As costs soar, will Indian weddings start charging entry fees from guests? Netizens quip already happening, secretly

Planning a lavish wedding in New York City, Nova and Reemo Styles faced a $150,000 (approx Rs 1.29 crore) venue cost, well beyond their budget. So, they came up with an unconventional solution: sell $333 (Rs 28.5k) tickets to their 350 guests. The steep price tag included access to the ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a city tour on a double-decker bus, and a lobster-and-steak dinner at One World Trade Center. But the plan backfired—only 60 guests showed up. Despite the low turnout, the couple used the savings to invest in their future family and a potential IVF foundation, according to The New York Post. Rs 5,000 crore man reacted to this.

Dr. A. Velumani recently shared the viral headline that read, “New York couple asked wedding guests to pay $333 each; only 60 of 350 showed up.” Reacting to the unusual move, he tweeted, “Interesting! Will it happen in India too soon?”, sparking a conversation on whether such pay-to-attend wedding models could catch on in India.

Social media reacts

Some users pointed out that similar practices are already taking place in India, albeit in different forms. One noted that couples often share a list of desired gifts and request Amazon vouchers or encourage friends to collectively purchase specific items. Another user expressed support for the idea, saying it should become a norm in India and mentioned it’s already a common practice in places like Singapore. Others disagreed, arguing that inviting guests to a celebration shouldn't come with a price tag. Some highlighted that Indian traditions have long included voluntary contributions from guests—known as sadivimpulu—as a gesture to help newlyweds start their lives.

But is it really happening in India?

In a now-deleted Reddit post, an Indian user shared an awkward wedding-related experience. Invited to a non-traditional pre-wedding dinner at an upscale restaurant, the guest expected a celebratory evening with friends. The event featured a fixed menu, premium alcohol, and champagne. However, the mood shifted when, at the end of the night, the bride unexpectedly asked guests to split the bill—amounting to Rs 15,000 per person. The sudden request surprised many, especially since there had been no prior mention of sharing costs, leaving attendees caught off guard during what was assumed to be a hosted celebration.

Are weddings becoming too expensive?

A survey by Fortune India found that among 3,500 couples, over 60% had wedding budgets under Rs 25 lakh, with 40% spending less than Rs 15 lakh. Around 18% allocated over Rs 50 lakh, and 9% of them crossed the Rs 1 crore mark—most of these were destination weddings. Major expenses went toward jewellery, venues, decor, and catering. Notably, 12% relied on loans from banks or friends, and spending on social media services emerged as a growing trend in Indian weddings.