March 2026

Desh-Videsh March 2026

Cover Story

Indian wedding couple Nazia & Derrick

Nazia & Derrick

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.   BANQUET HALL Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort 407-239-3984 …

Digital Magazine

March 2026

Past Magazine

Real Wedding

Sujata and Mark couple wedding photoshoot

Sujata and Mark

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 …

Editorial

Guest Editorial

Guest Editorial

Responding to the Debate on Marriage After 30 As the managing editor of Desh-Videsh, I was deeply encouraged by the thoughtful responses we received following my December 2025 editorial on the growing trend of Indian-Americans marrying after the age of 30. The article sparked meaningful discussion across our community, with readers sharing diverse perspectives shaped by personal experience, professional insight, …

Real Wedding

Indian wedding Couple Payal and Elvis

Payal and Elvis

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 …

Real Wedding

Radhika Agarwal and Krishan Garg’s anniversary celebration

Shaadi 2.0: When a Silver Anniversary Becomes a Destination Wedding

By Rema DeoGrowing up in Mumbai, weddings were many things – loud, loving, elaborate – but they were never flown to.  After moving to Florida, I was fortunate to attend my first destination wedding. Destination weddings, after all, are extremely popular among young couples these days. But a destination wedding anniversary?  The only one I could recall was from the …

Indian Wedding Ritual

Indian groom laughing during the haldi and pithi ceremony with family and friends

Pithi with a Splash of Holi: A Colourful Twist to Wedding Traditions

In many Indian weddings today, age-old rituals are finding joyful new expressions. One beautiful example is the blending of the traditional Pithi ceremony with the playful spirit of Holi, the festival of colors. The result is a vibrant celebration filled with laughter, color, and heartfelt blessings that brings families together in unforgettable ways. The Pithi ceremony is a pre-wedding ritual …

Bollywood Weddings

Celebrities wedding couple: Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna & Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben

2026 Wedding of Bollywood Celebrities:

Regal Ceremonies, Private Vows and Grand Celebrations The year 2026 has become one of the most talked about wedding seasons in Bollywood and the South Indian film industry. While cinema continues to dominate headlines, it is the personal lives of stars that have captured massive public interest this year. Grand heritage venues, tight security arrangements and culturally rich ceremonies have …

Indian Wedding Ritual

Traditional Vedic Hindu Marriage

Hindu Wedding According to the Vedas

By Samir Desai Introduction A Hindu wedding according to the Vedas is not merely a social contract—it is considered a sacred spiritual union (Saṁskāra). Marriage is one of the sixteen major sacraments (Ṣoḍaśa Saṁskāras) in Hindu life. The Sacredness of Marriage In the Vedic tradition, marriage is performed in the presence of Agni, the sacred fire. who acts as the divine witness. …

Must Read Book

Engagement to Vidaai BOOK COVER

Must Read Book

From Engagement to Vidaai A Complete Guide to Planning Your Indian Wedding in America By Raj Shah Planning an Indian wedding in the United States is not just about traditions — it’s about strategy. From negotiating with parents to managing a six-figure budget… From understanding venue contracts and fire codes to selecting vendors who truly understand your vision and Indian …

Must Read Book

Must Read Book

The Big Fat Indian Weddings How to Tap into this Multi-Billion Dollar, Recession-Proof US Market By Raj Shah Indian weddings in America are not just events — they are multi-day, multi-venue, luxury productions powered by culture, family pride, and serious spending. With highly educated, high-income households and a deep-rooted tradition of grand celebrations, Indian-American weddings have quietly become one of …

Wedding Resource Guide

Wedding Resource Directory Spring 2026

BANQUET HALLS Amrit Ocean Resort www.amritocean.com 844-692-6748 Biltmore Coral Gables www.biltmorehotel.com 800-727-1926 Bonaventure Town Center Club www.bonaventuretcc.net 954-384-8330 x 107 Courtland Grand Hotel www.courtlandgrandhotel.com 404-659-6500 Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center www.marriott.com/fllmc 954-227-4119 Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa www.hiltonsandestinbeach.com 850 -267- 3076 Marriott St. Petersburg Clearwater www.marriott.com/tpasb 727-456-1421 Palm Beach Gardens Marriott wwwmarriott.com/pbipg 561-630-1305 Renaissance …

Community News

Community News March 2026

Highlighted Events Gujarati Convention When: 05/22/2026 Where: Renaissance Orlando 6677 Sea Harbor Dr, Orlando,32821 Contact: 404-401-4404 Email: info@fogausa.org Host: Federation Of Gujarati Association India Fest 2026 – Fort Myers When: 03/14/2026 , 12 PM – 8 PM Where: Alliance For the Arts 10091 , McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers,33919 Contact: Shaila Singh 2397708242 Email: contact@iafortmyers.org Host: India Association of Fort Myers …