The “Thirteenth Phera”: Friends Nearly Marry Groom in Viral Wedding Blunder

New Delhi, December 31, 2025: Indian weddings are known for their grandeur, deep-rooted traditions, and the occasional unpredictable blooper. However, a recent viral video has captured a moment so uniquely hilarious that even the officiating priest—usually the most solemn person in the mandap—couldn’t keep a straight face.

The footage, which has been circulating rapidly across Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), shows a bride and groom performing the pheras (the seven circumambulations around the sacred fire). Because of the sheer weight and expansive trail of the bride’s designer lehenga, her loyal bridesmaids followed closely behind to help her navigate the turns.

A Hilarious Case of “Too Much Help”

As the couple began their rounds, the friends holding the heavy fabric were so focused on keeping the lehenga off the ground that they inadvertently followed the groom a little too closely. In the video, as the groom leads the way, the bridesmaids are seen marching in perfect sync right behind him, effectively completing the ritual alongside the couple.

The visual of four extra people “marrying” the groom was too much for the attendees to handle. Guests can be heard giggling in the background as the realization sets in: the friends were technically taking the sacred vows too!

Even Pandit Ji Lost Control

The highlight of the clip isn’t just the accidental participation of the friends, but the reaction of the Pandit Ji. Known for maintaining the sanctity and discipline of the ceremony, the priest tried his best to continue the mantras. However, seeing the line of friends solemnly circling the fire like a wedding train, he eventually broke into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

“I have conducted thousands of weddings,” one commenter joked, “but this is the first time I’ve seen a groom get five wives for the price of one!”

Social Media Reacts

The internet has fallen in love with the wholesome chaos. Within 24 hours of being posted, the video garnered millions of views. The comments section is a goldmine of humor and relatability:

• The Supportive Squad: “This is what peak friendship looks like. They aren’t just carrying her dress; they’re carrying the marriage!”
• The Fashion Struggle: Many pointed out the struggle of modern bridal wear, noting that “Lehengas are getting so heavy you need a small army just to walk to the mandap.”
• The ‘Thirteenth Phera’: Users dubbed the moment the “extra phera,” suggesting the friends are now legally obligated to help the groom with chores for the rest of his life.

Why It Resonates

Beyond the laughs, the video highlights a shift in modern Indian weddings. While the rituals remain sacred, the atmosphere has become more joyful and less rigid. It showcases the bond between a bride and her “tribe”—friends who are willing to literally walk through fire (or at least around it) to make sure she looks perfect on her big day.

Fortunately, the “accidental marriage” didn’t stop the ceremony. After a brief pause for everyone to catch their breath and finish laughing, the couple completed their actual vows—this time, perhaps, with the friends standing just a few inches further back.