Business
From Revival Weaves To Cinematic Edits, How Big, Fat Indian Weddings Are Getting Bigger
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Families are spending more selectively this season on fashion, jewellery, photography and other essentials.
People now prefer curated weddings over very expensive ones. (representative image)
The beginning of the festive season in the winter naturally witnesses a rise in weddings across different states in India. This boom of marriages doesn’t just establish bonds but also has a major influence on India’s economy, affecting household spending, consumer practices and the health of the market.
Retailers and service providers tend to have a tab on the roots of the wedding economy, noticing distinct consumption patterns. It is understood that families are spending more selectively this season on fashion, jewellery, photography and other essentials. Even as the scale of the celebrations varies depending on the income status, the common theme is consumers prioritising authenticity, quality and personalisation.
According to Darshan Dudhoria, CEO of Indian Silk House Agencies, their 52-year-old legacy saree retail chain has seen consumers tilting towards handcrafted festive fashion this winter. Dudhoria says the ongoing wedding boom has signalled rising demand for authentic silks across tier-2 and tier-3 cities. “Premium ethnic wear, revival weaves, and sustainable festive fashion are shaping consumption this season,” he said, as quoted by CNBC TV18.
Couples Prioritising Photos, Videography
Founders of Vintage Films, Rakesh Bajaj and Jyoti Bajaj, highlighted another trend that is intrinsic to the wedding boom at hand. They say brides and grooms in India are doubling down their attention on photography and videography, with urban weddings witnessing a major upward trend in expenses incurred for them.
“In the last few years, couples have started prioritising photography and videography far more seriously… the earlier 3–4% allotment has now grown to around 7–10% in many urban weddings,” they noted.
The glittery wedding videos, the multi-day advanced coverage and near cinematic edits we scroll through on our social media timelines are now seen as an important investment to create and preserve memories by consumers.
“Yes, we’ve seen a clear shift in the last few years—couples are consciously allocating a larger share of their wedding budget toward photography and videography… décor fades, outfits get packed away, but the visual narrative of the celebration becomes their lifelong keepsake,” said Vaibhaav Singvi, Creative Director and Founder of The Movie’ing Moments.
While redirecting budgets towards filming and editing of the wedding content, couples are still saving money through e-cards, minimal décor and combined photography teams in what has emerged as a balancing tactic to take care of both emotional and financial needs.
Curated Weddings, The Preferred Way
“In the last few years, there’s been a quiet but unmistakable shift in how couples think about their weddings… couples are now investing in elements that shape how a guest moves, feels, and connects with the celebration—thoughtfully designed walk-ins, layered transitions, interactive installations, and pockets of personal storytelling,” said Jai Sharma, Founder of Envelop.
Allocating a major portion of the wedding budget on immersive design is reflective of a behaviour pivot among a generation that now desires ceremonies built mainly around their emotion and personal storytelling and doesn’t like spending big on all things.
A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al…Read More
A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al… Read More
November 30, 2025, 12:00 IST
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Business
Zipcar to end UK operations affecting 650,000 drivers
Car-sharing firm Zipcar has confirmed it is stopping operations in the UK after launching a consultation late last year.
The move will hit the company’s roughly 650,000 drivers across the country.
On December 1, the US-based company told customers in the UK that it planned to suspend new bookings temporarily at the turn of the year.
The business, which had 71 UK employees at the end of 2024, launched a formal consultation with staff as a result.
On Friday, in a fresh email to customers, the business said it “can now confirm that Zipcar will cease operating in the UK”.
The company added: “In accordance with clause 7.5 of the member terms, please take this as your written notice that we will formally close your account in 30 days’ time.
“It’s not possible to make any new bookings with Zipcar UK at this time, but your account will remain open until February 16.”
It added that customers will be entitled to a pro-rated refund for any remaining periods on current plans or subscriptions, from the start of 2026.
Zipcar said this will be done automatically and will not require any action from users.
Accounts showed that the van and car hire firm saw losses deepen to £5.7 million in 2024 after a decrease in customer trips.
Business
Budget 2026: Will Markets Be Open On February 1? Full Details Inside
New Delhi: Good news for investors and market watchers! Even though February 1 falls on a Sunday this year, the Indian stock markets will remain open for trading on Budget Day. Both the BSE and NSE announced on January 16 that trading will take place as per normal market hours on February 1 for Budget 2026. This special arrangement ensures that investors can react to Budget announcements in real time, without waiting for the next trading session.
