No bride, no groom. Guests are paying Rs 10k to attend fake weddings. Banker explains why this new party trend is booming in India
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In a country where weddings are grand, emotional, and deeply personal, a bizarre new trend is turning that idea on its head. Fake weddings—yes, weddings with no actual couple—are becoming the hottest new party format among India's Gen Z. Investment banker Sarthak Ahuja recently broke it down in a viral LinkedIn post, revealing how event companies are cashing in on this concept by turning shaadis into ticketed, no-strings-attached parties.According to Ahuja, one such 'wedding' in Bengaluru drew over 2,000 attendees. Another in Delhi was organised on a Rs 10 lakh budget—and reportedly made more than Rs 10 lakh in profit. The concept is simple: people, especially young professionals living away from family in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, miss the fun parts of weddings—but not the nosy relatives, forced traditions, or behaviour-policing elders.That's where fake weddings come in. Event organisers now host staged shaadis or sangeet nights where attendees buy tickets ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 15,000 per person (Rs 10,000 per couple as well). Guests are randomly assigned to the bride's or groom's side and play themed games like 'Guess the relative.'There's dhol, Bollywood dancing, a full buffet, and a chance to wear ethnic outfits that rarely leave wardrobes. And some organisers are now offering sober versions of these events to avoid alcohol-related trouble. It's also a clever way to monetise wedding venues during off-season months. Ahuja notes that Gen Z finds these faux ceremonies a fun alternative to real ones, where social pressure often dampens the vibe. At a fake wedding, there's freedom, music, food, and no stress of actual commitments—just pure celebration. What a time to be alive, indeed.
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