Uttar Pradesh’s wedding circuit has always been a riot of colours and chaos, but 2025 has truly outdone itself. The wedding season in the state of late has been less about “happily ever after” and more about “expect the unexpected.”
If you thought the only thing running away at an Uttar Pradesh (UP) wedding was the groom’s nerves, think again. In the great Indian wedding circus, UP seems to be running the main tent with the most eyebrow-raising, head-shaking and side-splitting wedding mishaps from the heartland of India.
Mom Steals The Groom (Aligarh, April 7, 2025)
Just nine days before the big day (scheduled for April 16), a 40-year-old woman from Aligarh’s Mandrak area eloped with her 20-year-old daughter’s fiance - along with Rs 2.5 lakh in cash and jewellery. The groom-to-be called his father to say, “I’m leaving. Don’t try to find me,” while the mother-in-law skipped even that courtesy. The family is now left with an empty mandap, a police complaint and a lifetime supply of awkward silences at family gatherings.
Bride’s Mom, Groom’s Dad (Badaun, April 11, 2025)
In Badaun, just days after the Aligarh escapade, 43-year-old Mamta (mother of four) ran off with her daughter’s father-in-law, Shailendra, on April 11. The duo absconded in a tempo, taking with them jewelry, cash and the last shreds of familial trust. The husband, a truck driver who was rarely home, is now left with a written complaint and a story that will haunt every future wedding toast.
Bride-to-Be Runs Away With… (Muzaffarnagar, February 18, 2025)
On February 18, a 26-year-old homeopathy doctor vanished from a beauty parlour hours before her wedding in Muzaffarnagar. To save face, her family faked her death, blaming a sudden “cardiac arrest.” The police, unimpressed by the amateur dramatics, tracked her down in Gwalior the next day, alive and well with her female friend. The only thing more dead than her willingness to marry was her family’s credibility.
The ‘Joota Churai’ Wars (Bijnor, April 7 & April 14, 2025)
- April 7, 2025: In Bijnor’s Garhmal village, a ₹50,000 demand during the joota churai (shoe-stealing) ritual sparked a brawl. The groom’s side offered ₹5,000, got thrashed and left without the bride. Police complaints flew faster than the shoes.
- April 14, 2025: Just a week later, another Bijnor wedding was called off after the bride’s sister demanded ₹15,000 for the shoes. The groom’s side countered with ₹2,100 and the ensuing scuffle sent the baraat packing. In UP, Cinderella stories end with police mediations and cancelled buffets.
The Drunk Groom Case (Bareilly, February 22, 2025)
On February 22 in Bareilly, a 26-year-old groom arrived late and drunk, then garlanded the bride’s best friend instead of the bride. He tried to recover by garlanding a male friend and an elderly guest, but the bride had seen enough. She slapped him, called off the wedding and sent the entire baraat home. The police had to intervene—because in UP, even the garlands have plot twists.
Husband Of The Year (Sant Kabir Nagar, March 25–28, 2025)
In Sant Kabir Nagar, Babloo discovered his wife’s affair and, fearing for his own safety (thanks to a recent spate of “killer wives” in the news), arranged her wedding to her lover on March 25. Three days later, overwhelmed by childcare, he went to her new husband’s house and brought her back. The only thing more confused than the villagers is the marital status on everyone’s Aadhaar card.
Honorable Mention (Charkhari, October 16, 2024)
In a lighter moment, Akhilendra Khare, a 43-year-old petrol pump worker from Charkhari, publicly asked his MLA for help finding a bride, citing his vote as collateral. The MLA, caught off-guard, promised to help. In UP, even democracy doubles as a matrimonial agency.
So, if you’re planning a wedding in UP, don’t just worry about the caterer or the weather. The smart thing to do is keep an eye on the guest list and maybe invest in some GPS trackers for the groom and the in-laws. In the wild world of UP weddings, you never know who’ll say - “I do,” or “I’m outta here.” One thing’s for sure - the only thing more unpredictable than the wedding menu is who’ll actually make it to the honeymoon.