8 LGBTQ+ Wedding Stories That Perfectly Defines Love Is Love

As a wedding platform, the aim of Pyaari Weddings has always been to help the couple with queries and concerns related to a wedding. We also aim is to celebrate the union of two individuals and inspire the to-be brides and grooms with wedding fashion, decor, and stories and help them celebrate love, in whatever form it is. We believe in the power of love regardless of gender, race, caste, color, shape, size, etcetera. We believe that all of us deserve to have the wedding of our dreams.

Heart Warming LGBTQ Wedding Stories

LGBTQ+ weddings are known to be a celebration of love with pride. Their fight against all the odds and winning over is what makes their wedding stories an inspiration for us and everyone who believes in the power of true love. As we celebrate Pride Month, we decided to relay the wedding stories of some LGBTQ+ couples who choose to be with each other forever and had the wedding of their dreams. They enlightened us that no matter what you do and wherever you go, all you need is to believe and never give up on love.

1. Anuja Ankola and Adrienne Rochetti

Anuja Ankola from India and Adrienne Rochetti from America met for the first time in college. They gradually fell in love with each other and later, decided to tie the knot. What caught our attention was how both of them honored their tradition on their wedding day.

Source: Anuja Ankola

Anuja wore a stunning red lehenga with golden work and jewelry, whereas, Adrienne went for a sleek white gown with a heart-shaped neckline. Both of the brides kept their makeup, subtle and minimal.

Surrounded by nature, 100 alpacas, and 250 guests, they said their vows and choose to be with each other till eternity. 

2. Amit Shah and Aditya Madiraju

If you look at their Instagram profile, chances are high that you will fall in love with their dance moves and amazing chemistry. Their love story is a perfect example of the right timing and situation and how the opposite attracts. All that is said about love can easily be found in their story. 

Amit, a New Jersey-born choreographer met Aditya who works in a risk management company via a common friend at a birthday party and since then, they are inseparable. In less than a year they knew that fate has brought them together for a reason, and how they are meant for each other. They later decided to tell their parents about their identity and relationship. 

Source: Charmi Patel Peña 

Amit and Aditya wanted an intimate wedding celebration with their close friends and family, honoring their culture and roots. They first got married in a civil ceremony in 2019 and a few months later had an Indian wedding when Aditya’s parents visited them in the US. 

Their festivities kicked off with a Mehndi ceremony hosted at their house, followed by a simple wedding ceremony with a puja, garland exchange, and then pheras at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New Jersey. Both of them looked dapper wearing Indian outfits by noted designer, Anita Dongre. 

After the wedding ceremony, the couple hosted a cocktail party to wrap up the festivities at one of their favorite Indian cafes - Pondicheri NYC. This place holds special memories as their love story began at the same place. 

"We didn’t realize the impact a simple wedding at a temple would have on people around the world looking for hope. There is no secret to acceptance, tolerance, or happiness. You just have to find the right partner to take the step with. Let the truth of your love speak for itself,” said Amit Shah in an interview with Vogue India. 

3. Saima and Bianca 

Another wedding that took the internet by storm is the wedding ceremony of Saima and Bianca. They both hail from different parts of the world, one from Pakistan and another from India, but are based in the US. They met at a Spoken Word Performance in 2014 where they instantly connected and their love for art brought them together, and still, binds them strong. 

Source: Bianca Maieli ; Senna Ahmad

After casually dating for a year, they both knew how perfect they are for each other. To officiate their relationship, Bianca proposed to Saima on a family trip to Columbia in the presence of her family. 

Source: Bianca Maieli ; Senna Ahmad

The wedding ceremony took place in the backyard of Bianca’s father with 200 guests. While Bianca chose a stunning ivory and gold saree, Saima on the other hand, went with a Black Sherwani to compliment her bride Their wedding was officiated by one of their close friends, and looking at their pictures we fell in love with them, well who won't? 

Unlike the other LGBTQ+ couples, these two were in a space where their parents were okay with their identity and the choice of partner. 

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide To Same Sex Wedding Planning

4. Daniel Bauer and Tyrone Braganza

Daniel Bauer, a celebrity makeup artist met his partner Tyrone Braganza, an HR Professional at a bar in Mumbai. They had a brief conversation and went their ways but destiny had other plans. After their first meeting, for the next four years, both of them bumped at each other on multiple occasions.

Finally, one day they accidentally met on a flight to Goa and ended up spending a good amount of time together. A couple of meetings later, they realized they are meant to be together. Daniel and Tyrone got engaged in the year 2019 and soon after tied the knot in Frankfurt, and later got married in a lavish wedding ceremony in Goa. 

For their wedding in Frankfurt, they chose an all-white ensemble designed by Shantanu & Nikhil. And for the Goa wedding, they kickstarted the celebrations with a fun-filled Haldi ceremony, followed by a glam sangeet night where everybody danced their heart out.

