Two mammoth weddings in Delhi have pushed the boundaries of glittering consumption to absurdity. In one, the host hired a stadium for a concert by pop star Arijit Singh, while in the other, guests danced to a performance by AP Dhillon. Conservative estimates put the cost of each event above Rs 150 crores, a small sum for these industrialist families.
Recent mammoth weddings in Delhi have elevated the realm of glittering consumption to new levels of absurdity, as captured in Instagram reels. One event featured a stadium hired for a concert by pop star Arijit Singh, while the other saw guests in finery swaying to an electrifying performance by AP Dhillon. Conservative estimates indicate each wedding cost upwards of Rs 150 crores, a modest expense for the industrialist families involved.
These spectacles, hosted by the super wealthy, seem driven by expectations from those lower in the social hierarchy, who aspire to such opulence. As writer Leher Kala notes, such extravagance boosts social capital for the hosts while benefiting florists, caterers, entertainers, and tent providers. Social media has democratized access to events like the Bezos and Ambani nuptials, shifting focus from sanctifying unions to perfecting hashtags.
Yet, an Instagram-worthy show does not guarantee a fairy-tale marriage; the messy realities often feel deflating after such a spectacular start. Kala emphasizes that marriage is serious business—a rite of passage alongside birth and death—but modern weddings risk becoming narcissistic displays of exotic destinations, jewelry, and sweeping outfits. The complications of staying married far outweigh those of the ceremony itself. Historically, humanity has pursued one-upmanship alongside happiness, but true flourishing balances health, wealth, luck, and time for self-cultivation.
