This gradual shift has given rise to the modern wedding economy. Globalisation brought with it a whole new batch of wedding traditions.

The excitement of creating a first home is often accompanied by a long list of decisions: where the sofa should go, whether the dining table will fit, how much storage is actually needed, and whether that beautiful piece seen online will work in everyday life.

But increasingly, couples are choosing colours that reflect their own tastes. Sage, deep teal, powder blue, blush pink and champagne are finding their way into wedding wardrobes and décor, while richer shades such as emerald, midnight blue, burgundy and mustard offer another alternative.

A wedding under the open sky has its own rhythm. Daylight brings out the colours of flowers and festive clothes; evening lighting changes the mood as families gather for dinner, photographs and conversation.

A ballroom may suit a formal reception, while a familiar community centre makes room for a large extended family. A restaurant can give an intimate akhd the warmth of a shared meal. Each offers a different way to celebrate, and the choice begins with understanding the gathering itself.

At a Bangladeshi wedding, you do not usually need to be told to bring a gift. You do that even if you are told the opposite.

From the bedroom to the dining table, furniture chosen at the beginning of married life often becomes part of the everyday memories that follow.

The wedding is over. The clothes are back in the wardrobe, the last of the celebrations have wound down and there is finally time to think about the first trip as a newly married couple.