Indian families scale back on gold for weddings as prices hover near highs

From lighter jewelry to postponed nuptials, consumers adapt to soaring costs

A customer holds a gold necklace inside a jewelry store in New Delhi on May 11. Gold has been central to Indian weddings and festivals for generations as it symbolizes wealth, status and financial security. © Reuters

NEW DELHI -- When Fajar's family members began planning two weddings this year -- one for her sister in August as well as her own a few months later -- they were unexpectedly forced to postpone one of them. The reason was the rising price of gold.