It was in the year 2012 that Sandeep, who hails from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, met Karthik, a Palakkad bhramin, met on a dating site. 

From short messages to long mails, the acquaintance deepened, and love blossomed between the two. While Sandeep had moved to the United States in 2008, Karthik was born and raised in America.  

When the couple informed their families about their relationship, most were jubilant, while few were hesitant. However, it did not take too long for everyone in the two families to make peace with their sons' decisions and a traditional Hindu wedding was planned for them. 

An engagement in February 2014 and the wedding in January this year was planned to bring the couple together. Miles away from their homeland in India, a beatific Sandeep and Karthik were welcomed with nilavilakku (lamp) and nirapara (vessel full of paddy or rice) after they tied the knot with each other in California in a glittering, traditional ceremony amidst family and close friends. 

"Sandeep and Karthik wanted to be pioneers. They wanted to break all barriers and start a trend which would help others," a friend of the duo said.  The duo are thankful that they are blessed with families who welcomed their love. 

Photo credits: Motion8 Films, CA