They got married as per Goan catholic wedding rituals and looked totally dapper adorning the custom Falguni Shane Peacock ivory-hued sherwani with pastel pink stole and peach safa. They completed their whole look with a layered pearl necklace. 

Source: Stories by Joseph Radhik

Their union was a fairytale affair and the pictures are proof enough. 

5. Keshav Suri and Cyril Feuillebois

Keshav and Cyril’s love story is a tale of lifelong commitment. They met via a common friend in a bar and connected instantly. They got married on their 10th anniversary in Paris in the presence of their close family and friends.

Source: Cyril Feuillebois & Keshav Suri

After returning to India, the first thing Keshav did was to take the initiative to change the way Indian Law thinks of the queer community. He was one of the petitioners against section 377 - the law that had once effectively criminalized same-sex lovers. But as they say, love conquers, and wins no matter what, and just before their grand wedding in Goa, section 377 was removed.

Source: Cyril Feuillebois & Keshav Suri

Keshav told in one of his interviews, “When the government’s decision came right after our French wedding, the verdict made our wedding ceremony symbolic and gave us more strength.”

Awash in white, with pops of pastel pinks, their wedding mandap featured roses, hydrangeas, and orchids, with sweeping views of the sea as the backdrop. For the wedding ceremony, they both were seen wearing monochrome outfits designed by Shantanu & Nikhil. Suri opted for a black sherwani with gold embellished bandgala and shoes by Dutch brand Ruparo, and Feuillebois wore an all-white bandhgala with Jean Baptiste Rautureau shoes.

Source: Cyril Feuillebois & Keshav Suri

They exchanged varmalas and rings given by their mothers. On one side, the video of their vows went viral and made everyone teary-eyed but on the other side, it became the beacon of hope to several LGBTQ+ individuals who thought they would never be able to experience this. Their wedding was an inspiration for all the queer community.

From having a civil ceremony in Paris to the lavish wedding celebration in Goa, it was like a dream!

6. Romit Deb and Walter Badillo

If you are a fan of Sabyasachi's creations, you must remember two handsome grooms on his Instagram capturing all the hype and attention.

Source: Niccolò Guasti Photo

Romit, a Bengali wine enthusiast and food critic based in Soho, USA, got married to the love of his life, Walter in 2015 but it was only in the year 2020 when the ace designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee posted their wedding pictures and the internet absolutely went crazy, and for all the right reasons!

Source: Niccolò Guasti Photo

While Romit donned a classic black sherwani with gold buttons, Walter opted for an embroidered creation in black and gold from the House of Sabyasachi. They both tied the knot in Seville, Spain. 

7. Ketussa and Nevreet

Ketussa and Navreet got married in the most rustic and traditional vibe, looking absolutely gorgeous. We have been obsessing over how beautifully both the brides tied the knot by honoring their roots and culture we have seen the photos and videos. 

Source: Banga Studios

Ketussa, being a Sri-Lankan-Tamilian girl, chose to wear a stunning ivory silk saree with a statement mathapatti and polki jewelry. She completed her look with a white gajra adorning her hair bun. While Navreet went for a traditional red lehenga with gold work and kept her makeup subtle with nude lips and light eye makeup. She wore a dainty maangtikka and paired it with a beautiful neckpiece.

Their wedding pictures and videos are so beautiful that they will leave you teary-eyed, especially after seeing the love their families have for them. 

Also Read: 9 Best Ideas To Host LGBTQ+ Weddings

8. Shannon & Seema

The saying ‘Love at first sight’ fits perfectly when we describe Shannon and Seema’s love story. They both met each other at a workout camp where Shannon was the instructor. She even remembers saying to one of the instructors that she is going to marry Seema one day. And boy her dreams legit came true!

Source: Steph Grant Studios

Their wedding is known to be America’s first Indian-American lesbian wedding with an Indian-style grand wedding ceremony in LA.

Source: Steph Grant Studios

For the ceremony, Seema wore a traditional red lehenga, and Shannon looked gorgeous in a white off-shoulder dress. They tied the knot as per Indian wedding rituals, surrounded by family and friends. 

Conclusion

Here are some couples that changed the way the world thinks of the LGBTQ+ community, and somewhere, somehow inspired millions of people that it is okay to be who you are and accept it. Loving yourself for who you are is not a crime and loving someone should not come with terms and conditions. We at Pyaari Weddings would like to congratulate and wish the LGBTQ+ community a beautiful and happy Pride month. May we all grow together and learn in the way to be more open, non-judgemental, and kinder towards each other. 

Featured Image: Stories by Joseph Radhik

Author: Neha Garg Ahuja ; Gayatri Guha