Though Reenal and her boyfriend, Saurav Sharma, knew that they wanted to live with one another, they decided to wait until they completed their postgraduate courses before they finally got married. The result was a ten-year relations hip before a final marriage date could be set.

Reenal, a 27-year-old optometrist, and 30-year-old Saurav first met through mutual friends. In 2010, on New Year’s Eve, the two created a magical memory, one that will no doubt be relived for many years to come. On the pretext of taking her to a special concert, Saurav took Reenal to the Disney Boardwalk, where they enjoyed each other’s company on their first date ten years ago. An unsuspecting Reenal played along until they sat on the same bench, and Saurav waited until no one was around before he got down on one knee to propose. It was then that nerves took over, and Reenal melted away into tears as she said yes. Quite understandably, there is little that she remembers about who said what. The most important thing was that she accepted.

With just ten months to go before the wedding, the two threw themselves into planning their special day. Rather than use the services of a wedding consultant, the couple preferred working with their families to ensure all arrangements were made with a personal touch.

The pre-wedding functions included a mehndi, sangeet and raas garba, which were all held on the same night. It was during this event that the true feel of wedding celebrations thoroughly took over everyone’s spirits. Needless to say, there was delicious food and drink as well as infectious music to keep everyone waiting with eager anticipation of the events to come. Nearly 300 guests attended the festivities, and the DoubleTree Orlando Hotel at the entrance of Universal Studios made for the ideal venue.

Reenal suggests the bride and groom take in every moment of the wedding and reception as best as they can, since it will pass quickly and be over before they even know it. “Soak it all in.”

The same venue was the backdrop for the wedding ceremony, and the guests attended adorned in full grandeur. The ballroom was the chosen venue, and with its space, lighting and decor, it made for the most exquisite setting. An important factor in the selection of the venue was its accessibility due to its central location. Moreover, outside catering was allowed, making it possible for the families to dine on their own selection of Indian cuisine.

The reception exhibited the same enthusiasm and participation witnessed during the wedding. With a DJ and dholl player, who had been brought in specially, no one was spared, and few guests could keep themselves away from the dance floor. As soon as the touching speeches and toasts were complete, the dance floor was the center of attention. Everyone was so busy dancing the night away, that many almost missed the cake cutting!

Reenal and Saurav, a calm and happy couple, did not have anxiety or cold feet before the wedding. Considering they had looked forward to this special moment for so long, there was just keen eagerness on their part.

Reenal does offer brides-to-be some practical advice. Wiser for having gone through the motions, she suggests the bride and groom take in every moment of the wedding and reception as best as they can, since it will pass quickly and be over before they even know it. “Soak it all in,” Reenal says with a smile. With so many memories and delightful events to look back on, we know that Reenal and Saurav will relive their wedding celebrations a thousand times over in their thoughts and dreams.

WEDDING Doubletree Hotel 407-351-1000 | VIDEOGRAPHY Digital Dream Studio 407-791-6064 | WEDDING DRESS Asopalav +91-79-26577958 | RECEPTION Doubletree Hotel 407-351-1000 |MANDAP DECORATOR Palloo’s Flowers 407-302-7966 | MAKEUP Zaidy Santoni 787-528-4880 | PHOTOGRAPHY Digital Dream Studio 407-791-6064 | FLOWERS Palloo’s Flowers 407-302-7966 | MUSIC/DJ Dudha Productions 727-523-0786 | CATERING BAPS Shayona 407-857-0091 | New Punjab 407-352-7887

Viral and Aarohi were lucky to know each since high school, when Viral visited a friend in New York and Aarohi was in school in New Jersey. They remained briefly in touch, but a surprising flame rekindled many years later when they both ended up in Florida, and the flame is still burning bright. Viral proposed after five years, when the couple took a romantic trip to Italy. Atop a beautiful hilltop overlooking the Amo River at sunset, Aarohi was completely stunned when he asked her to marry him, and the two were excited to begin planning the start of the rest of their shared life journey.

