NEW DELHI – The bride never arrives. The groom never shows. But the party? It doesn’t stop. Across major Indian cities, a growing number of young adults are gathering for “fake weddings” lavish, ticketed parties that mimic traditional wedding celebrations without the actual marriage ceremony. No vows, no families, no religious rites. Just food, dancing, and designer outfits. These themed events have gained rapid traction in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Promoters design them to deliver all the pageantry of a high-end Indian wedding, minus the emotional and cultural baggage.
At one such event in Delhi last week, guests arrived in embroidered lehengas and silk kurtas. A dhol drummer kicked off the evening. Waiters served tequila shots inside gol gappas, a popular Indian snack. The décor matched a full-scale wedding sangeet, but no one was tying the knot.
“There’s no pressure like you feel at family weddings,” said Shivangi Sareen, a first-time attendee. “No judgments, no relatives. Just dancing and fun with friends.”
Shivangi and her group paid 10,000 rupees ($120) per couple for entry. Some events charge as little as 1,500 rupees, while premium experiences cross the 15,000-rupee mark, depending on location, entertainment, and dining options.
Business owners say the events are not just about profits but engagement.
“People are looking for something new,” said Sharad Madan, who hosted a fake wedding at his restaurant. “It cost us around one million rupees to organize. We hoped to earn double. But more than revenue, it’s about offering a new kind of experience.”
In Bengaluru, a recent fake wedding organized by 8Club Events drew nearly 2,000 guests to a five-star hotel. Tickets sold out days in advance. The company says demand has prompted interest from event planners in cities like Jaipur and Lucknow.
“These ideas started with young Indians living abroad,” said co-founder Kaushal Chanani. “They’d gather, play Bollywood music, wear ethnic clothes, and create a wedding-like vibe. We brought that idea home.”
The company now provides event guides for others interested in replicating the format everything from marketing tips to vendor coordination.
While many events focus on cocktails and club scenes, others keep things sober. Third Place, a Bangalore-based experience startup, hosted a dry fake sangeet with a twist: guests were split into “bride” and “groom” teams, then played games based on wedding stereotypes.
“We added astrology-themed challenges and skipped alcohol altogether,” said organizer Anurag Pandey. “We wanted to keep the spirit of Indian weddings, not just another pub night.”
Decorations ranged from floral mandaps to shimmering lights. Some events even offer tarot card readings and photo booths styled like wedding halls.
Analysts say fake weddings appeal to Gen Z’s growing need for celebration in a high-pressure world. They also let people re-wear expensive outfits otherwise reserved for family weddings.
“There’s no bigger occasion for joy in Indian culture than a wedding,” said writer and social commentator Santosh Desai. “When you strip away the stress and rituals, all that’s left is the fun.”
But not every guest walks away happy.
Srishti Sharma, a 23-year-old in Bengaluru, described her experience as disappointing. “We dressed up expecting a proper wedding vibe,” she said. “But they played EDM for two hours, served pizza and fries no desserts, just booze. It felt lazy.”
Some critics argue the trend trivializes Indian traditions. But others, like Delhi resident Vidhi Kapoor, disagree.
“No one’s pretending to be a bride or groom,” she said. “It’s just a theme. We should enjoy it for what it is.”
India’s wedding industry is valued at about $130 billion. Most weddings take place in winter, leaving venues empty during summer and monsoon seasons. Fake weddings could help fill that gap.
Event planner Vijay Arora said the trend may be temporary, but it’s capturing attention. “Gen Z clearly wants to celebrate. If this becomes a regular market category, it could reshape the event business.”
As young Indians chase memorable experiences over traditional milestones, fake weddings may offer the perfect excuse to dress up, dance, and toast no strings attached.
“Even if we can’t make it to real weddings,” said Shivangi, “this lets us live the moment anyway.”
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