Priorities

Your priorities should be Budget, Location, Dates and Guests.

Once you have all the four stated above, sit down with your fiancée’ and talk about your wedding day. What do you both envision for your special day? Talk about the ceremony. What are your “must haves?” It’s important as you want to make sure that both of your needs are being met as each person’s must haves/priorities may be different.

Now you can begin finding the Perfect Venue for your Perfect Day!

Finding the right professional will help you navigate through the complexities of finding the perfect venue and hotel accommodations for you and your guest and will alleviate unnecessary stress for you over the coming months. They are experienced and do this on a day-to-day basis, they will have more information to provide in addition to saving you time and money. They know your needs and have your best interest in mind along with your budget.

When starting a search for your venue you will need to develop an RFP to send out to several venues within the location. Keep in mind, looking at only one venue may limit the amount of choices you have as far as dates, space availability, room availability, etc. If you are looking at a destination and not familiar with the venue options, ask your professional. They can provide you with the best options in any destination.

Reviewing the responses from the RFP that was sent out will provide you with all the details you need to go to the next step. It will contain the dates available, capacity, F&B minimums, etc. From this list you may be able to discount certain venues according to the information they provided.

After close review and conversations with your fiancée and professional you will have developed a list of possible venues. Your professional will arrange for you to visit each of the venues so that you can ensure the space you saw on their website photos looks the same in person. You’ll get a feeling of how the space can be transformed, you’ll have the opportunity to taste their food, look at their accommodations and ensure they have enough rooms for your guests, ensure they have enough parking for your guests. It’s easy to fall in love with each venue, however, make a list of the pros and cons so at the end you have everything in front of you to make the best decision.

Now you are ready to request a contract. Your professional will negotiate with the venue on your behalf. If you don’t understand a portion of the contract, ask for clarification. Make sure you understand what the payment/deposit schedule is, make sure that it’s stated in the contract. Don’t be afraid to ask for revisions to be made for the contract. Don’t sign the contract until it is exactly what you want. Make sure that you receive a final countersigned copy of the contract. Make note of all the deadlines that will be outlined within it. Missing a deadline with a venue can cost you thousands of dollars.

Now the fun begins. Go dress shopping, taste lots of cakes, etc. Enjoy it all, before you know it, Your Special Day will be here!

About The Author

Loretta Champion Johnson and Kimberly Reckert provide Venue Sourcing/Hotel Accommodations with HelmsBriscoe. Since 1992, HelmsBriscoe has earned the reputation as the global leader in venue site selection. They work diligently to match clients with the best venue at the best value based on their specific requirements. Whether you are a wedding planner working for a couple, or coordinating your own event, they can help secure a venue and block at the hotel that best accommodates your needs, budget and location! Email KReckert@HelmsBriscoe.com and LChampJohn@HelmsBriscoe.com for more information.

