Welcome to MyShadi.com – An Indian Wedding Stories and Resources

On October 19, 2024, Ami Chauhan, 29, a forensic accountant, and Vinny Bhatia, 29, a chef and catering business owner, tied the knot in Sarasota, Florida. Their wedding, hosted at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, welcomed 130 guests for a vibrant celebration filled with heart, humor, and resilience. The couple’s love story began in August 2020, when they met on Hinge at the height of the pandemic. Drawn to Vinny’s profile—“an ideal Saturday is cooking dinner and drinking wine”—Ami was instantly intrigued. After weeks of texting, they finally met at a cozy pizza place in New York City, where Vinny’s excitement over a tiny dog melted Ami’s heart. Two years later, Vinny staged a surprise proposal in Brooklyn, lining an aisle with yellow and pink flowers—the same colors later used in their haldi ceremony.

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BANQUET HALLS Hyatt Regency Sarasota 941-363-2603 || BEAUTICIANS Henna Allure 321-444-5911 Michele Renee The Studio and Salon 813-531-7770 || BOUTIQUES Shilpa Gandhi Studio 201-253-7513 Bunbury Custom Clothiers || DECORATOR Maharani Designs 813-569-9052 Tiger Lily Flowers 941-287-7237 || DISC JOCKEY Echobell Events 321-666-9907 || EVENT PLANNER Apsara Events 727-687-8185 || CATERING Taaza Mart 813-564-8100 || MEHNDI Henna Allure 321-444-5911 || PHOTOGRAPHER Caty Canon 810-210-3948 || PRIEST Mukesh Vyas 239-910-0375 || RENTAL SERVICE Classic Wedding Cars of Sarasota 941-265-7726 || VIDEOGRAPHY HoneyBee Memory 508-821-6419

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Planning was largely DIY, with the couple relying on research, spreadsheets, and organization. While Ami and Vinny managed most details themselves, they credit their day-of coordinator as their best decision, ensuring peace of mind and flawless execution. The wedding was originally set at the Powel Crosley Estate, but when Hurricane Milton hit Sarasota just days before, everything changed. With extraordinary support from their families, vendors, and coordinator, the event was seamlessly moved to the Hyatt Regency. Pre-wedding events included an intimate mehendi, a haldi at a beachside park with a DIY backdrop, and a colorful sangeet decorated with street food carts, rickshaws, and an ornate golden swing. The wedding ceremony followed a pastel pink floral theme under an open mandap. Vinny made his grand entrance in a 1929 blue Chevy, while their niece Aliya stole the show, riding down the aisle in a pink motorized G Wagon. Traditional Bollywood songs set the tone, with a twist of Kendrick Lamar for Vinny’s entrance and Jogi for Ami’s.

The reception dazzled with a “red carpet under the stars” theme. Guests dressed in glamorous attire, surrounded by red floral and candlelit centerpieces. The bridal party made individual entrances before Ami and Vinny arrived to Party Animal by Charlie Black. Special dances included a first dance to Sam Cooke’s That’s Where It’s At and a touching switcheroo dance with each other’s parents. Music blended Bollywood hits with early 2000s classics, keeping the dance floor alive. From DIY décor to custom outfits, personalized vows, and wow-worthy décor despite last-minute changes, Ami and Vinny’s wedding was authentically theirs. Their advice? Stay true to yourselves, feed your guests well, and don’t let unexpected storms overshadow your joy.

For architects Ekta Prakash Desai and Daniel Charles Laggan, love was truly a matter of design. Their paths first crossed in New York City when Ekta was considering a role at Schenkel Shultz Architecture in Orlando, where Daniel also worked. Though she initially stayed in New York, fate had other plans. Two years later, when she accepted the position, their friendship rekindled through collaborative projects and soon blossomed into something deeper. By 2021, their love story had officially begun.

Daniel proposed on December 30, 2023, at a lookout point along the Portuguese coast of Matosinhos—seven years to the day after they first met. As the Atlantic stretched endlessly before them, he dropped to one knee, sealing a promise of forever against the rhythm of the waves.

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BANQUET HALLSIsla Bella Beach Resort 305-481-9451  || BEAUTICIANS Michele Renee The Studio and Salon 813-531-7770  || CATERING Zaika Indian Cuisine 786-409-5187  || FOOD DISTRIBUTOR Sweet Savannahs Bake Shop 305-743-3131  || DECORATOR A Lavish Event Design 786-399-9930  || MPE Event Group 305-209-6355 || EVENT PLANNER Velour Premier Events 786-530-7744  || DISC JOCKEY Pavan Events 954-494-3567  || MEHNDI Amrita Henna 352-277-1906 || MUSICIAN Raj Raang 954-338-9132 || PHOTOGRAPHER DUY HO Photography 415-987-9096 || RENTAL SERVICES Ocean Breeze Party Rentals 786-286-2314 ||

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On February 8, 2025, the couple brought that promise to life at the Isla Bella Beach Resort in Marathon, Florida. With 130 guests gathered from across the globe, the celebration was an unforgettable fusion of cultures, landscapes, and love.

