Indian couple sends wedding cards with QR code for guests to transfer money

As the world continues to adjust to the new normal of social distancing and no contact, a couple in Madurai printed QR codes on its wedding invite so the guests could transfer cash gifts directly into its accounts, reported The News Minute.

According to the news website, the culture of giving cash gifts or "moi" to the hosts of any function is prevalent in Tamil Nadu.

Guests invited to Siva Sankari and Saravanan's wedding had the option to send them monetary gifts by scanning the Google Pay or PhonePe QR code printed on their wedding invites, instead of gifting cash in envelopes as is the norm.

It was the bride — a program analyst in Bengaluru — who thought of the idea of printing QR codes on the invites, reported The Hindu.

"About 30 persons had used the QR code facility and gave cash as their wedding present," TJ Jeyanthi, the bride's mother, was quoted as saying. Jeyanthi, who runs a beauty parlor in Madurai, added, "This is the first time such a thing has been attempted in our family."

The move also helped relatives who could not attend the function send gifts to the couple.

The wedding industry has seen various innovations and changes ever since the coronavirus pandemic restricted the number of people who could meet at one place. The pandemic gave rise to the culture of 'Zoom weddings' — with a number of couples opting for virtual ceremonies over huge gatherings.