Venue Vendor Guide
The following is not an extensive list, but a list of venues that participated in the Desh Videsh Media Group survey.
Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center Hotel Contact: Regenia McLean 770-730-3720 Where: 246 Perimeter Center Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30346 Guest Rooms: 344 Banquet Hall Capacity: 6412 and 2595 of pre function space Email: regenia.r.mclean@marriott.com Web: www.marriott.com/ATLPC	Hilton Orlando – Altamonte Springs Contact: Jim Donovan 407-830-1985 Where: 350 South Northlake Blvd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701-5389 Banquet Hall Capacity: 6,720 Sq Ft Email: jim.donovan@hilton.com Web: www.orlandoaltamontesprings.hilton.com
Gaylord Palms Resort Contact: Pam Becker 407-586-2248 Where: 6000 W Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34746-4414 Guest Rooms: 1416 Banquet Hall Capacity: 46,000 Sq Ft Email: pbecker@gaylordhotels.com Web: www.gaylordpalms.com	Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Contact: 407-597-3600 Where: 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821-4024Guest Rooms: 1009 Banquet Hall Capacity: 36,000 Sq Ft Email: bonnetcreekweddings@hilton.com Web: www.hiltonbonnetcreek.com
Bonaventure Resort & Spa Contact: Giselle Roach 954-349-5606 Where: 250 Racquet Club Rd, Weston, FL 33326-1114 Email: groach@bonaventurefl.com Web: www.bonaventureresortandspa.com	Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort Contact: Melissa Davidson 727-942-5541 Where: 36750 Us Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684-1239 Banquet Hall Capacity: 200-800 guests Email: ccorbett@innisbrookresort.com Web: www.innisbrookgolfresort.com
Coral Springs Marriott Contact: Jeri-Ann Hart 954-227-4119 Where: 11775 Heron Bay Blvd, Coral Springs, FL 33076-1941 Email: jeriann.hart@atriumhospitality.com Web: www.marriott.com/fllmc	Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort Contact: Barry Rubin 305-949-1300 Where: 16701 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160-4201 Guest Rooms: 339 Banquet Hall Capacity: 4,800 Sq Ft Email: brubin@newportbeachsideresort.com Web: www.newportbeachsidresort.com
Doubletree by Hilton Sunrise/Sawgrass Contact: Karima Barnes 954-835-3605 Where: 13400 W Sunrise Blvd, Sunrise, FL 33323-0909 Banquet Hall Capacity: 5700 Sq Ft Email: karima.barnes@hilton.com Web: www.sawgrasshotel.com	Novare Events Contact: Hope Nudelman 404-962-8700 Where: 817 W. Peachtree Street NW, Suite 208, Atlanta, GA 30308-1150 Email: hnudelman@novareevents.com Web: www.novareevents.com
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay Contact: Caitlin Schmedeke 813-207-6630 Where: 2900 Bayport Dr, Tampa, FL 33607-1479 Guest Rooms: 444 Banquet Hall Capacity: 10,502 Sq Ft Email: caitlin.schmedeke@hyatt.com Web: www.grandhyatttampabay.com	Palm Beach Gardens Marriott Contact: Morgan Smith 561-630-1304 Where: 4000 RCA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-4233 Email: morgan.smith@marriott.com Web: www.marriott.com/PBIPG
Gulf Stream Park Contact: Ray Briels 954-475-6957 Where: 901 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009-7124 Banquet Hall Capacity: 14,000 Sq Ft Email: ray.briels@gulfstreampark.com Web: www.gulfstreampark.com	Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley Contact: Vanessa Jackson 919-571-5345 Where: 4500 Marriott Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612-3365 Email: v.jackson@marriott.com Web: www.raleighmarriott.com
Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Contact: Kia Guilford 954-766-6128 Where: 3030 Holiday Dr, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316-2414 Guest Rooms: 650 Banquet Hall Capacity: 14,900 Sq Ft (1800 people) Email: harborbeachcateringsales@marriott.com Web: www.marriottharborbeachweddings.com	Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel Contact: Tammie Guthrie 770-953-4500Where: 2450 Galleria Pkwy Se, Atlanta, GA 30339-3130Guest Rooms: 522Banquet Hall Capacity: 16,000 Sq FtEmail: tammie.guthrie@renaissancehotels.comWeb: www.renaissancewaverly.com
Hilton Charlotte Center City Contact: Tracy Suit 704-331-4380 Where: 222 E. Third Street, Charlotte, NC 28202-2315 Guest Rooms: 400 Banquet Hall Capacity: 11,070 Sq Ft Email: tracy.suit@hiltoncentercity.com Web: www.charlottebestwedding.com	St. Augustine Renaissance Contact: Emiliana Mes 904-940-8635Where: 500 S Legacy Trl, St Augustine, FL 32092-2719Email: emiliana.mes@atriumhospitality.comWeb: www.marriott.com/JAXBR
Hilton Daytona Beach Contact: Tiler Theisen 386-254-8200 Where: 100 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118-4204 Banquet Hall Capacity: 8675 Sq. Ft. Email: ttheisen@daytonahilton.com Web: www.daytonahilton.com	Waldorf Astoria Orlando Contact: Daniele Spano 407-597-5500 Where: 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort LN, Orlando, FL 32821-4024 Guest Rooms: 502 Banquet Hall Capacity: 8000 Sq Ft with 4500 Sq pre function space Email: bonnetcreekweddings@hilton.com Web: www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com
Hilton Orlando Contact: Teresa Bernstein 407-313-8458 Where: 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando, FL 32819-8117 Guest Rooms: 1424 Banquet Hall Capacity: 100–1,000+ guests Email: Teresa.bernstein@hilton.com Web: www.thehiltonorlando.com
Tips from Wedding Professionals “Single most important factor in choosing a wedding venue: The venue’s reputation and the feeling of excitement at seeing the venue for the first time and your first thought is “this is MY wedding venue” Pam Becker Gaylord Palms Resort “The most important wedding factor in choosing a wedding venue is how the venue makes you feel. Not only the atmosphere it provides, but the people who work there and will service your wedding. It’s important to pay a little extra for the experience your guests will receive, as you are hosting them for this special weekend.” Caitlin Schmedeke Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay “While price is always an important factor; service, package inclusions and added benefits are also essential when comparing venues. The Hilton Charlotte Center City has a variety of packages and unique ceremony locations to accommodate your vision.” Tracy Suit Hilton Charlotte Center City “When choosing a wedding venue, I advise to look for experience with Indian Weddings. Understanding the culture and rituals helps allows the venue to become a true partner in proposing space, planning the details, and thinking strategically to anticipate the needs of the family during this special time.” Teresa Bernstein Hilton Orlando “When choosing your wedding venue the most important tips are to know what location you are looking for and ensuring the location can accommodate the amount guests you are wanting to have.” Barry Rubin Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort “We believe it’s important to select a venue that has a team of experts who understand South Asian Weddings and fully embrace the rich cultural traditions. We put our clients at ease knowing they are in experienced, creative, capable and caring hands. Our clients become a part of our Renaissance Waverly family!” Tammie Guthrie Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel

