SANTA CLARA, Calif.—The shelter-in-place order has canceled many plans for vacations and celebrations, but one California couple did not let that stop them from tying the knot.
Love Singhal and his bride, Sarita Jayantee Biswal, were married by Cindy Chavez, president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. They held a virtual wedding ceremony through Zoom using their laptop.
By California law, couples are required to be physically present with their valid photo identification at their local County Clerk’s Office to apply for a marriage license.
However, considering the current situation, Governor Gavin Newsom temporarily allowed marriage via videoconference starting on May 4. Singhal and Biswal’s ceremony took place on May 5, making it California’s first virtual wedding.
Singhal works at Intel in Silicon Valley, and Biswal in Los Angeles. They met on an Indian matchmaking website in 2016 and often communicated through Skype.
Right before their wedding, the couple told The Epoch Times that they did not have time to pick out a wedding dress, but would do their best.
“So it’s not like we’re getting something, because everything is closed now,” said Biswal. “Whatever we have, we’re just trying to make it perfect for us.”
She even did her own hair and makeup, and the groom had to cut his own hair.
“Hopefully whatever we do doesn’t come out that bad on camera,” Singhal joked.
They were engaged earlier this year on Valentine’s Day, and they booked a Santa Clara County chapel for a wedding on March 19. However, the quarantine order closed the county on March 15, and their plans were canceled.
After several weeks of waiting around, they decided to go on with a virtual ceremony.
“We’ll have the rings, and we’ll do whatever Cindy says,” said Singhal.
They invited many friends and relatives in California to join the Zoom ceremony, as well as immediate family in India. The ceremony took place at 7:30 p.m. local time and 8 a.m. in India.
“Our parents are actually in India, so … in a way it’s very good that they could also join our wedding,” said Singhal. “They were planning to come here, but because of the flight restrictions, they could not come.”
Biswal wore a peach-pink colored dress with matching silver dangle earrings and necklace. She did her hair in a half updo with two curls down either side of her face. Singhal wore a black suit and tie.
They set up a white backdrop decorated with white and red balloons, red flower petals, and photos of their memories together. Their friends and family showered them with wishes and blessings.
Chavez conducted the ceremony and witnessed their “I do’s.”
The tech couple has been working from home during the quarantine.
“We were planning to go on a honeymoon on a cruise, but that got canceled,” said Singhal.
As for their plans after the wedding, he said it’s hard to plan anything now, but they will once California opens up.
“We want to have a celebration with our friends here, and as soon as we go to India, to celebrate with our family there,” he said.