The NSE clarified the special trading arrangement in a circular, stating, “On account of the presentation of the Union Budget, members are requested to note that Exchange shall be conducting live trading session on February 01, 2026, as per the standard market timings (9:15 am-3:30 pm),” said NSE in a circular.
Union Budget 2026 to be presented on February 1 at 11 am
The Union Budget for 2026 will be presented at 11 am on Sunday, February 1, the Lok Sabha Speaker confirmed on January 12. In recent years, February 1 has become the fixed date for the annual Budget presentation, a trend that continued with the 2025 Budget as well. The upcoming Budget will also be a significant milestone for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as it will be her ninth consecutive Union Budget, placing her among finance ministers with the longest uninterrupted Budget tenures.
Trading details for Budget Day explained
While most core market segments will remain open during regular trading hours on Budget Day, some services will stay shut. The BSE has clarified that the T+0 settlement session and the auction session meant for settlement defaults will not be operational. At the same time, the NSE confirmed that trading in capital markets and derivatives will continue as usual.
Stock market holiday list remains the same
The stock market holiday calendar for 2026 remains unchanged, with Indian exchanges observing 16 public holidays apart from weekends. The next scheduled market closure this month will be on January 26. In the first half of the year, markets will remain shut on key occasions such as Holi (March 3), Ram Navami (March 26), Mahavir Jayanti (March 31) and Good Friday (April 3). Trading will also be suspended on Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14), Maharashtra Day (May 1) and Bakri Id (May 28).
In the second half of the year, markets will close on Muharram (June 26), Ganesh Chaturthi (September 14), Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), Dussehra (October 20), Diwali Balipratipada (November 10) and Guru Nanak Jayanti (November 24). Christmas, on December 25, will be the final market holiday of 2026.
Business
What Are Bulk And Block Deals? Here’s How They Can Change A Stock’s Price Overnight
Last Updated:
While bulk deals may reflect emerging interest in a stock, block deals are usually pre-planned and involve large institutional investors
Market experts say tracking bulk and block deals can offer useful insights into the actions of large investors and institutions. (Representational Photo)
Investors tracking stock market movements often come across terms such as ‘bulk deal’ and ‘block deal’ in daily trading updates. At times, a sharp rise or fall in a stock price can be traced back to these large transactions. Understanding what these deals mean, how they differ, and why they matter can help investors make better sense of market activity.
Bulk Deal
A bulk deal occurs when an investor or institution buys or sells 0.5% or more of a company’s total equity shares in a single trading day. Such transactions take place during normal market hours and are disclosed by the stock exchanges after the market closes.
Bulk deals can have an immediate impact on a stock’s price, as heavy buying or selling often signals strong interest or exit by a large investor. Retail investors sometimes view bulk purchases by institutional players as a vote of confidence in the company.
Block Deal
A block deal is executed through a special trading window provided by the stock exchanges. To qualify as a block deal, the transaction must involve at least 5 lakh shares or be valued at more than Rs 5 crore. These deals are carried out during a specific time slot known as the block deal window, and both the buyer and seller are identified beforehand.
The main objective is to facilitate large transactions without causing excessive volatility in the open market. Unlike bulk deals, block deals are reported to the exchanges immediately.
Differences Between Bulk and Block Deals
Bulk deals are executed during regular trading hours and typically involve relatively smaller quantities compared to block deals. They are disclosed at the end of the trading session. Block deals, on the other hand, are meant for very large transactions, take place in a designated time window, and are reported in real time.
While bulk deals may reflect emerging interest in a stock, block deals are usually pre-planned and involve large institutional investors.
Types of Deals in the Stock Market
There are broadly four types of transactions in the equity market. Regular trading deals involve routine buying and selling by investors on the exchange. Bulk deals refer to large trades crossing the 0.5% threshold of a company’s equity in a day. Block deals are high-value or high-volume transactions conducted through a special window.
Off-market deals involve the transfer of shares outside the exchange platform, such as inter-promoter transfers or strategic stake sales.
What Should Investors Keep in Mind?
Market experts say tracking bulk and block deals can offer useful insights into the actions of large investors and institutions. However, they caution against making investment decisions based solely on these transactions. Investors are advised to also consider a company’s fundamentals, financial performance, management quality and long-term growth prospects.
January 16, 2026, 20:26 IST
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