Perfect Wedding Venue

Budget

Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center Hotel

Hilton Orlando – Altamonte Springs

Gaylord Palms Resort

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

Bonaventure Resort & Spa

Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort

Coral Springs Marriott

Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort

Doubletree by Hilton Sunrise/Sawgrass

Novare Events

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay

Palm Beach Gardens Marriott

Gulf Stream Park

Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley

Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel

Hilton Charlotte Center City

St. Augustine Renaissance

Hilton Daytona Beach

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Hilton Orlando

Pam Becker

Caitlin Schmedeke

Tracy Suit

Teresa Bernstein

Barry Rubin

Tammie Guthrie

Wedding Professionals

Jeri-Ann Hart

Hope Nudelman

Karima Barnes

Morgan Smith

Caitlin Schmedeke

Vanessa Jackson

Ray Briels

Emiliana Mes

Daniele Spano

Tiler Theisen

Teresa Bernstein

For over 10 years, MyShadi Bridal Expo has been a community event not to be missed by those planning a South Asian wedding. What began as a small bridal show twice a year in Florida, has now grown into a platform for over 85 event vendors taking place in over six different cities across the Southeast US.

Hosted by Desh Videsh Media Group, the MyShadi Bridal Expo offers vendors a chance to showcase their products and services as well as the latest trends in South Asian weddings. Instead of driving around town meeting vendors weekend after weekend, brides, grooms, and their families can spend one afternoon checking items off their wedding to-do lists.

Raj and Aruna Shah, founders of Desh Videsh Media Group, dreamed up the idea of a South Asian specific bridal show soon after their youngest son’s wedding. At their most recent show at the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel on Sunday, August 25, 2019, the Shahs were humbled by the large crowds. “It’s so great to see so many young couples making plans for their futures. We love meeting couples as much as we do working with vendors,” said Mrs. Shah.

The MyShadi Bridal Expo has evolved over the years, and now hosts event planning vendors such as photographers, decorators, DJs, caterers, venues, clothing/jewelry boutiques, hair/makeup/henna artists, and more in one exhibition hall in one afternoon. Bold, inviting colors and a festive atmosphere provide a backdrop for the display of the many elements in a South Asian wedding. Beautifully designed mandaps with gorgeous floral arrangements and intricate reception table settings are just some of the wedding components attendees get to see in person. Many couples now blend tradition with modern elements, and the MyShadi Bridal Expo is the place to be inspired and create a unique wedding vision.

When it comes to bridal and formal wear fashion, the exclusive designer fashion shows provide a stunning look at the latest styles. Whether a wedding guest or the bride, the designer clothing and jewelry boutiques attending the show allow attendees to purchase items on site.

Over the years, the MyShadi Bridal Expo has become a place not only for wedding planning, but for all event planning needs. Attendees planning baby showers and anniversary and graduation parties are able to find photographers, venues, caterers and more at the show making the process that much easier. MyShadi Bridal Expo offers something for all members of the family!

For those hoping to check items of that wedding to do list or just feel inspired, the Desh Videsh Media Group team hopes to see at the next show on Sunday, September 15, at the Hilton Orlando! Be on the lookout for 2020 show dates to be announced soon.

For a look at what to expect at the MyShadi Bridal Expo, visit www.myshadibridalexpo.com and click on Past Events.

