In Kazakhstan, it has become increasingly common for individuals to take out loans to finance their weddings, leading to a growing debt burden. With each passing year, the cost of weddings continues to rise, putting couples and their families under financial strain. Daryo correspondent in Kazakhstan has collected real stories from people highlighting this issue.
Askhad and Zarina have been married for over a year, but they are still struggling to pay off the loans they took out for their wedding. To make matters worse, their parents, as well as Askhad's siblings, are also in debt due to the celebration. Each family member had to take out loans individually to afford the extravagant event.
Askhad comes from a large family with five children. He explains that his older brother initially didn't want a wedding and his fiancée supported his decision. However, their parents had a different perspective.
"Our family decided to organize the celebration not because we were extravagant or wealthy, but because it would have been considered shameful not to. Going against our parents' wishes was not an option, so we had to go through with it. My brother and I were aware of the financial burden, but organizing the celebration was not the difficult part—it's the long-term debt repayment. Our family has already taken out millions of dollars in loans three times. Soon, the younger siblings will come of age. My sister turns 19 this year, and we might have to take out another loan," shares Askhad.
Askhad himself borrowed $6,700 for the wedding, while his siblings contributed $900 each. The parents also added to the total amount, resulting in approximately $13,500 in debt. According to Askhad, this amount could have been used to purchase a used car or invest in real estate.
"There are currently affordable mortgage options available with a down payment. It would have been possible to buy an apartment on credit. Unfortunately, the importance of holding a grand celebration overshadowed other possibilities. Parents feel obliged to invite all relatives, friends, and neighbors. The groom is also expected to pay a 'kalym' (ransom), which further adds to the expenses. My older brother paid $3,300, and I paid around $4,500," explains Askhad.
Interestingly, brides in Kazakhstan also have their own celebrations known as "kudalyk" (matchmaking). These events are equally expensive, as the bride's side is required to rent a restaurant and serve lavish dishes. As a result, both sides involved in the wedding suffer financial burdens.
Galym shares another story of his older sister's wedding. In addition to the main celebration, a separate matchmaking event needed to be organized by the bride's family. This required renting a restaurant and serving gourmet dishes, resulting in substantial expenses. Galym's parents had average incomes, and they couldn't bear the entire financial burden.
"My sister took out a loan of approximately $8,000. My parents and I also contributed a little, but most of the expenses fell on my sister. I helped as much as I could by utilizing my connections in the TV and radio industry. I managed to find musicians, a toastmaster, a photographer, and a videographer who didn't charge me upfront but expected me to repay them later," shares Galym.
However, Nariman and Zhibek have decided against organizing a grand celebration for their wedding. Despite being together for over seven years, they believe that it is not financially worthwhile.
"To be honest, I would love to have a wedding, but not at the expense of taking on credit. Spending several million dollars on a celebration doesn't seem worth it to me. Ultimately, it's just about guests coming, eating, and leaving. Meanwhile, my family and I would be burdened with debt. Why should we put ourselves in that situation?" argues Zhibek.
Indeed, in Kazakhstan, weddings are either financed through loans or by individuals with high incomes. Nariman believes that it is more sensible to utilize the money that would have been spent on a lavish wedding for more practical purposes. He suggests that couples can still have a wedding and a traditional celebration for close family members without resorting to extravagant expenses on venues, limousines, and entertainment.
"You can simply sign the marriage documents and continue building a family. I believe it is possible to have both a wedding and a 'kudalyk' for immediate family members. By saving money, you can go on a trip, buy a car, invest in an apartment, or start a business," advises Nariman.
All names of the individuals mentioned in this article have been changed to protect their privacy.
Talgat Satybaldy, Astana
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