No Mangalsutra, No Sacraments; Just Love: Our Wedding Was More Than A Ritual

I recently tied the knot with my long-time partner Adharsh in a ceremony that was as unconventional as it was heartfelt. We have been together for over a decade, and chose to step away from traditional religious rituals to create a deeply personal wedding experience, rooted in love, and unapologetically our own.

Our story

Now that everything’s settled, I feel this deep sense of calm and gratitude. There was so much joy and excitement, but stepping into marriage with Adharsh feels grounding in the best way. We’ve always been a team, but calling him ‘husband’ now just adds something magical to that.

Our love story began in school, where we were classmates. What followed was over a decade of growing up side by side from awkward teenage years to career-building adulting. We’ve been through every version of each other. What’s kept us strong is empathy, humour, and just showing up for the big moments and the ordinary ones.

We were lucky to have the incredible support of our families. Of course, there were conversations. But when we shared our intention with honesty, our families responded with love and understanding.

The wedding

Our wedding, a blend of Catholic and Hindu roots, broke away from the expected to reflect who we are as a couple. We didn’t want to follow one path or try to merge rituals for the sake of it. Instead, we created something entirely new.

It wasn’t about rejecting our faiths; it was about making space for a ceremony that felt emotionally honest and equal for both of us.

The ceremony skipped religious rites, instead focusing on the essentials: vows, garlands, and love. We wrote our own vows. There was no mangalsutra, no church sacraments. Just us, in front of the people we love most. It felt intimate, emotional, and entirely ‘us.’

And my look? Instead of a big-name designer gown or ornate lehenga, I wanted to feel like myself. I worked with a local designer to create a peach dress that felt playful, personal, and a little offbeat. I even wore pearl-embellished sneakers down the aisle. Supporting homegrown talent wasn’t just a theme; it was a reflection of who I am as a person.

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Celebration of identities

As a creator whose content often celebrates Malayali identity and culture, I made sure that my roots were woven into the celebration, even if not through traditional rituals. Being Malayali shows up in the humour, the warmth, the chaos, and all of that was there on our big day.

My advice for other interfaith couples is to take your time, communicate openly, and remember it’s not just about the wedding, it’s about your shared future. Every couple has a different story, and your wedding should reflect that, not what tradition expects.

Authored by Steffy Sunny, content creator