Shubhan N. Joshi
Co-Founder, Mira Boulangerie and Patisserie
Love knows no borders. One of the most compelling arguments against the importance of nationality in marriage is that love knows no borders. People from different countries can fall in love, build meaningful connections, and desire to spend their lives together just as easily as those from the same country. Love, in its purest form, is not bound by passports or citizenship. It is a deeply personal and emotional connection that transcends cultural and national divides.
Furthermore, love often fosters a willingness to embrace and learn about each other’s cultures and backgrounds. Many mixed-nationality couples find joy in sharing their traditions, languages and customs with each other, enriching their lives through a diverse cultural exchange. In this sense, love can be seen as a force that promotes global understanding and cooperation, making it a powerful argument against the idea that nationality should matter in marriage.
Pawan Aacharya
CEO, Prarambha Productions
Weddings are deeply personal and culturally significant events. They are a celebration of love and commitment, a reflection of one’s heritage and values. From this perspective, nationality can indeed matter. Couples often incorporate traditions, customs and rituals from their respective backgrounds, creating a unique blend that represents their diverse identities. These elements contribute to the richness and authenticity of the wedding experience, allowing families and friends to come together in a meaningful way. However, it’s vital to remember that love knows no boundaries.
People from different nationalities fall in love and choose to spend their lives together. In such cases, the significance of nationality can diminish. Love transcends these borders, and weddings become a celebration of unity, where two people and their families embrace each other’s differences.
Ultimately, the importance of nationality in weddings varies from couple to couple. Some may prioritise preserving their cultural heritage, while others may emphasise the universality of love. What truly matters is that the couple’s choices and decisions reflect their values and desires, fostering a wedding experience that is true to them.
I have witnessed countless weddings that beautifully merge cultures and nationalities. These unions serve as a testament to the power of love to bridge divides and create something truly extraordinary. So, while nationality may matter to some extent, it is love that remains at the heart of every wedding, making it a truly remarkable and universal celebration.
Raj Bikram Maharjan
Co-founder & CEO, Galli Maps
The role of nationality in marriage is a complex and multi-faceted issue. It undeniably influences relationships, impacting cultural backgrounds, traditions and values. Challenges can arise when couples from different nations come together, ranging from navigating cultural disparities to dealing with legal and bureaucratic hurdles related to visas and property laws. Families may also express concerns about the preservation of cultural heritage in cross-nationality unions.
However, at the heart of this debate is the autonomy and choice of the couples involved. Love, the driving force behind any marriage, transcends national borders. Couples who decide to marry across nationalities often do so fully aware of the potential complexities. They may choose to embrace and celebrate their differences, viewing them as enriching aspects of their relationship. Alternatively, they may seek common ground within the fusion of their cultures.
Ultimately, while nationality undeniably matters in marriage, it should not dictate the course of true love. Couples in cross-nationality unions navigate the intricacies of their unique love stories with determination and resilience, making decisions based on their commitment to each other rather than the constraints of nationality. In essence, while nationality may shape the marriage, it is the love, shared dreams and choices of the couple that define its essence and determine its success.
Rohit Malla
Motivational Speaker & Leadership Trainer
Weddings have been practiced even before the concept of nationality emerged, so it should not be a matter of concern.
Based on my extensive experience working with many couples in my professional career as a trainer, I have observed that the importance of nationality in marriage varies widely from one couple to another.
For some couples, weddings are primarily a celebration of their love and commitment to each other. They see the ceremony as a formality and an opportunity to declare their love in front of their friends and family. These couples often prioritise the personal and emotional aspects of their relationship over nationality. To them, where they or their partner come from matters far less than the bond they share.
On the other hand, I have worked with couples who view weddings as a significant cultural or societal event. They believe that a wedding is not just the union of two individuals but the merging of two families, cultures, and sometimes even nationalities. These couples may face unique challenges, especially if they come from different cultural or national backgrounds. They need to navigate traditions, expectations, and sometimes even legal requirements associated with their respective nationalities. In my experience, many couples fall somewhere in between these two extremes. They may incorporate elements of their respective cultural backgrounds into their wedding while also emphasising the importance of their personal connection. They see weddings as an opportunity to celebrate both their love and their heritage.
I have also witnessed how societal norms and attitudes toward mixed-nationality marriages are evolving over time. While it can be challenging, particularly in cultures where conformity is expected, such as in parts of Nepal and India, there is a growing acceptance of love transcending national boundaries. Couples from different nationalities are increasingly finding support and understanding from their communities. I have seen notable instances where individuals from different nationalities have come together in wedlock, breaking down traditional barriers. For instance, recently, a celebrity banker named Raveena Deshraj Joshi tied the knot with a foreigner, serving as a compelling example of how society is changing and becoming more accepting of international unions.
Nationality is never a barrier for relationships. Nationality is always barrier for attaining visa only and nothing else.
Rubik Joshi
Co-Founder, Zapp & Owner, Tootle
Nationality doesn’t matter when it comes to marriage. It doesn’t need to be a determining factor. Love, compatibility, and shared values are often more important considerations for a successful and happy marriage than nationality. I have seen many couples from different national backgrounds have beautiful and fulfilling relationships.
My two very good friends had a transnational marriage recently and it’s great that they have found love and happiness across boarder.
It’s a matter of personal choice and the bond between the individuals involved. I think it’s a unique and enriching experience. It can bring together people from different cultural backgrounds, allowing for a diverse and inclusive union. Such marriages often provide opportunities to learn from each other’s cultures, traditions, and perspectives, which can be a beautiful aspect of one’s relationship.
Internationality marriages often involve bridging geographical distances, so children may develop strong bonds with both sides of their extended family, which can be enriching. Children may get to enjoy a wide range of cultural celebrations, holidays, and traditions from both sides of their heritage, making their childhood experiences more diverse and exciting. Children often learn to be open-minded and accepting of diversity. They understand that there’s no single “right” way of doing things and that people have different perspectives and I think that’s one of the valuable life skills. Having said that, there can also be different challenges due to different cultures and backgrounds. Successful transnational or national marriages require open communication, patience, compromises, and a willingness to embrace and respect each other’s cultural differences. Many couples find that the benefits of such marriages, including cultural enrichment and personal growth, outweigh the challenges.
