It’s about time we stop obsessing over fairy-tale celebrity weddings

Has the trend of emulating celebrities to host opulent weddings commodified the premise of love?

Who doesn’t love a good celebrity wedding? The grand union between two entertainers has long captivated the public, dominating news headlines, setting trends in the wedding and tourism industry, and sculpting our ideals of romance, success, and happiness. Yet, as our generation becomes more introspective, outspoken, and seeks transparency (one of the few blessings of social media), it's essential that we peel back the layers of the seemingly perfect façade to uncover  more complex, often hidden, narratives driven by marketing sponsorships and commercial interests.  

Mumbai-based psychologist Dr Rhea Sharma notes, “The fairy-tale romance ideal suggests that love must be extravagant and perfect. The symbolism of the celebrity wedding extends beyond romance, often highlighting one’s wealth, status, and a consumerist mentality that can have detrimental effects on a generation already experiencing a mental health crisis.”

The Reality Behind the Glitzy Façade

The "picture-perfect" weddings of celebrities portray an unattainable ideal of romance, hiding the extensive Photoshop edits behind the blemish-free images or the marketing opportunities of exclusive rights behind them. Wedding planner Jayshree Bhojwani shares, "No one talks about the fact that these events are meticulously crafted to bolster the celebrities' brand and marketability. Every detail, from the dress to the venue, is chosen with the public eye in mind." 

"The dresses and looks from these weddings are often marketing partnerships between designers and celebrities. They are frequently tied to upcoming movie promotions, reinforcing traditional values the masses want to see rather than breaking these stereotypes. More often than not, it’s simply a calculated, deeply discussed decision that has very little to do with the true desires of those who sport these," says celebrity stylist Rachel Vaz. This sentiment is echoed by designer Tamanah Singh, "While it's flattering to see so many people want to wear what their favourite stars wore [at their  own weddings], it's important to remember that a wedding should be about the couple, their story, and their preferences, not about adhering to a commercially driven standard set by the industry, one that changes overnight."

This symbiotic relationship is also seen in the tourism industry. Parthip Thyagarajan, CEO of WeddingSutra.com, says, “One of the reasons why Italy became a hotspot for Indian weddings is because of the Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma and Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone weddings. Currently celebrity weddings are inspiring audiences to get married in Rajasthan, with Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas, Katrina Kaif-Vicky Kaushal, and Sidharth Malhotra-Kiara Advani setting the trend. Some new destinations include Shimla, Dehradun and Mahabalipuram.”

The Role of the Media  

Celebrity weddings often take up prime real estate in the media landscape, sharing space with global news of death, war, and other significant events. This juxtaposition can give the impression that these weddings deserve equal attention, trivialising critical issues and distorting public priorities in the process. As historian and cultural critic Ramachandra Guha notes, "The media’s obsession with celebrity culture dilutes the seriousness with which society views its most pressing challenges, creating an unhealthy imbalance in public discourse." This happens because of cognitive dissonance. The conflict between global events and celebrity weddings creates mental discomfort. People then gravitate towards the more emotionally gratifying and less distressing news. “Celebrity weddings take on the role of positivity and optimism in a rather bleak world, encouraging escapism,” says Dr Sneha Dalve, Head of Psychology at Manipal Hospital. “It’s a game of psychological optics, and editorials and newsrooms are equally responsible for creating this unhealthy enigma.”

The idea of a wedding as a public spectacle isn't new. Historically, weddings were meant to forge unity among communities. Today's celebrity weddings, however, project a fairy-tale narrative that is often far removed from reality, creating a sense of unrealistic optimism among the public, especially younger audiences. These weddings provide only a moment's glance into a seemingly grand life, ignoring the challenges, leaving the public with a skewed perception of reality. Prernaa Lohiya, who recently got married in an intimate affair, says, “In my community, I see a mix of unreasonably lavish weddings and some thoughtful ones but we are still looking at weddings as a show rather than just a day of celebrating love and union.”

Just the Opposite of Reality 

Modern-day marriages in India are undergoing a transformation. Discussions on gender equality, men supporting women in multifaceted roles, and the increasing acceptance of same-sex marriages are reshaping societal norms. In urban cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, divorce rates exceed 30 per cent. A Bumble study from 2022 reveals that 81 per cent of Indian women are comfortable being single. Furthermore, according to a 2022 survey, 59 per cent of Indians now support same-sex marriages, signalling a significant shift from even a few years ago. 

