Love, Freedom, & No Rituals: How This Couple Rewrote Wedding Traditions

This story is a part of our #HeroesOfTheRepublic campaign. This Republic Day, we at The Better India are celebrating those who live and breathe the values enshrined in our Constitution.

When Nivetha and Yatharth decided to tie the knot, they knew they wanted their wedding to be a reflection of their values — not bound by societal expectations or customs and rituals. Both atheists, the couple chose a self-respecting wedding, a concept introduced by reformer Periyar during the Self-Respect Movement, to celebrate their love on their terms.

Unlike conventional weddings, their ceremony had no priests, no ‘saat pheras’, no mangalsutra, or kanyadaan. Instead, they exchanged heartfelt vows in Tamil and Hindi, lit lamps symbolising a bright future, and received blessings from their parents.

Held at a serene beach resort in Auroville, the wedding was attended by close family and friends. The couple honoured cultural traditions like mehendi and sangeet for their significance but stripped them of any religious connotations. They even went a step further to make the celebration eco-friendly, opting for biodegradable cutlery, natural decorations, and reusable water bottles.

For Nivetha, the decision was personal as well as symbolic. Her parents, who come from Hindu and Christian backgrounds, also had a self-respecting wedding in 1987. While Yatharth’s family initially struggled to understand their choice, they eventually supported the couple’s decision.

“We want people to know that it’s possible to break stereotypes while still respecting traditions,” says Nivetha.

In a world where weddings are often steeped in rituals, Nivetha and Yatharth’s story is a reminder that love and commitment don’t have to conform to tradition — they can redefine it.

Read the full story here.

Edited by Arunava Banerjee