This Marriage Was Not Made in Heaven: Indian American Couple Tie the Knot in Taco Bell’s Metaverse
- Sheel Mohnot and Amruta Godbole of California’s Bay Area are lifelong fans of the fast-food restaurant chain.
California couple Sheel Mohnot and Amruta Godbole had an unconventional wedding last week, which was emceed by actor Kal Penn. Mohonot, a venture capitalist, and Gobble, an attorney, tied the knot on Feb. 24, in Decentraland, as part of the Taco Bell metaverse contest. Launched in 2020, Decentraland is a virtual social world powered by the Ethereum blockchain and the first decentralized metaverse.
Lifelong Taco Bell fans, the two won out of 300 couples who had applied for the contest. 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.
The Bay-area-based couple’s story started after a mutual friend connected the pair. They then spent hours on the phone, “where they learned about each other’s lives and upbringings – both of which included a passion for Taco Bell, the press release said. They also share “a vegetarian lifestyle,” the press release said. “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 Pacifica location, named the “world’s most beautiful Taco Bell,” and had “a romantic beach-front meal,” the press release said. During a trip to Mexico, they were engaged over a meal of tacos.
“When we heard about the contest, we knew it was the perfect opportunity for us,” Godbole said in the press release. Noting that Taco Bell holds many memories dating all the way back to his childhood, Mohonot said the wedding is “truly a full-circle moment.” He recalled that “growing up, Taco Bell was one of the only places we’d eat out and going there was a special occasion.” He still finds himself “coming back to his familiar Taco Bell favorites,” he added.
The couple worked closely with both Taco Bell and their partners to plan an other-worldly event in Decentraland. The groom’s avatar rode into the venue on an elephant in a customary baraat procession. Additionally, after saying “I do,” the couple unveiled a kissing emote in the metaverse, specifically designed for the occasion.