Amidst such significant changes, high-profile celebrity weddings, with their glitz, glamour, and fantastical settings, seem increasingly out of touch with reality. They perpetuate deep-seated gender stereotypes rooted in fairy tales. 

Rajpal Seth, a popular voice on modern sociology notes, “It is disconcerting when critical dialogues seeking to instigate systemic shifts in thinking are overshadowed by frenzied chatter about celebrities' extravagant ceremonies…” Whether it’s the flower walls of the now-divorced Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s wedding, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor's purportedly "modest" wedding affair, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's secretive Lake Como nuptials , or Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's opulent celebrations in Rajasthan, these events dominate the conversation. 

The Commodification of Love

The wedding industry in India has transformed into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, with celebrity weddings serving as its crown jewels.  A recent report estimates the Indian wedding market to be worth over US$50 billion, growing at an annual rate of 30 per cent. This growth is fuelled by the country's fascination with grandeur and the influence of Bollywood and high-profile personalities on wedding trends.

Celebrity weddings also set new benchmarks for opulence. They involve extensive sponsorships and partnerships with high-end brands, effectively transforming what should be a celebration of love into a commercial spectacle. Wedding organiser Mickiel Rao believes, "There's a lot of money involved in these weddings, from sponsorship deals to media rights. Even tourism boards are involved in the honeymoon planning. It's no longer just about the couple; it's about the business opportunities that their union represents."

Moreover, the commodification of weddings often translates into the commodification of women. The wedding industry, synonymous with the bridal industry, prioritises brides over couples or grooms. Thyagarajan says, “The Bollywood bride, through her stylist, is much more sought-after by luxury, lifestyle, and travel brands than the groom. The more visible the celebrity, the more likely they are approached by endorsements.”This enterprise sells women the fantasy of being a bride—demanding they be thin, flawless, and have indulged in beauty treatments such as lash extensions, regardless of their values or backgrounds. Women face immense pressure to conform to an idealised bridal image.

This commodification of love perpetuates a consumerist mentality where the value of a relationship is judged by its outward appearance rather than its intrinsic worth. The trend of commercialised weddings resonates deeply in urban India, where societal pressure to host grandiose weddings often leads to financial strain for many families. Ruchika Hassan, who writes for bridal magazines, points out, "Celebrity weddings can create an unrealistic benchmark for the common person. The pressure to emulate such grandeur often overshadows the personal and emotional aspects of the celebration."  

Towards a More Realistic Narrative

Relationship experts caution against the fairy tale notion that marriage is eternal bliss, highlighting instead the vital pillars of shared values, including communication, compromise, and resilience. Kristina Caltabiano, Love and Relationships Coach, known by her Instagram handle @love_with_kris says, “Shared values are crucial for building a modern relationship. Looking at celebrity weddings for inspiration means to look outside of your union, negating the values within. This is counterproductive. Once you understand the values in your relationship, the rituals, attire, and venue should reflect that. Seeking external inspiration doesn’t allow for your authentic connection to come through in the wedding.” Lohiya echoes Caltabiano’s sentiment in her recent intimate wedding: “It was a conscious decision to have an intimate wedding. We wanted to design our wedding with everything we love and believed in—a mix of Rajasthani and Maharashtrian rituals. Our main goal was to hustle before the wedding, but on the day of our wedding we wanted to have fun and, most importantly, spend time with our loved ones.”

The "big fat Indian wedding" phenomenon encapsulates the spectacle of opulence and grandeur as markers of success and happiness. Once the domain of celebrities, this trend has now spread beyond Bollywood, with each wedding vying for more likes and shares on Instagram. For example, the lavish wedding of tech billionaire Ankur Jain to former WWE star Erika Hammond, held in front of the Great Sphinx in Egypt, dominated our Instagram feeds, illustrating how this cultural pressure extends to other high-profile figures. The drive to create a picture-perfect narrative often leads couples to prioritise spectacle over substance, perpetuating the notion that bigger is always better. If this trend continues to grow, it will only reflect broader societal values where public validation and image often overshadow genuine connection, intent, and intimacy.

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