Brianna and Rushi
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.
VENUE Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resorts, 407-239-0444 || BEAUTICIANS-COSMETICIANA Touch Of Fierce By Laylay, Duchatelier407-232-5743 || CAKE Rose Hill Cakes, 407-962-7485 || DECORATOR Shyne Event Services, 352-321-7673 || DISC JOCKEY DJ PAV, (813) 407-9472 ||EVENT PLANNER KG Event Coordinating, (407) 405-7145 || FLORIST Florida Flowers and Orchids || CATERING Khasiyat Indian Restaurant, (407) 888-2147, Kaieteur Tropical Mist Restaurant, 407-847-9385 / 407-931-0528 || MEHNDI Amrita Henna, 352-277-1906 || PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHY SK Visualography, 321-295-6700
Rushi proposed on March 1, 2025, at Lake Baldwin Park in Orlando, Florida. He planned a thoughtful day that included shopping at the Mall at Millenia, one of Brianna’s favorite activities, followed by dinner at Seito Sushi in Baldwin Park. As the sun began to set, the couple walked around the park together before Rushi led Brianna to a dock connected to a decorated gazebo. Brianna suspected that something special was about to happen but was happy to enjoy every moment. Having just completed an exam the previous day, she was excited to relax during Spring Break with Rushi. Meanwhile, Rushi was nervous but excited, hoping every detail would come together perfectly. The beautiful weather and peaceful setting made the proposal even more memorable. Afterward, the celebrations continued at home, where Brianna was surprised by close friends gathered with food, cake, music, and decorations to celebrate the engagement.
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.
The reception embraced warm champagne and gold décor accented with burgundy and light pink tones. Tall gold centerpieces, floral pedestals, chandeliers, greenery, and elegant floral arrangements created a sophisticated atmosphere. The ballroom also featured custom lighting, including a monogram of the couple’s names and wedding date. The bridal party entrances added energy and excitement, with the groomsmen dancing to “Fein x Khutti (JAZ Scape Mashup)” and the bridesmaids entering to “Desi Girl x Akon” by DJ Ganesh.
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.
