Overview

• Fake weddings are themed events that replicate Indian marriage rituals without an actual couple, featuring dhol processions, choreographed performances and faux pandits.
• Originating in Delhi in early July, the trend has expanded to Bengaluru, Pune and Cornell University, with participants attending immersive celebrations worldwide.
• Entry fees range from Rs 500 to Rs 3,000 for professionally organized gatherings, while informal campus and rooftop events remain popular at the grassroots level.
• Social media responses are divided between users praising the inclusive, Instagram-ready atmosphere and critics decrying the mockery of cultural traditions.
• Event planners and influencers are exploring ways to turn these spectacles into a sustainable business model for India’s experience economy.