Fake wedding: Band, Baaja, Baarat without any real vows!

How about a big fat desi wedding with food, drinks, dhol, dance, and all the fun, but only without a bride and groom? Cause the wedding is fake! It's now a viral party trend that has taken over the Internet. Urban youth are having a blast, with all the fun and elements of a traditional Indian wedding. This extravagant wedding-themed party is gaining momentum in cities like Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru, becoming a new suburban culture trend. A fake wedding is an immersive party experience that's very much like a 'real wedding', only without a 'real wedding'. All one has to do is don an ethnic attire, get on the stage grooving, join the baraat, and watch as they exchange garlands in a fake wedding encounter. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mukul Khurana (@mk__pov)

So, basically, what's the motive behind? It's to enjoy and indulge, but without the stress, bothering, or any kind of emotional weight or responsibility that comes with a real wedding. You do not have any commitments or promises with this ceremony, only come, eat, dance, and enjoy, this colorful and vibrant celebration that's oh so good for the gram! Mostly, people are showing up for content creation, finding their creative best at the event. 

A fake wedding is organized by professional party planners as ticketing events, with entry fees depending on the scale of the event. An Instagram user shared that an organizer in Delhi charges from Rs 500 to Rs 3000, varying accordingly. Moreover, the trend is a hype abroad as well. Recently, students at Cornell University in the USA hosted a two-day fake wedding with all the nuptials. Seems like a unique cultural mix in recent times, which is appealing to the masses abroad as well. 

With the emerging trend comes a varied set of opinions of those up with it and those against. Apart from the ones embracing it, many have raised concerns, even calling it distasteful. An X user commented, "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."

Criticizing the concept, another user commented, "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?" 

One more user said, "Fake weddings are a thing now, people come, pay, enjoy wedding-like festivities, and leave. Long live capitalism." 

Fake weddings have become a recent trend; who knows, they may assimilate within the culture. Well, that remains to be seen, but it has already been a hit on social media.