For Richa Desai, chiropractor, and Shashank Gandhi, neurosurgery resident, a day on the beach turned out to be something more. Little did Richa know that the walk would turn into a romantic proposal. When she and Shashank were walking along the Clearwater Beach at sunset, Richa saw bright drapes flowing in the breeze with three large photographs of them. “I immediately turned to Shashank. He took my hands and proceeded with the most beautiful proposal,” she said.

The wedding and reception were held in Richa’s hometown, Orlando, at the Hilton Orlando Resort on December 9, 2017, with 500 guests in attendance. The couple’s pre-wedding events were mehndi, grah shanti and sangeet and each included a live band along with traditional décor.

While the couple did hire a wedding planner, family also helped with much of the planning and arrangements. Their mandap was the largest ever — 40 feet wide with a 12-foot center golden medallion created by Occasions by Shangri-La.

Given the wedding theme was royalty, Richa and Shashank dressed as an Indian king and queen in customized royal designer clothing and kundan jewelry. The baraat arrived via a horse and carriage. Richa’s vidai was in a vintage 1962 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud Convertible.

The décor for the reception was a starry night with LED-backdrop that changed colors to set the mood and along with crystal chandeliers. Centerpieces included crystal vases with fresh flowers.

The most memorable moment of the entire event was the couple’s “James Bond-esque” entrance on a 12-foot golden rotating medallion, cut a life-size colorful dhol with the sound! A Big Fat Indian wedding it is!

BANQUET HALLS Hilton Orlando 407-313-8458 | BEAUTICIANS / COSMETICIAN Beauty by Tamanna 646-571-5585 | CAKE Tru-Cakes 407-473-5849 | CATERING Indias Grill Tampa 813-872-8222 | Taste of India 321-751-4191 | Sudhas Fast Food Caterer 407-758-1776 | DECORATOR Occasions By Shangri-la 407-614-2977 | DISC JOCKEY Roshni Productions 732-318-2136 | Volcanik Entertainment 201-240-9080 | EVENT PLANNER Eventrics Weddings 863-397-0547 | PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHY Amita S. Photography 813-600-7014 | Fandango Wedding Films 305-785-3263

Indian Bride and Groom

Indian wedding reception

Indian Wedding mandap

Indian Wedding Theme

Indian Wedding Decorations

Indian Wedding Event Planner

Indian Wedding wedding planner

Indian Wedding CATERING

The saying goes that neither time nor distance can stop two lovers from meeting. For 28-year-old Ami Vakharia and 29-year-old Raj Gandolia, both radiology physicians, their love story began during their teenage years when they met in the Tibetan Himalayas. Though years passed before the two reconnected on Facebook, after  two and half years of dating, Raj enacted the perfect proposal from via their romance timeline photo frames. He prepared for the big day for six months.

Naturally Ami was on seventh heaven. After all, she had booked the wedding venue in Florida shortly before the proposal. Guess the heart instinctively knew and wanted things to be perfect! Raised in Florida, she selected the venue as it had stolen her heart at first look with its modern look and romantic beach in the backyard. Planning the wedding in Florida from North Carolina was difficult despite help from her mother and Eventrics Wedding Planning.

The pre-wedding ceremony was a festive fanfare of a Rajasthani mela. Amidst the absolute riot of vibrant colors and fun overflowing, the height of romance was reached with a Swayamvar executed in a specially set up royal palace. About 450 guests cheered the princess selecting her prince charming.

For the ceremony, the ballroom selected was inherently romantic with its one wall composed of all windows and peeking into the ocean. The ceremony program was beautifully decorated in a fan shape and placed on each of the chair for all 300 guests.

The ceremony, like their romance had its own jittery and happy moments. Ami had planned the wedding to be in the open amidst the ocean, but the extra windy atmosphere played on their nerves and finally at midnight, Ami had to decide on conducting the ceremony indoors.

However, all the confusions and frantic worries were forgotten the minute Ami walked down the aisle at 10 am amidst the background music by the DJ Dynasty or Ravi Prasad. The couple took their vows completely lost in one another as two soul-mates are meant.

The reception was attended by about 480 guests.  Unlike other wedding receptions, Ami and Raj’s was unique. An animated cartoon story about their first meeting to their trip to the altar was created by the wedding planning company and shown to guests. The couple themselves took a trip down nostalgia lane and were quite moved. With the bond further strengthened, they were lost in each other while the guests danced the night away, celebrating their union.

