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How to have a modern wedding without losing the plot (or the parents)
Younger couples are pushing back against lavish traditions or ceremonies that lack meaning to them. But that doesn’t mean disrupting tradition for the sake of it.
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What used to be accepted as just part of the wedding grind is now being interrogated, says the writer.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCKPHOTO
Nicole Chan
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The moment my partner and I got engaged last September, the questions started pouring in from family and friends. Not just about when and where, but “how many tables”, “are you doing the tea ceremony”, and my personal favourite: “Got consult the feng shui master already?”
It became clear that planning a wedding wasn’t just about celebrating love – it’s about managing tradition, expectations and, sometimes, decades-old family politics over a 10-course meal. What’s more, in Asian households, weddings don’t only mark the start of a marriage, but are also about families, legacy, reputation and who gets to take credit for a well-raised child.