MyShadi Bridal Expo
community event

South Asian wedding

Southeast US

Desh Videsh Media Group

Raj Shah

Aruna Shah

South Asian specific bridal show

Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel

Indin Wedding photographers

Indian Wedding decorators

Indian Wedding DJs

Indian Wedding caterers

Indian Wedding venues

clothing/jewelry boutiques

hair Style

makeup Artist

henna artists

Hilton Orlando

Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel

Simrans Designer Wear

Shubhra Singh Chohan

Yasmin Hetherington of Blushing Bride

Mital of Myar Decor Inc

Exclusive Entertainment Events

Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley

D The Event Planner

Banjara Indian Boutique

Wedding Hair by Liz

Royal Event DJs

Vikwabs Decor

Rosanna Barsati

Le Trend Boutique

Michele Renee Hair& Makeup Artist Group

Dudha Productions

Hilton Charlotte Center City

Ritu Bhat

Heartfelt Fashion

DJ Pawan Entertainment & Events

House of Masaba

Devam

Miami Ethnic

Rima of Dil Se Dance
Beauty Cafe Salon

Infinite Soundz Entertainment

Myshadi Bridal Expo in Charlotte

Myshadi Bridal Expo in Orlando

Myshadi Bridal Expo in Fort Lauderdale

Myshadi Bridal Expo in Raleigh

Myshadi Bridal Expo in Atlanta

Photographer: HazeDelight Photography

Sanjay told Neha to dress up and be ready early because they had brunch plans with friends. Instead he took her to a park by the Brooklyn Bridge, got down on one knee and proposed. And he had hired a photographer (who hid) and captured the entire proposal— and then took engagement photos.

During the nine months they were engaged, Sanjay and Neha, with the help of their families, made most of the plans themselves. They agree that is was definitely harder to do than they anticipated, and the little details took a lot of time. The bride-to-be had always wanted a big fat Indian wedding, and says they had the wedding of her dreams, thanks to their amazing parents.

Most of the family lives in or near Coral Springs, Florida, so picking the Marriott Hotel there made sense. The hotel had a lot of room for all the events part of a large Indian wedding, and guest stayed there as well.

The Sangeet before the wedding had a very colorful Punjabi theme for which Suhaag Garden provided all the décor. The stage had a jhoola (swing), and it’s very colorful backdrop with lanterns on both sides. The guest tables had a mix of teal and fuchsia covers plus gold chair covers—accented by gold lanterns with candles. A nice touch was a fuschia bench with pillows where the women sat and sang jagoo songs. The morning ceremony was in the Marriott’s ballroom that was charming with blush pink and silver décor. Pink rose petals marked the beautiful aisle, leading up to the front where white elephants stood. The round mandap was blush pink topped by a floral hedge of white hydrangeas, blush pink roses and ivory spray roses. The welcome table displayed a statue of Ganesh and candles.

Every guest received a box showing the couple’s name and wedding date, and contained nuts and the 4-page folded wedding program uniquely designed by the bride.

For Sanjay’s Baarat, he arrived astride a horse, accompanied by a dhol player. The couple choose Pavan as their emcee and DJ. The groom’s entrance music for the ceremony was “tenu leke main javanga,” and for the bride, “din shogana da.” And, all the festivities were recorded and photographed using drones.

The reception round tables had plum-color covers, and two estate tables for family had silver covers and silver chiavari chairs. The stage was decorated in plum, white and silver with candelabras on each side. The family tables centerpieces contained Manzanita branches that were adorned with white orchids, crystal and glass globes. Guest tables alternated between having crystal and glass globes on Manzanita branches. The sign-in table had a crystal hedge in the back, with pictures of our pre-wedding photoshoot. For the cake table, in front of the cake we had our custom-made bobble head—a unique and favorite part.

At the reception in addition to the DJ, Master Johnny was their dhol player. Music was a mix of Hindi, Punjabi and English. The couple’s first dance was to “dhere dhere se meri zindagi (yo yo honey singh remix). The mother/son and father/daughter dance was to “If” by Babyface. For the couple’s entrance to the reception, they used “aaj ki party” by Mike Singh.

The couple’s advice for others was simple and sincere: Enjoy the day—and try to delegate all the little things to friends and family members—so you can truly enjoy your big day to the max.

