Real Wedding

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.

BANQUET HALLS Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resorts 407-239-0444 | BEAUTICIANS A Touch Of Fierce By Laylay Duchatelier 407-232-5743  | CAKE Rose Hill Cakes 407-962-7485  | CATERING Kaieteur tropical mist restaurant 407-847-9385 | Khasiyat Indian Restaurant 407-888-2147 | 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 407-423-7033 | MEHNDI Amrita Henna 352-277-1906 | PHOTOGRAPHER SK Visualography 321-295-6700 

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.

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.

From Chance Introduction to Northern Lights Proposal:
The Wedding of Shrusti Patel and Rishi Amin

The wedding of Shrusti Patel and Rishi Amin was a grand multi-day celebration held on October 12th, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. The ceremony took place at Wasioto Park and the Bridge Building, while the reception was hosted at Embassy Suites by Hilton Franklin Cool Springs. With nearly 600 guests in attendance, the wedding blended tradition, storytelling, and modern design into an unforgettable experience.

BANQUET HALLS Embassy Suites by Hilton Franklin 615-515-5151 | Molly from Infinity Hospitality Group 615.369.6474 | BEAUTICIANS Jyoti Sood 404-790-0305 | CATERING Cafe Bombay 404-320-0229 | DECORATOR Ramleela by Jatin 678-800-6800 |
DISC JOCKEY Elevate Events 678-471-4431 | EVENT PLANNER HumTum.Events 215-385-1889 | Style with Juhi Sachdeva 964-37 6-0014 | FLORIST Indian Wedding Flowers 646-637-3556 | INVITATIONS Weddings by Graphe 772-782-7092 | MEHNDI Henna Squared  203-621-8049 | PHOTOGRAPHER Urban Phulkari 510-945-8299

The couple’s journey began in 2021 when they were first introduced through a mutual family friend. At that time, neither of them pursued anything further due to timing and life circumstances. In 2023, they were reintroduced by the same friend. This time, their connection felt different and more natural. Conversations started flowing easily and quickly turned into something meaningful. Shrusti was living in Philadelphia and Rishi was based in Chicago, so the relationship began long distance. Over the next year, they traveled frequently between cities, met each other’s families, and built a strong emotional foundation. Their relationship reached a turning point during a trip to Finland when Rishi proposed under the Northern Lights.

The proposal took place in the Arctic Circle in Finland during a planned trip to see the Aurora Borealis. Rishi arranged a private viewing experience with the help of a tour guide. After an unsuccessful first night due to weather conditions, the second night became magical when the sky lit up with vibrant colors. While Shrusti was focused on capturing photographs of the lights, Rishi surprised her by getting down on one knee and proposing. The moment felt surreal and emotional, made even more special by the fact that a candid photo she was trying to take ended up capturing the proposal itself.

The pre-wedding events each had distinct themes. The Mehendi was designed with a soft boho aesthetic featuring neutral drapes, pampas grass, candles, wicker textures, and blush floral arrangements. The Vidhi and Haldi ceremonies were vibrant and traditional with marigold décor, colorful backdrops, lanterns, and interactive guest activities including a canvas reveal. The Sangeet transformed the barn into a Moroccan-inspired space with jewel tones, hanging lanterns, velvet textures, and dramatic lighting that created an immersive celebration.

The wedding ceremony was held outdoors in the evening at 7 PM with the Nashville skyline as a backdrop. Inspired by the wedding sequence in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, the mandap design was grand and cinematic. One of the most memorable moments was Shrusti’s entrance into the mandap through a hidden staircase, a vision that required extensive planning and last-minute problem solving before it was successfully executed.

Music played an important role throughout the celebration. The Baraat featured a live dhol team that created an energetic atmosphere as guests danced from the waterfront to the ceremony space. The groom arrived by boat with his groomsmen, adding a unique and lively start to the day. The ceremony included live singers and musicians performing traditional songs, enhancing the emotional atmosphere.

The reception embraced a modern luxury theme with a black, white, and gold color palette. The ballroom featured mirrored accents, candles, acrylic seating, and white floral arrangements including roses, hydrangeas, and lisianthus. Instead of a traditional stage setup, the DJ booth and LED screens became the focal point, creating an immersive party atmosphere. The bridal party entrance included custom props, LED lights, and oversized photo cutouts that energized the room.