Ami happily reminisces about her wedding and fondly advises all at the end of the day nobody remembers the details the couple put into decorating the wedding venue. However, guests talk about the food for a long time, so it should be lip-smacking good – just as the the ethereal romance between the bride and groom!

Ami weds Raj

The novelty of being engaged has worn off and reality hits with full force. There’s a wedding to plan! The entire process can be challenging – from compromising on style to managing the many opinions of all involved. With ample information available online via popular websites such as The Knot, MyShadi, Desh-Videsh, and South Asian Bride as well as a vast array of blogs dedicated to all things wedding, couples feel a bit of information overload. Pinterest will no doubt be both a bride’s best friend and her worst enemy. And while some brides know exactly what they want right down to the seating arrangement at the reception, others are overwhelmed by the myriad of choices.

Couples can easily become sidetracked during the beginning stages with the many details to finalize – color scheme, flowers, dresses, cake, food, and more. Though enjoying the process should be a top priority, becoming bogged down in the details can create undue stress during this special time. Staying organized and focused will ease the process. As you begin planning, Tracie Domino (Tracie Domino Events) suggests couples focus their energy first on budgets, date and venue, and whether to hire a wedding planner. She says couples should “discuss budget and what you really want your wedding to feel like. Decide on your date and your venue. It is pointless to make any other decisions before these are confirmed. Decide if you want a planner sooner than later, because when a planner gets on board right from the beginning, they can create the most value for you with their relationships.”

With so many details to plan, family members to keep happy, and a long list of vendors to manage, some couples consider hiring a wedding planner to ease the process. What role does a wedding planner play? Brittany Ellis Cole (Eventrics Weddings) believes that a wedding planner “becomes an extension of the family for the months the planning process takes place and is someone who should treat each wedding event as if it were his or her own.” Most wedding planners offer a full-range of services from planning every detail of a wedding to just being the point-person on the day of the celebration.

Wedding planners rely on trusted vendors, remember forgotten details, and serve as a buffer between couples and families to ensure a couple’s wedding vision comes to life. Understanding budget constraints and having a firm grasp of the couple’s style allows wedding planners to choose the right vendors and make the vision reality. Seema Patel and Megha Kothur (Two Ladies and Events) stress that couples can “choose which service is right for them based on the amount of time and commitment they are able to make to wedding planning on their own. As wedding planners our goals are to help take the stress and anxiety out of wedding planning for our clients, help them save money and stick to theirbudget, and make sure everything is perfect on their big day.”

Why Hire a Wedding Planner?

When it comes to considering whether to hire a wedding planner, some couples either want to do all of the planning themselves or believe a planner will be too expensive. Nareen Bukhari (All That Shines Event Planning) shares, “Unfortunately, wedding planners are not always seen as a necessary vendor. […] hiring a wedding planner is the most crucial part of the wedding planning process. You want to know that all of your hard work and attention to detail comes to place and that your friends and family are able to enjoy with you on the day-of. You never want to think back on your day and wish, ‘If I only hired a wedding planner…’”

While budget is a key factor, so are time and stress. Carefully consider how much time you can realistically invest during the planning process. If you work in a profession that demands a lot of time or you are trying to navigate multiple family requests, a wedding planner can help ease the load. Domino encourages couples to strongly consider a wedding planner. “When you hire a wedding planner, you get the luxury of being as involved as you want to be without all the stress. You get to participate in all the fun decisions like tastings and décor selection, while all the logistics are planned by a professional. The last thing you want to do is stare at spreadsheets and try to navigate all your vendors when you should be in the makeup chair drinking champagne the morning of your wedding.”

Though hiring a wedding planner may seem expensive, couples should consider the savings in terms of their time and stress as well as the benefit of having access to a wedding planner’s extensive vendor network. Patel and Kothur share that “hiring an event planner will save you money, time and stress. Wedding planners have the experience to help prioritize and organize all that it entails to plan a wedding. They can focus and use their book of vendors and referrals to help a couple find the perfect set of vendors for their big day.” Wedding planners work closely with other wedding vendors on a regular basis, and they not only have good working relationships, they often also have access to the best rates.

Prepare for Your First Meeting

Regardless of whether a couple chooses to someone to plan their entire wedding or just be the main contact on the day-of, an initial consultation with a wedding planner will determine next steps and help establish a timeline. Wedding planners like Bukhari also use the initial meeting to gauge a couple’s sense of style and their wedding vision. She adds that it is important to know “where the couple is in the planning process and what their expectations are from a planner. We do not want the bride and groom to feel that meeting with us is another task on their to-do list. Our meetings are casual, but well thought out. Initially, we try to obtain as much information as we can to understand the couple’s vision for their big day.”