Vendors BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN Ibrow Studio 954-304-4958 CAKE Edda’s Cake Design 305-668-1828 DÉCOR Suhaag Garden 772-528-0394 HORSE – CARRIAGE Wind Chase Farm 772-285-3480 INVITATIONS Invites & Events 954-797-8022 MEHNDI Farah’s Mehndi 786-208-2277 MUSIC BAND Pavan Events 954-494-3567 PHOTOGRAPHER HazeDelight Photography 786-325-5929 PRIEST/WORSHIP SERVICES Priest Chakravarthy 954-353-4543 RECEPTION SITES Marriott Coral Springs 954-227-4122 RESTAURANT/CATERING Punjab Fine Indian Restaurant 561-392-8000 VIDEOGRAPHY DelightMedia Productions 786-220-1208

The post Neha and Sanjay first appeared on Desh-Videsh Media reaches 1.5 Millions+ Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshi, and Indo-Caribbeans..]]> https://www.deshvidesh.com/anukiran-weds-hector/ Mon, 06 Mar 2017 16:35:21 +0000 http://www.deshvidesh.com/?p=24610 Anukiran weds Hector Anukiran and Hector’s love story defies the common belief that “opposites attract.” When they first met at ITT Technical Institute, they discovered they were not only pursuing the same degree and were in the same year, but also shared the same birthday. The young couple decided that it must be destiny that brought them together and knew ...

Anukiran weds Hector Anukiran and Hector’s love story defies the common belief that “opposites attract.” When they first met at ITT Technical Institute, they discovered they were not only pursuing the same degree and were in the same year, but also shared the same birthday. The young couple decided that it must be destiny that brought them together and knew that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

On the day of their graduation from ITT Tech, Hector proposed to Anukiran with both of their families present. At the time, Hector was already contracted with the government to join the United States Marine Corps and during their graduation dinner, his gunnery sergeant made a surprise appearance. He led Anukiran and their families outside, where Hector asked Anukiran to marry him. She was so surprised and speechless, yet she was happy to say “yes” in front of their families.

The couple hired Anand Event Services to plan the wedding, even though Anukiran initially wanted a do-it-yourself wedding. She realized that it requires an unreasonable amount of time and effort, and didn’t want to compromise the happiness of the wedding with a million unmanageable tasks. Anand Event Services coordinated everything from decorations for all of the events and their photographs. Rather than a destination wedding, the couple chose a hotel venue that was convenient for their families in South Florida. For the sangeet night, Anand Event Services decorated a clubhouse venue with a multi-colored theme that exceeded their expectations.

	Instead of a wedding theme, Anukiran and Hector chose a simple red and white color scheme with floral varieties and colored drapes and sheets covering the gurudwara floor and walls. Hector arrived at the gurudwara in a vintage red Chevrolet show car, and the wedding transitioned into a navy, blue, and gold reception event. The centerpieces were all white, with beautiful hanging orchids and water gel crystals. Each centerpiece was delicately uplit with a white light to create a gorgeous, glowing effect. During the reception, the bride and groom’s families entered first, followed by the newlyweds entering to their first dance song. Throughout the night, their 300 guests danced to a mix of bhangra, bachata, salsa, and American pop hits. Anukiran and Hector were glad that they were able to enjoy all of the small moments without frustration or stress, and their wedding turned out to be a beautiful event with the help of their accomplished wedding planners.
Photos Courtesy Anand Event Services 754-581-0074 www.anandphotoandvideo.com   Vendors BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN Ibrow Studio 954-304-4958 www.sumaiyas.com PHOTOGRAPHER Anand Photo & Video 754-581-0074 www.anandphotoandvideo.com CAKE Eddas Cake Designs 305-668-1828 www.eddascakedesigns.com RECEPTION SITES Coral Springs Marriott 954-227-4122 www.marriott.com/fllmc CEREMONY SITE Sikh Society of Florida 954-680-0221 www.miamigurudwara.org RESTAURANT/CATERING Punjab Restaurant 561-392-8000 www.bocapunjab.com DISC JOCKEY Ace DJ 954-649-3374 acedj2004@yahoo.com VIDEOGRAPHY Anand Event Services 754-581-0074 www.anandphotoandvideo.com JEWELERS JR Dunn Jewelers 954-782-5000 www.jrdunn.com WEDDING SERVICES Anand Event Services 754-581-0074 www.anandphotoandvideo.com

The post Anukiran weds Hector first appeared on Desh-Videsh Media reaches 1.5 Millions+ Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshi, and Indo-Caribbeans..]]>

Ten years after experiencing the bliss of togetherness, Avinash decided it was time to take the relationship to the next level. On the pretext of having Anuradha home for dinner, Avinash arranged for an elaborate candlelight dinner, complete with rose petals carpeting the floor, floating candles and soft music playing gently in the background. The most special snapshot was of Avinash waiting in readiness with a ring in his hand.

