How a 400-Guest Bhubaneswar Wedding Cut Plastic Without Cutting Tradition

On the morning of her wedding, Suchita Pati stood in the centre of a decorated hall in Bhubaneswar and took a slow look around. White rajnigandha (tuberose) garlands hung from bamboo frames. Marigolds added soft bursts of yellow. Earthen vases rested beside woven baskets. Banana trees framed the entrance. For a moment, she felt at ease. She had always imagined getting married under an open sky, surrounded by greenery. Winter chill and unpredictable weather, along with rituals that began at 5 or 6 am, made it impractical. So she chose a different route. She brought the outdoors inside. “My h...