Indian American vegetarian couple hold meta-wedding at Taco Bell

An Indian American couple had six weddings, but the unconventional one at a Taco Bell outlet tied the legal knot.

Taco Bell fanatics Sheel Mohnot and Amruta Godbole, won a the contest sponsored by the fast-food giant Taco Bell.

Mohonot, a co-founder of Better Tomorrow Ventures, a venture capital firm and Godbole, a lawyer at Instagram,“embody what it means to love and live más, the fast-food restaurant chain said in a press release.

According to Taco Bell, the SF Bay Area couple wed during a totally legit, legally binding wedding “in the metaverse constructed by Taco Bell affiliates” before celebrating the event with 130 friends at what’s often referred to as the most beautiful Taco Bell in the world, that landmark Taco Bell Cantina right on the water at Pacifica State Beach.

The Taco Bell in Pacifica, Calif. is often called the most beautiful of the franchise outlets.

No strangers to the joys of virtual partnership, the Indian American couple's story started after a mutual friend connected the pair and they shared an hours-long phone call where they learned about each other's lives and upbringings – both of which included a passion for Taco Bell.

Besides sharing an Indian heritage, the couple also have a vegetarian lifestyle, making the eatery's vegetarian* options tried-and-true staples in their everyday lives.

On their first date, the couple went to Taco Bell’s outlet in Pacifica, about a half-hour south of San Francisco, and had “a romantic beachfront meal,” the press release said. During a trip to Mexico, they were engaged over a meal of tacos.

For Mohnot, Taco Bell holds many memories dating all the way back to his childhood, so the wedding is truly a full-circle moment: 

"Growing up, Taco Bell was one of the only places we'd eat out and going there was a special occasion. Now, while eating out isn't a luxury in the same way - I somehow still find myself coming back to my familiar Taco Bell favorites. We are excited to be a part of the Taco Bell family, as well as experience things we'd never get to do in an IRL wedding - like ride an elephant to the venue!"

Innovative Wedding Ceremony

"When we heard about the contest, we knew it was the perfect opportunity for us." said Godbole, so that family and friends from all over the globe could take part and witness.

Planning a wedding in the metaverse allowed for the maximum level of creativity and customization to authentically tailor the event to the couple. This includes a notable Master of Ceremonies who will facilitate the wedding. For this memorable occasion, it will be none other than actor Kal Penn, who shares the couple's Indian heritage and iwas thrilled to play a vital role in Sheel and Amruta's matrimonial journey.

Sheel and Amruta worked closely with both Taco Bell and their partners to plan an other-worldly event in Decentraland – a 3D browser-based platform allowing shared virtual exploration. 

The wedding pushed past previous platform limitations with never before seen elements that Decentraland users will be able to view even after the wedding for a limited time. 

Online, the groom's avatar rode into the venue on an elephant in a customary baraat procession, paying homage to the duo's Indian roots. Additionally, after saying "I do," the couple unveiled a kissing emote in the metaverse, specifically designed for the occasion.

As Sheel Mohnot and Amruta Godbole kissed (inbset), Decentraland crafted a virtual kiss.

Additional customized wedding details include personalized wearables, or avatar outfits, for the couple and their invited guests. Adding to the list of cultural celebrations, the couple were married under a mandap which forms the sacred space where the couple will say their vows. Under the mandap was a custom agni, a sacred fire involved in some Indian wedding rituals, designed to look like a hot sauce packet set to flame – merging the best of the couple's culture and Taco Bell's signature flare.

In true digital-forward fashion, once the ceremony concluded, the reception space will open for the couple, their invited guests and public attendees to kick off the party. After enjoying their first dance as a married couple, Amruta threw a hot sauce bouquet which will turn into an interactive Bouquet Toss Game, with bragging rights as the reward. 

Additional activities include showing off their moves on the Taco Bell dance floor alongside the Sauce Packet Dancers, snapping some pictures in a photo booth and hitting up the Mtn Dew® Baja Blast® Station. 

Guests and the public attending the live event in Pacifica enjoyed the reception's vegetarian food table from Taco Bell's many vegetarian options.

“Our parents would not let us get away with just a (Taco Bell wedding),” Mohnot said. “We have like five of our own weddings this year.”

Like many Indian weddings, the ceremonies and celebration lasted more than one day. The Bay Area couple have hosted six total wedding events in 2023: A traditional wedding in India, a ceremony in Cleveland where Godbole is from, a reception in Pittsburgh where Mohnot is from, a multi-day celebration in Mexico, the cantina reception and their metaverse ceremony.

But don’t you forget, Mohnot told the SF Standard, “Our legal wedding is the Taco Bell wedding.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.