Big Fat Punjab Weddings: How Gen Z Is Redefining Tradition
The wedding of Bhaskar and Akshita from Sheikhupur village (Image Bhawana Malik)
Blending prestige, privacy and modern identity, affluent rural families in Punjab are turning ancestral celebrations into aspirational destination weddings.
By BHAWNA MALIK
Chandigarh, February 19, 2026 — In the heart of rural Punjab, a quiet yet powerful transformation is reshaping the region’s wedding culture. Big Fat Punjab Weddings are no longer confined to sprawling ancestral homes or village gurdwaras. Affluent families — landowners, NRIs, and agribusiness entrepreneurs — are increasingly choosing destination weddings at luxury resorts, heritage palaces and curated venues across India and abroad.
This shift reflects aspiration as much as practicality. Destination weddings offer privacy, exclusivity and professionally managed events — a controlled guest list without compromising grandeur.
Across rural Punjab, wedding festivities now stretch beyond a single day of rituals. Mehndi, haldi, and cinematic pre-wedding shoots — inspired by urban trends yet rooted in Sikh tradition — have become integral.
The wedding of Bhaskar and Akshita from Sheikhupur village in Chamkaur Sahib exemplifies this evolution. After two days of vibrant village celebrations, the couple hosted a destination ceremony at a luxury resort in Panchkula — an event that felt straight out of a Bollywood frame.
“Many affluent rural families are opting for destination weddings. It offers privacy and exclusivity with professional management,” shared Parasmani Sabharwal, father of the groom.
Yet tradition remains the emotional anchor. Celebrations begin with the recitation of Sukhmani Sahib Path, seeking blessings before festivities unfold. The Mehndi ceremony flows into the spirited ‘Jago’ ritual, where the groom symbolically resists returning home until relatives bring him back with dance and ‘Ghorian’ songs that echo deep into the night.
Bhaskar, a fourth-generation village leader whose elders served as Sarpanch and Nambardar, reflects the balance: “We understand our roots and responsibilities. Modernity does not mean disconnect.”
A notable feature of this wedding was the family’s “No Sagan, No Gifts” policy — a refinement of tradition that shifts focus from envelope exchanges to shared joy and bonding.
Culinary choices showcased Punjab’s evolving taste. Makki di roti and sarson da saag stood alongside global chaat stations, mocktail bars, wood-fired pizzas and gourmet dessert studios — symbolizing a generation comfortable with both heritage and global exposure.
Punjab today cannot be reduced to cinematic stereotypes. Its Gen Z is globally travelled, digitally fluent and deeply rooted. Drone shoots, curated décor and exclusive venues coexist with prayers, folk songs and ancestral pride.
Big Fat Punjab Weddings are no longer just celebrations — they are statements of identity.
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