A Medical School Romance Celebrated with Love, Tradition, and Family in Orlando
Brianna Karim, a 26-year-old medical student, and Rushi Vekariya, also 26 and a medical student, celebrated their wedding on December 21, 2025, at the Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort in Orlando, Florida. With 250 guests in attendance, the couple hosted both their wedding ceremony and reception at the same venue, creating a seamless and elegant celebration filled with meaningful traditions, vibrant décor, and unforgettable moments.
The couple’s story began in 2020 at an American Medical Student Association meeting at the University of Florida. Brianna attended the meeting with a mutual friend, who noticed Rushi sitting in another row and invited him to join them. Rushi sat next to Brianna, unknowingly beginning a relationship that would eventually lead to marriage. The two spent time together often within their mutual friend group before the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to return home and pause in-person interactions. Once school resumed, they began spending time together again in smaller groups, allowing them to grow closer. Through these quieter moments during the pandemic, their bond strengthened, and they officially began dating in November 2020.
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Although the couple did not hire a wedding planner, they successfully balanced wedding planning alongside the demands of medical school with the help of supportive family and friends. Brianna had a clear vision for the wedding and received guidance, advice, and encouragement from loved ones throughout the planning process. Despite exam schedules and clinical rotations, the couple leaned on their support system during stressful periods, especially when coordinating meetings with vendors.
The couple considered venues in both Orlando and Tampa before deciding on Orlando, where Brianna and her family are based. Rushi and his family are from outside Tampa. Orlando ultimately offered more venue availability within their shorter planning timeline. They selected the Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort because it provided everything they needed, including guest room discounts, open bar options, grand ballrooms, minimal restrictions on outside food, and complimentary accommodations for the bride and groom.
The wedding festivities included a Mehndi, Haldi, and Garba celebration. The Mehndi was held at the couple’s home in Orlando and featured colorful backdrops, marigolds, hanging decorations, and fresh flowers arranged in gold vases. The Haldi and Garba took place at the Rosen JCC Orlando. The outdoor Haldi ceremony featured gold seating, floral décor in bright colors, and guests dressed in yellow and other vibrant shades. The Garba celebration embraced blue, hot pink, and gold tones, with colorful tablecloths, lanterns, manzanita tree centerpieces, and a stage featuring a traditional gold swing placed on a pink Moroccan rug surrounded by flowers and candles.
For the wedding ceremony, the couple envisioned a light and airy atmosphere with gold accents, greenery, and peach florals. Held indoors at 2 p.m., the mandap featured peach drapery, hanging green and white wisteria, and a wooden frame of Lord Ganesh centered against the backdrop. Guests were provided with custom-made Wedding Guides explaining each step of the ceremony, along with tissues and Indian sweets placed on every chair. The Baarat music reflected the couple’s diverse tastes, combining Bollywood, hip hop, R&B, and Hispanic music, while the ceremony itself featured more traditional Indian songs.
Rushi made a memorable entrance to the ceremony in a modern electric carriage, dancing throughout the Baarat with friends and family. Since the ceremony and reception were held in different ballrooms within the same venue, no travel was necessary between events. After the ceremony, the newlyweds departed in a red Ferrari.
Music throughout the evening included Bollywood, hip hop, R&B, Chutney/Soca, and Hispanic genres. The couple’s first dance was a choreographed medley featuring “Kesariya” by Arijit Singh, “White Brown Black” by Avvy Sra, Jaani, and Karan Aujla, and “The Wedding Party” by Ravi B. The father-daughter dance featured “Give Me Away” by Riley Roth, while the mother-son dance was set to “Maa” by Shankar Mahadevan.
The couple also incorporated several personal touches into the celebration, including custom signature drinks called “Berry in Love” and “Spice of Life.” One of the most emotional moments of the wedding was their first look, when Rushi became emotional seeing Brianna fully dressed in her bridal outfit, jewelry, and makeup for the first time. Amid the excitement and busyness of the wedding day, it became a calm and meaningful moment focused entirely on each other.
Over the years, shared experiences and milestones strengthened their bond. “Over time, we realized how much we enjoyed each other’s company and that our personalities and values complemented each other perfectly,” Nazia recalls. Their connection was built on friendship, understanding, and a mutual respect that made their relationship feel natural and steady. The proposal was equally meaningful. Derrick chose the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a place significant to their early memories, to ask Nazia to marry him. Nervous but heartfelt, his proposal left Nazia with a sense of joy and certainty. “I knew at that moment that I was saying yes to my best friend,” she says. On December 14, 2025, the couple celebrated their wedding at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by 150 to 200 family members and friends. Orlando was chosen for its familiarity and convenience, allowing loved ones to easily attend the celebration. Aided by their planner, Nagina, Nazia and Derrick navigated the planning process smoothly. “Her calm approach and organization made the entire experience enjoyable,” Nazia says. The festivities began with a vibrant outdoor mehndi. The stage, framed with marigolds and roses in orange, yellow, coral, and blush, sat above ivory settees and hanging floral garlands. Brass lanterns, baskets of marigolds, and playful details like a red parasol with hanging beads added warmth and charm. Food carts encouraged guests to mingle, a henna artist offered intricate designs, and a small bazaar with polki bags, gajras, and jhumkas added a festive touch. Bollywood beats filled the air, with family performances and songs creating a personal and joyful atmosphere. The groom entered dancing to “Saajanji Ghar Aaye” from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, followed by Nazia and her cousins to “Mehndi Hai Rachnewali.” The reception embraced elegance and romance. Black velvet linens provided a dramatic base for the décor, while white roses and soft blooms with greenery added freshness. Gold candle holders with floating candles cast a warm glow, and textured glass chargers and gold flatware gave each table a polished look. The stage featured gold-framed cascading white flowers, crystal chandeliers, and a cream loveseat for the couple. Nazia and Derrick entered hand in hand to “Mahiya Jinna Sohna” by Darshan Raval, walking onto a white dance floor featuring their monogram and wedding date. Music played throughout the evening, blending Bollywood, American, and jazz tunes to create a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. “We wanted the night to be about enjoying time with family and friends rather than following a strict program,” Nazia explains. Instead of performances or a first dance, the focus was on connection and celebration. Personal touches made the day memorable. A 360° photo booth, Polaroid cameras at the entrance, and a Jenga guest book encouraged guests to leave messages and create keepsakes. These small details reflected the couple’s personalities and made their wedding interactive and fun. Some of the most memorable moments were quiet ones—seeing each other for the first time before the festivities began and walking into the decorated venues. “The colors, flowers, and details made the days feel magical and completely ‘us,’” Nazia reflects. Their advice to other couples? “Stay calm, focus on what matters, and take a moment to pause and enjoy the day. It goes by faster than you think.” 
