The Wedding

If you don’t already know how I met Missy, you can read it here.

Let’s rewind to December 5, 2021, a pivotal day in our journey. It was my last day in Meghalaya from that trip. I had already expressed my intentions to Missy the day before. While she wasn’t ready to say yes, my imminent departure left her feeling uneasy. Later, she confessed that her feelings for me had begun that day. She also mentioned wishing I could have stayed longer in Meghalaya.

For this reason, I consider December 5, 2021, as the official start of our relationship. Now, after three years together—my longest relationship yet—we decided to get married on the exact date of our third anniversary.  

Choosing the Wedding Style

Initially, I had envisioned a Christian wedding in Missy’s village church. Although I’m Hindu by religion, I’m not particularly religious, and I’ve always admired the simplicity and elegance of Christian weddings. Many of the people who have profoundly influenced my life are Christians, so I have a natural affinity for the faith and its traditions.  

However, Missy’s church declined because I’m a non-Christian, so a church wedding wasn’t possible. Our next best option was a court marriage, which aligned with my preference for keeping things simple and hassle-free.  

Convincing Missy’s Family

People often ask me if it was difficult to convince Missy’s parents about our marriage or if I faced any racism being an outsider in Meghalaya. The answer is no. Missy spoke to her father during Christmas 2021, just weeks after I left. He agreed immediately, but with one condition: he wanted to talk to me on this matter in person.  

When I moved to Meghalaya in May 2022, I met her father. He asked about my work and how we’d support them since Missy, being the youngest daughter, has the responsibility of looking after her parents. I assured him we’d take care of them. That was enough to put his concerns to rest, and he wholeheartedly approved. I’ve never faced any racism from her family or the locals, except for occasional negative comments online—which is part and parcel of being an internet personality.  

The Court Marriage Process

When we decided on a court marriage, I reached out to my Instagram followers for recommendations on a marriage attorney. One of the perks of having a large following is that help is always just a message away. Several lawyers reached out, and I initially chose one with whom I had exchanged some DM's or reactions before over my Instagram posts.

However, her requirements seemed unnecessarily complicated. She insisted I’d need a “No Marriage Certificate” from Mumbai and that a 30-day notice would have to be sent there as my permanent address is in Mumbai. This didn’t match my own research, so I consulted another lawyer who offered a much simpler process. Since I had a driver’s license from Meghalaya, there was no need to involve Mumbai at all. I switched to this new lawyer, who made things significantly easier.

We submitted our application on October 16, 2024, and waited for the mandatory 30-day notice period to pass. The notice, essentially a public announcement of intent to marry, was displayed on the court’s noticeboard. If anyone objected, they had until November 16 to raise it.  

Wedding Preparations

While the 30-day notice period was ongoing, we began our wedding preparations in full swing. One of the first things we did was finalize Missy’s wedding gown. She found a design she liked online, and we sourced all the materials ourselves before handing them over to a local tailor. The tailor did an excellent job, and the gown cost us around ₹15,000. I also had a custom-tailored suit made from a nearby shop, which cost ₹17,000. Apart from these, we had a traditional Jainsem tailored for her mom and a suit tailored for her dad.

We kept our approach simple and economical, just like Missy’s personality. For instance, our wedding rings were modest yet meaningful, reflecting her minimalistic taste. Additionally, we bought a few other accessories to complement our outfits.

As the wedding date approached, we traveled to Missy’s village to prepare her family home for the big day. Together with her cousins and siblings, we painted the house and furniture, tidied up the surroundings, and created a warm, welcoming space. The effort brought everyone together and added a special touch to our preparations.

The Wedding Day

On December 5, 2024, we headed to the court in Pynursla, where our marriage was officially registered. The magistrate, after hearing our story, congratulated us warmly. We exchanged rings in the courtroom, signed the paperwork, and took photos with the magistrate.  

Afterward, we traveled to a nearby picturesque village called Langkawet for a short wedding photoshoot. We returned home to a simple celebration with cake and close family. Apart from one of Missy’s friends, the guest list consisted solely of her immediate family—her parents, siblings, and a few cousins.  

Reflecting on Our Journey

Our wedding wasn’t a grand affair, but it was deeply meaningful to us. The simplicity of the day mirrored the authenticity of our relationship. December 5 will always remain special—not just as our wedding anniversary, but as a reminder of how far we’ve come since that first day in 2021 when it all began.