The couple’s first dance included “Ordinary” by Alex Warren and “Tum Ho Toh” from Saiyaara. The father daughter dance was “Meri Duniya Tu Hi Re” by Sonu Nigam, and the mother son dance was “It’s the Time to Disco” by Vasundhara Das, KK, and Shaan.

The reception music blended Bollywood, Punjabi, hip hop, and global hits, keeping guests on the dance floor throughout the night. One of the most memorable spontaneous moments came when everyone gathered for “Mr. Brightside,” creating a final emotional singalong.

Personal touches were present throughout the wedding. Shrusti wore her mother’s wedding saree during the garland exchange, which also honored her grandparents who originally gifted it. DIY elements included custom signage, engraved favors, photo sharing QR codes, and personalized props for entrances. A major highlight was the emotional reveal of the fully designed mandap, which exceeded expectations and left guests in awe.

Despite weather anxieties leading up to the wedding and a humorous moment during the Haldi when the groom’s ring was temporarily lost, everything came together beautifully. The couple’s biggest advice to others is to stay present, focus on loved ones, and remember that the most meaningful memories often come from unplanned moments.

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 | BEAUTICIANS Glam by Mevi 305-910-5271 | CATERING Sizzler Tandoori   407-345-4980 | DECORATOR Dreams To Reality 407-592-9261 | DISC JOCKEY Awaaz Entertainment 407-902-9639 | EVENT PLANNER Orpello Occasions 386-316-2418 | INVITATION Tahmeena Paper Studio | MEHNDI Lisa’s Henna 516-503-4690 | PHOTOGRAPHER Asaad Images 407-221-3333 | VIDEOGRAPHER Edz E Antoine 321-274-5760

Over the years, shared experiences and milestones strengthened their bond. “Over time, we realized how much we enjoyed each other’s company and that our personalities and values complemented each other perfectly,” Nazia recalls. Their connection was built on friendship, understanding, and a mutual respect that made their relationship feel natural and steady.

The proposal was equally meaningful. Derrick chose the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a place significant to their early memories, to ask Nazia to marry him. Nervous but heartfelt, his proposal left Nazia with a sense of joy and certainty. “I knew at that moment that I was saying yes to my best friend,” she says.
On December 14, 2025, the couple celebrated their wedding at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by 150 to 200 family members and friends. Orlando was chosen for its familiarity and convenience, allowing loved ones to easily attend the celebration. Aided by their planner, Nagina, Nazia and Derrick navigated the planning process smoothly. “Her calm approach and organization made the entire experience enjoyable,” Nazia says.

The festivities began with a vibrant outdoor mehndi. The stage, framed with marigolds and roses in orange, yellow, coral, and blush, sat above ivory settees and hanging floral garlands. Brass lanterns, baskets of marigolds, and playful details like a red parasol with hanging beads added warmth and charm. Food carts encouraged guests to mingle, a henna artist offered intricate designs, and a small bazaar with polki bags, gajras, and jhumkas added a festive touch. Bollywood beats filled the air, with family performances and songs creating a personal and joyful atmosphere. The groom entered dancing to “Saajanji Ghar Aaye” from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, followed by Nazia and her cousins to “Mehndi Hai Rachnewali.”

The reception embraced elegance and romance. Black velvet linens provided a dramatic base for the décor, while white roses and soft blooms with greenery added freshness. Gold candle holders with floating candles cast a warm glow, and textured glass chargers and gold flatware gave each table a polished look. The stage featured gold-framed cascading white flowers, crystal chandeliers, and a cream loveseat for the couple. Nazia and Derrick entered hand in hand to “Mahiya Jinna Sohna” by Darshan Raval, walking onto a white dance floor featuring their monogram and wedding date.
Music played throughout the evening, blending Bollywood, American, and jazz tunes to create a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. “We wanted the night to be about enjoying time with family and friends rather than following a strict program,” Nazia explains. Instead of performances or a first dance, the focus was on connection and celebration.

Personal touches made the day memorable. A 360° photo booth, Polaroid cameras at the entrance, and a Jenga guest book encouraged guests to leave messages and create keepsakes. These small details reflected the couple’s personalities and made their wedding interactive and fun.
Some of the most memorable moments were quiet ones—seeing each other for the first time before the festivities began and walking into the decorated venues. “The colors, flowers, and details made the days feel magical and completely ‘us,’” Nazia reflects. Their advice to other couples? “Stay calm, focus on what matters, and take a moment to pause and enjoy the day. It goes by faster than you think.”