Explained: The 'Fake Wedding' Trend Viral On Social Media And Why Indians Are Going Gaga

A curious new trend is sweeping through India’s urban youth circles. It’s called the ‘fake wedding’. These extravagant, wedding-themed parties recreate every element of a traditional Indian marriage celebration, except for the most crucial one: there’s no real couple tying the knot. The idea, which started in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru and Pune, has taken off on social media and is now beginning to show signs of becoming a full-fledged subculture.

A fake wedding is an immersive party meant to mimic the experience of a real Indian wedding, minus the nuptials. Guests arrive dressed in ethnic finery, take part in choreographed sangeet performances, join the baraat with dhol beats, exchange mock garlands in a faux varmala ceremony, and even sit through rituals conducted by a fake priest.

The aim? To soak in the joy and pageantry of a big, fat Indian wedding, but without the emotional weight or family drama that usually comes with it.

No relatives are asking awkward questions, no pressure to impress extended family and certainly no long ceremonies or lifetime commitments. Instead, what remains is pure celebration, which is loud, colourful and Instagram-ready. These events tap into the generation’s love for creative expression and, perhaps most importantly, content creation.

Some fake weddings are ticketed events organised by professional party planners. One user on Instagram shared that an organiser in Delhi charges anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 3,000 for entry, depending on the scale of the event.

“Will you attend this wedding? What’s your POV? Is it just a fad or will it be a business model?” the user posted on Instagram.

The concept seems to be appealing the youth abroad as well. The same Instagram post noted that students at Cornell University in the United States recently hosted a two-day fake wedding, complete with all the trimmings. It's a clear sign that the appeal of this unique cultural remix is not limited to Indian soil.

While many have embraced fake weddings as a fun and inclusive celebration, others are sceptical, and some even see it as distasteful.

On X (formerly Twitter), one user posted, “Now you can pay Rs 1499 and attend a fake wedding. No dulha, no rishtedaar, you come, take the vibe and go home. This covers food, dhol, dancing, and Instagram-worthy pictures. Wild concept!”

However, many users criticised the new party trend too. A user wrote a lengthy post questioning the ethics of the trend. “Now you tell me this, have we officially lost the plot? Marriage used to mean commitment, family, sacred vows, building a life together. Now it is reduced to a theme party? Is this what we have come to? Do we really want to mock one of life’s most profound institutions for a few likes and reels?” read a part of the post.

Another user remarked, “Fake weddings are a thing now, people come, pay enjoy wedding like festivities and leave. Long live capitalism.”

Whether this trend will fizzle out or evolve into something more established, like a new format for party planning or entertainment experiences, remains to be seen. For now, though, fake weddings appear to be a striking reflection of the times: a curious mix of tradition, rebellion, performance and social media spectacle.