Why do we adore love stories?
Especially the ones that started in front of you, that go against many odds, that combine two different individuals, their different worlds? against all odds?

Probably because they reassure the idea of a beautiful worlds that we live in. It gives us hope, it tells us that despite our daily transactions, our lives are above that, it’s about selflessness, about uplifting each other, which indicates we might have a purpose beyond existing.

There’s one such love story that I have witnessed blossoming. I don’t know what happened once it started, but a call some time back from DV(Divyanshu) informed me that they are set to get married.

What intrigued me was that it would happen amongst 9 other people where DV’s family won’t be present and it would be carried out in Shagun’s parent’s home. It became very important for me to photograph it in the most honest way I could. I hope you will also feel what everybody felt that night by seeing these pictures.

I will also let DV and Shagun take over to tell their story in their own words.

But before that, let meet Shagun’s parents and their house.

Here’s Purvi, Shagun’s sister who was too shy initially to be photographed.

These three boys here were the solid backbone of the family on that day. They are Purvi’s friends, they run a home stay in Manali and were very well versed to take over all the responsibilities of the wedding setup.

SHAGUN: There is a lot to write about our relationship but to sum up in a few words, I would say, we helped us to become better versions of ourselves. Our relationship helped us grow, in every possible aspect. I didn't like him at all, when we met initially and I never thought that I would fall for him so hard.

DV: The marriage was never a question of if, only when. Maybe it sounds dreamy, but I guess that confidence about knowing you’re with the right person is the best way to describe your feelings.

SHAGUN: We are complimentary, but not compatible. The energies are way different. The point where we met was our needs. I needed to be free and wanted a partner who would let me be and he needed love and acceptance for who he is, for being someone so different and opposed to everything that society has taught him. The complimenting personalities almost sound like an astrology recommendation. Maybe because we are seeing it in retrospect.

DV: After more than a decade of being a stubborn brat, it was impossible for me to simply go along with “that’s how weddings are done.” Shagun and I spent hours and days, questioning such notions. That’s how we have spent most of our relationship. Showing the same intensity in our passion for each other, as well as in our curiosity about the world. What made me fall so hard for her was her brilliance, her quick-witted genius, and the capacity to learn and absorb.

SHAGUN: One of the biggest comforts of being in relationship with him and marrying him is that, the relationship never felt like a burden. We have had differences, arguments, and fights, leading to breakups even. But we always talked through, ALWAYS, thanks to him.

Dv: There’s no denying that gender politics have been part of our relationship as much as it is part of our public life. We both knew that our wedding can’t happen in traditional terms because we refuse to see each other in those terms. Impossible to think of each other as anything but equals. Friends. Partners.

SHAGUN: The journey up to our marriage not been an easy one, mostly because my parents were not really in favour. Not for any particular reason. Perhaps, even they don’t know why. Do we ever know why we like or dislike someone?

Also, it was about the values Dv and I stood for. That was the most difficult part. Convincing others that we are opposing something because our values don’t align with the concept.

Dv: Watching Shagun’s parents grow and adapt to new ideas was amazing. Even though this growth has mostly been reluctant and often imposed by us, as we exposed them to ideas that were bizarre in their worldview. It has also been interesting—and disappointing—to find my parents unable to grow or adapt at all.

DV had got a printout of the constellation visible right above the mandap at the time the wedding would be happening. This really surprised everyone and is one of the rarest wedding gifts we have seen a groom present it to his wife.

SHAGUN: Apart from small glitches, I can say, I was happy. He was happy. And we made it happen, almost in the way we wanted. It is a huge achievement for us.

Dv: Not inviting anyone to the wedding event, holding a small celebration afterwards for a very small number of people, and even refusing to spend lavish amounts. Every demand was a ground for struggle. And I could not have done without Shagun sitting, talking, and planning with me on all this.

It’s a privilege to be a part of such intimate moments of a family. Occasions like these realigns us to know the importance of what we do. We are happy to have been there that night as not many have witnessed it but many would see it from my eyes.

Drop in your comments about how it communicated with you. We’ll be happy to connect and send your wished to Shagun & DV too.

-Mayank Gautam
mayankgautam.com