Aarohi and Viral hired Shiv Priya Events to plan the wedding, because he also planned Viral’s sister’s wedding, and they knew they would need help balancing wedding duties with their hectic work schedules. They began planning several months after the engagement, which gave them a whole year to work out all the details and find the best deals to fit their budget.The wedding took place at the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek in Orlando, making it a destination wedding for Aarohi’s New Jersey family.

The mehndi night at their house kicked off the wedding weekend, with food catered by a family friend, pizza for their non-Indian guests, and henna for everyone. The ceremony took place in the main ballroom of the hotel, and was elegantly set up with a round mandap, aisle decorated with gold shimmering cloth, Ganesha, and red and white roses. The wedding programs were also red and white, which Aarohi and Viral ordered online and their bridal party put together. They were adorned with peacocks feathers, and were placed on the seats along with customized water bottles for every guest. Viral’s baraat entered on a white horse, with his friends and family dancing outside of the carriage, and Aarohi was brought in on a dholi by her cousins and brothers. The ceremony began late, delaying the events for the rest of the day, but the couple laughs about it now because it was still the best day of their lives.

The following reception included 150 guests, and they re-used elements from the ceremony, such as the pillars and roses. There was also the addition of a green color scheme, from the hydrangea flowers and Jade green orchids, green lighting, and embroidered mint green table linens. They hired DJ Firoz to play a variety of music, from Bollywood hits and Bhangra to Latin and Hip Hop. The bridal party also did a surprise performance, and the groom surprised all the guests by joining in. Aarohi and Viral were happy to celebrate with their loved ones and solidify their eternal friendship with such a joyous and memorable event.

Photographer: Digital Dream Studio

Mignon McLaughlin once said, “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” Alisha Basil and Ravi Shastri’s love story dates back to 2013 when they realized their feelings for each other after two years of friendship.

After dating for two years, Ravi popped the question to his sweetheart in May 2015. The setting was idyllic as Alisha and Ravi went for a walk at the Sanford Riverwalk, a place of signficance where Ravi had expressed his love for Alisha two years ago.

“Since it was our anniversary suspected he was going to propose. He took me to the same swing we were on two years ago, and told me that he loves me even more,” said Alisha. The couple’s close friends and family hiding nearby congratulated them with flowers.

The planning for their November 2017 wedding began after Alisha and her family moved to Florida from New York. They didn’t hire a wedding planner, but opted for a coordinator. Alisha’s Mom did all of the planning.

Alisha and Ravi selected Holy Trinity Hall in Maitland because they understood their traditions, customs, and religion and were flexible with vendors.

Vendors BANQUET HALLS Holy Trinity Reception & Conference Center 407-331-3036 BEAUTICIANS Henna Allure 321-444-5911 BOUTIQUES Inna’s Designs 407-716-7416 CAKES Party Flavors Custom Cakes 407-578-2082 DECORATOR/FLOWERS Diya Creations USA 407-929-7326 Country Club Flowers 407-328-9899 DHOL PLAYER Sankalp Goberdham MEHNDI Henna Allure 321-444-5911 PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY Digital Dream Studio 407-791-6064 PRIEST Amar Sangeet 321-460-0560

Lovebirds Nirav Desai, a senior accountant and Ami Patel, a dental student, first met on New Year’s Eve 2012. Their first casual meet turned out to be a lifelong alliance.

Nirav proposed to Ami in the most dramatic way after two years of dating. Ami and Nirav headed towards Magic Kingdom on Christmas Eve 2016. Nirav planned to propose her on a private boat at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Ami loves water rides and was already enthralled. Finally, when Nirav went down on his knees to propose her, it was a dream come true for the emotional Ami.

The couple tied the knot on December 23, 2017. Wedding planner Sokha, from Apsara Events, deftly handled all of the wedding preparations. Keeping in mind the ease of traveling, the lavish Hilton Ocala, in Ocala, Florida, was the couple’s chosen venue. What most drew the couple to the hotel was the magnificent banquet hall.

