Amit & Martin New York : This beautiful cross-cultural, same-sex wedding is a proof that love trumps all!

Amit and Martin tied the knot in not one, but two breathtaking ceremonies in New York. They have a quintessential love story with its own quirks! We fell in love with their picture posted by Tarun Tahiliani and knew that we have to know a little more about these two cuties!

The Love Story

Amit and Martin were introduced to each other by a mutual friend on Facebook almost 8 years ago. From December to March they talked daily and finally made plans to meet each other. Martin flew from Michigan to New Jersey to meet his man. When he stepped out of Laguardia Airport, he was enveloped in a warm bear hug by Amit. Both Amit and Martin believe that the hug changed their lives- they knew they’ve found the one, they’ve found home! They continued to be in a long distance relationship for the next 4 and a half years. It was difficult, yet it was worth it! Martin would drive down 515kms every weekend just to spend 2 days with his love. They finally moved in and started living together in 2015. Amit realised the next step would be to come out to his parents. A nervous and jittery Amit boarded a flight to Texas with Martin strongly supporting him. Amit recalls, “Meeting Martin and finding my soulmate finally gave me the courage to be true to myself and my family.  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 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!”

The Proposal

Amit says that the day he proposed to Martin was one of the most fulfilling days of their lives. “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 – not only gorgeous but unique, timeless, and one of a kind.” He messaged Martin’s family and sought their permission to marry their son. He then proposed to Martin at the  Bow Bridge in Manhattan as it is one of the first places they visited as a couple together. Later they went to see the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Centre, a tradition they’ve been following for 8 years.

The Wedding Festivities

They began planning the wedding a year and a half prior to the date! The vision for the wedding was classy, tasteful, sexy, vibrant and stunningly gorgeous. Martin wanted a smaller wedding while Amit wanted a big, fat one. Needless to say, Amit won that one. Martin was thrilled the way it turned out and couldn’t have imagined it happening any other way! Sonal J Shah was able to bring Amit and Martin’s vision to life and they cannot thank her enough for the same!

The Garba Raas

The wedding festivities kicked off with garba raas at Pier 59 in Manhattan. The venue was adorned in hot pink, orange, dark green and purple. Amit and Martin were spotted in pastel hues for the event. Amit wore dhoti and kurta with a pastel pink jacket with intricate motifs. Martin wore a baby blue kurta and churidar by Tarun Tahiliani.

The Wedding

For the wedding, the couple wanted to set a sexy, romantic and moody vibe. They chose dark purple, hot pink and dark blue to set the mood. Amit says, “Martin’s imagination has always been grand. He loves luxury and the finest things in life, so his vision for the wedding was enormous and dripping in luxury. The wedding actually ended up exceeding those expectations for both of us!” The grooms were seen in custom Tarun Tahiliani creations and looked nothing less than dapper!

The Hindu ceremony was followed by the Christian ceremony. The wedding was officiated by Martin’s Great Aunt Kit. His parents sang one of his late grandfather’s favorite hymns, ‘In the Garden’ during the Christian ceremony. It took Martin and Amit 8 years to get to this point. They wanted a celebration of their love, equality and two families coming together and becoming one. They got everything they wished for!

The Dream Team

Photographer: Clane Gessel

Wedding Planner: Sonal J Shah Events

Grooms’ Couture: Tarun Tahiliani