Bengaluru CA has a blunt message for families spending Rs 20 lakh on lavish weddings

A Bengaluru-based chartered accountant has urged Indian families to think twice before spending Rs 20 lakh on lavish weddings as she said that the money could be put to better use.

"Don't spend Rs 20 lakh to impress relatives," Meenal Goel said in a blunt post on Instagram, calling it one of the biggest financial mistakes Indian families make.

Meenal explained how a hypothetical Rs 20 lakh wedding budget could be spent - Rs 6 lakh on food, Rs 5 lakh on the venue, Rs 3 lakh on decorations, and Rs 2 lakh each on photography, entertainment and miscellaneous expenses.

"A Rs 20 lakh wedding feels unforgettable until you look at your bank account," she said.

She pointed out that within 48 hours, the venue is returned, the food is gone, the decorations are removed and guests move on to the next wedding. What remains, she said, is the financial impact.

Instead of spending the entire amount on a wedding, Meenal suggested investing at least a part of it towards a home down payment, an emergency fund, long-term investments, future children's education or financial security.

"A wedding is a celebration. It doesn't have to become a financial burden. Celebrate within your means, create memories, and start your married life with financial peace - not financial pressure. Build a marriage, not just a wedding," she said, asking whether Indian weddings had become unnecessarily expensive.

Take a look at the post here:

Responses on the post were diverse, as some people felt that money spent on weddings created lifelong memories and was therefore justified, others agreed that extravagant celebrations often placed an unnecessary financial burden on families.

"Build your network, not just your budget, so spending Rs 20 lakh on unforgettable moments never feels like a burden. After all, money can't buy the memories of your special moments," one user wrote.

Another disagreed, saying, "Sorry, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime event. I will spend as much as required."

Others supported Meenal Goel's argument, with one user saying more people - particularly women - should encourage simpler weddings, so middle-class families are not forced into excessive spending.

A Bengaluru-based chartered accountant has urged Indian families to think twice before spending Rs 20 lakh on lavish weddings as she said that the money could be put to better use.

"Don't spend Rs 20 lakh to impress relatives," Meenal Goel said in a blunt post on Instagram, calling it one of the biggest financial mistakes Indian families make.

Meenal explained how a hypothetical Rs 20 lakh wedding budget could be spent - Rs 6 lakh on food, Rs 5 lakh on the venue, Rs 3 lakh on decorations, and Rs 2 lakh each on photography, entertainment and miscellaneous expenses.

"A Rs 20 lakh wedding feels unforgettable until you look at your bank account," she said.

She pointed out that within 48 hours, the venue is returned, the food is gone, the decorations are removed and guests move on to the next wedding. What remains, she said, is the financial impact.

Instead of spending the entire amount on a wedding, Meenal suggested investing at least a part of it towards a home down payment, an emergency fund, long-term investments, future children's education or financial security.

"A wedding is a celebration. It doesn't have to become a financial burden. Celebrate within your means, create memories, and start your married life with financial peace - not financial pressure. Build a marriage, not just a wedding," she said, asking whether Indian weddings had become unnecessarily expensive.

Take a look at the post here:

Responses on the post were diverse, as some people felt that money spent on weddings created lifelong memories and was therefore justified, others agreed that extravagant celebrations often placed an unnecessary financial burden on families.

"Build your network, not just your budget, so spending Rs 20 lakh on unforgettable moments never feels like a burden. After all, money can't buy the memories of your special moments," one user wrote.

Another disagreed, saying, "Sorry, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime event. I will spend as much as required."

Others supported Meenal Goel's argument, with one user saying more people - particularly women - should encourage simpler weddings, so middle-class families are not forced into excessive spending.