Traditional events such as the Ganesh puja were arranged at the couple’s respective homes. The first joint pre-wedding event was the Garba. The backdrop included traditional Indian decor outlined with white light as well as a centrepiece with a blue-gold Radha Krishna on top, and bangles and floating candles on the bottom.

White and gold provided the backdrop for the wedding ceremony. The groom made a royal entry on a horse carriage to the song “Malhari,” while the lovely bride entered to the track “Jag Ghoomeya.” Chivari chairs were elegantly place for the 300 guests. The white and gold pillared, open mandap looked simple yet elegant adding to the ambiance and to the decor that was a blend of tradition and class.

“Marriage is no doubt a union of two families, but ultimately it celebrates a couple’s eternal relationship” something Ami and Nirav lovingly believe.

BANQUET HALLS Hilton Ocala 352-854-1400 | BEAUTICIANS / COSMETICIAN Lili’s Weddings 813-748-3072 | BOUTIQUES Nazranaa Boutique 732-283-1808 Zimaya Inc 888-526-5516 | CATERING Baps-Shri Swaminarayan Mandir 407-857-0091 Tabla Bar and Grill 407-248-9400 | DECORATOR Maharani Designs 813-569-9052 | DISC JOCKEY Dudha Productions 727-418-8798 | EVENT PLANNER Apsara Events 727-687-8185 | MEHNDI Henna By Kesha 630-329-1389 | PHOTOGRAPHER Digital Dream Studio 407-791-6064 | PRIEST Acharya Ramesh Mehta 813-453-9334

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The love story of Amritha and Jis is classic: college sweethearts and dating for five years before marriage crossed their minds. Both studied at the University of Florida, their mutual interest in the arts brought them together. Amritha needed t-shirts designed for her dance team, and Jis was an artist and photographer. Mutual friends introduced them, and the rest is history.

    Jis kept his passion for photography alive when it came time to propose to Amritha. On the evening of their fiveyear anniversary, Jis took Amritha to see the Christmas lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. When they came across a beautifully lit pavilion, Jis insisted they take a photo, and after snapping the picture, he showed the camera to Amritha. But instead of seeing the photo they just took, she saw an image of Jis kneeling, holding a ring, with the words “Will you marry me?” Amritha was shocked, but of course, said yes to the love of her life.

    The couple began planning exactly one year before the wedding date. They chose to be wed in Tampa, where there would be five events: an engagement, a Catholic wedding, a Sangeet, a Hindu wedding, and a reception. The Tampa. Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina was large enough to accommodate their 400 guests, allowed outside catering, and was situated right on the water with ample natural light.
For the Sangeet night, planned by Amritha’s family, they chose to keep everything simple, from the décor to the entertainment. They wanted their families to mingle, and not be distracted by too much going on. There was an informal open-mic in addition to the music, and a few dances by Amritha’s mom and her dance  students. The hotel provided basic votive candles and linens, and Amritha and Jis coordinated their outfits to match the pink and blue lighting.
But when the day of the wedding arrived, nothing was held back. The entire day was accented with a bright color scheme of pink, yellow, orange and purple. It began with the Hindu ceremony in the morning, in the hotel’s grand ballroom. There was a beautiful foyer enclosed with full glass windows, allowing a view of the water and boats in the marina. This space was ideal for both the morning ceremony and the evening cocktail hour at sunset. There were graceful South Indian touches throughout the Hindu ceremony, including a welcome table carrying a dancing Ganesh, flowers, rose water, sugar cubes and jasmine garlands for the female guests’ hair. The aisles were also decorated with gold elephants adorned with floral bouquets.
The afternoon church ceremony was more modern, to match the Catholic church venue. Some décor was reused from the Hindu ceremony, such as the gold elephants and bridal party bouquets. Amritha’s bouquet was a bright bunch of cala lilies, to match the men’s’ cala lily boutonnieres and the Mother Mary bouquet.
They also reused their swing from the Hindu ceremony during their reception, but replaced the bright color scheme with deep purple hues, accented with gold and cream-colored linens. VIP guests sat at four long statesmen tables bordering the dance floor, to make their loved ones feel special and at the center of attention. Amritha and Jis’s wedding was all about making a special memory together and sharing it with their family and friends.

