In certain cultures, families sometimes hire matchmakers to help find suitable partners for their children. These matchmakers specialize in connecting families of similar wealth and social status. In some cases, brides’ families may pay large sums, often in the hundreds of thousands (lakhs), to these matchmakers in exchange for their services. The matchmaker’s role is to identify potential matches from affluent families with established businesses.
For example, a woman named Mishka Rana, who is the CEO of a company named Iconify, took to X to allege that the father of a friend paid Rs 3 lakh to a matchmaker to find rishtas from families with businesses that have Rs 200 crore turnover.
A friend’s dad paid 3 lacs as a fee to only get rishtas from families with 200 Cr+ turnover!
Would you
— MISHKA RANA (@RanaMishka) April 26, 2024
Several people responded to this post by claiming that the practice of hiring matchmakers and paying substantial fees is normalized in many communities. Families view it as a traditional and efficient way to ensure compatibility and advantageous unions for their children.
Here’s what some people said to this:
Very normal. This fee is a filter to get crème de la crème.
The matchmaker’s fee is usually 1-2% of the total expense of the marriage.
Example- A wedding costing Rs 1 Crore would get the broker Rs 1-2 lakh easily. This is then adjusted with the initial fee paid.
— Krishna Mishra (@KrishnaSMishra) April 26, 2024
Depends upon what is NET Worth of uncle / how much of it will daughter inherit / or if daughter is worthy of it (beauty, intellect, job , position, medals)
Elites should marry elites there is no harm kis ne to 3 lakh chaapa
— Lord of the Ring (@LordSauronnnnn) April 26, 2024
One of the family member did the same … Paid 2.5L for Rishita from UHNI. It took six months for the girl to find her soul mate. If I don’t go wrong they are happily married for last 6 years and have two kids.
— SM | Million Dollar Minds (@MlnDollarMinds) April 26, 2024
I know about this matchmaking! My neighbour got married due to one such setup. Got married in this super rich family. But they also spent approx 3-4 crores only in the wedding!
— Raksha (@RforRadiant) April 26, 2024
There r many Seema taparai type brokers in market who deal in these types of rishtas.3 lakh is registration fee and after marriage they will take 1-3% of total expenses of marriage as well.
— Mukul Goel (@goelsahabmukul) April 26, 2024
Arrange marriages in big 2024 is so the most tragic thing i have read all week
— Old School (@sweetcapriccio) April 26, 2024
Aise hi thodi na Indian Wedding market size is $75 billion. There are many innovative small businesses emerging out of this sector too. https://t.co/8g9b8eBBSH
— Bhavika Mehta (@BhavikaMehta96) April 26, 2024
What are your views regarding this practice?