In the heart of Delhi, amidst the pulsating beats of the dhol and the vibrant swirl of lehengas, a peculiar celebration unfolds. It’s styled like a wedding, complete with all the trappings of a traditional Indian shaadi, except there’s no bride or groom. Welcome to the world of fake weddings, a growing party trend sweeping across India’s metro cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and even Kolkata.
These events, hosted in venues ranging from rooftop bars to five-star hotels, offer guests the chance to enjoy the pageantry of a wedding minus the emotional commitments or family complexities. For a ticket price between ₹500 and ₹3,000, attendees dress in ethnic attire, participate in mock ceremonies, and dance the night away, capturing Instagram-worthy moments under hashtags like #ShaadiForTheVibe.
Picture a grand hall adorned with marigold garlands and twinkling lights, the air filled with the aroma of spicy chaat and syrupy jalebis. Guests, draped in silks and jewels, rehearse their sangeet dance routines or pose at decorated selfie booths. At the centre stands a mock mandap, where a faux pandit prepares to conduct a pretend ceremony. It’s a scene straight out of a Bollywood film, but without an actual couple tying the knot. This spectacle, while dazzling, raises an important question: is this trend a harmless celebration of Indian culture or a trivialisation of its sacred traditions?
To understand the weight of this question, one must first appreciate the deep cultural significance of weddings in India. These are far more than social gatherings; they are rooted in religious and spiritual practices passed down through generations. In Hinduism, for instance, the wedding ceremony, vivaah, is among the most important samskaras (rites of passage). Rituals like Kanyadaan (the giving away of the bride), Saptapadi (the seven steps around the fire), and the tying of the Mangalsutra are not symbolic gestures alone, they embody trust, commitment, spiritual bonding, and family unity.
Beyond Hinduism, Indian weddings across other faiths, Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Jain, carry similar emotional and communal weight. As wedding planner Sonal J. Shah explains, “Indian weddings are a blend of family traditions and cultural nuances, binding couples and their families for eternity” (Brides.com). The Indian wedding industry is estimated at over $31 billion annually, highlighting the scale and value attached to these traditions (Wikipedia).
In contrast, fake weddings strip these sacred rituals of their meaning, turning them into entertainment elements. The mock varmala loses its symbolism of mutual acceptance. The pretend pandit, chanting mantras for a non-existent couple, risks becoming a caricature of a spiritual guide. Even the Saptapadi, a deeply symbolic act of lifelong partnership, becomes a mere performance without real commitment.
This commodification of rituals has drawn criticism from cultural purists. On social media, dissenting voices are rising. One Instagram user wrote, “It’s absolutely wrong… we ourselves are making fun of our rituals.” Another said, “This is insane… I would never attend this”. These reactions reflect a wider concern: that sacred traditions are being reduced to decorative backdrops for parties.
The popularity of fake weddings also mirrors a deeper cultural tension between tradition and modernity. In an age of social media and consumerism, aesthetic appeal often overshadows substance. These events cater to a generation that loves the festive energy of weddings but avoids the emotional and familial responsibilities that come with them. As one X user put it, “Pay ₹1499 and attend a fake wedding. No dulha, no rishtedaar, just vibes and Instagram-worthy pictures. Wild concept!”.
Cultural scholars warn that when traditions are removed from their original context, they risk turning into hollow imitations. Amitav Chatterjee, writing on the commercialization of festivals, observes that consumerism has “hijacked the cultural ethos,” replacing shared values with displays of purchasing power. The parallels with fake weddings are clear: sacred institutions turned into products, sold as entertainment.
Supporters of the trend, particularly among Gen Z, offer a different perspective. They see fake weddings as creative expressions, ways to enjoy Indian culture without the pressure of a real marriage. Ayaan Vaid, co-founder of event company Jumma, says, “Everyone loves weddings, dressing up, and Bollywood music, so I knew it would work”. For many young people, especially those postponing or rejecting marriage altogether, fake weddings offer an inclusive way to participate in festive traditions, even without a personal wedding to attend.
However, this view may miss the long-term cultural consequences. Performing sacred rituals out of context can dilute their meaning. For example, the Saptapadi is not just a walk around a fire, it is a vow of mutual responsibility. Repeating such rituals without real intent may lead to superficial cultural engagement, where the beauty of tradition is celebrated, but its depth is forgotten. Moreover, as event companies turn rituals into ticketed experiences, there is a risk of exploiting culture for profit rather than preserving its soul.
The trend could also shape public perceptions of marriage itself. If weddings are increasingly seen as mere spectacles, the institution of marriage may be trivialised. In India, where marriage forms a vital pillar of society, such a shift could affect values across generations. When appearances begin to overshadow emotional and spiritual bonds, the very essence of marriage may be lost.
Interestingly, this phenomenon is not limited to India. Students at Cornell University in the US recently hosted a two-day fake wedding, suggesting the trend’s global resonance. But in India, where wedding rituals are intertwined with identity and spirituality, the implications are more profound.
As Jessica Kosasih notes, while commercialization may offer economic benefits, it risks simplifying culture into a “transaction or staged performance,” especially when traditions are used without understanding or respect.
