As the festive wedding season envelops India, celebrity couple Swara Bhaskar and Fahad Ahmad have offered a refreshingly practical and heartfelt guide for soon-to-be-weds. Moving beyond the glamour, their advice focuses on financial prudence, genuine celebration, and laying a solid foundation for married life.
The Golden Rules: Budget, Friends, and Fun
In a recent candid conversation, the duo reflected on their own wedding experience. Swara Bhaskar's primary piece of advice was straightforward: "Kharcha mat karo" (Don't spend too much). She emphasized that while having friends present and enjoying a party is essential, couples should avoid going overboard with expenses. Her husband, Fahad Ahmad, echoed the sentiment of prioritizing experience over extravagance, advising, "Accha time spend karo, ghoomne jao, ek doosre ko explore karo, travel karo" (Spend quality time, go out, explore each other, travel).
Fahad humorously admitted that they "did a lot of stupid things," highlighting that the real focus should be on creating meaningful memories together rather than perfecting every single wedding detail.
Practical Must-Dos: From Photography to Family Planning
Swara Bhaskar shared specific, actionable tips based on their learnings. A significant one involved hiring an excellent wedding photographer. She revealed a relatable mishap: despite hiring photographers whose work their friends loved, their own candid shots "came out horribly."
For the social media-savvy generation, she had clear advice: "If you are into those wedding reels on Instagram, give your phone to a digital marketing manager and enjoy your wedding." She stressed that attempting to manage content oneself is impractical and recommended delegating the duty to a specific person to truly be present on the big day.
Looking beyond the wedding festivities, Swara highlighted crucial marital foundations. She advised couples to allow 1-2 years after marriage to understand their relationship dynamics, even if they have dated for years. Furthermore, she encouraged open discussions about family planning at an early stage to ensure both partners are aligned.
Expert Insight: Building a Healthy Mindset for Marriage
Psychologists support the couple's emphasis on authenticity. Rima Bhandekar, Senior Psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, warned against linking self-worth to external metrics like lavish wedding packages or social media virality. She explained that this can lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and a fragile sense of identity.
"Quit measuring yourself in the moment through someone else's parameters of success; this is your life journey point, and focus on creating memories on your terms," Bhandekar advised. She recommended fostering a support circle that celebrates uniqueness and practicing self-compassion when plans go awry.
Adding to this, Gurleen Baruah, organisational psychologist and coach at That Culture Thing, emphasized the role of communication and shared values in maintaining a strong marriage while navigating family relationships. "Encouraging open dialogue about childhood experiences within the marital relationship can deepen understanding and empathy," she told indianexpress.com. Recognizing behavioral patterns from the past can help couples manage conflicts more effectively and build emotional solidarity.
The combined wisdom from Swara Bhaskar, Fahad Ahmad, and relationship experts provides a holistic blueprint for modern couples. It champions a balanced approach—celebrating joy with loved ones, investing in experiences over show, and consciously building a resilient partnership for the years beyond the wedding day.