A man in Betul, a district in Madhya Pradesh, India got married to two women at the same time in the same ceremony on July 8. The nuptials were attended by villagers and family members, who witnessed what may be the first wedding ever with two brides marrying the same man.

Sandeep Uike, the groom in question, married two women, one from a district called Hoshangabad and the other from Koyalari village. He first met his Hoshangabad bride while he was in Bhopal for his studies. While he dated the woman, his family began plans for an arranged marriage between him and the woman from Koyalari village. Of course, all parties involved were unhappy, and the families of all three met to resolve the matter.

Together, they came to the conclusion that, should both women agree, Uike would marry both of them. It is apparent that they both agreed, and the wedding plans commenced.

Mishrilal Parate, vice-president of Janpad Panchayat Ghodadongri (a governmental organisation) told The Siasat Daily that none of the family members were opposed to the union.

The ceremony took place in a village called Keria, and the required rituals were performed. According to The Siasat Daily, this was the first occasion in history where a man made vows to two women at the same time.

Authorities in the district, however, are investigating the event and how it occurred since weddings are not yet allowed due to coronavirus restrictions. They said that permission is needed for weddings to take place, and none was given to these families.

Image: Unsplash

Couples have had to get extra creative amid the nationwide lockdown. From drive-by bridal showers to virtual weddings, we’ve seen it all. This South African couple took it a step further when they offered followers the chance to attend their wedding… for a price.

Katinka ‘Die Kat’ is a photographer and influencer who rose to fame as a contestant on Survivor SA: Phillippines. She and her fiance Braam tied the knot this past weekend in the Wilderness in an intimate gathering, following lockdown regulations.

Ahead of their big day, Katinka posted an image to Instagram, explaining that followers can also attend their big day. The catch, however, is that it would cost them R150 to virtually attend.

“We decided to give you the opportunity to celebrate our intimate wedding with us and be there as guests❤️ limited tickets available, link in bio,” she wrote on Instagram. “What you’ll see is me before walking down the isle, Braam’s reaction and our vows and our first kiss as a married couple.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCJYc6uJpzn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Responses to this post were divided. Some called this offer ridiculous while others defended the couple’s decision, saying it’s their right to do what they want.

The pair married this past weekend, although there has been no mention of how many tuned in to view the big day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCRU3xOJtFU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feature image: Instagram / Katinka Die Kat

A group of women in Rome took to the streets to protest againt the City’s lockdown restrictions that have resulted in their weddings being cancelled.

About 15 brides-to-be gathered to begin the protest at the Fontana di Trevi, then moved to the parliamentary buildings where they were joined by affected wedding industry members such as caterers and musicians.

This was not an ordinary protest, however, as the women wore their wedding dresses and carried white parasols to make a statement. They also carried placards that translate to ‘weddings without restrictions’, ‘you broke our marriages’ and ‘church doors closed to weddings’.

Frustrated by the postponement of their wedding plans, brides-to-be protest against social restrictions in #Rome

Vía @Reuters pic.twitter.com/mvAKGH7U1k

— Aroguden (@Aroguden) July 8, 2020

The protest is being called the ‘Flashmob of the singles and unmarried ones’. It was reportedly organised by Airb, an Italian wedding association, who claim that 90% of weddings in the city have been postponed to 2021 which has negatively impacted the industry.

“Everything was postponed to 2021. So we asked the government for help to reach 2021. About 500 thousand operators in the sector and, as a consequence, their families are at risk of unemployment,” said the president of Airb, Luciano Paulillo.

Marriage ceremonies and other non-essential activities are currently banned in the city for two months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Civil ceremonies have recently been allowed to continue, but guests are limited to two and strict social distancing measures must be employed.

Brides protest in front of the Trevi Fountain that because of the corona restrictions, they had to cancel their (expensive) wedding this year. The event was sponsored by the ‘marriage industry’. #rome pic.twitter.com/TYs1Yhzdbh

— Ewout Kieckens (@ewoutkieckens) July 7, 2020

Feature image: Unsplash

The Nigerian wedding industry is massive. Couples typically spend big bucks to make sure their special day is perfect. However, the COVID-19 pandemic could cause a loss of millions, and leave small businesses with no way to support themselves.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, and the wedding industry contributes greatly to this. Using statistics from 2017, a report from TNS Global suggests that the industry could be worth as much as $17 million.

“The Nigerian events industry is estimated to be among the most extravagant in the world. According to TNS Global, 17 million dollars was spent on parties in Lagos over a five months period in 2013. Statistics have it that an average Nigerian company or middle-class family spends over 15,000 dollars per event,” said Professor Okoli Fidelis Chukwuma.

 

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All boo’d up ❤! AhoufeBride @m0cha_17 Makeup: @stmmagicalcreations Hair: @c.c_hairways Dress: @ladybeellionaire Bouquet : @rentadress_nostress Photography : @lexisweddings Videographer: @grandepicfilms Planner: @stmmagicalcreations Decor: @alexeventss Cake: @elsies.bakehouse Cocktail and chops: @koksy_foods #ahoufebridal  #BlackDadsMatter  #buytheblock #blackwallstreet #blacklove #blackcommunity #blackings #blackqueens #blackinfluencers #blackculture #blackwealth #blackhealth #blackunity #blackmen #weddingday #bellanaijaweddings #melanin #bridalinspiration #NigerianWedding #protectourblackmen #raisingkings #blackfamily #blackmagic #blackexcellence #allblackeverythang #allblackeverything #usorelse #blacklivesmatter #weddingsonpoint #LuxuryWeddings

A post shared by Ahoufe Bridal ® (@ahoufebridal) on Jun 23, 2020 at 8:37pm PDT

According to Nairametrics, weddings can cost anywhere between half a million Naira (R22 263) to over 100 million Naira (R4 452 766) depending on the financial background of each couple. These events are typically massive, with hundreds of guests in attendance.

 

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Dami & Izoyare #lavida20 ? Planner – @sculptorsevents. Photography- @ejikemanny #NigerianWedding #YorubaWedding

A post shared by NIGERIAN WEDDING (@nigerianwedding) on Jul 6, 2020 at 11:54am PDT

With the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this industry has essentially been halted. Large public gatherings are currently not allowed, forcing many couples to tie the knot online through video conferencing platforms.

Those who do continue with in-person weddings have minimised their big days considerably. CEO of event management firm Unik Ushering Agency, Aderonke Adebamibola told Naiametrics that business has slowed down as a result.

“Now, we even have to convince them to use one or two ushers for their events because they believe they don’t need ushers for 20 or 30 guests. Caterers cannot even cook a half bag of rice now because of the number of guests. This means that they are also paid less for their services, even if they expend the same energy and time” said Adebamibola to Nairametrics.

Nigeria has 29 286 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 11 828 recovered and 654 deaths.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of the wedding industry, and many will struggle to fit the new normal.

Feature image: Unsplash