Before going to the first meeting, couples should have a few key items in mind to help the wedding planner decided the best course of action. Cole asks couples to have “dates in mind, estimated guest counts for each event, expectations from the planner (i.e. full service, partial or day of coordination), and personality. It is always important you feel as if you ‘click’ with your wedding planner.” The planner will truly become another member of your family during the planning process, so choosing one is as much about personality as it is about cost and expertise.

Wedding planners are organized, detailed, and resourceful, but above all, they listen to and pay close attention to a couple’s wants and desires. Knowing what to prioritize and exactly which vendors will best complement a couple’s style and vision is what makes hiring a wedding professional a necessity. Whether used for full-scale planning or just to be the main contact on the wedding day, hiring a planner is sure to save couples time, money, and stress.

Favorite Wedding Moments
The experts share their favorite wedding moments.

Naureen: If I had to choose just one moment throughout the entire event, it would definitely be the bride’s entrance. As she walks down the aisle, time stands still. Silence fills the room, and the amount of emotion reaches its peak. The groom’s expression is always priceless to watch.

Brittany: More often than not it is when the Groom sees the Bride for the first time. It is as if time stands still and for that moment the only thing that matters is how much love you feel in the room.

Tracie: My favorite moment is the end of the ceremony, when the stress lifts a little for the couple and the fun really starts!

Seema/Megha: By far our favorite wedding moment is the first look between the couple. Seeing that pure love in each other partner’s sparkling eyes just melts our hearts and is the reason we love what we do!

The Experts
Special thanks to the experts who contributed their thoughts and advice to this article.

All That Shines Event Planning
Tel: (813) 785-9017
Email: info@atseventplanning.com
http://allthatshinesevents.com/

Naureen Bukhari is the owner of All That Shines Event Planning, a boutique coordination and consultation company. All That Shines Event Planning specializes in events ranging from intimate soirees to extravagant weddings and everything in between. From choosing a venue to day-of coordination, they offer customized packages to best fit your needs and strive to make your reality better than your dreams.

Eventrics Weddings
Tel: (863) 683-3905
Email: weddings@eventrics.com
http://www.eventricsweddings.com/

Brittany Ellis Cole is a Wedding & Event Planner at Eventrics Weddings, whose event team has over 30 years of special event planning and understands the key elements that make celebrations unique and special. The team is committed to designing your wedding full of memorable moments and provide lasting memories for you and your guests.

Tracie Domino Events
Tel: (813) 810-0621
Email: tracie@traciedomino.com
http://traciedomino.com/

For over ten years, owner Tracie Domino’s stylish expertise and relatable sophistication has made her a trusted consultant to business leaders, professional athletes and high society. Specializing in luxury, destination, and Indian weddings, Tracie Domino Events makes fun, memorable weddings happen.

Two Ladies and Events
Tel: Megha Kothur – (608) 217-5687 and Seema Patel – (727) 772-3491
Email: twoladiesandevents@gmail.com

With over ten years of experience, Seema Patel, founder of Two Ladies and Events, along with partner Megha Kothur, are dedicated to creating an organized and stress free event for all clients. They love providing their expertise in custom event planning to create unique and memorable events for their clients.

About the Author
Rina Shah is the CEO and founder of The Arpan Group, a boutique ad agency and public relations firm that specializes in capturing untouched ethnic markets. From press releases and media kits to marketing materials and by-line articles, The Arpan Group customizes solutions based on the client’s needs. For more information, visit www.thearpangroup.comor call (703) 651-6670.

Why Couples Should Hire a Wedding Planner

Planning began in May for the he wedding that took place on November 23, 2013. While both families did most of the planning, they hired Eventrics to help finalize the arrangements and coordinate details on the wedding day. Amit and Purva were wed in a lovely outdoor destination wedding at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The venue’s gorgeous oceanfront terrace offers beautiful views of the ocean, a plus of all of the wedding functions.

The theme for the sangeet ceremony was Latin and Punjabi. The décor, done by Occasions by Shangri-La, featured a lovely combination of Latin and Punjabi cultures. The Latin connection was brought in through centerpieces with peppers suspended in glass vases while Punjabi elements were infused through bright clothes on the tables with small tablas. Beautiful tropical flower arrangements, market lights, and signs pointing to important places in the couple’s life added a personal touch to the venue.

