Ami and Vinny
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.
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
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.