With ten months before the final wedding day, there was plenty to accomplish. The task was made even more difficult since the wedding was followed directly by the reception on the same day. Suhaag Gardens stepped in and took responsibility for all décor and overall arrangements, which eased a significant amount of stress.

The wedding was held in Florida, with another reception planned in Trinidad. The Marriott Coral Springs was an ideal venue since the hotel could not only accommodate all guests, but also provided scenic beauty. Although there were smaller pujas and obligatory rituals performed in the days before the wedding, the main celebrations stretched over three days, beginning with a haldi ceremony and followed by a sangeet the following day.

A large Radha Krishna statue welcomed guests to the wedding venue. Upon entering, it was apparent that white was the color of the day, complemented with the use of gold, crystal and colorful flowers. The mandap drew much attention with the use of bright blue and purple drapes. While Avinash had an impressive entourage of cars, the bride came in under an exquisite canopy, while a live band created the right mood with its music.

At the reception, tables and chairs were decorated to feed into the predominant peacock theme. With purple and blue on the tables and matching flower arrangements, the sight was spectacular. Water fountains and rotating peacock statues made the arrangements unique and equally ornate. Even the lights were purple, green and blue. Highlights of the evening include introduction of the bride and groom, speeches, and the fine food.

For those who missed out on the extravaganza in Florida, there was plenty to look forward to back home as the couple celebrated again with a reception in Trinidad. The Lakshmi Narayan Temple came alive with water fountains, tea gardens and fresh décor. This time around, there were even two live peacocks!

There is no shortage of wedding advice, but the couple offers a fresh perspective. They feel that once you have true friendship, love, honesty and respect for one another, all arrangements leading up to the wedding will become much easier and also more enjoyable. It also works when you keep each other well informed and communicate, which will ensure that everyone is heard. The couple stresses that no matter how stressful the event, and despite what may go wrong, you will certainly be left wanting to enjoy the celebrations all over again, so it is best that you take in every moment!

Anuradha weds Avinash

Suhaag Gardens

The Marriott Coral Springs

the wedding venue

The mandap

The Lakshmi Narayan Temple

Vanessa Hankins Photography

BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN

BRIDE-GROOM CLOTHING

PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER

WEDDING INVITATIONS

Shalini Vijaya Persad met her true love Arron Randy Ramlogan when she was only thirteen. They met at Randy’s sister’s sixteenth birthday party, and once they set eyes on each other from across the room, they could not look away. A few days later Randy called Shalini and asked her out. This was the first step they took together and that made for the strongest foundation to their relationship.

Their relationship only grew with time. Growing steadily to become more than lovers, Shalini and Randy found companionship, solace, friendship and counsel in each other. They shared everything they dreamt of, thought about, and felt. Endless hours of talking and countless meetings only made them realize how intense their love was for one another. Randy and Shalini ensured that they spent every birthday, Diwali, Christmas and Thanksgiving together.

As they grew older, both Shalini and Randy understood that they would need to chart their own life and destiny. They decided to explore themselves and life. With all of the traveling, learning, building their careers, making friends, and developing hobbies, the one thing that remained constant in their life was the love they had for one another. Seven years later, Shalini received the fateful call from Randy, which brought the couple, their love, and magic back together.

Randy proposed in style by taking Shalini to the Viceroy Hotel Miami for dinner. Only, it was not in the restaurant, but on the terrace that had been booked only for them. With appetizers, drinks and the main course already ordered and served, Shalini and Randy then proceeded to take a walk on the pretext of getting a better view of Miami. Randy, however, had other plans. As the restaurant manager and waiter came in with a bottle of champagne and tray, Shalini was floored with an exquisite ring and the sight of Randy proposing from down on one knee. This was the perfect beginning of their journey together and a night Shalini will never forget.

The first wedding event happened to be the hardi ceremony and intimate gathering shared with friends and family in Shalini’s backyard. With tents, decorated mandaps and music, it may have been causal, but it was certainly very enjoyable. The hardi ceremony may have been short, but was conducted beautifully. Shalini walked in escorted by her mother, creating a surreal moment. The ceremony was conducted by the family’s guru, Dr. Pundit Prakash Prasad. A scrumptious dinner followed, and then it was time for uninhibited fun and entertainment, with singers and dancers sweeping the guests off their feet.

The next event was the mehndi the following night. Beginning in the afternoon, the joyous occasion went on for several hours in order for the artists to have enough time to create ornate designs on Shalini’s arms and legs. Guests trickled in later in the afternoon, and the festive mood from the evening before continued full force. Shalini found great joy in seeing not just traditional and contemporary designs, but also Randy’s name incorporated into the pattern.