BANQUET HALLS Hindu Temple Of Tampa 813-962-6890 Saint Timothy Catholic Church 813-957-4427  Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina 813-204-6311  BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN Badars Hair In All 813-979-0058  DECORATOR Nikun Events 407-448-7128  DISC JOCKEY Rang Entertainment 941-545-8509  FLORIST Nikun Events 407-448-7128  Viveks Flowers 732-321-0403  JEWELERS Continental Diamonds 813-282-7375  Malani Jewelers 813-866-4653 LIMOUSINES Blu Moon Transportation 813-258-6666  Sparks Limo 877-897-4727  PHOTOGRAPHER Kimberly Photography 727-543-9723 RESTAURANT/CATERING Amrit Palace Indian Restaurant 352-873-8500 Dosa Hut 813-385-2033 VIDEOGRAPHY Fairytale Production 734-234-0020

From being classmates to becoming partners in life, the journey for Avani and Sandesh was a beautiful one. It was at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Maryland where love first blossomed between the two. After dating for three years, Sandesh proposed to Avani on the boardwalk at Fells Point, Maryland, a quaint neighborhood frequented by the couple during medical school. Avani said yes – but little did she know that Sandesh planned a surprise party back home in Baltimore with a few close friends. When Avani opened the door, a crowd greeted her and all of them had a celebratory blast. Along with the assistance of a wedding planner, the couple began whirlwind wedding preparations immediately giving them one year to plan the event in Tampa, Florida.

Pre-wedding functions began with great pomp. The sangeet venue was decorated in the gamti-theme with chiffon fabrics adorning the ceilings and pink, orange and green uplighting. The wedding took place in the beautifully decorated grand ballroom of the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Since the bride and groom were from different cultures, the entire wedding was planned to represent and embrace traditions from both families. The families worked closely together to create a blend in the unique aspects of each culture into the wedding ceremony. The programs for the ceremony were printed on scrolls. DJ Prem entertained the guests and the ceremony came alive with songs by family and friends.

The reception hall was decorated in royal blue and gold. White flower bouquets with dashes of roses, lilies and orchids adorned the hall, making it look grand and sophisticated. Gold and blue uplighting illuminated the entire place.

A live band, with a sitar player, tabla player, guitarist among other instrumentalists, played during the cocktail hour. The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered the hall to the instrumental version of “Viva la vida” by Coldplay.

The groom’s grandfather and sister were welcomed to the song “Mahi Ve.” The bride’s grandmother, brother and sister-in-law walked in to the tunes of “Boogie Wonderland” by Earth, Wind and Fire. The groom’s parents entered to “Janma Janmada Anu bandha,” and the bride’s parents to “Om Shanti Om.” The bride and groom entered to the song “You are the Best Thing” by Ray Lamontagne. Dances were performed to “Dola-Re-Dola” from Devdas among other songs. The bride’s brother sang a surprise song, changing the words of a popular song to commemorate his sister and brother-in-law.

The cake cutting ceremony was a fun affair and took place as “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” by Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye played in the background. Father and daughter danced to the melodious “Age bhi Jane na Tu, Peeche bhi Jane na Tu” from the classic Waqt film. Mother and son danced to “A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men. Speeches by parents, friends and siblings were heartfelt and endearing. Each person who spoke gave a unique perspective of the bride or groom, adding to the many fun moments of the reception.

The couple believes that weddings are not all about what the bride and groom want, but about creating a happy atmosphere for everybody including families, friends and guests. Seeing everybody have a good time is the best part of the wedding.

