AI and the Big Fat Indian Wedding
It’s wedding season in India — the time when the air smells of marigolds, the streets echo with dhol beats, and every WhatsApp group suddenly becomes a logistics hub. And right in the middle of this chaos, I am just thinking how about if AI sneaks in like that distant cousin who somehow knows everyone’s secrets and still gets invited to all the functions.
For years, technology in weddings meant Excel sheets, frantic phone calls, and maybe a Google Doc that nobody updated. But now? AI is the new baraati — showing up uninvited, dancing with the crowd, and somehow making the whole thing smoother.
The Algorithmic Mehendi
Think about it. Mehendi used to be about waiting hours for the artist to finish intricate designs while aunties debated who’s next. Now, AI can suggest patterns based on your outfit color, your hand shape, even trending Instagram reels. It’s like having a digital mehendi-wala who never gets tired.
But here’s the kicker: AI doesn’t just design. It predicts. Guest lists, food portions, seating arrangements — all can be optimized. Suddenly, the chaos of “who sits next to whom” becomes a solvable equation. (Though let’s be honest, no algorithm can handle the politics of seating chachis and mamis together.)
Sarees, Sherwanis, and Style Bots
Fashion in Indian weddings is a battlefield. Brides juggle lehengas heavier than their life savings, grooms pretend sherwanis are comfortable, and cousins fight over who wore it better. Enter AI stylists — virtual try-ons, personalized recommendations, even predicting which jewelry will trend this season.
Sounds glamorous, right? But here’s the risk: flaunting AI-generated jewelry visuals could expose valuables. It’s like posting your bank balance on Instagram — shiny, but dangerous. AI here is both the fairy godmother and the nosy neighbor.
The Photographer Who Never Sleeps
Indian weddings generate more photos than a Bollywood paparazzi chase. Sorting them used to take weeks. Now, AI curates the best shots, edits albums, and even creates highlight reels. It’s the invisible photographer who never complains about lighting.
But beware: deepfakes lurk. Imagine someone editing your sangeet video to make it look like you danced to the wrong song. Funny? Maybe. Dangerous? Definitely.
Food, Fun, and Forecasts
AI doesn’t just stop at clothes and photos. Caterers can use algorithms to predict guest preferences, reduce food waste, and plan menus that balance tradition with modern taste. Paneer tikka meets quinoa salad — because why not?
Rituals in the Digital Age
Here’s where it gets poetic. AI can explain rituals to younger guests or foreign friends, turning “Why are we circling the fire seven times?” into a beautifully narrated story. It preserves tradition while making it accessible.
But let’s not forget: rituals are about emotion, not optimization. AI can narrate, but it cannot feel the goosebumps when the mangalsutra is tied. That’s still human territory.
🎶 AI and Music Playlists
Indian weddings thrive on music — from sangeet rehearsals to the DJ at the reception. AI can curate playlists that blend Bollywood classics with trending tracks, even adjusting tempo to match the crowd’s energy. Think of AI as the DJ’s invisible assistant, whispering “play Kala Chashma now” just when the dance floor needs saving.
💌 AI and Invitations
Gone are the days of paper cards with gold embossing. AI can design digital invites, personalize them for each guest, and even track RSVPs. It’s like having a wedding secretary who never forgets to chase that one uncle who still hasn’t replied.
🛕 AI and Logistics
Managing transport, hotel bookings, and vendor coordination is a nightmare. AI can optimize routes, predict traffic, and ensure guests don’t miss the pheras. AI here is the Google Maps of weddings — except it also knows which aunties need to be picked up together to avoid drama.
💡 AI and Sustainability
Indian weddings definitely have reasons to be called the BIG FAT INDIAN Weddings — where even the commoners are celebrities and we never shy away from show-offs. Be it the roka, haldi, sangeet, mehendi, the wedding ceremonies, or the continuation of post-wedding rituals — everything is in abundance and ♪♪♪♪ big.
Amidst this, how about our weddings meet sustainability? No, I am not asking you to cut short — because let’s be honest, that’s quite a difficult process. But how about we ensure no food is wasted? Instead, those extra trays of food could be delivered properly to orphanages, something many Indians already do — but here AI can be the better companion to assist us in doing it seamlessly.
AI could track surplus, connect caterers with NGOs in real time, and make sure that the excess joy of the wedding spreads beyond the banquet hall.
🧠 AI and Memory Preservation
Beyond photos, AI can create interactive wedding archives — timelines, voice notes, even VR recreations of ceremonies. It’s like bottling up nostalgia in an algorithm, so you can relive the madness long after the gulab jamuns are gone.
The Balancing Act
So, what happens when AI and Indian weddings collide? You get efficiency, personalization, and a sprinkle of futuristic glam. But you also get risks — privacy leaks, overexposure of valuables, and the danger of losing the human touch.
The trick is balance. Let AI be the backstage manager, not the bride or groom. Let it handle the chaos, but never steal the spotlight.
At the end of the day, weddings are about people, emotions, and stories. AI is just the new band member — playing in tune, sometimes improvising, but never replacing the rhythm of human connection.
Because no matter how smart the algorithm, it can’t dance the bhangra with the same madness as your cousin who’s had one too many gulab jamuns.
✨ AI may optimize the wedding, but humans will always own the celebration.
Rachana Bahel
