Spontaneous marriage in Las Vegas

Harsh and I had a long distance relationship since two years. We met in India and fell in love, but he had to go back to the US and I had to go back to Germany.

In March 2018 I came to see him in New York for three month with an ESTA travel authorization.

In November of the same year we had been apart since five hard and long month, so I planned to come to see him for another three month in the US.

At the border in Atlanta, where I had to change the plane, the officer asked me what I will do and how long I want to stay. I said I am visiting my friend for three month. That was enough to bring me to the separate questioning room.

I felt like a criminal. I was questioned as if I had committed a crime. This was the worst moment of my life. Nobody believed me anything and I was threatened to go to jail. After some time I broke out in tears of fear not being able to see my beloved boyfriend again. The questions lasted over an hour. After checking my phone and calling my boyfriend, the officer finally gave me back my passport with a stamp for a one month stay in the US. Instead of three months I was only allowed to spend one month with my boyfriend, so my world still collapsed, but at least I could finally see him again! Unfortunately I had missed my connecting flight. So I waited another forteen hours for the next flight, still in tears, till I finally sat in the plane to Salt Lake City.

The month went by very fast and beautifully. Two lovebirds finally reunited. But too soon the next drought began. As always, Harsh and I fevered month after month to finally be able to see each other again.

Harsh visited me in 2019 for three months in Germany.

Then in October it was time for me to try my luck again at the American border. Harsh came to Las Vegas from Salt Lake City to pick me up, because the flight to Las Vegas was just the cheapest flight.

I was terribly afraid of being stopped at the border again, but this time I easily made it through the border in Las Vegas and the border official was even friendly. I was able to enter without any problems and we were overjoyed to see each other again after a long time!

We spent four days there and saw married and marrying couples everywhere. That inspired us to do some research and finally decide, that we want to take the chance as well.

Because, no matter if you marry (legally and validly) in Germany, India, Denmark or anywhere else in the world, everywhere a certain certificate is required from both partners, which officially states that you are not previously married (usually even many more papers are required). this paper is unfortunatelly not very easy to get! For me as a German it would have been almost impossible to get it with an Indian partner.

In the long run we knew that we wanted to marry in the next couple of years. Therefore we chose the easy way.

After decidiing on it, we drove to the "Marriage License Bureau" in Las Vegas. It was the last day of our stay before going to Salt Lake City, where Harsh was living. After presenting my passport and Harsh's driver's license in the bureau, we got a marriage license. The price was 75$.

The office is open daily from 8am to 12pm and there were couples from all over the world (also same-sex couples) in the queue who wanted to marry in an uncomplicated way like us.

It took us ten minutes to get the official license to marry in Nevada. In front of the office people were handing out flyers for marriage packages in chapels. We got back into our rental car with five different flyers and already started comparing the offers.

There are many small chapels in Las Vegas with different wedding packages that you can easily book. The officer in the License Bureau had told us, the only important thing would be, that the priest is licensed. We decided on a chapel with a licensed priest and made an appointment for 6 pm in the evening.

Then we drove to TJ Maxx to get some nice clothes. A nice blue shirt for Harsh and a black trouser dress for me. Quite légère.

From there we went back to our AirBnB room and got fresh and chic. A little bit of excitement and joy was in both of us.

I coun't relise yet, that I am going to marry this wonderful person today! It was a beautiful exitement with no doubt.

The flowers, which Harsh had bought as a surprise for me, when he picked me up from the airport, became my bridal bouquet - I just cut the stems a little shorter, then it was perfect!

We went into the car and navigated to the chapel.

When we reached, nobody was there. We called the priest, and she apologized for being late. Ten minutes later, she parked the car and let us in.

She first discussed the paperwork with us and we had to pay 174$. Then she took a camera, told us poses and clicked some pictures. She also asked us if we had rings. We did have rings. These were our engagement rings, that we had gifted to each other about one year ago. We took them from our fingers and placed them on the cushion.

Then she started a video camera and read the vows in front of a small decorated altar. We repeated the vows after her.

While repeating "my true promise is the love in my heart which belongs only to you" and looking into Harshs eyes, I got a huge lumb in my throat and tears started rolling down my cheeks. Then Harshs eyes got watery and his voice started shivering. Finally I realized what was happening!

We got a DVD and pictures with memories and we can come back once a year to repeat the vows for free.

Later the same day we went to an expensive Italian restaurant and had pasta. Then we walked through the party miles of Las Vegas and watched the water fountains in the lake. I was not used to walk on high heels, that's why my husband carried me through the streets! Our marriage was a very intimate, uncomplicated and happy one.

One day we might also celebrate with our families and friends. Only do we not know, when and where this will be.

And does being married feel different? No. Honestly, it's just as nice as before. But it's different, knowing that nothing can pull us apart so fast and that we will be able to be in one counrty together, leagally! From now on we can hopefully enjoy being together without the ticking of the clock until the visa expires.

The world is not made for international couples yet, but I believe that things will change.

Till then I wish all international couples out there a lot of strength, trust and patience! Don"t give up, love always wins!