Real Weddings: Love Knows No Distance
Despite a 9 year gap, their love knew no bounds.
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The Details
Images- Clane Gessel
Planning - Sonal J Shah
Decor - Design House Decor
Catering - Chef Gaurav Anand
Outfits- Tarun Tahiliani
Venues- Cipriani Wall Street, The Plaza Hotel
Cake - City Sweets NYC
DJ - DJ Sharad, DJ USA
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"I was there with Martin. Together. Free of anxiety, fear or doubt," says Amit.
"Most of all, it took us 8 years to get to this point and we just wanted a celebration of our love, equality and two families coming together and becoming one," says Martin.
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The decor colour scheme was dark purple, hot pink, dark blue and some lighter pinks; very sexy, moody and romantic, with a hint of modern.
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"It has been a nonstop celebration since that time, with the most recent being a Diwali celebration at my parents home. My family as well as that of Martin's attended it, where the two families met for the first time. My mom was finally able to fulfil her wish of having our Hindu engagement ceremony in their home."
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Martin and Amit were finally able to live and be together in 2015, after he graduated. The consequent steps in their relationship were getting married and coming out to their families. Amit's parents immigrated from India in the late 70s and have always remained traditional in their Indian roots. "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." Amit says, "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."
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"My family loved Amit from the very start. He was the first and only person I ever brought home to meet my family. My parents, sister and young niece and nephew fell in love with him instantly, just as I had. My niece, Julia, who is 11, and my nephew, Maxwell, who is 7, love their Uncle Amit and are very excited for our wedding. Julia is my Junior Maid of Honour and Maxwell is my Junior Best Man. Both my grandmothers loved Amit and his entire family from the beginning as well."
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They began a long distance relationship, which went on for almost 5 years. Martin would make the 640 mile drive every single weekend just to see him. He would drive down Friday afternoon after his last class, and would drive back upstate on Sunday afternoon in order to be ready for classes on Monday morning.
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"I remember meeting our jeweller to start the design and planning process for his ring. I knew exactly what I had in mind and I wanted to make sure that the ring would represent our relationship and Martin - not only gorgeous but unique, timeless, and one of a kind. I messaged his mother, father and sister, asking 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 (one of the first places we visited as a couple together)."
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They met in person for the very first time in March 2011, at Laguardia Airport when Martin flew in to see Amit for five days. "Amit ran up behind me and gave me the biggest bear hug and I knew that was it," says Martin. "That hug changed my life forever, I knew I had found true love and I felt that I had finally found myself," says Amit. At the end of the five days together, they were already in love.
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What began with just a few texts a day, soon evolved into daily Skype dates for at-least 4 months.
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The Sangeet Garba night took place at Current at Pier 60. An evening full of traditional folk dancing from Amit's village in Gujarat, India. This traditional dance was followed by some more dancing, bhangra and other Bollywood favourites. The Mehendi ceremony also took place on the same day.
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In 2010 Amit and Martin met through a mutual friend on Facebook, after which they began talking to each other, and made arrangements to meet in 2011 for the first time.