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This extravagant Gay Indian Wedding Will Melt Your Heart!
Love without Borders - Nov 20, 2018
Amit and Martin’s beautiful interfaith marriage shows the way the world is changing for the better.
When India decriminalized homosexuality, it gave strength to millions and caught up with a global majority who believe, who know, that love is love. In a world that everyday seems to struggle to make sense of itself, the courage to know yourself and the bliss of loving someone and them loving you in return, is what makes mundane existence sublime.
Amit and Martin have been in love for many years, faced all the usual and the particular odds that came their way and in an affirmation of the power of love, got married in New York City in a beautiful, Indian wedding. Here is their exclusive, heartwarming, inspiring love story and highlights from the extravagant wedding celebrations.
A MBA graduate from Metropolitan College of New York, Martin tells us all about how he first met Amit. “We met through a mutual friend on Facebook almost 8 years ago. We began talking and messaging each other in December 2010. I was living in Michigan at that point and we were communicating via Skype and Facebook everyday. We only met in March 2011 when I flew in to see him for five days. I saw him in person for the first time at LaGuardia Airport. Amit ran up behind me and gave me the biggest bear hug and I knew that was it. At the end of the five days together, I was flying back to Michigan and was already in love. We continued long distance while I lived in Michigan and even when I moved back to Upstate New York to finish college in the summer of 2011.”
While they were sure about their relationship and its future, they had an uphill task with the parents. Amit explains, “My parents came from India in the late 70s and have always remained very traditional. Meeting Martin and finding my soul mate finally gave me the courage to be true to my family and myself. What I had anticipated to be the worst day of my life became one of the most fulfilling and rewarding. Martin and I flew to Texas (where my family lives) and he waited at our friends’ home while I told my parents, with my brother at my side. My parents opened up their minds and hearts and accepted me, as well as Martin, without condition or prejudice. The next day, my brother and sister-in-law had a celebration at their home. I was there with Martin. Together. Free of anxiety, fear or doubt. It has been a nonstop celebration since then. My family and Martin’s met for the first time at a Diwali celebration. My mom was finally able to fulfill her wish of having our Hindu engagement ceremony in their home”.
Talking about the dream proposal, Amit shares, “I remember meeting our jeweler to start the design and planning process for his ring. I knew exactly what I had in mind and I wanted to make sure the ring would represent our relationship and Martin who is not only gorgeous but unique, timeless, and one of a kind. I messaged his mother, father and sister and asked for their permission to propose to Martin. I sought the advice of my brother as well. The proposal was planned on a day where his parents would be visiting. I hired a photographer to capture the moment as I surprised Martin on Bow Bridge in Manhattan.”
The two wed at the luxurious New York City landmark venue, Cipriani Wall Street and all of the celebrations were meticulously captured by Clane Gessel. Balancing tradition and trends, the couple wore beautiful creations designed by Tarun Tahiliani who is known for his pioneering ability to fuse high-quality Indian craftsmanship and textile heritage.
Martin says, “The festivities kicked off with a sangeet/garba/henna night at Current at Pier 60. This was an evening of folk dancing traditional in Amit’s village in Gujarat, India. Our wedding was large by western standards but small by Indian. With about 300 people at Cipriani Wall Street, we arrived on extravagantly decorated horses. It was incredible. Our decorators, Design House Decor and our wedding planner, Sonal J. Shah did an incredible job of keeping our vision alive and seeing it to fruition. With colors like deep purple, hot pink, dark blue and some lighter pinks; we went for a very sexy, moody, romantic theme with a hint of modern. We had both a Hindu and a Christian ceremony. It took us 8 years to get to this point and we wanted a celebration of our love, equality and two families coming together and becoming one.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Cipriani Wall Street
Wedding Planner: Sonal J. Shah
Décor: Design House Décor
Caterers: Awadh, NYC
Wedding Outfits: Tarun Tahiliani
Entertainment: Star Group Productions, Chloe Cahill, DJ Sharad
Wedding Cake: City Sweets NYC
Photography: Clane Gessel
