"It seems like a typical Pakistani Mehndi part of the country's traditional three-day wedding festivities yet a closer look reveals something unusual: the groom is a woman. This isn't a same-sex marriage but a "fake wedding." Pakistan's fake wedding trend, which has been gaining traction since 2023, replicates the aesthetics and festivities of a "real" wedding, but without the lifelong commitment or family pressures that usually define Pakistani marriages."
""There is a tendency that people and media focus more on LUMS as an elite university which is out of touch with reality that gets far more traction than any positive news about the same students," said Miran. "Just like in the rest of the world, it is possible for university students in Pakistan to have fun and excel at their core jobs at the same time.""
Young Pakistanis stage 'fake weddings' that mimic traditional Mehndi aesthetics and rituals without the intention of legal marriage or lifelong commitment. The trend gained visibility after a high-profile staged ceremony at Lahore University of Management Sciences in 2023. Viral coverage boosted popularity among students and influencers while also provoking significant criticism and online abuse directed at participants. Pakistan's formal wedding industry is valued at roughly $3.2 billion annually, making staged events culturally salient within a wedding-centric economy. Universities often organize social events and some students view fake weddings as a culturally familiar, low-pressure space for celebration. Several institutions implemented precautions following public backlash.
Read at www.dw.com
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