Photos Courtesy: Digital Dreams 407-791-6064 www.digitaldreamstudio.com Vendors BANQUET HALLS Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel 813-204-6311 www.marriott.com/TPAMCBEAUTICIANS/ COSMETICIAN Bridal Make Up by Jigna Patel 813-493-0625 kau_jig@yahoo.comBOUTIQUES Bawree Boutique 678-728-0077 www.bawree.com COMMUNITY HALL India Cultural Center (ICC) 813-802-4638 www.tampaicc.com DISC JOCKEY Rang Entertainment 941-755-2615 www.rangentertainment.com DHOL PLAYER Mitul Gandhi -Dhol Player 813-769-9649 tampadholbeats@hotmail.com PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER Digital Dream Studio 407-791-6064 www.digitaldreamstudio.comRENTAL SERVICES Black Tie Rentals 813-479-8110 www.blacktierental.comRESTAURANT/CATERING Dosa Hut 813-385-2033 www.garmdosahut.com Khasiyat 407-888-2147 bhanuchavda13@yahoo.com Tabla Bar And Grill 407-248-9400 www.tablabar.com WEDDING SERVICES Palloos Flowers 407-302-7966 www.palloosflowers.com WEDDING PLANNER Two Ladies and Events 727-772-3491 www.twoladiesandevents.com

Bhavika, anesthetist, and Rushil, consultant, first met at the House of Spices in Orlando where both their families had gone for Janmashtami Samaiyo grocery shopping in 2009. Bhavika saw her friend Roshni in the naan aisle and went over to say hello. Roshni’s brother Rushil was also there, and so introductions were made. However, the two didn’t become friends until a chance meeting at a football game. In the fall of 2011, Bhavika went to a Gator football game with her cousin, the same one Rushil was attending with friends. He saw Bhavika at a distance, walked over, and the two began talking. Since exchanging phone numbers that day, the pair haven’t look back.

In January 2017, Rushil and Bhavika joined her family on a trip to Colorado. After spending an eventful second day in Estes Park playing in the snow and shopping, Rushil drove Bhavika to a lakeside so they could watch the sunset. Bhavika was so cold, but Rushil reminded her they didn’t get a couple’s shot that day. So, Bhavika took off her coat and turned around to see Rushil on one knee.

The couple decided on a wedding date of January 27, 2018. Bhavika and Rushil wanted Gainesville, Florida, to be the site of their celebrations given they began their journey there. The Barn at Rembert Farms in Gainesville was the ideal place for festivities.

Pre-wedding events included a Mehndi at Bhavika’s mama’s house; Vidhi puja at the groom’s place; Santek outside the wedding venue; and followed by the Garba at the wedding venue.At the Garba, Rushil surprised Bhavika with a special dance performance. Bhavika’s mom and her friends from the Gainesville BAPS Mandir also did a surprise garba dance performance that was so full of energy.

The wedding was held outdoors with yellow, white, and touches of maroon creating a lovely ambiance. The baarat included a dholi and traditional Indian music. For some key moments, special songs were chosen. The bride’s mother insisted “Sajanji Ghar Aya” be played for the arrival of the groom from his baarat.

Rushil entered the mandap to the “Jash ne Baahare” instrumental with his and the bride’s parents on his arms. Bhavika walked in under a floral canopy handmade by her sisters with the “Kaise Mujhe” instrumental playing in the background.

The beautifully decorated reception followed a rustic theme and included some poignant moments. Bhavika and her father danced to “Laadki,” a song he picked out months before.

Bhavika and Rushil advise couples to have fun and focus three-four details that matter most and then let the rest go as it will all work out in the end.

BANQUET HALLS The Barn At Rembert Farms 352-317-4363 | BEAUTICIANS / COSMETICIAN Alissa And Crew For Your I Do 386-965-1085 | DECORATOR Nikun Events 407-448-7128 | DISC JOCKEY Dj Krishan 352-299-0743 | HORSE AND CARRIAGE Pinto Carriage Works 904-222-5272 | PHOTOGRAPHER Digital Dream Studio 407-791-6064 | PRIEST Acharya Ramesh Mehta 813-453-9334 | RESTAURANT/CATERING Baps-Shri Swaminarayan Mandir 407-857-0091