Originally, the Latin portion of the sangeet was planned outdoors. However, weather conditions forced the couple to adopt a similar atmosphere indoors. A 9-piece Latin band played live music, and a dancing couple from Dance South Florida performed. The performers also gave fun salsa lessons to guests. Close friends and family performed at the sangeet. Punjabi celebrations soon took over with Punjabi music and beats by a traditional dhol player, Sunny Singh. A highlight included the special mojito bar served delicious varieties of the classic cocktail.

The groom’s procession/baraat began in the morning on the beach. Amit rode a horse and was accompanied by his groomsmen, dhol player Sunny Singh and DJ Xio. The wedding, arranged on the oceanfront terrace, took place under a mandap designed with open clear acrylic and decorated with corals and white flowers along with crystal strands. The raised aisle displayed acrylic pedestals with large flower bouquets on both sides. Sitar player Prasanna provided background music, and the bride’s entrance music was performed by flute-player Dr. Indar Jhamb, also a close family friend.

The reception hall was decorated in gold, silver and purple. Tables were arranged in two large “X” formations, each displaying a candle river. Crystal balls and large crystal centerpieces were placed in the center. Candles decorated with crystals and gold chairs with purple sashes created an elegant ambiance.

DJ Xio of Miami and a percussionist provided music. Dances began with an un-choreographed number by Amit and Purva to Stevie Wonder’s “Sunshine of my Life.” The couple then did a choreographed rumba to “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake. The bride and her father danced to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.” The groom and his mother danced to “I Will” by the Beatles. Relatives and friends did an impromptu dance to “More than Words.”

The couple advises hiring a wedding coordinator since the professional can take a lot of stress off your shoulders!

Photos Courtesy: Asaad Images 407-221-3333 www.asaadimages.com Vendors BANQUET HALLS Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa 954-525-4000 www.marriottharborbeach.comBEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN Ibrow Studio 954-304-4958 www.sumaiyas.com CAKE Edda-s Cake Design 305-668-1828 x203 www.eddascakedesigns.com DECOR Occasions By Shangri-La 407-394-4244 www.occasionsbyshangrila.com HORSE – CARRIAGE Downtown Horse & Carriage Inc 561-723-4704 www.downtownhorseandcarriage.com LIGHTING Get Lit Lighting Productions 407-924-4246 www.glp-fl.comPHOTOGRAPHER/ VIDEOGRAPHER Asaad Images 407-221-3333 www.asaadimages.com RESTAURANT/ CATERING Tabla Bar And Grill 407-248-9400 www.tablabar.com WEDDING PLANNER EVENTRICS INC 863-683-3905 www.eventrics.com

South Asian weddings

Planning a South Asian wedding begins with a discussion on four of the most crucial elements: budget, location, estimated guest count, and the overall goals of the couple.

In terms of budget, it is crucial your planner is informed on the overall price ranges everyone is comfortable spending. When your planner is aware of cost, they are able to efficiently make vendor recommendations that fit within the style and budget of the couple. Once a budget has been established, a location can then be determined. The choice of venue and location is one of the most important factors of the planning process. It is imperative to have an estimated guest count when searching for venue locations as you will want to ensure all the elements of the wedding will fit into the desired space.

The last crucial development step is for planners to gain an understanding of the couple’s goals and priorities for their wedding celebrations. An example of goals may be ‘wow factor’ entertainment or ‘color catching’ décor. Each couple is unique on what their priorities are for their event, and as a planner, it is important to focus the majority of your attention on ensuring their goals are met.

Once these steps are decided it will be important for planners to keep the communication flowing with the Bride, Groom and families throughout the entire planning process. To effectively execute the planning process of an Indian wedding, planners must always keep consistent communication with the families. Effective communication will ensure a successful event for all parties involved.

In addition to the major decisions that are made in the beginning of the planning process it is essential to keep your planner informed as particulars arise. If you have a surprise dance from your Bridesmaids or a funny video presentation from the family, ensure your planner is aware to make for a successful time line. Time lines give guidance to all vendors involved in the wedding weekend. Having a well structured time line will make all the difference in the flow and ease of the wedding related events ensuring the Bride, Groom and families are having nothing short of an amazing time.