The wedding ceremony began on January 29 and took place at the Marriott Coral Springs Hotel – Golf Club and Convention Center. The atmosphere in the hotel inspired love at first sight as well as a refreshing drive down Heron Bay. The ballroom was attractive in design and layout. Chandeliers and lighting created a grand ambiance. As Shalini walked down the aisle, she felt excitement and anticipation, eager to get a glimpse of Randy. She simply could not stop staring when her eyes met his. The tempo picked up, and Shalini found herself savoring every moment – the ceremony, friends and family, decor, colors and clothes. The love between the bride and groom was obvious –Randy and Shalini laughed, talked, and held hands showing just how comfortable they were making this all important transition. For the over 470 guests in attendance, this was a wedding on which they would think of fondly for a long time.

The wedding reception followed in the same ballroom, which was transformed for the festive occasion. In the meantime, appetizers were served, and Randy and Shalini took the time to change into their reception ensembles. Dinner was the first treat of the evening while a slideshow played in the background with music provided by the DJ. Randy and Shalini entered after dinner to a lively bangra number. They enjoyed their first dance, after which they got to mingle with guests and relatives, while also taking many pictures. Everyone then enjoyed a slideshow that chronicled the journey of their life together, followed by speeches made by close friends and family.

The wedding was certainly not a breeze or cakewalk, but rather a carefully planned event. Though Jilna Patel of Suhaag Garden took the helm with planning and implementation, the whole family pitched in with their contributions. Months of meticulous work went in to ensure everything went smoothly. In retrospect, Shalini believes that being organized is what helps you get through with little stress. Working together on all decisions as a team will enable both bride and groom to take in the moment together and feel the same passion. This is just how you learn to share every moment of your future life together.

Shalini Weds Randy

THE BEGINNING:
We met exactly one year before our wedding date, at a restaurant in downtown Chicago. We decided to get married about three months later. As soon as we met, we knew we were made for each other.

THE PROPOSAL
I came home from work on a Friday and found Jay in my condo down on his knees with a beautiful ring. There was a beautiful sign, romantic decorations, and even all new furniture everywhere. He and his friends worked all day to truly surprise me, and it was amazing.

THE PLANNING
With Jay and I living in Chicago and the wedding being planned in Florida, we faced a lot of challenges surrounding the planning of a wedding remotely. It all worked out well though—with the help of e-mail and my large and supportive family in Florida who did the bulk of the work. We did not have a consultant, and instead, my parents did a lot and had a large volunteer committee that helped work through every detail. It was truly a community effort and we are very grateful to everyone that assisted.

THE LOCATION
I grew up in South Florida and wanted to get married there— it was a great experience to be surrounded by everyone that I was raised along with in the community. Plus the weather was amazing – way better than in Chicago! The Marriott Heron Bay was not only a beautiful venue, but it was convenient and allowed us to have all of our events in one location.

THE BRIDE WORE:
I bought my wedding outfit from Asopalav, a store in Ahmedabad, India. We went to India in November to go shopping and bought all of our clothes and accessories during that trip. The selection was wonderful – the trip was well worth it. My saree was a very traditional red and white, and I custom designed all of my jewelry to match from a small shop in Nadiad, Gujarat.

THE BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP
There were three main events for which to get ready – garba, wedding, and reception. I have to give all the credit for all my hair and makeup to my beautician, Anju Thakkar. She was absolutely wonderful. She was patient and artistic, and she paid such attention to every single detail. For the garba, she designed my hair into a long, traditional braid called a “chotlo” that was absolutely stunning, surrounded by fresh flowers.

THE FLOWER GIRL:
We had many flower girls and boys walking down the aisle — all of nieces, nephews, and cousins. The older girls came out doing a dance, the younger girls carried flowers, and the boys carried roses and of course the ring.

THE GROOM & THE GUYS WORE:
Jay wore a custom designed Shirvani at the wedding that was embroidered to match my outfit exactly. At the reception he wore a tuxedo, as did all of the men in the wedding party. We chose to have matching tux designs, but everyone chose their own vest color to match their own personality.

Sangeet/Raas Garba
For the garba, we chose a multi-colored theme. All the tables and décor had bright, varied colors. Nilu and Jay’s outfits were also multicolor.

MEHNDI
Our mendhi celebrations took place at home — my parents, brother, and sister-in-law did a wonderful job hosting. They have a breathtaking home, and they built a tent in the backyard beside the pool. Rupal, my sister-in-law, did many of the decorations herself and Rakesh Anand also helped decorate the house — there were candles, lights, and many traditional decorations made of red bandani. We invited the groom’s side over as well, and it was a great occasion for the families to mingle and get to know each other.

