Published: 04 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk
When you picture a big fat Indian wedding, what comes to mind? Vibrant lights, sparkling attire, Bollywood tunes, sumptuous feasts, and an atmosphere charged with joy and celebration. The whole event feels larger than life, deeply emotional, and extravagantly festive. Now imagine all that — but without the bride and groom, without traditional rituals like pheras, without family members or tearful goodbyes. Just the celebration, nothing else.
This is the emerging world of “fake weddings,” a rising party trend sweeping through major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. These events, organized by hotels, clubs, and event planners, are designed purely for enjoyment. They promise to deliver the full wedding party experience but without any of the pressures, responsibilities, or rituals tied to an actual marriage. In essence, it’s a wedding-themed party night for young people eager to revel in the drama and excitement of a traditional Indian wedding — minus the formalities.
Over recent weeks, fake weddings have drawn crowds of enthusiastic young attendees who come with friends, dress up in traditional ethnic wear, and dance to Bollywood hits. One such event, a fake sangeet in Delhi held at a luxury club, captured the essence of the trend: women swirling in sequined saris and lehengas, men sporting tailored kurtas, the rhythmic beats of dhol drums leading the dance floor, and even tequila-infused gol gappas adding a twist to classic street snacks.
Attendee Shivangi Sareen described the experience as “amazing,” contrasting it with the usual family weddings where pressures and judgments can feel overwhelming. “Here, it’s just fun, especially because we got to do it all with our friends. We decided on our outfits the day before and got ready together,” she said. Ticket prices vary widely, starting at around 1,500 rupees ($17/£13) and reaching upwards of 15,000 rupees, depending on the venue and the level of extravagance. Shivangi and her friends paid 10,000 rupees per couple and felt it was money well spent. “I wouldn’t mind doing this once a month,” she admitted.
For hosts and organizers, the fake wedding trend is not just about profits but about offering novelty and engagement. Sharad Madan, who hosted the Delhi event, revealed that organizing such parties costs about a million rupees, with the expectation of doubling that in ticket sales. Yet, for him, it’s more about creating a unique experience for patrons craving something fresh.
The idea for fake weddings draws inspiration from Indian diaspora communities abroad, where young people traditionally gather to celebrate cultural roots by dressing in ethnic clothing and dancing to Bollywood music, even without a real wedding taking place. This model has been successfully adopted in India, with recent large-scale events drawing thousands of attendees and sparking interest from other cities such as Jaipur, Kolkata, and Lucknow.
The celebrations also include innovative variations, such as alcohol-free “sober sangeets,” where guests participate in games and enjoy a culturally immersive evening without the distraction of drinks. Anurag Pandey, CEO of Bengaluru-based Third Place, emphasized that such events strive to go beyond typical party scenes to genuinely showcase the spirit of Indian weddings.
Cultural commentators suggest that fake weddings resonate with younger generations’ yearning for joyful occasions and meaningful celebrations without traditional burdens. Writer Santosh Desai noted, “People need a hook of some kind — an occasion to celebrate. And there’s no better setting than a wedding, which brings together all the elements of fun.” These events also allow participants to wear expensive wedding outfits again, bringing new life to cherished attire.
While some industry experts view fake weddings as a current fad, they acknowledge the potential for these events to become a significant new segment in India’s massive $130 billion wedding industry. With the traditional wedding season concentrated in cooler months and auspicious timings, fake weddings could fill off-season gaps, keeping venues busy and vendors employed year-round.
Not everyone is enamored with the trend, however. Some critics argue that these events risk trivializing sacred cultural practices and traditions. But attendees like Vidhi Kapoor, who participated in a fake sangeet in Delhi, urge a lighter perspective. “It might have been offensive if people were asked to dress as bride or groom, but here it’s just a party. We should take it in high spirits,” she said.
Whether a fleeting trend or the start of a new market phenomenon, fake weddings clearly tap into young Indians’ desire to celebrate life, culture, and friendship on their own terms — offering all the spectacle of a big fat wedding, without the strings attached.
