The coronavirus pandemic has turned a medical necessity into a wedding must-have. Several weddings had been pushed back in the initial days, but now people are gearing up to get married, albeit with adjustments to accommodate social distancing measures and basic safety protocols. And, keeping up with the demand, bridal boutiques and traditional stores have started making masks to match the trousseau in quality, colour and elegance.
Adi Mohini Mohan Kanjilal, famous for Benarasi saris, have several varieties ready for would-be brides to pick from. “Brides want to look pretty when they get married and the pictures stay with them forever. We have masks made of different lace fabrics, floral fabrics and even those made with the fabric of Benarasi saris to go with the attire on the wedding day,” said the manager at their College Street outlet.
Designer Mehek Chopra has also conceptualized several designs for masks that can be used at weddings.
“How long can people postpone their weddings? In fact, many couples want to get married during this window because they feel the cases may rise in the coming months. Since masks are mandatory when we are outdoors, they have become a must-have for brides. We have come up with several elegant designs so that they do not stick out among the gorgeous clothes and mingle well with the rest of the wedding attire,” said Chopra, who has her boutique on Convent Road.
Not only for the bride, masks are also being made for her sisters, cousins and other women in the family who also have elaborate attire planned for the event. “We even have masks which have “girls’ side” and “boys’ side” embroidered on them just for the sake of fun,” said Chopra.
According to the guidelines of the state government, no more than 50 people can attend a wedding. Planners have been carefully incorporating social-distancing measures, PPE usage, sanitizers and masks into the entire party. “The entire service staff has to wear protective gear and surfaces must be sanitized regularly,” said a wedding planner in the city.
The grooms, too, seem to have reconciled to the alteration in their wedding clothes.
‘It was definitely odd, but we had to do it for our safety and that of the others,” said Kishan Ojha, a resident of Posta who got married during the lockdown. “We have a good laugh whenever we look through our wedding album now,” he added.
The wedding vows proclaim that the spouses must be with each other even in times of adversity, and bridal masks in this time of coronavirus have become a symbol of that promise.
Source:Times of India
