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

The play of life is truly miraculous. We often unsuspectingly fall victim to circumstances, and often life deals out the most magnificent hand of cards when you don’t see them coming. Kavitha traveled to Washington, DC to attend a friend’s wedding with no inkling that life was at this moment conspiring to plan hers.

It was inWashington, DC that Kavitha and Biren met over dinner. Flash forward nine months, when Biren proposed amid candles, music, and a heartfelt video that included appearances from friends and family. The beautiful surprise was followed by a formal proposal in the presence of friends and family. Then, the countdown to the wedding began.

The couple chose Nikun Events to plan all the arrangements, with Pinky Patel masterminding all the details. After first searching in Tampa for a venue, the couple chose the Hilton Lake Buena Vista in Orlando as the site for the wedding.

During the mehndi and sangeet, the Ballroom came alive with vibrant colors. Keeping with the color themes of the bride and groom’s outfits, Nikun Events arranged for a backdrop that complemented the couple beautifully. A mix of Bollywood, Telugu, and Punjabi musicensured families and friends from both sides were welcomed warmly.

The confluence of two faiths enabled a two-fold celebration of the wedding. The first was a Sikh ceremony, owing to Biren’slineage. The venue was transformed into a Gurdwara, and all guests were provided with scarves and requested to cover their heads. Complete with his beard and turban, Birenpartook in the tradition that was expected of him. Kavitha wore a grand salwarkameez.

Within an hour, the venue, the mood and theme changed for the Hindu ceremony. Biren was now clean-shaven and had removed his turban. Kavitha dazzled in a traditional South Indian sari. The venue, too, was decorated to reflect the festivities being observed. Nikun Events managed to take everyone’s breath away with the magnificent decorations and attention to detail.

The wedding more than exceeded everyone’s expectations, and each of the four hundred guests felt a personal connection to the couple. Ranging from the arrangements to the music, decor, mood and performances, there was nothing that even resembleda flaw.

Kavitha swears by a wedding planner and she says anyone who can, must avail their services. However, finding the right one for you is critical. With all management and execution in place, what is left but to sit back and enjoy your moment of togetherness?

Eventrics Weddings

NJP Events and Design

Mahesh Gor

Mehendi night

Grand Cypress ballroom of Hyatt

Indian Wedding mandap

The beauty of life is that you never know how you might meet your life partner. Sometimes all you need is a right swipe, like Reshma Patel and Roshan Patel. The beautiful couples met through a dating app.

Indian couple

Indian wedding

Indian WEdding reception

After dating for a while, at a weekend getaway, Roshan found the perfect moment to propose Reshma. In front of a fountain, under beautiful oak trees, Roshan got down on one knee and asked Reshma to marry him.

Indian pre-wedding ceremonies

Vidhi ceremony

flowers and lanterns decoration.

Indian wedding ceremony

The couple chose Hyatt Regency at Grand Cypress, Orlando, Florida for the wedding; and the SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In Expo in Lakeland, Florida for the reception. Reshma’s brother Neil, who owns his own event company, NJP Events and Design, along with Eventrics Weddings, planned the wedding.

floral bouquets

red and white roses

themed wedding reception

wedding décor

Reshma and Roshan had separate pre-wedding ceremonies in their hometowns. Roshan had a Vidhi ceremony in his family home. The bride’s family hosted a Mehendi night and a Vidhi ceremony. For the Mehendi night, their family home’s backyard was transformed into a mini Indian village, decorated with colorful flowers and lanterns. They also hung colorful torans to add a more traditional touch.

Indian wedding events

Indian Priest

Wedding Pandit

Volcanik Entertainment

The wedding ceremony was held in the Grand Cypress ballroom of Hyatt. Ganesha statues at the entrance welcomed the guests into a crimson red draped room, decorated with brass diyas and red and pink roses. The aisle was covered in parts, leaving an ombre effect as you went closer to the mandap. The first part had large fresh floral bouquets with red and white roses mixed with hydrangeas and lilies. The second part of the aisle was covered with fresh rose petals gradually fading into white.

Indian wedding Beautician

Indian wedding COSMETICIAN

Indian Disc jockey

The mandap was decorated with floating floral chandeliers with traditional brass bells hanging with white and green wisteria flowers. And the backdrop was a screen layered with candles, silver and gold candelabras, and gold elephants. Their starry-night themed wedding reception was a black-tie event. The décor included fresh florals, mirrors, candelabras, candles, and a black and white dance floor. As all the other wedding events were colorful, they wanted a more classic and romantic vibe for their reception.

