Marriage expenses in Andhra Pradesh hit the roof, all thanks to GST

The already high marriage expenses in the State hit the roof due to the GST imposed on various wedding services like hall booking, tent booking, confectionery services, photography and many more.
Image used for representational purpose.
Image used for representational purpose.

VIJAYAWADA: The already high marriage expenses in the State hit the roof due to the GST imposed on various wedding services like hall booking, tent booking, confectionery services, photography and many more.

There is 10-15 per cent increase in marriage expense, according to professionals in the marriage industry.
November is the month of weddings in Andhra Pradesh as there is no “auspicious days” until February-March after the month. Harish Krishna, who married last week, says he had to spend Rs 2 lakh due to GST imposed on various marriage services.

“The cost of everything has been increased with the implementation of GST. For convention halls, the GST is 28 per cent, for food services it is 18 per cent. Almost everything related to marriage is now under the GST ambit. I think, I have spent Rs 2 lakh extra.”

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10 to 15 per cent
Increase in the marriage expenses due to Goods and Services Tax (GST)

18 to 28 per cent
GST rate on most of the marriage services

Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore
Average cost of a marriage in the State

Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh
Rental cost AC function hall (28% GST extra)
Impact on wedding services like marriage hall booking, tent booking, confectionery services, and photography

Wedding services like marriage hall booking, tent booking, catering services, decorating and photography are under the 18 per cent luxury tax category. The estimated cost of a wedding with no expenses spared could be between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore in the State.

“The cost of marriage shopping, tent booking, food services are higher due to GST. The GST rate on most of these services is from 18 to 28 per cent. As majority of them didn’t have registered bills before GST, the tariffs were quite low. But post GST, everyone is  subjected to maintain bills, adding more burden on the customers,” said N Ganesh, proprietor of Ganesh caterers.

Booking a convention hall post GST has become a costly affair for the common people. Majority of the AC convention centres are being taxed as high as 28 per cent.

Usually the prices of the convention centres are quite high in Vijayawada compared to other cities.
The rental of an AC function hall in Vijayawada costs Rs 75,000-Rs 1.5 lakh. Some corporate and major convention centres are charging upto Rs 5 lakh. On top of these tariffs, the 28 per cent GST is adding more burden on customers.  

From the transporters to vegetable vendors, every marriage services are now under the GST ambit.
However, a few marriage services have been exempted from the GST ambit. Shehnai and purohit services are a few such services are the examples.   

Meanwhile, the 18 per cent GST on flower decorators and catering services is burning a hole in customers’ pocket.

Average cost of many wedding services like shopping, tent booking, food services is higher due to GST

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