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A Wedding Rooted in Love, Culture, and Meaning: Nazia Rahman & Derrick Myers Celebrate in Orlando

Some love stories grow quietly over time, and for Nazia Rahman, a 33-year-old pharmacist, and Derrick Myers, a 38-year-old attorney, theirs began through mutual friends. What started as casual group hangouts slowly developed into something deeper.

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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.”

A Cross-Continental Celebration: The Wedding of Sujata Datta and Mark Poulton

On April 12, 2025, Sujata Datta and Mark Poulton were married in a vibrant celebration at the Doubletree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal in Orlando, Florida. With 130 guests in attendance, the wedding brought together family and friends from across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The couple now lives in Baltimore, but they chose Orlando because Sujata’s parents live there and April offered warm, inviting weather for loved ones traveling from abroad.

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Sujata, a 33 year old physician who goes by the nickname Jay, did not change her name after marriage. Mark, also 33, works as a project manager. Their journey began on Bumble with a memorable first date at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. “Our first date was at the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, we went for a walk outside since I had Covid,” Sujata recalls. For weeks afterward, busy schedules and separate vacations kept them apart, but Mark ensured the connection did not fade. “Mark says that during that month he specifically messaged me on Bumble once every 3 days so I wouldn’t forget him, but also so that I wouldn’t get annoyed by him.”

Their early dates were filled with lighthearted moments, from an attempted goodnight kiss that turned into a forehead peck to a shared outing to see Top Gun II, which Mark had secretly already watched. After six months, Mark said “I love you” first. Sujata, more cautious by nature, took a little longer but eventually reciprocated. When her work took her to Atlanta for a year, they navigated long distances, visiting nearly every month and speaking constantly. Two years into their relationship, shortly before Sujata moved back to Baltimore, Mark proposed in San Francisco at the start of a road trip to Los Angeles.
“Mark proposed to me in San Francisco right at the beginning of a week-long road trip,” Sujata shares. He had insisted on staying at Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito, where he led her to a viewpoint overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and asked her to marry him. “I was shocked. I honestly knew that he would propose at some point, but I assumed it would be a few months or even a year later.” She said yes, and they celebrated by calling their families, many of whom already knew about the plan.

Wedding festivities began with a Mehndi night at Sujata’s parents’ home. Colorful scarves decorated the sunroom, and guests enjoyed a make your own taco bar with margaritas and mojitos prepared by the bride. “Mark’s family got really into the mehndi, even the guys, two of his elderly uncles, had Welsh dragons on their hands.” The following day featured a Haldi ceremony and a rehearsal dinner in the hotel courtyard with an Italian buffet and open bar.
For the wedding day, the couple hired Fierce Events for a day of coordination. “Having Sasha and Rochelle there was absolutely amazing and we could not have done the wedding and reception without them,” Sujata says. The team handled everything seamlessly, from vendor coordination to last minute changes.

The ceremony and reception both took place at the Doubletree. The celebration blended Indian traditions with Western elements, reflecting their shared cultures and personalities. The next day, many guests gathered by the hotel pool to continue the festivities in a relaxed setting. The couple’s wedding website, https://withjoy.com/sujata-and-mark/welcome, offers a glimpse into their journey and celebration.

Tropical Traditions and Timeless Love: Payal and Elvis Tie the Knot in Punta Cana

On June 22, 2025, Payal Dave and Elvis Castillo were married at Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, surrounded by 100 of their closest family and friends. With the ocean as their backdrop, their destination wedding beautifully blended Indian and Dominican traditions into a vibrant and deeply meaningful celebration.

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Payal an HR Manager, and Elvis a Business Analyst, first met in 2013 while working together as front desk staff at a hotel. What began as a professional connection gradually evolved into friendship and then love. They officially began dating in 2014, unaware their journey would span more than a decade before marriage. “Over the next eleven years, we grew together through life’s milestones, challenges, and successes, building a strong foundation rooted in love, trust, and mutual respect.” From career growth to personal transitions, they matured side by side, strengthening a partnership grounded in patience and understanding.

The proposal was sentimental and symbolic. Early in their relationship, Elvis surprised Payal with a trip to Aruba after she shared it was her dream destination. During that visit, they dined at Passions on the Beach and captured a photo she always treasured. In June 2022, under the pretense of celebrating their eight year anniversary, Elvis secretly recreated that moment. “As we posed for photos, he got down on one knee and proposed. I felt completely shocked, overwhelmed with joy, and deeply emotional.” Returning to a meaningful place made the proposal intimate and unforgettable.

Although many couples hire planners for destination weddings, Payal chose to manage the planning herself. As a wedding coordinator on the side, she felt confident overseeing vendors, timelines, and décor. Years of experience and observing friends’ weddings helped her define a clear vision that honored both cultures authentically.

The decision to marry in the Dominican Republic came with irony. As an Indian bride and a Dominican groom, they once joked they would marry in neither homeland. “Ironically, we ended up doing exactly what we once said we wouldn’t.” The island’s natural beauty and experienced vendors made it the perfect destination while offering guests a memorable travel experience.

The wedding weekend began with a Welcome Night and Sangeet featuring tropical neutral décor with pampas grass, dried palms, white florals, greenery, and warm string lights. A henna artist created intricate designs, and the evening ended with a dramatic fire show. The pre wedding Pooja embraced soft whites, gold accents, marigold garlands, and natural wood tones. The outdoor Haldi ceremony featured flowing yellow and white drapery and concluded with a spontaneous oceanside water celebration filled with laughter.

The ceremony took place overlooking the ocean beneath a white mandap adorned with lush white florals and sheer draping. The Baarat blended Bollywood and Latin music, celebrating both cultures. Soft instrumentals accompanied the rituals, maintaining a romantic ambiance. As they were announced husband and wife, colorful smoke bombs filled the sky.

The reception embraced a modern black, white, and gold theme with candlelight, mirrored accents, crisp florals, and acrylic chairs. Their first dance was to a mix of Standing by You by Nish and Juana Mecho. The mother son dance featured Always Remember Us This Way by Lady Gaga, while the mother daughter dance honored Betiyaan The Daughter Song. A surprise performance by the bride’s family became a highlight of the night.

Personal touches included curated welcome bags and signature cocktails named Elvis’s Red Line and the Macao Mule. The most powerful moment came unexpectedly. The bride, who lost her father in 2022, carried his photo down the aisle. After a completely rain free week, it poured as she reached the mandap. The sudden rain felt like a blessing, transforming the moment into an unforgettable memory.