BANQUET HALLS Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress 407-239-3933 | Sun N Fun International Fly In Expo 863-904-4061 | BEAUTICIANS / COSMETICIAN Style by Susmita 973-901-3316 | DECORATOR NJP Events and Design 321-474-4078 | DISC JOCKEY Volcanik Entertainment 201-240-9080 | EVENT PLANNER Eventrics Weddings 863-397-0547 | FLORIST Fairbanks Florist 321-695-5440 | HORSE AND CARRIAGE Downtown Horse & Carriage 561-723-4704 | MEHNDI Designs by Varsha 804-543-3400 | PHOTOGRAPHER/ VIDEOGRAPHY Castaldo Studios LLC 407-347-8926 | PRIEST Mahesh Gor 407-699-7966 | RESTAURANT/CATERING Mast Masala Caterers 407-312-6551 |

NJP Events & Design

VIEW PORTFOLIO

Eventrics Weddings

VIEW PORTFOLIO

Mahesh Gor

VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Preferred Vendors members are chosen, click here.

Ankit and Sharon were engaged for a year and a half before the wedding, as Sharon wanted to find the most auspicious date. After all, this was the most important day of her life, and it needed to be just right!

Friends and family readily jumped in to help in any way they could, while also allowing Sharon space to manage things her way. The couple also worked with several professionals to deal with details and ensure their dream wedding would come to life. Sona Photography and Riant Films captured each and every special moment so that the wedding would never be forgotten. Khasiyat catered to every palette and served an unforgettable first meal to the newlyweds. And even Adi brought every event to life with his energetic dhol!

The Omni Orlando Resort was the chosen venue for the wedding. Suggested by Sharon’s father, it was ideal not just for its look and ambience, but also since it made for a great getaway for both families, who could enjoy a little vacation while attending the wedding.

The sangeet was a mix of Gujarati and Punjabi flavor. Traditional in its setting, the venue was highlighted in pinks and greens. Food stations were decorated to showcase their cuisine, and little lanterns and candles were chosen over flowers, uplifting the mood and the ivory linen beautifully. Music was a combination of Gujarati and Punjabi styles.

The wedding was held indoors owing to unpredictable Florida weather and was a day affair. A gold mandap without any pillars with bright pink and orange drapes was set up. Elephant idols were stationed at the end of the aisle, with petals and candles added for greater effect. Orange and pink also reflected in most of the floral arrangements used. DJ Pram played songs of choice for the special select moments. The bride and groom left in a Cinderella horse carriage, a wish Sharon had long harbored.

The reception was all about style and class. With a blue and silver the predominant theme, several elements were personalized, including the favors. Elaborate floral arrangements, candles, gobos, and pillars were set up to perfection.

The wedding went off without a hitch, so all this left for Sharon is to let the realization of being married set in, and enjoy a beautiful life ahead.

BANQUET HALLS Omni Orlando Resort At ChampionsGate 407-238-6547  BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN Bridal Make Up by Jigna Patel 813-493-0625  kau_jig@yahoo.com  CAKE Party Flavors Custom Cakes 407-578-2082  DECORATOR Nikun Events 407-448-7128  DISC  JOCKEY Rang Entertainment 941-545-8509 EVENT PLANNER Rtti Couture  Weddings & Events 813-728-6274 FLORIST Nikun Events 407-448-7128  HORSE AND CARRIAGE Downtown Horse & Carriage Inc 561-723-4704  Pinto Carriage Works 904-222-5272 MEHNDI Bridal Make Up by Jigna Patel 813-493-0625 kau_jig@yahoo.com Sangita Patel 407-257-3271 MUSICIAN  Harps Unlimited 407-352-5950 k.attanasi@yahoo.com PHOTOGRAPHER Photo Mingle 321-446-4564 Sona Photography 407-694-6032 PRIEST/WORSHIP SERVICES Ramesh Mehta 813-661-6297 namasteamerica1 @gmail.com RESTAURANT/CATERING Aashirwad Indian Cuisine 407-370-9830 Bombay Grille 321-446-1556 ksvn54@yahoo.com Khasiyat 407-888-2147 bhanuchavda13@yahoo.com VIDEOGRAPHY Riant Films 407-603-6955