It happened! My dream came true.. Even though Moi Namaste isn’t really a festive/wedding wear brand, when I launched the Goddess Collection in December 2021, I secretly hoped to, one day, see someone wear us to a wedding. 

Did I guess it would be the bride & groom themselves? NOPE! Absolutely not!

I am so honoured to share the story of Satya & Vishwas, a fiercely independent and reflective couple who chose to celebrate their love in their own, unique way.. And yes! wore Moi Namaste’s Pure Silk Kimono (on the groom, Vishwas) and the Goddess Kimono (on the bride, Satya) for their wedding ceremony!

Let’s unravel this story and how we got here..

1. Tell us a little bit about yourselves. Who are you two?

I am Satya and I am Vishwas.

An architect and designer by education, Satya has been working with children since 2012. Satya was a Teach For India fellow in Pune in 2016 and was on the founding team of an early childhood education start-up, Pune Children's Zone. She thinks and feels deeply about restorative justice and currently runs a program called Taking Up Space, where she works with adults on their own identities, accessing restoration and reconciliation for themselves.

Vishwas is a trekker, explorer and a mirror for those around him. He has worked in the corporate sector for more than a decade and has created many alternative realities by breaking stereotypes in his own life. His discovery of self has been through the study of philosophy, years of avid travelling, the practice of detachment, questioning patriarchy, understanding and practising gender fluidity, fighting fears, contemplative practice, continuous questioning and carving out a life in complete alignment with self.

Satya and Vishwas currently live in Himachal Pradesh with each other.

[As described by one of our friends..]

Satya and Vishwas play many roles, wear multiple hats and contribute to this world in diverse ways, both big and small. While they have been, and continue to be, educators, learners, facilitators of experiences, leaders, entrepreneurs, etc. for the world around them, in essence they are both seekers of truth and peace. They are on an incredibly challenging and rewarding journey to consciously unlearn and reconstruct their identities and live life as their most authentic selves.

2. A little bit about your relationship. How did you two meet? What made you fall in love with the other person? 

We met in Goa, in 2020. 

[As described by one of our friends..]

Their paths crossed in the most unlikely of ways, and they had an intriguing and turbulent start to their journey together. It became increasingly clear to both of them that the connection they had experienced at the get go was here to stay and would only get stronger. Their third date was a 100-day adventure, belonging and staying in the Himalayas, and well, the rest is history. To the people who have the privilege of witnessing their journey up close, their love for each other seems to stem from a deep and genuine friendship, the ability to see each other for who they are as evolving and whole beings and the commitment to choose peace, growth and light every day.

3. When you made the decision to get married, what encouraged you to do it “your way”?

Both of us have always felt this deep connection with people who have raised us. It has been something they have chosen- to enrich our lives with their presence. We’re also surrounded by people who are immensely talented. Something we constantly do is see if we can find ways to tap into the strengths of this community, the talents here, all the things they bring to the table.

The primary reason to do this was also to break the patriarchy, capitalism and the commercialization of weddings. We wanted to explore if it would be possible to redefine weddings and everything they imply? That’s where we started and well, we figured it out! We started with a simple exploration- why not get people who are coming to own and co-create everything?

The outfits, the food, the accommodation, the decor…all the products and services one ends up buying from vendors, we thought of getting our people to pitch in for, some of whom do this for a living, some who are insanely talented at their crafts!

The Wedding Festival included a nature grounding, a Wedding Roast (where everyone was welcome and encouraged to make light of us using our past shared experiences/quirks/knowledge), a Wedding Toast (where everyone could bless us!), a musical concert, working with clay to connect with self, decoration, a commitment ceremony, and gratitude circles. 

4. Why did you choose to wear Moi Namaste for your wedding ceremony?

Moi Namaste was the easiest choice for both of us to wear on our wedding, as we experience deep alignment with the principles of the brand. We wore clothes that were gifted, heirlooms that belonged to friends and were deeply thoughtful while choosing what we would like to purchase. Moi Namaste is an indomitable, inspiring force, standing tall for the social upliftment and equity of the women artisans in India. It is a beautiful confluence that celebrates multi-diversity, making room and realisation for our innate Oneness. To see the love, fierceness, mindfulness of the brand, made it absolutely perfect. We both also appreciate clothing that allows us to breathe, is versatile, and gently holds its own history. Moi Namaste is all of this and more. 

5. What would be your advice for couples planning their wedding?

This experience requires a lot of self-reflection to understand what one wants from the wedding, the process and the event. It is learning about the choices one wants to make, the intentions one wants to set. 

A community-sourced wedding is not a disregard of existing processes, traditions or rituals, but an attempt to exercise choices that do exist. It is possible to redefine things that have been for centuries. It is a statement- that the only responsibility I truly have is towards myself and to what I stand for, the values I stand with and the absolute truth. We see love and truth as synonymous- where there’s one, the other exists. And hence, this festival is not just a representation of our love for each other and our family, but also of our truth.

It’s a reflection of who we are, our individual and collective being, how we’ve raised ourselves and how we've chosen to live the way we do today. It’s about starting to look around and truly see the environment and people that surround us. Start to see how they can evolve, how there could be many more dimensions to our closest relationships.