Rs 15 LPA salary but spending Rs 50 lakh on marriage. Gurgaon CEO asks who are you trying to impress by financial 'self-destruction'

A Gurgaon CEO has ignited a debate on extravagant Indian weddings, questioning the immense financial strain and social pressures driving such lavish celebrations. He argues that many families overspend significantly, often taking loans, to project...

As per the Gurgaon-based CEO, Indian weddings have become performative displays. (Representative image: iStock)
Big, fat Indian weddings have long been synonymous with opulence. From choosing the most lavish venues to spending lakhs on designer outfits and splurging on grand feasts, families often go out and beyond to create unforgettable celebrations with the expenses quickly spiralling into tens of lakhs or even crores. Now, a Gurgaon-based CEO, Jasveer Singh, has dropped a post on X, raising questions on the mindless expenditure on weddings, asking whether such extravagant spending is truly worth it in the long run.

In his strongly worded X post, Jasveer Singh argued that behind many big-budget Indian weddings lies insecurity and a need for social validation. He highlighted that these celebrations have become less of a joyful factor and more of a social status kind of event.

CEO’s rant questions lavish shaadi culture



Drawing from personal observations, Jasveer Singh claimed that many middle-class families end up spending far beyond their means, sometimes as much as four to five times their annual income, just to host a spectacular ceremony. According to him, this pressure to appear affluent for a single day forces people to take loans, stretch their finances, and even lose years of earnings for a few days of celebrations.

The CEO further questioned the underlying motivation behind such expenses, suggesting that the focus has shifted from meaningful rituals to performative displays. He noted that instead of celebrating with loved ones, many weddings have become stages where families feel compelled to impress guests and match societal expectations.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Indian weddings are not celebrations. They are insecurity dressed up as culture. Indian middle-class parents are ready to burn 5-6 years of income on one wedding night.<br/><br/>Indian parents are not obsessed with weddings. They are obsessed with looking rich for one night. That’s it.…</p>&mdash; Jasveer Singh (@jasveer10) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasveer10/status/2035952430727458859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


ADVERTISEMENT

Netizens debate pressure driving overspending


Jasveer Singh’s remarks struck a chord with several social media users, many of whom agreed that the growing culture of extravagant spending reflects deeper concerns around status and image. Others, however, felt that weddings remain a personal choice and a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. ‘It will take generations to change,’ wrote a user. ‘Would you say the same thing if it were a luxury car or house?’ asked another sarcastically.

But as conversations around financial literacy and mindful spending gain traction, Jasveer Singh’s post puts the spotlight on whether the scale of Indian weddings truly aligns with long-term financial well-being or not.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App
for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
READ MORE
ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE:

LOGIN & CLAIM

50 TIMESPOINTS

More from our Partners

Loading next story
Business News › Magazines › Panache › Rs 15 LPA salary but spending Rs 50 lakh on marriage. Gurgaon CEO asks who are you trying to impress by financial 'self-destruction'
Text Size:AAA
Success
This article has been saved

*

+