The expression, “Love finds you when you stop looking for it”, maybe as stereotypical as they come. But it was exactly the case with Guwahati-born, New Delhi-based engineer-turned-content creator Manish Bhowmick and IT expert Nitesh Rawat based in the capital city. The couple met in what can be “the darkest time of our lives.” Manish was battling a tragic heartbreak during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. “Around that time amidst the lockdown, I came out to my family. And they decided to never speak to me because of my sexual orientation. My sister was the only one to accept and support me,” he shares about his exile. Nitesh, on the other hand, was fighting another fight. “I was constantly getting pressurized by my family to get married to a girl as I had just turned 26. Naturally, I kept rejecting all the proposals coming my way,” recalls Nitesh.
“We both almost lost all hope,” the duo chime in. It was then, out of nowhere, when Cupid’s arrow hit them with that much-needed ray of light. In 2023, Nitesh texted Manish. After their first date, they instantly hit it off. It wasn’t long before that small spark evolved into a euphoric, all-consuming fire. “A year into the relationship, when we got serious, I came out to my family. My mother and sister accepted me but my brother and father didn’t. Leaving my home, like Manish, was one of the hardest things to do, but it was also the most liberating.”
The Lead Up To The Wedding
Shared life goals, values and vision further strengthen their bond. Soon, the couple decided to seal the deal. November 2024 was finalized for the big day. “We started planning the wedding from April 2024. It took us around four months in total to plan the wedding.”
Manish and Nitesh envisioned an intimate, pared-down ceremony, surrounded by only love and positive vibes of friends and family. “Who better to plan the most important day of our lives than us.” So, everything, from the décor to wardrobe, was curated by the couple. The idea was to bring their dream wedding to life, but without overspending. “We wanted our wedding to be a reflection of our journey, not for the world, to prove a point or to make some noise online.” One non-negotiable? “The only thing we desired that our wedding would do is normalize a same-sex wedding in India. A gay wedding is just like a heterosexual wedding, except the fact that two men in love are getting married.” And normalize they did. Manish and Nitesh’s heartwarming ceremony tugged thousands of heartstrings across the world.
“Our advice to other couples-to-be planning a same-sex wedding is to keep It private. Do your research well before approaching to vendors and keep everything transparent to avoid shocks.”
The Quaint Venue
Casa Lontano in Chhatarpur, New Delhi was the perfect location to manifest their vision. “We wanted an open space with lush greens and open blue sky. Above all, a venue that was slightly isolated and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. So, this farmhouse ticked all the boxes,” says Manish.
The Pre-Wedding Puja: An Auspicious Start
To honour their Hindu heritage, Manish and Nitesh went ahead with a traditional line-up like any other wedding. “All our functions were in keeping with Hindu rituals and customs,” reveals Nitesh. A Satyanarayan puja on November 16, 2024 was the perfect, most auspicious start to walk towards their happily ever after.
The Haldi & Mehndi Ceremony: A Laughter & Colour Riot
The pious puja transitioned into a vibrant haldi ceremony, which kick started at noon. Lots of fresh flowers in a kaleidoscope of colours decked up the space. The grooms-to-be celebrated Pride in all its glory by choosing a designer from their community, Arijit Purkayastha. “Arijit created customized Bengali kurtas for us that complemented our North Eastern and North Indian cultures,” says Manish.
Nitesh recalls a memorable incident from the event, “Our entire wedding party climbed on the sofa to capture a group photo. The laughter riot and playfulness caused that sturdy sofa to break instantly.”
After a much-needed siesta, the guests reconvened for the mehndi party in the evening. Guests were welcomed with refreshing drinks, lively music, and personalised mehndi stations. The grooms, too, got their hands hennaed with intricate patterns, symbolising love and new beginnings.
The Wedding: A Pastel Dream
Manish and Nitesh’s big day on November 17 was a grand culmination of their love story, inspired by their stance for #LoveIsLove. A perfect declaration of their pure love and passion for each other was their theme: white and pink. The pristine palette symbolizes serenity and new beginnings, while pink is a rather unconventional choice for men. The theme beautifully echoed their story—a union that respects relationships, rather than conforms. “It was all minimal yet classy, just like we imagined it,” says Nitesh. The team behind TWE-A Beautiful Beginning got it to life.
With a gorgeous mandap set against lush lawns and golden hues of the sunlight, their ceremony was deeply traditional yet profoundly meaningful. “We tried to incorporate almost all of our traditions to it,” Manish adds. The Assamese Gamusa to tie the knot was a sentimental nod to Manish’s roots.
The grooms were a vision in white sherwanis, elevated with mirror work and thread embroidery in blush pink. “We not only designed the looks ourselves but were also part of the process, from start to finish. We sourced the fabric, went to a tailor, and discussed our style ideas.”
Manish remembers his most memorable moment when “my sister fixed my kalgi and Nitesh entered the mandap. I couldn’t control my tears.” For Nitesh, “The saath phere and the vows we made was the most special part.”
The Dinner And After-Party: A Glamorous End
As the sun set, the emotional energy soared to a stylish soiree, full of foot-thumping music, dancing and delicious food. The dinner and after-party was nothing short of a banger, with sparkling décor, lots of lights and a dance floor that set the stage for electrifying performances. The newlyweds cut a cake and danced the night away. “It was a night we will never forget.”
Be it the theme or trousseau, Manish and Nitesh’s wedding was a radiant celebration of love in its purest, most unapologetic form. Beyond tradition and expectation, they honoured the freedom to love and be loved openly. Each ceremony was not just a union of two people, but a bold declaration of authenticity, resilience, and joy. From heartfelt vows to vibrant rituals, their walk down the unconventional aisle reflects nothing but a beautiful truth—love always finds a way, and when it does, it deserves to be celebrated with pride.
The Grooms’ Checklist
The Groom: Nitesh Rawat
The Groom: Manish Bhowmick
The Venue: Casa Lontano
Photography & Videography: Stories by CK
The Outfits: Self designed and Arijit Purkayastha
Wedding Decorator: TWE-A Beautiful Beginning
Caterer: Barbeque Nation
Mehndi Artist: Mayank Chaudhary
Makeup & Hair: Mayank Chaudhary
Cake: Glaze Bakery @glazebydaksh
Invitation: Anirudh Kashyap
