Love in the Time of Zoom: When Your Boss Has Other Plans
Picture this: It’s a beautiful day in Himachal Pradesh, the sun is shining, wedding bells are ringing, and the groom? He’s in Turkey, getting a less-than-warm “sorry, not today” from his boss about taking leave for his own wedding. Meanwhile, the bride is probably thinking, “Are you kidding me? Qubool Hai is not a suggestion!”
Welcome to weddings in the 21st century, where the “I do” can sometimes sound suspiciously like “Can you hear me now?” Adnan Muhammad, the groom in this tale of love and bureaucracy, had his plans foiled by what we can only presume was his boss’s fierce commitment to productivity. Seriously, leave a guy alone to get married; at this rate, the next wedding will be on an office conference call—where one poor soul still forgets to mute their mic while munching on chips.
Adnan was understandably eager to tie the knot with his bride in Himachal Pradesh, all while his boss was probably thinking about how a legal wedding doesn’t improve work productivity (but have you tried outsourcing marriage to a video call?). All the while, the bride’s ailing grandfather just wanted to witness his granddaughter get hitched, making the stakes even higher. Talk about pressure! One minute you’re picking out a suit; the next, you’re testing your WiFi signal and saying, “Can you see me?” while your in-laws learn the joys of FaceTime.
Through the magic—or perhaps the chaos—of technology, the couple managed to officially become husband and wife in a digital ceremony while the baraat (wedding procession) made its way to the venue. Honestly, if anything is more romantic than getting hitched over a screen, I’d love to know what it is—barking dogs in the background? Grandma announcing the WiFi password?
But hold on, this isn’t a one-off issue. This trend seems to be less about what’s trending on TikTok and more about survival: We’ve seen other couples, like Ashish Singha and Shivani Thakur, pulling off their nuptials via video call after nature reminded them who’s boss with floods and landslides. It makes you think: do we even need wedding venues anymore? “Honey, where do you want to get married?” “Hmm, your living room looks nice…”
In fact, navigating through the pandemic has paved the way for countless Zoom weddings—remember Vignesh and Anjali from Kerala? They literally sent invites with a Zoom ID. If that’s not a sign of the times, I don’t know what is! It’s like saying, “We’ll just pretend it’s a traditional wedding, but wait, can you keep the noise down? My roommate is really into the vows and I don’t want to distract him.”
So, what’s the takeaway? In the age of remote work, love can conquer even the most bureaucratic obstacles—as long as you have a strong internet connection. And perhaps a backup plan that involves a lawyer who knows their way around video nuptials. If this keeps up, we’re going to see wedding planners suggesting “virtual packages” as a new wedding trend. Next stop: wedding live-streaming services! Just imagine the hashtags… #BetterWiFiThanLove.
In conclusion, cheers to the couples adapting to the new normal! If a boss can’t see the value in love, at least we know the rest of us can appreciate that when it comes to technology, the right connection might just lead to a happy ever after—even if you’re hundreds of miles apart. So, here’s to love, laughter, and video calls!
Last Updated:November 08, 2024, 12:10 IST
In an unexpected twist, a groom based in Turkey tied the knot with his bride in Himachal Pradesh through a video call after his leave request was denied by his employer.
The groom’s family travelled with the baraat from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh to Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. (Representative Image)
Adnan Muhammad, originally from Bilaspur, had intended to return to India to celebrate his wedding in person with family and friends. Unfortunately, a last-minute denial of his leave by his boss in Turkey created a barrier, leaving the couple searching for a solution. Compounding the situation was the heartfelt wish of the bride’s ailing grandfather, who longed to witness his granddaughter’s wedding. Faced with these challenges, both families agreed to a virtual ceremony, adapting to the circumstances in the name of love.
The groom’s family embarked on the journey with the baraat, completing their travel from Bilaspur to the wedding destination in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Under the supervision of a qazi, the couple exchanged vows as the marriage rituals unfolded over the video call, allowing loved ones to participate from afar, as reported by PTI.
This remarkable incident is not an isolated case; it echoes a similar event from July 2023, when another couple in Himachal Pradesh had to pivot to a virtual wedding due to adverse weather conditions. Ashish Singha and Shivani Thakur had originally planned a traditional procession from Kotgarh, a Shimla village, to Bhuntar, where the bride’s family resides. However, relentless rainfall, landslides, and flash floods in the mountainous terrain led them to opt for a video call to exchange their vows instead.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a surge in virtual weddings worldwide, with many couples embracing technology to celebrate their union. One memorable instance involved a couple from Kerala, Vignesh KM and Anjali Ranjith, who conducted their wedding via the video conferencing platform, Zoom. They creatively designed e-invitations that included a Zoom ID and password for guests to join in the celebration. The ceremony took place in the comfort of Vignesh’s home, with the assistance of his roommates in conducting the rituals, and his parents sending essential items like the mangalsutra and attire through speed post.
**Interview with Adnan Muhammad: Love and Virtual Weddings in the 21st Century**
**Interviewer**: Adnan, thank you for joining us today. Your wedding story has captured many hearts. Can you tell us what it was like when your leave request was denied by your boss?
**Adnan Muhammad**: Thank you for having me! It was a surreal moment. I had planned everything to return to India for my wedding, so when I got the news from my employer in Turkey, I felt a mix of frustration and disbelief. It was a big day in my life, and my boss simply didn’t see the importance of it.
**Interviewer**: That’s certainly understandable. How did you and your bride, considering the circumstances, decide on a virtual ceremony?
**Adnan Muhammad**: With my leave denied, we had to think on our feet. My bride’s grandfather was a significant factor; he was eager to witness the wedding but was unwell. We realized that a virtual ceremony was our best solution—this way, everyone’s attendance was possible, and we could still include our family and friends in the celebration.
**Interviewer**: It’s amazing how technology can adapt to our needs. How did your families react to the idea of a Zoom wedding?
**Adnan Muhammad**: Initially, there was a bit of hesitation—especially from the older family members who weren’t familiar with video calls. But once everyone realized the importance of being together, despite the physical distance, they embraced the idea. it turned into a fun experience, with everyone learning how to use technology in real-time!
**Interviewer**: It sounds like a memorable experience. What were some of the challenges you faced during the virtual ceremony?
**Adnan Muhammad**: There were definitely some hiccups! My internet connection was a constant concern, and there were a few moments of awkwardness—like when someone forgot to mute their mic! But those little challenges just added to the uniqueness of the day. We all laughed together and made the best of it.
**Interviewer**: Many couples are now considering virtual weddings as a viable option. What advice would you give to those planning a Zoom wedding?
**Adnan Muhammad**: My biggest piece of advice is to test your technology beforehand. Make sure everyone knows how to connect and that the WiFi is strong. Also, keep it light-hearted—embrace the quirky moments because they’ll make for great memories later. Lastly, involve family and friends in every step; it makes the event more intimate and special.
**Interviewer**: Wonderful advice, Adnan! How do you feel about the future of weddings, considering what you’ve experienced?
**Adnan Muhammad**: This whole experience has opened up new possibilities for weddings. I think we will see a blend of traditional and virtual elements. Couples can have smaller physical gatherings while including loved ones from afar. Love can genuinely conquer all, even in the most bureaucratic circumstances!
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Adnan, for sharing your story and insights! We wish you and your bride all the best in your marriage.
**Adnan Muhammad**: Thank you! It was a pleasure sharing our journey. Here’s to love and technology!