The festivities opened with a Welcome Sangeet beneath a clear beachside tent. Sitar and tabla music filled the air while vibrant Birds of Paradise, colorful drapery, and glowing market lights set the stage. Guests in bright saris and Indo-Western attire joined in garba, raas, and bhangra, with a dhol player bringing traditional rhythms to life. Friends and family surprised the couple with lively group dances, turning the evening into a carnival of joy.

The ceremony at Pelican Pointe was timed perfectly with the setting sun. Guests walked along a mirrored aisle that shimmered with reflections of the “Cathedral of Palms” overhead, leading to a dock that reached into the ocean. A live violinist played a seamless blend of Indian and American songs as the couple exchanged vows framed by sky, sea, and sunset. Ekta arrived by golf cart, her entrance as graceful as it was unique.

The reception followed in the same clear tent, now transformed with tropical centerpieces and twinkling lights. Each member of the bridal party was introduced with a personalized song before the newlyweds shared their first dance to Built to Love You by Lost Cosmonauts. The highlight, however, was Ekta’s custom gown—a dazzling creation inspired by the ocean, adorned with teal and turquoise glass beadwork that shimmered like mermaid scales. Adding a personal touch, she hand-lettered seating arrangements on seashells, giving each guest a piece of the shore.

From the mirrored aisle to the seaside reception, Ekta and Daniel’s wedding embodied their love for both design and nature. Reflecting on the day, Ekta shared one piece of advice for future couples: “Skip the touch-ups during cocktail hour—be present, laugh, dance, and cherish every moment with your people.”

 

 

 

Love stories often begin with a spark, and for Ashley Singh and Justin Chakkala, that spark lit up back in 2011 when they met through mutual friends at college. Both a little shy, it wasn’t until a year later, on the UCF campus, that their paths truly crossed. What followed was a beautiful decade-long journey of love, long distance, graduate school, and the unwavering desire to be close to one another. By 2018, Ashley had moved to South Florida to be with Justin, sealing their bond even stronger.

Their love story took a magical turn in Paris, where Justin surprised Ashley with a proposal at the Eiffel Tower on a rainy, windswept evening—an unforgettable memory that set the stage for their wedding.

 

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BANQUET HALLS Hilton Tampa Downtown 813-222-4905 || BEAUTICIANS Michele Renee The Studio and Salon 813-531-7770 || CATERING Minerva Indian Restaurant 904-503-1608 || DECORATOR Occasions by Bali 813-454-6299 || DISC JOCKEY DJ X Factor || EVENT PLANNER Fierce Events 407-494-6090 || PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER MK Thommy Studio 954-529-6451  Sona Photography 407-694-6032

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On November 22 and 23, 2024, Tampa became the heart of their cultural fusion as the couple tied the knot in a celebration that beautifully honored both Ashley’s Guyanese Hindu roots and Justin’s Malayalee Catholic traditions. With 300 guests gathered at the Hilton Downtown Tampa and Incarnation Catholic Church, their wedding was filled with color, music, and meaning.

The festivities began with a lively mehndi/haldi night, complete with a bangle and bindi bar that guests adored. The Hindu ceremony, adorned in soft dusty rose and mauve décor, brought together vibrant traditions. Guests danced to Tassa drums, a Caribbean wedding tradition from Ashley’s heritage, while Justin arrived in style in a Rolls Royce. Later, Justin’s family hosted a chantham charthu ceremony, adding a unique Malayalee touch to the celebrations.

The Catholic ceremony the following day carried a timeless elegance with traditional Christian hymns, rounding out a truly multicultural wedding.

Their reception at Hilton Downtown Tampa was nothing short of spectacular. With mauve, pink, and gold accents, fresh floral centerpieces, and a 360-degree photo booth, the evening felt like a dream. The bridal party made grand entrances filled with dance and laughter before Ashley and Justin shared their first dance to “My Favorite Place to Go” by Layup. The night unfolded with a mix of soca, chutney, Indian beats, and classic hip-hop—ensuring the dance floor stayed full.

From handmade gold luggage tag place cards to the moment they first saw the fully decorated venue, Ashley and Justin’s wedding was filled with unforgettable “wow” moments.

Their advice to future couples? Make it fun. Even through the stresses of planning, they cherished every detail—from cake tastings to music choices—creating a celebration that reflected not only their love but also their families’ rich cultural heritage.

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