Author: Gargee Bardoloi

A growing number of young Indians are hosting lavish wedding ceremonies – minus the legal vows, lifelong commitments, or even romantic relationships. What’s driving this spectacle of staged shaadis? By Gargee Bardoloi Under a canopy of fairy lights in suburban Bengaluru, the “bride” walks down the aisle in a hand-embroidered lehenga, her face glowing with highlighter and excitement. The groom stands at the altar in a designer sherwani. Guests cheer, rose petals are tossed, and Bollywood music fills the air. Except — there is no actual marriage. The couple aren’t dating, no legal documents have been signed, and by midnight,…