India, Sept. 6 -- Digital messaging platforms have largely replaced traditional in-person visits, transforming how families extend momentous event invitations.

It's the wedding season again, and it brings to mind the way invitations have changed. Time was when a wedding was the moment one remembered old friends and neighbours and warmly invited them to be part of a momentous occasion for a family. While I enjoy being part of it, I am not advocating that every family throw a big fat Indian wedding. If they can afford it and want their friends to have a good time, why not? Increasingly, guest lists are curated on narrower lines and I understand the lists have to be drastically trimmed when the gatherings are smaller. But sometimes being ex...