Dhol, shehnai, and baraat — however no dulha-dulhan (groom-bride) in sight. Gen Z’s newest get together pattern places a unusual twist on the desi wedding ceremony, ditching household obligations and ritualistic fervour for all of the enjoyable stuff. Company flip up of their conventional greatest, dig into their favorite dishes, and get drunk on excessive spirits whereas grooving to Bollywood’s peppiest tracks.
Shivangi Sinha believes the faux wedding ceremony phenomenon represents how her era is redefining important life occasions. “Many Gen Z and millennials are way more involved about making a reminiscence that feels particular, glad, and solely their very own than concerning the authorized or spiritual relevance of marriage,” she stated.
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For Sinha, an account government at a PR agency, the attraction lies in the truth that it “removes the heavy monetary, emotional, and social constraints” of an actual wedding ceremony, permitting individuals to focus fully on the enjoyable — dressing up, dancing, taking photos, and celebrating with the individuals who matter.
Aarushi Pawar, who has attended two faux weddings, informed indianexpress.com her curiosity was fuelled by the social media hype. “I believed it could be similar to another desi membership evening or Diwali get together, but it surely’s an awesome excuse to put on Indian garments, eat, and dance with associates with none of us truly getting married,” stated the finance skilled.
She additionally stated that societal stress to get married, particularly for younger girls, could make precise weddings really feel stifling. “I’m 22 and I already really feel the stress,” she stated.
Nevertheless, not all of them agree
Nidhi Desai dismisses the pattern as a “little bit of a nonsense present”. To her, it feels excessive and pointless — “virtually like we’re making a parody out of one thing that’s meant to be deeply private.”Story continues under this advert
“If you wish to get together in conventional put on, watch for wedding ceremony season and do it usually,” stated Desai, 24, including, “I don’t know who began this idea, however that individual is certainly not getting invited to weddings.”
Abhijeet Ghosh, a senior PR account government at Media Mantra, sees it otherwise. For him, the attraction is within the themed expertise. “I’d like to attend a faux wedding ceremony, however not with the mindset of attending an precise wedding ceremony. Earlier than this, cafés did themes like Cash Heist or cage cafés. That is simply one other theme — wedding ceremony model,” he stated.
To Ghosh, it’s basically an upscale café or membership evening — with music, leisure, good meals, and drinks — however in a playful, immersive wedding ceremony format. If the ticket consists of an open dance flooring, themed décor, curated menus, and interactive leisure like picture cubicles or staged ceremonies, “the worth is greater than truthful”.
DJ Rahill Mehta at a faux wedding ceremony final month in Mumbai (Supply: Instagram/@rahillmehta)
Is the price justified?
Most Gen Zers agree the entry payment or the duvet cost — normally Rs 1,500 to Rs2,000 — is affordable.Story continues under this advert
“In any metro metropolis, that’s the going price for premium cafés or golf equipment. Many cost extra with out providing a novel setup like a faux wedding ceremony,” stated Ghosh.
Sanya Hans, account supervisor at Kaizzen, identified that these occasions now function a few of India’s high DJs and music artists. “We find yourself spending the identical on a espresso date with associates, so it feels truthful for an evening of partying with good meals and typically alcohol,” she stated.
What drives its reputation?
Parthip Thyagarajan, co-founder and CEO of WeddingSutra informed indianexpress.com stated a couple of years in the past there was an try to monetise the marriage expertise by promoting tickets to actual weddings, but it surely didn’t take off. “Households weren’t comfy with strangers at such private occasions,” he stated.
The faux wedding ceremony format took that concept and reimagined it. It took the enjoyable components and stripped away the emotional and social baggage. “It’s rooted within the Indian love for celebration, however with out the stress of precise marriage,” stated Supriti Sahay, director, nationwide gross sales and advertising and marketing, The Park Accommodations.Story continues under this advert
Social media and popular culture have additional accelerated this, with platforms like Instagram and creators curating wedding-themed reels, sangeet afterparties, and baraat-style entries only for the joys of it. The faux wedding ceremony pattern brings collectively nostalgia, drama, vogue, and music, making it the right escape fantasy.
How is it completely different from different themed events?
Thyagarajan believes it’s within the immersive expertise. “You’ll typically see a baraat-style entry, competition meals, vibrant decor, and plenty of dancing to desi music. It faucets into shared cultural nostalgia in a manner common theme nights don’t,” he defined.
Right here, you’re not only a visitor — you’re “ladkiwale”, “ladkewale”, and even the mischievous “joota chhuraane waala squad”. Every thing mimics the chaos and color of an precise wedding ceremony, minus the rituals.
“At our Pretend Shaadi on July 19, individuals got here in lehengas, sherwanis, bandanas, and kaleeras. There have been bridesmaids in sun shades, dhol-wale groomsmen, and dramatic slow-motion entries. The vitality was like an actual shaadi afterparty,” he stated.
How sustainable is that this pattern?
Thyagarajan is uncertain concerning the idea’s long-term attraction however believes it might thrive, particularly in low season months. “It’s a sensible manner for venues and distributors to showcase their choices in a enjoyable, low-pressure setting,” he stated.Story continues under this advert
Gen Z’s love for Instagram-worthy, curated experiences may maintain it going, and for these away from house, it’s a refreshing change from the standard bar or café scene.
So, the subsequent time you get invited to a faux wedding ceremony, mud off your festive greatest, grasp the season’s hottest make-up pattern, and prepare to get together prefer it’s somebody’s huge day, even when nobody’s truly tying the knot.
