An Australia-based startup is gaining traction on social media as it lets curious foreign tourists pay to attend colorful and grand wedding festivities in India. According to DailyExpertNews, JoinMyWedding was founded in 2016 by Hungarian-Australian Orsi Parkanyi and promises “the ultimate cultural immersion”. With a selection of traditional Indian weddings, the company offers special experiences by allowing travelers to attend and locals to share. The company’s website states that there are more than 300 different types of weddings in India and that the country celebrates 11 million weddings a year.
I’ve seen it all. There is now a website where foreigners can be invited to an Indian wedding. https://t.co/OVdsxJp633pic.twitter.com/9hLDSlkQEA
— Sukhada (@appadappajappa) November 8, 2023
JoinMyWedding reaches couples and people who want to submit their love stories and wedding itineraries. It is then shared with tourists who are willing to pay US$150 (Rs12,488) per person to witness one day of the wedding (US$250 or R20,814 for two days).
“You experience all the different cultural elements in one go: meet the locals, taste the local cuisine, dress in Indian attire, music, atmosphere, entertainment, learn about local customs, even architecture, depending on the wedding location.” Mrs. Parkanyi told DailyExpertNews.
But the idea has sparked a backlash on social media, with users calling it a “brilliant business idea.”
“At 150 USD certainly not bad for the one who invites,” said a user on X (formerly Twitter). “Quite a popular offline business through travel agents and wedding planners for a while now,” said another.
“They pay good money and it also helps the family to get rid of the burden. Win-win situation,” said a third user.
The JoinMyWedding website describes the experience as being able to “dress in traditional Indian attire, taste the exotic flavors, dance to the enchanting music and participate in beautiful wedding customs.”
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