Gen‑Z
In a country where weddings are traditionally elaborate, sacred, and deeply rooted in culture, a curious new trend has taken urban India by storm—fake weddings. These are not cinematic props or flash mobs. They are full-fledged, choreographed celebrations with everything from symbolic pheras and mehendi ceremonies to bridal entries and emotional toast speeches—except for the legal or religious commitment.
Welcome to the world of fake weddings, where celebration trumps ceremony, and fun, fashion, and friendship take center stage. The movement is an emblem of a generation reimagining rituals, breaking social molds, and embracing joy without constraints.
💍 What Is a Fake Wedding?
A fake wedding is an event that mimics every aspect of a real marriage, down to the invitations and sangeet rehearsals. These weddings are thrown not to unite two people legally or spiritually, but for the aesthetic experience, creative storytelling, and intense social bonding they offer.
Participants range from best friends and longtime crushes to social media influencers and performance artists. Some use it as a photo-op, others as a creative theatre performance. It’s the Gen‑Z version of a high-stakes cosplay event with emotional resonance.
Key Features Include:
- Designer outfits, curated bridal makeup, rented sherwanis, and lehengas
- Symbolic pheras with humorous vows or personalized love poems
- Themed décor ranging from royal palace, boho picnic, forest fairy-tale to retro Bollywood
- Full-fledged baraat with dhol, smoke bombs, vintage cars, and horse entrances
- Choreographed sangeet performances by friend squads and flash mobs
- Live bands, DJs, mehendi artists, and signature cocktails at mock receptions
- Hilarious emcees performing as parody priests
- Drone videography, professional photography, wedding trailers, and live streaming
These events can be hosted in home gardens, resorts, Airbnb villas, or even rooftops, and may cost anywhere from ₹30,000 for a DIY backyard celebration to ₹5–8 lakh for a luxury production with planners, stylists, and editors involved.
🎉 Why Are Gen‑Zs Throwing Fake Weddings?
1. Aesthetic Meets Experience Economy
Gen‑Z prioritizes experiential storytelling over conventional milestones. The idea of “living your dream wedding” without the stress or legal strings is appealing—especially when it’s styled like a Netflix set with Pinterest moodboards.
2. Reclaiming Wedding Pressure
Marriage in India often comes loaded with societal pressure, financial obligations, and intergenerational expectations. Fake weddings allow Gen‑Zs to reclaim rituals and enjoy cultural traditions without committing to them—no dowry, no guilt, no contract.
3. Friendships Are the New Soulmates
Romantic partnerships aren’t the only relationships worth celebrating. Fake weddings are about celebrating chosen families and BFFs with the same pomp as romantic weddings.
4. Performance Art Meets Party Culture
It’s a form of public performance. From choreographing viral dances to mimicking Bollywood dialogues, these weddings allow for full-on theatrical expression.
5. Social Media Virality
From hashtags like #FakeWeddingGoals to trending reels of emotional fake vidhis, these events are engineered for virality. The more dramatic and beautiful the setup, the more social capital it generates.
6. Breaking Norms, Just for Fun
Sometimes, it’s just about being absurd for the sake of it. A fake wedding is a satire of seriousness—part parody, part self-love, and full-on laughter.
📸 The Role of Influencers, Startups & Digital Culture
Influencers
Popular influencers like fashion bloggers, comedians, and lifestyle creators have taken to performing fake weddings as content series. These often include makeup tutorials, outfit hauls, and skit-style storytelling.
Startups
Several boutique planners now market fake wedding packages for:
- Graduation celebrations
- Breakup closure ceremonies
- Friends marrying friends (for one day)
- LGBTQ+ affirmations of love outside of legality
Services include:
- Custom invites & backstories
- Character roles for guests
- Scripted vows and emcee lines
- Reel editing & behind-the-scenes footage
Virtual & Hybrid Experiences
Post-pandemic, hybrid fake weddings have gained traction. Some organize part-digital weddings where guests watch from home, order food via Swiggy Zomato tie-ups, and join via avatar or virtual reality.
🤔 Reactions from Society & Culture Experts
Mixed Generational Response
- Boomers & Gen X: Some find it outrageous, accusing Gen‑Z of trivializing sacred customs.
- Millennials: Amused and intrigued, some join in, others organize for nostalgia.
- Gen‑Z: Embrace it fully as a form of rebellion, entertainment, and cultural remixing.
Psychological Perspective
According to therapists, fake weddings:
- Help people confront emotional themes like love, loss, belonging, and celebration
- Offer catharsis after breakups or friendships that feel like soul-connections
- Are symbolic closures or affirmations that real weddings sometimes can’t provide
Sociological Lens
Sociologists view fake weddings as reflective of a broader trend toward non-traditional rites of passage, similar to solo moon trips, pet naming ceremonies, and public breakups.
💡 Is This a Passing Trend or the Birth of a New Subculture?
Fake weddings may not replace traditional marriages, but they symbolize the rise of hyper-personalized rituals. With Gen‑Z increasingly redefining family, love, and ritual, these events may evolve into more:
- Friendship weddings for besties
- Self-love ceremonies for solo journaling queens
- Closure ceremonies after a toxic situationship
They may eventually become a ritual of growing up, just like prom, graduation, or 25th birthdays.
🎁 Bonus: How to Host Your Own Fake Wedding
- Step 1: Pick your theme (Fairycore, Desi Royal, Cyber Wedding, Cottagecore)
- Step 2: Choose your “couple” (best friends, content collaborators, random draw)
- Step 3: Craft a hilarious or dramatic wedding backstory
- Step 4: Rehearse dances, create meme-worthy invites, and write custom vows
- Step 5: Invite guests with roles (snarky bua, overdramatic best man, silent crush)
- Step 6: Stream or film the event, edit the trailer, and launch your own #FauxShaadi moment
Optional: End with a mock “divorce party” for extra spice.
🌐 Read more Gen‑Z lifestyle trends, culture hacks, and social insights at GlobalInfoVeda.com