Article: The new trend of intimate weddings in Tunisia
In Tunisian society, weddings are traditionally a grandiose event, celebrated with great pomp and often bringing together many people. However, with the economic crisis hitting the country, many couples are now turning to more intimate and economically more affordable weddings.
Tradition and modernity meet at Tunisian weddings, where ancestral rites and customs are often mixed with more contemporary elements. However, economic reality is pushing more and more couples to review their budgets and adapt their wedding expectations.
In the Ariana district, north of Tunis, Manel’s family is celebrating preparations for his wedding. Manel, dressed in traditional attire typical of her region of origin, confides the importance for her of preserving the traditions and culture of her family. His father, Jamel Belhaj Fradj, a construction contractor, testifies to the family support that exists in their family circle during weddings.
But despite this desire to preserve traditions, many couples face increasing financial constraints. Inès Mnirsi, resident of Zaghouan, opted for a more intimate and economical party with her close entourage before her wedding. It highlights the importance of the hammam, a moment of contemplation where the bride can relax and prepare for the big day. However, the cost of the hammam and other wedding-related festivities may be excessive for some families.
Maha Boulai, 29-year-old designer, and Ayoub Hidoussi, producer, decided to rethink their wedding budget to avoid going into debt and highlight the social pressure to appear. They also faced rising furniture prices, even when purchasing them a year in advance.
Faced with these economic constraints, more and more Tunisian couples are opting for more intimate weddings, reducing costs and focusing on the essentials. A new trend which reflects the evolution of expectations and economic realities of Tunisian society.
This change in mentality is also reflected in a significant drop in the number of marriages in Tunisia in recent years. In fact, the average cost of a wedding is around 10,000 euros, which can be a considerable sum for many families.
Thus, the economic crisis has forced Tunisians to reevaluate their priorities and opt for more modest weddings. However, this evolution does not mean the disappearance of traditions and customs, but rather their adaptation to a new economic reality.
In conclusion, weddings in Tunisia are moving from grandiose events to more intimate celebrations, with the aim of easing financial burdens.. However, this does not mean the end of traditions, but rather a reinvention of them to adapt to the economic reality of the country. Tunisian couples thus manage to reconcile tradition and modernity while respecting their budgetary constraints.