Sustainable weddings in the offing
In India, the trend towards eco-friendly weddings is still gaining traction and young couples are leading the way, opines Rajiv Kapoor, GM, Fairmont Jaipur.
Has the pandemic made weddings sustainable? The pandemic has made weddings more intimate and sustainable. With the downsizing of gatherings, people are opting to celebrate in places that are open and have good venues and experiences to offer. Sustainable weddings help to conserve and make better and smarter decisions. For example, an organic meal will cost the family more than a regular one, but the reduced number of people helps to balance the expense! The hotel saves money on food waste because there are more live stations instead of large buffet setups.
Are young couples making the switch to sustainability?
Sustainable weddings are still picking up the pace in India. But yes, the new generation of couples are at the forefront of driving this change. We see people opting in for alternatives to heavy decorations, food measurements, and especially the millennial couples are eager to put their foot forward to initiate green initiatives. For now, we have received such queries from a few couples who are mindful of their actions.
What distinguishes weddings held before and during the current phase of the pandemic?
The majority of our revenue is generated through weddings, constituting 75 per cent of the total revenue. Pre-pandemic, weddings were larger than life with huge gatherings. However, in the current scenario, weddings have been more intimate; people are more thoughtful, personalising and customising, opting for destination weddings with their close-knit group of family and friends.
Can sustainability go hand in hand with the magnitude of a big fat Indian wedding?
Fairmont Jaipur is one of the most preferred venues for destination weddings. It has got India on the global map for extravagant and luxurious weddings. The focus has always been on transforming the venue as per our guests’ and their families’ requirements to make their wedding the most momentous day of their lives. Yes, it can go hand in hand with the big fat Indian wedding. Choosing a wedding in a sustainable fashion serves the purpose of greater global ethics without affecting a fairy-tale wedding. At Fairmont Jaipur, we are mindful of each action. We produce our own greens, do waste management, have grey water management, e-bikes for city tours and recently have also set up EV charging stations. We make sure we speak about these initiatives to our guests and curate a wedding for them.
FAMILIES AND COUPLES ARE EXPLORING OPTIONS TO KEEP IT ALL NATURAL AND FREE OF PLASTIC WASTE