The most important day of our life

The building I stay in has been abuzz with excitement for the past couple of weeks. The son of a respected Army Brigadier seems to be getting married. Weddings are a hope, if not a promise of a happy future of togetherness, companionship and growth. The energy and enthusiasm emanated inside a wedding household are almost contagious, even for a random passer-by. I am no exception.

Aaahhh the beauty of Indian weddings… The vibrant marigold decorations, radiating joy as bright as the flowers themselves; the chaotic piles of footwear outside the door—some pristine and new, others worn from previous celebrations; the hasty servings of lip-smacking delicacies; the hurried passing around of dainty glasses carrying colourful sweet drinks; the crisp smells of freshly ironed silk sarees and kurtas; the bride patiently sitting through hours of intricate henna designs, harbouring within a sweet anxiety of a new life; the mischievous exchanges of glances between giggling youngsters, their charm amplified by the fleeting magic of carefully chosen outfits and perfectly applied makeup, crafted just for this one special day.

Sometimes I envy how confident and assertive today’s brides are about how they want their wedding to be. Dreamy wedding shoots, thoughtfully curated wedding couture, elegant décor, specialized wedding photographers, all sure to beautifully capture the most memorable day in one’s life. I shudder revisiting my awkward wedding photos, with cliched flowery backdrops, gauche “designer” sarees and corny wedding poses. No matter how extravagant or simple your wedding looks, every couple is eventually faced with the daunting challenge of managing life’s inescapable ups and downs. A union that hopes to balance their own identify and aspirations, while respecting, at times even succumbing to the expectations of others around them. Unfortunately, no wedding planner or photographer can curate this for you.

I wonder—why do some marriages last while others don’t? What sacrifices are hidden behind the smiling faces of picture-perfect families? Who decides what a happy marriage looks like? Are couples who choose to part ways still seen as failures, while those who silently suffer together are respected? Why do we scoff at a couple who had a lavish wedding but later separate for reasons only they understand? How long before we stop glorifying endurance over happiness? How long before we stop letting social media’s perfect pictures fool us?

I hope the younger generation learns to see beyond the glitter and grandness of "the most important day of our lives”. May they realize that a perfect wedding doesn’t guarantee a perfect marriage. That the real work begins when the music fades and the guests go home. Building a life that values truth over appearances takes courage. Walking away from what doesn’t serve them might shatter the illusion of a happy ending, but sometimes, that’s the bravest choice. And staying to fight for love—not because it looks good, but because it feels right—is a strength often overlooked.

- Sampada Pai (Sampada is a Pune-based Marketing Communications professional. She is an avid traveller, loves trying out different cuisines and dreams of adopting a lot of dogs.)