150 Weddings Called Off in 40 Days in This Indian City: How Social Media Is Breaking Marriages

Marriage is often considered one of life’s most significant milestones. Lavish proposals, engagement parties, and dream-like wedding preparations set the stage for a perfect beginning. However, recent trends reveal a growing number of weddings being called off at the last minute—and social media is playing a major role.

A high-profile example is the sudden cancellation of Indian women’s cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s wedding with Indore-based music composer Palash Muchhal. But this is not an isolated case. According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, over 150 weddings were called off in Indore in just 40 days, often due to old social media posts resurfacing.

Old Posts and Digital Activity Trigger Disputes
The report highlights that around 62% of these cancellations were directly linked to social media. Couples discovered old posts related to past relationships, which often led to arguments and ultimately, wedding cancellations. Some cases involved pre-wedding shoots where disputes arose over the bride or groom’s previous posts, even when lavish arrangements worth crores had been made.

From Friend Lists to Emojis: Social Media Sparks Conflict
In the past, dowry issues were considered a primary reason for broken marriages. Today, social media has taken that role, with 60–70% of recent cancellations tied to online activity. Disputes have emerged over old posts, likes, comments, or even friend lists, often leading to mistrust and arguments that derail weddings.

Financial Losses for the Wedding Industry
Last-minute cancellations have hit the wedding industry hard. Wedding planners, hotels, caterers, bands, and decorators face significant losses when marriages are called off suddenly. Sumit Suri, President of a hotel association, estimates that recent cancellations have caused around ₹25 crore in losses in Indore alone.

Research Confirms Social Media’s Impact on Relationships
Studies support these observations. A Pew Research Center (2020) study found that 45% of people believe social media increases suspicion and tension in relationships. Research published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships notes that old posts, likes, and comments can breed distrust between partners. Similarly, a University of Kansas study found that closely monitoring a partner’s online activity often leads to pre-marriage arguments and breakups.

Digital Footprints Can Make or Break Relationships
This trend underscores how deeply digital activity influences real-life relationships. Couples now scrutinize each other’s online profiles, likes, and past interactions, with social media footprints becoming powerful enough to affect life-changing decisions, including marriage.