatures and animation, everyone is adapting rapidly.
Hence, in the months to come, there will be a continuing surge in the demand for such organized services that help couples to personalize their special day from the comfort of their homes.
Weddings are best enjoyed in person, however, if you have friends and family living abroad or in a faraway location, then celebrating virtually isn’t the worst option. There are various conference call options that have specially created software and other platforms available to live stream weddings. In the near future, we could also witness live streaming of weddings happening through drones. For instance, Weddingz.in offers a multi-way video conferencing product with an emcee who engages all the guests attending the ceremony virtually This offering comes along with option to choose different areas where a virtual guest would like to be present, it could be the dance floor, the stage, the buffet or the mandap area. Guests can actually experience a true virtual wedding from the comfort of their living rooms without missing out on wedding festivities!
Technology is enabling couples to take full control of all aspects of their wedding. With an increasing number of digital solutions, couples and their families can seamlessly manage wedding preparations with minimal in-person contact with external vendors. Regular SMS alerts and notifications can be set up as reminders for the various planned activities and ceremony rituals, while effective communication and coordination with guests can be managed through a single mobile application. In the months to come, we will see the wedding industry fast track its innovative offerings and upgrade its tech-based solutions. An amalgamation of tradition with technology will continue to be the new-normal in the wedding industry as it is the key to conducting safe weddings.
