AZE.US
Engagement parties, henna nights, matchmaking ceremonies, holiday gifts and other traditions held before a wedding are placing a growing financial burden on families in Azerbaijan.
Total pre-wedding expenses can range from 10,000 to 25,000 manats, and in some cases may exceed the cost of the wedding itself.
As AZE.US reports, many families continue to view engagement ceremonies, henna nights and other gatherings as an essential part of marriage preparations. Others, faced with rising prices, are choosing to combine events, reduce the number of guests or abandon some traditions altogether.
People interviewed for the report said families often take out loans to organize lavish celebrations and then struggle to repay the debt.
“The purpose is to celebrate two people starting a family together,” one respondent said. “These are our traditions, but some of the ceremonies have become excessive. A person should not be unable to marry simply because they cannot afford an expensive celebration.”
Costs Accumulate Throughout the Engagement
The financial burden is not limited to the engagement party or henna night.
During the period between the formal introduction of the families and the wedding, expenses may include gifts for Novruz, International Women’s Day, birthdays and other holidays. Families may also pay for clothing, jewelry, food, entertainment and repeated visits between relatives.
A basic wedding in Azerbaijan is currently estimated to cost around 15,000 to 20,000 manats.
However, when an engagement lasts for about a year, the combined cost of all events and gifts before the wedding can reach a similar amount.
Some residents said combining the engagement, henna night and wedding into fewer events would help families avoid unnecessary expenses and debt.
Engagement Party for 100 Guests Can Cost Thousands
In recent years, engagement parties, matchmaking ceremonies and henna nights have increasingly moved from family homes to restaurants and banquet halls.
One restaurant in Baku said its menus start at 65 manats per guest, with other options priced at 70, 80 and 90 manats. A 10% service charge is added to the final bill.
For an engagement party with 100 guests, the food alone could therefore cost between 6,500 and 9,000 manats, before the service fee and other expenses are included.
The price of hiring a singer starts at around 500 manats, while basic decorations may cost about 250 manats.
A small musical ensemble can cost between 1,800 and 2,000 manats. Drone filming or professional video equipment may add another 1,200 to 2,000 manats to the bill.
Families Borrow to Create an Image of Luxury
Sociologist Naib Niftaliyev said the growing number of pre-wedding ceremonies encourages wasteful spending and competition between families.
According to him, some families borrow money simply to organize a more luxurious event and impress relatives, friends and neighbors.
“The beauty of a wedding lies in simplicity and in avoiding unnecessary expenses,” Niftaliyev said. “The preference among many young people for simpler ceremonies is understandable and is also in society’s interest.”
Average estimates suggest that when about a year passes between the families’ first formal meeting and the wedding, total spending on the engagement, henna night, holidays, birthdays and other family events can reach 10,000 to 25,000 manats.
As a result, preparing for marriage is no longer limited to a single wedding day. For many families, it has become a months-long financial commitment that can create debt, stress and conflict before married life has even begun.
AZE.US