THE CEREMONY:
On the morning of our special day, the wedding ceremony took place at the Marriott’s convention center. The barat was one of the best parts of the wedding — the groom’s side launched tons of fireworks, and then came down a street that was lined with large palm trees against the backdrop of the golf course. Once inside, traditional red and white decorations were displayed throughout the hall with a large, gold and white mandap.

TRADITIONS
In our family, the bride’s maternal uncle traditionally brings her down the aisle. Unfortunately, my “mama” was not granted a visa. Therefore, two very special people in my life walked me down the aisle in his place — my brother, Anil, and my sister-in-law, Rupal. One of the most memorable moments for me was when my brother continually held my arm tightly and whispered in my ear halfway down the aisle, “Take it all in Nilu. Take it in.” That was the best advice anybody could have given me.

MUSIC
Our DJ, Satbir Singh from Ace DJ, did a great job with the music at the garba, wedding, and reception. He had an outrageous traveling cart at the barat and you could hear the music throughout the whole hotel – it was awesome! I was sitting in my hotel room getting ready, and I could hear every bit of music outside with my balcony door open — it was so cool, I felt like I was in the middle of a Bollywood movie. The dhol player he brought along just added a wonderful kick to the atmosphere.

TRANSPORTATION:
Jay arrived at the wedding venue in a huge white convertible Bentley that was decorated beautifully with red and white flower strands. Wow, was it breathtaking! Traditional, yet contemporary. I felt like a princess being driven away in it after the wedding.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Two companies took care of photography and videography – Spectacle Photo located in Orlando, and Anand Photo and Video located in South Florida. Both were great. Rich Johnson from Spectacle Photo was one of the most memorable people we have ever met. He is very talented, fun, and an extremely creative photographer. A few months before the wedding, he did our engagement shots at Morikami Park in Delray Beach and they were also spectacular.

THE RECEPTION:
The decorations for the reception were designed to match my outfit, which was teal and gold. The stage backdrop and tables matched, and the centerpieces were large glass vases filled with water and orchids.

TOASTS
We had four speeches — all of which were memorable. My brother spoke, and so did Jay’s brother, Sandip. Both had lots of memories to share about Nilu and Jay’s childhood and path before they met each other. My friends from college spoke and so did Jay’s best friend. My frieds gave Jay some wise pieces of advice. Jay’s friends always have some hilarious stories— life with Jay never has a dull moment.

THE WEDDING CAKE
The cake was designed by Michelle Crooks at Publix. She did a great job—she even custom mixed the icing to exactly match my outfit – all based on a cloth cutting. The cake was four tiers, and each tier was on a separate stand. Sugar flowers and separate stands were used to preserve the beauty and taste of the cake.

ENTERTAINMENT
We played a variety of music throughout the night of the reception. The first dance was “Tere Bina” from the movie Guru, and the father/daughter dance was “Jaab Koi Baat Bigar Jaye” which was a very special moment between me and my dad, who did so much for the wedding and has always been there for me. The last dance song was Green Day’s “Hope you had the time of your life.” Intermingled with the speeches, many of our family and friends did a variety of dances. One of the highlights included our breakout surprise dance done to “Jai Ho.”

THE FAVORS
The favors we gave out at the wedding surrounded our love of dance. We gave out bags with payal in them for the girls, and also a CD with our favorite songs on them. We also tied a quote to the top of the bag, which had to do with dance and the bond of love.

YOUR BEST ADVICE
My advice is to delegate and trust. I had such a wonderful time at the entire wedding, and that was because we delegated every single detail to our close friends and family. When the weekend came along, all that was left to do was have a great time with everyone who came. Jay’s advice— if you are planning a wedding, just call Nilu’s dad, Natubhai Patel from Coral Springs.

NUPTIAL NIGHTMARES/DREAMS:
Throughout the wedding planning process, I kept dreaming of the moment when I’d be walking down the aisle. Over and over everyday, I’d dream of that moment. I must say, the real thing was just as perfect as my dreams.

WEDDING DISASTERS
When I was getting ready for the reception, my beautiful bangles broke! I loved them and they matched my teal and gold dress perfectly. However, don’t fear because Anju Auntie was there. She didn’t even flinch—she remained calm, just whipped out her needle and thread and somehow fixed my bangles in 15 minutes. Wow!