Dhol, shehnai, and baraat — however no dulha-dulhan (groom-bride) in sight. Gen Z’s newest social gathering 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 finest, 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 vital life occasions. “Many Gen Z and millennials are way more involved about making a reminiscence that feels particular, glad, and completely their very own than in regards to the authorized or spiritual relevance of marriage,” she mentioned.
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For Sinha, an account govt at a PR agency, the enchantment lies in the truth that it “removes the heavy monetary, emotional, and social constraints” of an actual wedding ceremony, permitting individuals to focus completely on the enjoyable — dressing up, dancing, taking photos, and celebrating with the individuals who matter.
Aarushi Pawar, who has attended two faux weddings, instructed indianexpress.com her curiosity was fuelled by the social media hype. “I assumed it will be similar to every other desi membership night time or Diwali social gathering, however it’s an awesome excuse to put on Indian garments, eat, and dance with associates with none of us truly getting married,” mentioned the finance skilled.
She additionally mentioned that societal stress to get married, particularly for younger ladies, could make precise weddings really feel stifling. “I’m 22 and I already really feel the stress,” she mentioned.
Nonetheless, 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 — “nearly like we’re making a parody out of one thing that’s meant to be deeply private.”
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“If you wish to social gathering in conventional put on, watch for wedding ceremony season and do it usually,” mentioned Desai, 24, including, “I don’t know who began this idea, however that particular person is certainly not getting invited to weddings.”
Abhijeet Ghosh, a senior PR account govt at Media Mantra, sees it otherwise. For him, the enchantment 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 fashion,” he mentioned.
To Ghosh, it’s primarily an upscale café or membership night time — with music, leisure, good meals, and drinks — however in a playful, immersive wedding ceremony format. If the ticket contains an open dance ground, themed décor, curated menus, and interactive leisure like picture cubicles or staged ceremonies, “the worth is greater than honest”.
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 charge or the quilt cost — often Rs 1,500 to Rs2,000 — is affordable.
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“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,” mentioned Ghosh.
Sanya Hans, account supervisor at Kaizzen, identified that these occasions now function a few of India’s prime DJs and music artists. “We find yourself spending the identical on a espresso date with associates, so it feels honest for an evening of partying with good meals and typically alcohol,” she mentioned.
What drives its recognition?
Parthip Thyagarajan, co-founder and CEO of WeddingSutra instructed indianexpress.com mentioned a couple of years in the past there was an try and monetise the wedding ceremony expertise by promoting tickets to actual weddings, however it didn’t take off. “Households weren’t comfy with strangers at such private occasions,” he mentioned.
The faux wedding ceremony format took that concept and reimagined it. It took the enjoyable elements 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,” mentioned Supriti Sahay, director, nationwide gross sales and advertising, The Park Motels.
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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, style, and music, making it the proper escape fantasy.
How is it completely different from different themed events?
Thyagarajan believes it’s within the immersive expertise. “You’ll usually see a baraat-style entry, competition meals, vibrant decor, and plenty of dancing to desi music. It faucets into shared cultural nostalgia in a approach 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”. All the pieces 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 power was like an actual shaadi afterparty,” he mentioned.
How sustainable is that this pattern?
Thyagarajan is not sure in regards to the idea’s long-term enchantment however believes it may thrive, particularly in low season months. “It’s a sensible approach for venues and distributors to showcase their choices in a enjoyable, low-pressure setting,” he mentioned.
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Gen Z’s love for Instagram-worthy, curated experiences may preserve it going, and for these away from dwelling, it’s a refreshing change from the standard bar or café scene.
So, the following time you get invited to a faux wedding ceremony, mud off your festive finest, grasp the season’s hottest make-up pattern, and prepare to social gathering prefer it’s somebody’s large day, even when nobody’s truly tying the knot.