A wedding planner offers guidance, reassurance and invaluable input which can make the wedding planning experience stress-free and enjoyable. To successfully plan a South Asian wedding, planners must always remember effective communication, the couple’s priorities and the budget they are comfortable spending. Understanding these core elements will play the biggest role in productively planning an unforgettable experience for the couple, families and their Guests.

Brittany Ellis is a Wedding & Event Planner with Eventrics Weddings in Florida. To learn more, visit www.eventricsweddings.com.

How to Plan a South Asian Wedding by Brittany Ellis, Wedding & Event Planner at Eventrics Weddings

Sumitha Solai and Sean Pitroda had one thing in common – spontaneity. And so, it was fitting that Sean proposed spontaneously. Sitting in the room of Sofitel Hotel during a vacation to their favorite place in the world, Manhattan, New York, Sean pulled out the ring while Sumitha was busy animatedly narrating a story. He did not plan the occasion because he knew she would read his mind. He also avoided clichéd lines and did not go down in his knees. He simply produced the ring and felt like the happiest man on planet earth when she said yes through happiness and tears.

The wedding was planned for May 24, 2013, ten months from the engagement. The planning began in August 2012. Although Sumitha was at the forefront of preparations, Sean was a huge support. The process was tougher than they imagined, more so because Sumitha, being the perfectionist she is, wanted everything to be just so for their special day. The couple hired a “day of” coordinator, Brittany Ellis from Eventrics, to organize all details on the wedding day. As their wedding got closer, the couple allocated 25 hours per week for wedding preparations

Wedding preparations became difficult when the couple shifted the wedding venue from their hometown of Chicago to Winder mere, Florida because the place was more conducive to executing their dream wedding. As an added bonus, Sumitha’s family owns a home in Florida. Also, the couple loved the Ritz Carlton there, the place where the wedding was ultimately held.

Pre-wedding celebrations began on May 23. The Sangeet ceremony was held pool side at Sumitha’s family home in Windermere, and the theme exuded Bollywood. The venue was done in bright pink and teal with white tables decorated with lanterns and canopy beds highlighted with Rajasthani umbrellas placed along the pool perimeter. The pool itself was adorned with lit lotus flowers floating in water. The entry was lined with lit palm trees. The back terrace was decorated with 200 market lights placed under mini Rajasthani umbrellas. The bride and groom were positioned under a canopy on silk sofas accentuated with colorful pillows. Food stations were placed under draped arches and marked by wood signs. Desserts were served in a separate lounge and a gazebo served as a bar.

The wedding took place by the lake at the Ritz Carlton in a gazebo. The venue was done in traditional orange and red colors. The bride was dressed in a red saree, and the bridesmaid donned yellow saris. Red and orange fabrics were used to drape the mandap. The groom arrived on a horse and the bride arrived in a horse-drawn carriage while traditional Tamil songs played in the background. After the ceremony, the couple left in the carriage.

The ceremony programs, done in gold, were embossed with the couple’s custom monogram designed by Get Lit. The programs were placed in a gold colored bag that also consisted of a personalized paper fan and custom designed game. The winner of the game was announced during the reception. Guests also received a bag with a traditional incense stick holder and sweets. Music consisted of traditional South Indian nadhaswaram played by DJ Raj.

The reception was a grand affair. For cocktails, the Tuscany Terrace of the Ritz was chosen. Roman pillars and greenery characterized the place. It was personalized with things that emphasized the couple’s interests such as traveling. The couple arrived to the beats of dhol and made a sparkling entrance as the bridesmaids and groomsmen held sparklers on either side. While the dhol player entertained guests, the couple retreated to a private room for a toast.

The reception dinner was organized in the Plaza Ballroom of the Ritz. The room featured a rich royal look with elegant chandeliers, silk wall coverings and grand wall scones done in ivory and gold. The couple and the wedding party wore royal blue and emerald green clothing. The tables were alternately decorated with 20” panache vases holding hydrangea centerpieces lit up with base votives and lit gold elephants on fabric risers surrounded by a border of fresh flowers. The couple was seated in front of a white background embellished with white and gold jali columns. The sweetheart table had floating glass with fresh floral border lit up with floating candles in vases.

The couple first danced to U2’s“One” followed by a fast Latin salsa number, “Tamacun” by Rodrigo y Gabriela. The bridesmaids and groomsmen danced to a medley of Indian songs. All throughout the reception, the music was a mix of retro and modern numbers.

The couple says that people getting married should look around the venue to capture memorable images of family and friends. Such memories truly last forever.

Sumitha weds Sean