Sydney is about to witness an event that has never quite been staged this way before: the Big Fat Fake Indian Wedding. On Saturday 15 November 2025, Zest Waterfront at The Spit, a venue that has won Best Reception Venue from the Australian Bridal Industry Academy seven times, will host an evening that brings all the colour, music, food, and spectacle of a South Asian wedding, but without the couple at the centre.
The idea might sound unusual at first, but it is already creating a wave of excitement across communities. Inspired by immersive wedding-style events that have taken place overseas, the organisers want to bring the concept to Australia in a way that celebrates culture, entertainment, and community. It is designed as an opportunity for people to experience the buzz of a big fat Indian wedding without waiting for an invitation.
For Merlyn R, founder of DesiWed Australia and the driving force behind the event, the decision to stage it locally was sparked by the popularity of similar ideas elsewhere. “The idea for the Big Fat Fake Indian Wedding came to us after seeing how popular these immersive experiences had become overseas. Desi weddings are such a vibrant celebration….the colour, music, food, and tradition….They’re joyful, chaotic, emotional, and beautiful all at once. We thought, why should Australia miss out? We wanted to celebrate our amazing South Asian Australian wedding vendors & give people here the chance to experience all of that magic; without needing to be part of a real wedding!!”
The event has already captured attention well beyond Sydney. Within two weeks of launching the announcement, the response exceeded expectations. As Merlyn put it, “The response has honestly blown us away! Our launch post has had 7.2K likes & shares combined around the world within just 2 weeks. From the moment we put the announcement out, people have been messaging us non-stop …. from couples to friends planning to come as a group, and even people outside the desi community who are just excited to be part of something so different and fun. The buzz from vendors and performers has been just as strong ….. Everyone’s genuinely excited to bring this to life. Tickets are selling fast so grab them before they’re gone!”
What is being promised is nothing short of a full wedding experience. There will be henna stations, décor showcases, and styling exhibitions. Guests will be treated to decadent South Asian cuisine alongside flowing drinks. Music and performance will be at the heart of the evening, with DJs NXV and Sybz lined up to transform the dance floor into something resembling a sangeet celebration. There will be live entertainment and space for everyone to join in, replicating the energy of a wedding dance floor without the formalities of speeches and ceremonies.
The host for the night will be Ramis Ansari, a TikTok personality with over 400,000 followers, who has already built a reputation as an MC for weddings and festivals. Photography will be led by Sidd Rishi, one of Australia’s most acclaimed names in South Asian wedding photography. Invitations for the event have been designed by Gurpreet of the Tiffin Society, while Anika’s Mehndi will provide henna artistry for guests. Even transport has been thought through, with Crown Transportation Group, known for its luxury cars, on board as a partner.
What makes this event different is that it is not tied to a family occasion or a particular couple. Instead, it is being staged purely as an experience in itself. While some might see weddings as deeply private affairs, here the focus is on the collective aspects that make them memorable. Merlyn explained what she hopes people will take away: “What we hope people takeaway is a real sense of how special South Asian weddings are … not just the scale and beauty, but the feeling of togetherness and true celebration at the heart of it. That’s what DesiWed has always been about: shining a light on the creativity and talent in our community, and making those moments more accessible through our wedding planning platform. This event is just another way to say: you don’t need an invitation to feel the joy of a big fat Indian wedding!”
The choice of venue adds weight to the ambition. Zest Waterfront has long been associated with high-end weddings and events, with its reputation built on panoramic views and meticulous service. By hosting the Big Fat Fake Indian Wedding here, the organisers are making a statement that this is no novelty but a full-scale occasion.
South Asian weddings have always held a particular place in Australia’s multicultural fabric. They are among the most elaborate celebrations seen in the country, often lasting several days and involving hundreds of guests. Food, music, dance, and décor are central elements, and the events often serve as a showcase of both family pride and community spirit. For those outside the culture, they are often seen as joyous but inaccessible occasions, usually limited to close friends and relatives. The Big Fat Fake Indian Wedding aims to break that barrier, opening the doors to anyone curious to experience the energy without the constraints of tradition or family obligation.
Events like this serve another purpose too. They shine a light on the businesses and creative professionals who keep the wedding industry thriving. For photographers, DJs, stylists, and caterers, weddings are a major source of work — and Shutter 360 is this year’s official photo-booth sponsor. By bringing together some of the top names in one space, the organisers are showcasing the depth of talent within the South Asian Australian community. It’s also a platform for vendors to present their craft to audiences who may later book them for real weddings.
Australia has seen rapid growth in its South Asian population over the past two decades, and with that growth has come a flourishing wedding industry catering to new tastes and traditions. From Melbourne to Sydney, wedding planners, designers, and caterers have expanded their services to match the demand for celebrations that blend cultural authenticity with contemporary trends. The Big Fat Fake Indian Wedding fits neatly into that evolution, offering a taste of what those weddings look and feel like to a broader audience.
Merlyn’s platform, DesiWed Australia, was created to simplify the process of planning South Asian weddings in the country. By bringing together trusted vendors, it has become a resource for couples navigating the challenges of organising multi-day events that often involve both local and overseas guests. The Big Fat Fake Indian Wedding is being positioned as both a showcase and a celebration, extending the platform’s reach beyond logistics and into cultural experience.
The event is expected to attract a mix of attendees: couples looking for inspiration, groups of friends searching for a unique night out, and people from outside the South Asian community curious to experience the festive atmosphere. With tickets already moving quickly, it could well become a regular fixture if this first outing proves successful.
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