Look: Indian expats in viral Dubai school proposal wed with ‘Big Bus Baraat’ in Bollywood style amid COVID-19

They had become the talk of the town after their rare proposal on a Dubai school ground hit the headlines and went viral. On Thursday, Indian expats Vijay Valecha and his high school sweetheart Radhika Doshi wedded in Bollywood style.

Though their marriage was solemnised at a simple registration ceremony at the Indian Consulate in Dubai by following the safety protocols, the couple’s friends made sure there was no dearth of fantasy at least in the way the Bollywood-crazy bride and groom got a Baraat (a customary wedding procession), sans the crowd amid COVID-19.

A Big Bus, that usually offers a hop-on, hop-off tour of Dubai to tourists, was decorated and converted into a Big Baraat Bus to set off the “just married” to their “happily ever after” story. Decked up with balloons and marigold wedding décor, the double-decker bus carried big banners that said “VR- Vijay weds Radhika, The Big ‘Baraat’ Bus.” And another one that said “Honk to congratulate.”

So, what did Vijay have to say after the wedding. “It feels amazing to finally get married after a long wait and especially with all the delays due to the pandemic. Really excited to start the new chapter in our lives and our relationship. Really thankful to everyone who helped out so much and to Gulf News for covering it so well.” Meanwhile, Radhika was emotional. “Too many feelings together. I am emotional as the entire family is not here. I am nervous and have butterflies in the stomach. And at the same time I am so excited to commence the new chapter in our lives.”

While the friends who arranged the bus waited outside, the wedding registration at the consulate was attended by the mothers of the couple and Vijay’s sister.

As first reported by Gulf News, the Indian High School’s playground had turned into a mini Miracle Garden on Saturday, setting the stage for Vijay to propose to his school lover Radhika. Teenage love had made a full circle for the Dubai-born Mumbaikars when the romantic proposal took place where they met for the first time—in their alma mater.

On a Mediterranean cruise. And what’s the newlywed’s take on love? Love is bliss and the biggest support anyone can get from their lives. Love completes a person in an unimaginable way and it is God’s best way of blessing us, said the couple. ViRa’s plans for a grand destination wedding was spoiled by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, the couple said they are happy for all the special trips that they had made to various destinations across the world during the two-decades of their courtship.

The couple in Las Vegas in 2012.

The couple in Goa when Radhika surprised Vijay on his 21st birthday in 2006. Their initial plan to have a destination wedding ceremony in Goa had to be cancelled due to COVID-19

The couple having a special evening in Dubai in 2012.

A vacation in the Philippines in 2019.

Celebrating Radhika’s birthday in Hong Kong in 2019.

Vijay and Radhika in early 2000

Vijay (right) and Radhika (bottom left) with their school friends in 1998, the year they met first.

A doodle drawn by Vijay on Radhika’s birthday this year perfectly captures the landmarks in their romantic journey of 20 years that began from the India High School in Dubai.