Which words pop up in your mind when you think of Indian weddings? Extravagant or lavish. Perhaps traditional, intricately ritualistic and long winding. Certainly not phrases like gender equal, zero-plastic, environmentally sustainable or waste-free. These are the last phrases one would associate with a big fat shaadi. However, newlywed Dia Mirza shows us how it’s done. The actor-producer and responsible star tied the knot with her beau Vaibhav Rekhi in a woke wedding that smashed patriarchy and respected nature. There was no Kanyadaan or Bidaai here.
The UN Environment Goodwill ambassador practices what she preaches. The intimate nuptials took place in her garden lawn in Mumbai. “It is high time we stop blindly following traditions and make new ones which align with the current day and age. When a woman and man (join) in wedlock, it should only be about their love and friendship and not about the rules,” Dia wrote on Instagram. Read on to know why we are beaming ear-to-ear for this celebrity couple.
Woke wedding
The progressive shaadi was a traditional one albeit with the difference. Not only did Rekhi’s daughter from his first marriage, Samaira, escort Dia down the aisle, his ex-wife Sunaina sent her good wishes. She went on to post a congratulatory video on social media where she expressed how happy she was for Samaira since she will “have more family”.
Sunaina says in her video: “I saw some videos where she (Samaira) was throwing flowers. It’s a really nice extension for her. We don’t have any family in Bombay, so it’s nice that she has more family. It’s always nice to create more expansion in your lives. Also, I want to take this opportunity to say that it is so important for a child to see love in their lives.” There is no room for resentment in this dynamic. It appears to be one of acceptance and respect.
Wedding priestess
