• Pranav Patil

This paper examines the burgeoning phenomenon of "faux weddings" among youth, analyzing how these simulated matrimonial rituals represent both a reinterpretation of traditional practices and a potential instance of cultural appropriation. Addressing two key research questions—RQ1: What motivates youth engagement in faux weddings, and how do they negotiate cultural borrowing and authenticity? RQ2: How does digital media accelerate the commodification and transformation of these rituals?—this study employs qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews with 20 youth participants. Key findings reveal prominent themes of ritual hybridization, quests for authenticity, and the production of digital spectacles. The analysis further scrutinizes the role of digital media, particularly social platforms, in accelerating the commodification and simplification of these ceremonies. This research contributes a novel understanding of faux weddings as dynamic sites of cultural negotiation, illuminating how youth navigate power imbalances in appropriation while fostering innovative expressions of identity amid globalization.

Faux Weddings Cultural Appropriation Ritual Hybridization Youth Culture Digital Media Mediatization Identity Construction Performance Theory Ritual Studies Globalization

"Faux Weddings as Cultural Appropriation: Reinterpretation and Transformation of Matrimonial Rituals by Youth", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 12, page no.a154-a158, December-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2512021.pdf

"Faux Weddings as Cultural Appropriation: Reinterpretation and Transformation of Matrimonial Rituals by Youth", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 12, page no. ppa154-a158, December-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2512021.pdf