Gen Z’s big fat fake shaadi: What it says about commitment & culture
- The Wedding Chest
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
In an age of dating apps, commitment anxiety, and curated chaos, one trend is rewriting the rules of celebration, and weddings may never be the same. Enter: the fake shaadi. No, not a rehearsal dinner or a flash mob proposal. This is a full-blown sangeet sans the bride and groom. There's music. There's fashion. Some even call in a faux pandit if the budget allows. The only thing missing? The actual marriage.
A global takeover
The trend first gained traction in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune. Now, it’s gone global. From Brooklyn basements to Bandra rooftops, and yes, even to Singapore hotspots like The Rocking Rickshaw, fake shaadis are the latest excuse to gather, glam up, and go wild.
What started as a Gen Z in-joke has morphed into a cultural phenomenon. According to India Times, one guest described it as “a full shaadi without the existential dread.” It’s the ultimate party format: all the chaos without the consequences.
But beneath the glitter and irony lies a telling truth about the generation that birthed it.
Gen Z, aisle optional
Let’s not pretend the obsession with weddings is new. Bollywood has been scripting our shaadi fantasies for decades, ever since we saw Bunny's iconic entrance in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. But what’s different now is the detachment from shaadi itself, with the younger generations shifting away from marriage in the traditional sense.
Trends support this shift. In India, the average age of marriage is rising, and in urban centres, many young people are choosing to delay or entirely forgo marriage. According to India Today, Gen Z are actively delaying marriage with a focus on mental wellbeing and career opportunities. A study published by Medium found that 42% of young adults in India, including the elder batch of Gen Z aged 26-28, say they do not want to get married.
Cultural anthropologists suggest this shift is less about cynicism and more about the reframing of priorities. “Millennials and Gen Z prioritise personal well-being, career goals, and emotional wellness before committing to marriage," says Delhi-based psychologist and marriage counsellor, Dr Nisha Khanna. She continued, "People are delaying marriage to focus on their careers, with many choosing to marry in their late 30s. Independence is valued more than ever...”
Where real weddings often come with the weight of family expectations, societal norms, and a rising price tag, the mock shaadi becomes a kind of catharsis for the ever-evolving Gen Z. It’s the celebration without the rigid cultural contracts, and an opportunity for younger folks to reclaim a beloved experience on their own terms.
Satire or sacred?
Of course, not everyone is applauding. “Weddings are sacred, not satire,” posted one user under a viral video of a fake shaadi in Delhi. Critics argue that such events trivialise meaningful rituals and risk turning heritage into a costume party.
But others see it differently. Indeed, with real weddings being stylised productions fit with drone videography, themed dress codes, and bridal entries scored like cinematic climaxes, how different are these faux versions, really? Could it not be argued that Gen Z is simply highlighting how much of the modern wedding has already drifted from solemn ritual to social spectacle?
The verdict? Party first, questions later
At its core, the fake shaadi is a mirror. It reflects our collective hunger for joy, connection, and identity, especially within diasporic and urban Desi communities. It also raises some valid questions: Are we celebrating love, or the idea of celebration? Is this creativity, or cultural cosplay? And does it matter, as long as no one’s getting hurt?
Whatever side of the debate you fall on, one thing’s clear: these cultural moments are creative responses to a changing social contract. And honestly, they look like a whole lot of fun. So, will you be dusting off that lehenga and summoning the DJ? The baraat is leaving, and we're all invited.
