On April 9, 2015, Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence and former Hawaii congresswoman, married cinematographer Abraham Williams in a breathtaking Hindu Vedic ceremony on Oahu’s Kahaluu Fishpond, captivating attendees with their heartwarming love story and cultural reverence. The outdoor event, set against a backdrop of palm trees and a setting sun, blended traditional Hindu rituals with Hawaiian charm, leaving an indelible mark on nearly 300 guests, including U.S. lawmakers and Indian dignitaries like BJP’s Ram Madhav, per The Economic Times.
Gabbard, 33 at the time, and Williams, 26, met during her 2012 congressional campaign when he volunteered as a photographer. Their bond deepened at a mutual friend’s birthday party, where Williams asked her out, sparking a romance rooted in shared passions for surfing and Hinduism, per The New York Times. Their engagement unfolded during a sunset surf session, with Williams proposing via a ring tethered to a gold duct-taped flotation device—a nod to their love for adventure. “It was cinematic,” Gabbard told People, describing the moment that mirrored their spiritual and cultural connection.
The wedding, officiated by Los Angeles-based priest Vinod Dave, followed ancient Vedic traditions, with parts in Sanskrit and English, per IndiaWest. Gabbard’s father walked her down the aisle, while her mother tied a flower lei around the couple’s hands, symbolizing their union. The couple circled a sacred fire seven times, offering grains and bananas as prayers, a ritual signifying their commitment, per The Economic Times. Gabbard, radiant in a royal blue silk Lacha-style dress with a gold skirt, ordered online just days before, faced last-minute stress but shone as a stunning bride, per Myshadi Bridal Expo.
The ceremony concluded with a vibrant yoga kirtan, where guests danced and chanted around the newlyweds, celebrating with song, per NDTV. A traditional Indian feast followed, featuring paneer tikka masala, samosas, and saffron rice prepared by Gabbard’s family, with a rose cardamom cheesecake adorned with henna-inspired designs as the centerpiece, per The Economic Times. Williams, a musician, arranged live music, though he humorously lamented not playing himself due to his role in the ceremony, per People.
Gabbard, the first Hindu-American in Congress, and Williams, who shares her faith, honored their heritage in a “Hawaiian-style Hindu wedding,” as she described to People, blending island serenity with Vedic spirituality. Despite her congressional duties, which prevented an immediate honeymoon, Gabbard called the day “literally just perfect,” per The Indian Panorama. Fans on X later celebrated the couple’s enduring bond, with one post reading, “Tulsi and Abraham’s love story is pure magic!”
Their wedding, a testament to love and cultural pride, remains a cherished moment as Gabbard serves as Director of National Intelligence, appointed in 2024, per Times of India. The event not only marked a personal milestone but also highlighted Gabbard’s trailblazing journey as a Hindu-American leader.
