The city of Joy, Kolkata, recently got a lot more happier as it witnessed a euphoric queer couple tie the knot in the presence of family and friends.

Digital Marketing Expert Cheitan Sharrma and Fashion Designer Abhishek Ray’s love story started online like most contemporary romances when Cheitan wished Abhishek on Facebook for his birthday. Unbeknownst to both of them, this small act of reaching out would turn into a love story for the ages for it would prompt them to keep speaking to each other.

After initial visits to each other’s hometowns the couple started growing even closer and when Cheitan learnt that Abhishek had always wanted to visit the Taj Mahal, he knew that this would be the perfect opportunity to add a little more magic in their love story.

It was in India’s immortal monument of love that he got down on one knee and proposed to his partner in the kind of romantic fashion that would put Bollywood movies to shame.

Of course, the fact remained that LGBTQ+ marriages are still not legally recognised by the Indian government, but that did not stop the couple from wanting to organise the big, fat Indian wedding with social and religious rituals that would help them celebrate their union with well-wishers.

While vendors were asked to keep the event a secret till the big day, a whole host of pandits were called before Cheitan’s family pandit stepped up to wed the two lovebirds.

The beautiful saffron images from the couple’s haldi ceremony and the magical glimpses from their wedding mandap have gone viral on social media because of how beautifully smitten they both look with each other. While they donned matching yellow kurtas for the former, the latter saw them paying tribute to their respective cultures with their traditional outfits.

On the other hand, the cake that they cut during the mehendi ritual which has also been circulated widely on social media was decorated with a cake topper of the two of them dressed in dapper suits.

While the couple has received a lot of blessings and good wishes since going viral, their focus remains on using this limelight to spread positivity and love. As Abhishek told Gaysi, “Our message to everyone is to be brave and face the world, live life on your own terms and always listen to your heart. Love is love and love wins!”